Interestingly - Australia was the fourth country in the world to launch a satellite back in 1967 - The fact we had to use left over gear from 6 different countries is beside the point lol
I built one of these back in the '80's when I was a teenager and it went together really well straight out of the box, no problems at all. Back then they were relatively cheap too, pocket money kits, I say that cos I was still in school and I bought it with my pocket money :) Take care and have a good new year, Harry 👍
Loved this video. I too remember watching Star Trek when it was on prime time. This was probably the first model kit I ever built. I would play with the ship, running around outside with it yelling “We need more power Scottie!” “Aye Captain, I’m giving you all she’s got!” I don’t recall how, but later I ended up losing the top half of the saucer. I fashioned a replacement with a plain white paper plate. It actually didn’t look too bad! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen this kit at the stores or online recently. I don’t know why I haven’t got one for a nostalgia build. Hmm, maybe soon.
I also had the original AMT kit back in 1966, though I remember seeing the Aurora version a few years later -- both in Melbourne. With that in mind, I can say that the kit has changed quite a bit over the years -- not so much in terms of major changes, but certainly in details. The ability to light it -- grain-of-wheat bulbs in the top and bottom of the disc (in fact, that's what the "nipple covers" are for) and the front nacelle caps -- was there from the start, with translucent parts for the light to shine through. IIRC, the Aurora version didn't light the engines, only the domes. When the kit was re-released without any of the lights, AMT reworked the secondary hull, which no longer had to hold the batteries, and the forward end of the nacelles, added the spheres to the aft nacelle caps and removed the deflector grid on the disc and a few other small details. Not necessarily all at once, but that was the cumulative effect. So the later releases, like yours, was almost but not quite a different model -- a bit like modelling a battleship in 1945 as opposed to 1917, or even 1941: same ship, but different in detail. Some of the changes were improvements, others were definitely not. Still, at the time, it was all we had, and it certainly sold well.
It would be interesting to track down an original model with the lighting. But I easily to that to mine anyway, plus add 3D printed upgrades that were not available last century
What did you want to know about the original kit? I can remember most things about mine, and I only lost it a few years ago. Actually, I cannibalised it to build a modern version, transferring things like the translucent parts to the new model.
I had the original back in 1966 when I was 6. If I remember correctly, it had wiring and lights for the top (around the bridge area) and bottom of the saucer. Can't remember where the batteries went. Didn't have a decal sheet like yours! It was unstable on the stand; those engine nacelles wobbled around alot.
They were considered toys back then like my dreaded Tamiya T-34.. scale? who cares…. accuracy? close enough… bling? yes add motors and lights then make it go beep!
I built the Polar Lights version of the Enterprise and Botany Bay a few years ago. What a nightmare! Hopefully, your Enterprise build goes much more smoothly.
I knew those critters were up to something! Interestingly a distant relative of mine found that island.. so technically I own it and all the cuddly rats!
Live long and prosper Harry. 😊 I have one of that kit too, and like yours, it has been in the stash for a very long time. Surprisingly for such an old mould, there isn’t a ton of flash. It is probably not going to fit together like a modern kit but should result in a nice model of the TV version of the USS Enterprise. Don’t know when I’ll get to building it, though. 😅🖖🏻
Built the amt one about 1972,still up the loft and maybe one day will paint it,don't remember it coming with decals for other ships on the sheet but kit it's self came in a blue colour,still have a klingon d7 as well.
I also had this kit back in the sixties. The attachment of the nacelles to the secondary hull has been changed a couple of times in an attempt to reduce the dreaded droop, the battery was housed in shaped "bulkheads" inside the secondary hull (long gone from the tooling, I think only the first release had lighting included), you turned on the lights by twisting the deflector dish. The nacelle caps were originally clear and lit with grain of wheat bulbs which, if you were lucky, lasted a couple of battery changes. First kit I ever built without Dad's help, still got a couple in the stash somewhere, along with every other release of the good old 1701, yep, I am that sad 😏
Great video, Harry! That old Enterprise is a fun kit. I had one years ago, but I did a horrible paint job on the upper saucer half and ended up giving it to a mate. Even Scotty couldn't save that one! You'll find loads of custom bits for it, etched, 3D printed, lights, decals, you name it. Look up The Third Models, aka Mark Myers. He does amazing stuff with Trek kits.
