Amazing video of the Smithsonian's USS Enterprise restoration process

Star Trek visual effects artist Bill Geogre just posted this amazing video chronicling the restoration and reconstruction of the original USS Enterprise filming miniature, before she went back on display at the heart of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum new look Milestones of Flight Hall (as recently reported).

The ship was taken apart by the conservators at the Smithsonian's Steven F. Udvar-Hazy facility, with almost the Entire ship painted anew, save for the top of the saucer, the only place where the original paint had been preserved. This video shows that process in detail, and it makes me tense just watching it - Can imagine the sense of responsibility handling that half century icon?



Thanks to Doug Drexler for pointing me towards this!

The beautiful fully restored miniature, complete with with full lighting and spinning bussard collectors, is back on display right now at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. Which is wear SpockBoy got footage for the delightful tribute below, that brings the model back to life in universe as well:



These clips are just a tease of what's to come, in September the Smithsonian Channel will be airing Building Star Trek, a two hour documentary looking at the restoration of the Enterprise, as well as the rescontruction of the bridge set for the current touring exhibitions, and a look at Star Trek's influence on technology.