Ever since Fanhome announced their Star Trek Starships Collection, I’ve been hoping to get one ship in particular. Finally, the Star Trek USS Enterprise-F arrived on my desk a few weeks ago. While I’ve been delayed in this review, I have been eying up the USS Enterprise-E successor as it’s sat looking back at me. The Odyssey-class Enterprise-F model also marks the first XL Edition of this new collection, so how does it hold up?
Fanhome’s Star Trek Starships collection is at cruising speed. For example, we’ve had Star Trek: Picard’s USS Titan-A and USS Stargazer, as Issue #1 and #2. Additionally, we’ve had our first Star Trek: Strange New Worlds ship, the USS Farragut, as Issue 3. However, with Issue #4 of the collection being the Enterprise-F, we’ve now got a starship from both Picard and the MMO video game of Star Trek: Online. If you’ve not played the game, you might not know that the Enterprise-F originated there.
The Model
Let’s talk about the Star Trek USS Enterprise-F Model. First things first, this one is weighty. As the XL Edition, you can really feel that there is more here compared to the first three issues. The Enterprise-F sits great on its stand. Thankfully, it doesn’t sag down like the Sagan-class USS Stargazer from Issue 2. Instead, the model sits perfectly facing forward with a slight lean backwards to give the effect that it is cruising off into the final frontier somewhere.
The model captures the look and design of the Odyssey class perfectly. For example, a defining feature of the Enterprise-F is the negative space between the saucer section and the secondary hull. This is just a blank space, which some people don’t like. I’m impartial, I kind of like it, but I can see why others don’t. Still, even with this space, the model feels sturdy. You can see what I mean in the pictures below or the video above.
Aft-Section
Looking at the nacelles, and I’ll discuss some engine troubles in a moment, they look wonderful mounted on the model. Not only do they feel sturdy, but they also look fantastic. Personally, I prefer these to the Picard-era nacelle designs we see in Star Trek: Picard and on ships like the USS Titan-A.
One issue with the rear section. In Star Trek Lore, this is where The Aquarius is docked. For those who are not aware, in Star Trek Online, the Enterprise-F (and Odyssey-class) starships feature an Aquarius-class shuttle docked in the rear section. On Fanhome’s model, it’s just painted dark without much detail. I’m not sure if this is a mistake or just how it was intended for the live-action version of the Enterprise-F. It makes it a case of, if you know it’s meant to be there, then it is.
Engine Trouble for The Star Trek USS Enterprise-F
One minor issue with Fanhome’s Enterprise-F model is the lack of impulse engines. On the Odyssey-class, there are meant to be two impulse engines on the saucer section, on either side of the Main Shuttle bay. Here on the model, neither is painted red. They are just left the same colour as the hull-plating of the Odyssey-class. Of course, anyone with a bit of paint could correct this, but you don’t want to start doing that all the time.
It’s a shame, as the detailing, window placement and decals are actually really well done on the model. You’ve got multiple placements of the “NCC-1701-F” and just the ship’s registry all over the model. These are straight and are not disjointed. The registry and the ship’s name on the saucer section are also really nicely placed.
While I was writing this, I double-checked again, and it appears that more impulse engines were missed. Simply checking the included magazine, which we’ll talk about in a moment, you can see in one of the renders that Impulse Engines are also located on the nacelle struts, which connect to the secondary hull. With my bad eyes, it looks like there are five impulse engines on each nacelle strut. These are all missing on the model, along with the two main engines on the saucer section.
Enterprise-F Magazine
Like the previous issues, the magazine is a delight for both collectors and Star Trek enthusiasts like myself. While I know a lot about this starship, I was particularly interested in learning how it became featured in Star Trek: Picard Season 3. Thankfully, it dives into that story, as well as explaining more about the Odyssey-class and Enterprise-F as we find her in the series.
I think if you’ve picked up the Star Trek USS Enterprise-F in Fanhome’s Star Trek Starships Collection and don’t know much about the vessel, these magazines are a great way to learn more about the ship. Not everyone is going to be a Star Trek nerd like me. Although you should consider it, it’s great fun. Not so much in certain shows, though.
Galaxy-class Packaging!
I might sound boring by talking about boxes here, but a good collector can appreciate some stellar packaging. The box of the Star Trek USS Enterprise-F Model is slightly different from the other models in the collection. Given this is an XL Edition, the Star Trek logo in the top right has an embossing effect. You can both see and feel this on the box. It’s just a small detail, but it does highlight that this model is a little different from the others.
Apart from that, the box is the same as the previous issues. It features views of the starship model, along with its name and the Star Trek series from which it originates. In this case, Star Trek: Picard. However, part of me did wish there would be a description of what class the starship is from, but I suppose that can be saved for the magazine we mentioned earlier.
Warp Speed to Issue #5!
That’s our review of the Star Trek USS Enterprise-F from Fanhome’s Star Trek Starships Collection. As the first XL Edition, this model certainly sets a bar for future issues of the collection. I’m hopeful that matters like the Impulse Engines can be fixed in the future.
As a big fan of the Odyssey class, I’m glad it’s getting the proper limelight it deserves. Indeed, it seems it didn’t get that respect in Star Trek: Picard Season 3. If you’re looking for more history on the Enterprise-F and Odyssey-class, check out our Star Trek Explained video below.
Up next in the Star Trek Starships Collection is another Star Trek: Picard Season 3 vessel. This is the SS Eleos, Doctor Beverly Crusher’s (Gates McFadden) starship. We already have that one on our desk, so be on the lookout for the review very soon.
If you want to begin your journey into Fanhome’s Star Trek Starships Collection, head over to their website. You can also sometimes find individual starships on their web stores, if stock is available. Live Long and prosper, my friends. And remember, let’s make sure history never forgets the name… Enterprise.
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