I've built that kit several times - all the way back to the early 1970s. Kits molded in white, silver, and baby blue. The Enterprise was one of AMTs first kits to ever have a million units sold. It has been in almost continuous production since 1966 - and is still available today . (there were a couple of years it was not due to transfers of ownership of the company etc). For a simple fun build it's still a good kit. It has received minor updates a few times over the decades - for instance the grid lines on the top of the saucer section have been removed. I never knew it was boxed as an Aurora kit, I've never seen one of those here in the USA - maybe it uas a European thing? Thanks for sharing ! 👍
9:34 oh no....I have to say it.....(apologies) those dome things at the front of the tube looking bits are Bussard Collectors !!! There I did it.... I actually have this in my collection, I built it about 35 year ago, never had any trouble with the nacelle coming loose. I'm old and I'm a Trekky, that's my excuse and I'm sticking with it. That Enterprise is a Constellation Class. Secondary hull is Engineering.
Yup, like many kids, I made the Enterprise back in the 1970s. I had no idea what I was building, because I didn't watch Star Trek 'til I was married with children, a few decades later. I built the kit for a mate of mine who was a huge fan of the show. He still has it on display along with his massive collection of Star Trek memorabilia. Fair Play to him.
Good morning Harry from a wet and snowy London nice review on the Enterprise i have the Revell 1/600 scale Enterprise which has a load of clear parts as all the windows are cut out this is on the waiting list to build one day ! any how thanks for the Sunday treat have a great day
The reinforcement with a metal rod is more a thing to counteract problems like the dreaded nacelle sagging over the years. There's a reason why people like Bill Krause equip their models with an internal armature to support the parts.
LoL 😆. Back in November I built an a.m.t. 3 piece 1/2500 scale USS Enterprise set kit. I haven’t painted them yet. I want to build a custom diorama for the original Enterprise from the kit but I need a 3D printer to make what I need first. There’s a cartoon picture on my phone of the original Enterprise plugged into a wall outlet like it’s charging up the ship with the bubble of Scotty saying to Kirk “30 more minutes Captain and she’s all yours”
I have one of these half built somewhere. Had to pack it away when I last moved. Adam savage from Mythbusters filmed a segment for his RUclips channel on the original model built for the show. It is 11 feet long. Interestingly, it is a pale grey with very subtle use of green, and brown used to highlight the details. Well worth watching. Anyway. The Smithonian Institute apparently have made up a list of the correct colours used just for modellers. I have yet to check it out though.
The colour the screen model was actually painted, the colour under lighting (often warm yellow lights) for the TV show, and the colours seen later in digital CGI upgrades to the series are all different. Take your pick.
@@HarryHoudiniModels I think the yellowing was helped by the brown used to highlight the detailing on the model. The model used in the movies appeared to be white to my eyes. I cannot comment on the CGI upgrades, as I have not seen them. Perhaps that is a good thing?
Happy New Year Harry🎉🎉🙏✌️💜 Brave of you to move stuff on, I'm endeavouring to do the same, but life keeps getting in the way. As soon as I've cleared the decks helping my dear old dad from afar, I'll get aroundtoit. Time to start flogging what I don't need, use, want. I keep thinking I'll build it all though. Also I don't want to be forced into it by swmbo - my stepmonster forced me to sell treasured items that I now regret doing. But I have to be practical and deal with the coercing and gaslighting, sort the wheat from the chaff, in terms of kits and my own thoughts 🤔🤔💜💜 Enterprise kit? Fav programme of mine, but I've never, ever, seen that kit before, not even the Matchbox release. Every day is, indeed, a school day. Thanks for sharing the kit and the review 👍💜👍✌️😊
@HarryHoudiniModels Most of my model kits were Airfix tbh, came from the local newsagents or local toy shops, and even Woolworths. One model shop started stocking Tamiya in the 1980s. I guess I've built, five Tamiya kits in 55 years, two of those were RC cars😲😀😀But in blighty I never saw that kit - saw similar in films hanging from kids' bedroom ceilings etc, that was it. I admit, it is odd though 🤔🤔
There are loads of variations of the AMT Enterprise kit Harry. There's a chap on RUclips that made a very detailed historical summary of all the changes....buggered if I can remember the bloke's name. My earliest memory of the kit was when I was about 9 years old. It was the Aurora UK version which had transparent orange nacelle domes, transparent blue bridge and sensor domes and a terrible joint from the engines to the secondary hull. I remember it fell apart and I pretended the engines and connecting stalks were phasers! The main dish I pretended to be a separated ship...which was actually part of the design's original concept but never used in the TV series. "Fascinating" as Mr. Spock would say.
Gday Harry. Interesting kit, not seen it before. The hull design always seemed abit odd, but then, what works in space isn't subject to earth's gravity and pressures. MATE, not a single Darlek anywhere ? I enjoyed the Pakistani Darleks and the "Put it in the currie". Haha, Chan, 😄 🇰🇷🇦🇺 .
Hi Harry still have a 60' version in the stash love the plastic they used back then found that version not as good, know idea how many of the enterprises I made over the years. I dig it out and do a short for you. But how would I get it to you ???
We have swimming wombats who can transport things across the pond for us… either that or post to Bask Dercat. Email me if you want: harry@houdinimodels.com
Interesting fact i heard is the studio actually used the A M T kit as a damaged starship in one of the episodes. The doomsday machine i think. Kirk steered it into the mouth of the doomsday machine and exploded it as he beamed off. ruclips.net/video/lS7cK-mQ0fQ/видео.htmlsi=9Ea5oSREIcoxBj9E
Yep, that's correct. Possibly also used in the 'Tribbles' episode whilst the Enterprise was orbiting the K7 space station in the distance? Not 100% sure about that, but probable.
@HarryHoudiniModels Lol. They are neat kits. Not a "light it up guy" either. And remember. Don't ware a red shirt. They were always the first to go in the show.
@RaymondSuess interestingly I have a red Star Trek shirt but the text “first to go” on it faded away after a year of wearing and washing it! True story.
Good to see the Aussies got their space program going. I also hear thery have a research team going deep below. The Australian Naval Undersea Service.
Interestingly - Australia was the fourth country in the world to launch a satellite back in 1967 - The fact we had to use left over gear from 6 different countries is beside the point lol
😂
Australian Research And Space Exploration is a real thing
spaceaustralia.com.au/
Great classic kit box opening. I have a sealed one of these in my collection. Lord willing I will build it.
Thanks for watching matey
Awww gorgeous kitty cat reminds me of one of my beloved cats🐈👍👍
Bask is a diva, and she knows it
@@HarryHoudiniModels she is still lovely though lol!!
10:06 - 'A little bit of warping'.... Exactly what I'd expect in Star Trek 🤣
You sure would… I wondered if anyone would pick up on that side joke hehe
Fond memories of this kit..... thanks!
My pleasure matey… thanks for watching
I built one of these back in the '80's when I was a teenager and it went together really well straight out of the box, no problems at all. Back then they were relatively cheap too, pocket money kits, I say that cos I was still in school and I bought it with my pocket money :)
Take care and have a good new year, Harry 👍
Thanks for commenting Mark
Loved this video. I too remember watching Star Trek when it was on prime time. This was probably the first model kit I ever built. I would play with the ship, running around outside with it yelling “We need more power Scottie!” “Aye Captain, I’m giving you all she’s got!” I don’t recall how, but later I ended up losing the top half of the saucer. I fashioned a replacement with a plain white paper plate. It actually didn’t look too bad! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen this kit at the stores or online recently. I don’t know why I haven’t got one for a nostalgia build. Hmm, maybe soon.
It is a great nostalgia trio for me back to care free times of my youth
Thanks for the video, Harry. Wishing you a nice, happy and healthy 2025🥂
Good on you Yves
I also had the original AMT kit back in 1966, though I remember seeing the Aurora version a few years later -- both in Melbourne. With that in mind, I can say that the kit has changed quite a bit over the years -- not so much in terms of major changes, but certainly in details. The ability to light it -- grain-of-wheat bulbs in the top and bottom of the disc (in fact, that's what the "nipple covers" are for) and the front nacelle caps -- was there from the start, with translucent parts for the light to shine through. IIRC, the Aurora version didn't light the engines, only the domes. When the kit was re-released without any of the lights, AMT reworked the secondary hull, which no longer had to hold the batteries, and the forward end of the nacelles, added the spheres to the aft nacelle caps and removed the deflector grid on the disc and a few other small details. Not necessarily all at once, but that was the cumulative effect. So the later releases, like yours, was almost but not quite a different model -- a bit like modelling a battleship in 1945 as opposed to 1917, or even 1941: same ship, but different in detail. Some of the changes were improvements, others were definitely not. Still, at the time, it was all we had, and it certainly sold well.
It would be interesting to track down an original model with the lighting. But I easily to that to mine anyway, plus add 3D printed upgrades that were not available last century
What did you want to know about the original kit? I can remember most things about mine, and I only lost it a few years ago. Actually, I cannibalised it to build a modern version, transferring things like the translucent parts to the new model.
I had the original back in 1966 when I was 6. If I remember correctly, it had wiring and lights for the top (around the bridge area) and bottom of the saucer. Can't remember where the batteries went.
Didn't have a decal sheet like yours!
It was unstable on the stand; those engine nacelles wobbled around alot.
They were considered toys back then like my dreaded Tamiya T-34.. scale? who cares…. accuracy? close enough… bling? yes add motors and lights then make it go beep!
I built the Polar Lights version of the Enterprise and Botany Bay a few years ago. What a nightmare! Hopefully, your Enterprise build goes much more smoothly.
This kit does look fairly simple and straightforward.. but there are always unforeseen traps once you begin the build.
Quakka`s in space, happy happy joy, joy, , Have a great New Year.
I knew those critters were up to something! Interestingly a distant relative of mine found that island.. so technically I own it and all the cuddly rats!
@@HarryHoudiniModels Happy Rat New Year!!!
Live long and prosper Harry. 😊 I have one of that kit too, and like yours, it has been in the stash for a very long time. Surprisingly for such an old mould, there isn’t a ton of flash. It is probably not going to fit together like a modern kit but should result in a nice model of the TV version of the USS Enterprise. Don’t know when I’ll get to building it, though. 😅🖖🏻
I have no plans to build this one any time soon… but it will be a fun project if and when I get to it
@ 👍🏻😀
Built the amt one about 1972,still up the loft and maybe one day will paint it,don't remember it coming with decals for other ships on the sheet but kit it's self came in a blue colour,still have a klingon d7 as well.
It seems the kit has had even more iterations than my research uncovered, and many different coloured plastic over the last 60 years
I also had this kit back in the sixties. The attachment of the nacelles to the secondary hull has been changed a couple of times in an attempt to reduce the dreaded droop, the battery was housed in shaped "bulkheads" inside the secondary hull (long gone from the tooling, I think only the first release had lighting included), you turned on the lights by twisting the deflector dish. The nacelle caps were originally clear and lit with grain of wheat bulbs which, if you were lucky, lasted a couple of battery changes. First kit I ever built without Dad's help, still got a couple in the stash somewhere, along with every other release of the good old 1701, yep, I am that sad 😏
Not sad mate…. it’s good to have a hobby…thanks for the history
Great video, Harry! That old Enterprise is a fun kit. I had one years ago, but I did a horrible paint job on the upper saucer half and ended up giving it to a mate. Even Scotty couldn't save that one! You'll find loads of custom bits for it, etched, 3D printed, lights, decals, you name it. Look up The Third Models, aka Mark Myers. He does amazing stuff with Trek kits.
Thanks Roger… I am sure when I eventually get to build it there will be a cacophony of extras available
@@HarryHoudiniModels Yep, and you don't need to do it all at warp speed.
LOL only on impulse :)
@@HarryHoudiniModels Impulse buys got me into a lot of trouble, LOL!
Harry, the ship was a Constitution class - which was rated as a Class 1 heavy cruiser
I thought as much… thanks Glen
I've built that kit several times - all the way back to the early 1970s. Kits molded in white, silver, and baby blue. The Enterprise was one of AMTs first kits to ever have a million units sold. It has been in almost continuous production since 1966 - and is still available today . (there were a couple of years it was not due to transfers of ownership of the company etc). For a simple fun build it's still a good kit. It has received minor updates a few times over the decades - for instance the grid lines on the top of the saucer section have been removed. I never knew it was boxed as an Aurora kit, I've never seen one of those here in the USA - maybe it uas a European thing? Thanks for sharing ! 👍
Aurora has been selling model kits in the USA since 1952.. mostly cars and sci-fi
I remember this model I built in the early 70s
Good on you Bobby
Yep, AMT
All My Toys
9:34 oh no....I have to say it.....(apologies) those dome things at the front of the tube looking bits are Bussard Collectors !!! There I did it.... I actually have this in my collection, I built it about 35 year ago, never had any trouble with the nacelle coming loose. I'm old and I'm a Trekky, that's my excuse and I'm sticking with it.
That Enterprise is a Constellation Class.
Secondary hull is Engineering.
Well I never.. I knew aircraft got bird strikes, but not that there are space buzzards which can smash into nacells?
Yup, like many kids, I made the Enterprise back in the 1970s. I had no idea what I was building, because I didn't watch Star Trek 'til I was married with children, a few decades later. I built the kit for a mate of mine who was a huge fan of the show. He still has it on display along with his massive collection of Star Trek memorabilia. Fair Play to him.
Good on you Tom… thanks for watching
A R S E..... Only in Oz. Luvin it. Health and prosperity....
It is totally real matey - spaceaustralia.com.au/
Good morning Harry from a wet and snowy London nice review on the Enterprise i have the Revell 1/600 scale Enterprise which has a load of clear parts as all the windows are cut out this is on the waiting list to build one day ! any how thanks for the Sunday treat have a great day
My pleasure John thanks for watching
The reinforcement with a metal rod is more a thing to counteract problems like the dreaded nacelle sagging over the years.
There's a reason why people like Bill Krause equip their models with an internal armature to support the parts.
That was my point…
Harry, your skills with that blade would put a Mohel to shame……Mazzeltov!!!
ata meud adiv, toda
Happy new year Harry. To boldly go where no Ozzy has gone before. It is not a bad model if you put enough into this kit.
Yes its more of a starting point you can take as far as you want
LoL 😆. Back in November I built an a.m.t. 3 piece 1/2500 scale USS Enterprise set kit. I haven’t painted them yet. I want to build a custom diorama for the original Enterprise from the kit but I need a 3D printer to make what I need first. There’s a cartoon picture on my phone of the original Enterprise plugged into a wall outlet like it’s charging up the ship with the bubble of Scotty saying to Kirk “30 more minutes Captain and she’s all yours”
I think I remember seeing that cartoon LOL
I see you have the Airfix 1930 1/12 Bentley kit on your shelf. I'd love to see you build it.
So would I
Bask DerCat knows the word fish.
And many others, mostly cuss words from me!
I have one of these half built somewhere. Had to pack it away when I last moved. Adam savage from Mythbusters filmed a segment for his RUclips channel on the original model built for the show. It is 11 feet long. Interestingly, it is a pale grey with very subtle use of green, and brown used to highlight the details. Well worth watching. Anyway. The Smithonian Institute apparently have made up a list of the correct colours used just for modellers. I have yet to check it out though.
The colour the screen model was actually painted, the colour under lighting (often warm yellow lights) for the TV show, and the colours seen later in digital CGI upgrades to the series are all different. Take your pick.
@@HarryHoudiniModels I think the yellowing was helped by the brown used to highlight the detailing on the model. The model used in the movies appeared to be white to my eyes. I cannot comment on the CGI upgrades, as I have not seen them. Perhaps that is a good thing?
Harry unboxing Amt, journey beyond a world of sight and sound, of strangeness and mystery, You've entered the twilight zone.
I think you mixed up your shows… but yes it was a Twilight Zoned out Box Open
2025......... Harry, live long and prosper.
You have been, and aways will be, my viewer
Thats a ship model that you have to build soon. Hoolaroo...
Sure.. on my list after the 20 other WIP on my workbench
Happy New Year Harry🎉🎉🙏✌️💜
Brave of you to move stuff on, I'm endeavouring to do the same, but life keeps getting in the way. As soon as I've cleared the decks helping my dear old dad from afar, I'll get aroundtoit. Time to start flogging what I don't need, use, want. I keep thinking I'll build it all though. Also I don't want to be forced into it by swmbo - my stepmonster forced me to sell treasured items that I now regret doing. But I have to be practical and deal with the coercing and gaslighting, sort the wheat from the chaff, in terms of kits and my own thoughts 🤔🤔💜💜
Enterprise kit? Fav programme of mine, but I've never, ever, seen that kit before, not even the Matchbox release. Every day is, indeed, a school day.
Thanks for sharing the kit and the review 👍💜👍✌️😊
How strange you never came across this kit… but then Tamiya stores probably don’t stock it hehe
@HarryHoudiniModels Most of my model kits were Airfix tbh, came from the local newsagents or local toy shops, and even Woolworths. One model shop started stocking Tamiya in the 1980s. I guess I've built, five Tamiya kits in 55 years, two of those were RC cars😲😀😀But in blighty I never saw that kit - saw similar in films hanging from kids' bedroom ceilings etc, that was it. I admit, it is odd though 🤔🤔
I bet you could 3d design some nice bits like a shuttle bay Harry.
I bet I could… but no doubt there are Trekkies out there who have already done it.
One for a bit of 3D printing in clear or tinted resin. Someone may have already done the STL.
I am sure they have.. although a dome shape is pretty easy to render
you could use the discs as curry dishes...
Did someone say curry! I am up for a Sagwalla!
There are loads of variations of the AMT Enterprise kit Harry. There's a chap on RUclips that made a very detailed historical summary of all the changes....buggered if I can remember the bloke's name. My earliest memory of the kit was when I was about 9 years old. It was the Aurora UK version which had transparent orange nacelle domes, transparent blue bridge and sensor domes and a terrible joint from the engines to the secondary hull. I remember it fell apart and I pretended the engines and connecting stalks were phasers! The main dish I pretended to be a separated ship...which was actually part of the design's original concept but never used in the TV series.
"Fascinating" as Mr. Spock would say.
They did explore the separation of the saucer section in the follow up Star Trek Next Generation TV series. Make it So!
Yeah, vague memories of that. But I really couldn't be doing with TNG....TOS and the follow up movies for me all day long. Live long and prosper HH🖖.
Gday Harry. Interesting kit, not seen it before. The hull design always seemed abit odd, but then, what works in space isn't subject to earth's gravity and pressures. MATE, not a single Darlek anywhere ? I enjoyed the Pakistani Darleks and the "Put it in the currie". Haha, Chan, 😄 🇰🇷🇦🇺 .
“Put it in the curry” may be my new catch phrase!
Hi Harry still have a 60' version in the stash love the plastic they used back then found that version not as good, know idea how many of the enterprises I made over the years. I dig it out and do a short for you. But how would I get it to you ???
We have swimming wombats who can transport things across the pond for us… either that or post to Bask Dercat. Email me if you want: harry@houdinimodels.com
A little bit of warping .... on the warpdrive engines...... HHaaaaaa...
You got the subtle joke hehe
Star Trekking across the universe, on the Starship Enterprise under Captain Kirk. I knew it and I was right.
You know I sung that in my head? “Klingons on the starboard bow….”
No light kit included? Oh my
Not in this later rerelease
I'm terrible..about 100 kits here fooling with....oh man...
I had over 500…. trying to whittle it down to under 100 now
Interesting fact i heard is the studio actually used the A M T kit as a damaged starship in one of the episodes. The doomsday machine i think. Kirk steered it into the mouth of the doomsday machine and exploded it as he beamed off.
ruclips.net/video/lS7cK-mQ0fQ/видео.htmlsi=9Ea5oSREIcoxBj9E
Yes and in other shows as well where there were 2 Enterprises after some time travel bungle, from memory
Yep, that's correct. Possibly also used in the 'Tribbles' episode whilst the Enterprise was orbiting the K7 space station in the distance? Not 100% sure about that, but probable.
Insert childish joke about looking for Klingons around Uranus here.....
There’s always one…. ok. Back of the class now!
Lol. Just don't be a Red shirt. Know people to spend months on drilling holes and wiring.
I am far too lazy to do all of that.. drill out a few windows, bung an LED strip in there and bingo bongo job done!
@HarryHoudiniModels Lol. They are neat kits. Not a "light it up guy" either. And remember. Don't ware a red shirt. They were always the first to go in the show.
@RaymondSuess interestingly I have a red Star Trek shirt but the text “first to go” on it faded away after a year of wearing and washing it! True story.
@HarryHoudiniModels That's cool.
Discovery was a disgrace to the franchise.
You are preaching to the choir brother!