I’ve got my hands on Fanhome’s Star Trek Starships new models. This Star Trek Die Cast Model collection is available to pre-order right now. The first two issues are ships from Star Trek: Picard. For example, the ships are the Sagan-class USS Stargazer and the USS Titan-A. How do the ships hold up as the first entries in the brand-new Star Trek Starships Collection?
It was announced in June that the Star Trek Starships Collection would return. Previously, the now-defunct model maker Eaglemoss produced the official collection. With their closure, new models of brand-new ships like the Sagan were left in doubt. Thankfully, Fanhome has launched their collection! Shipping officially begins in November 2024, with the USS Titan-A being Issue #1.
If written reviews are not your thing, check out our video review via the Trek Central YouTube channel.
U.S.S Titan-A | Issue #1
The model of the USS Titan-A is fantastic. It perfectly captures the details of the ship we first encountered in Star Trek: Picard Season 3. Length-wise, it comes in at around 22cm with a width of 10cm. Let’s start with a focus on the aft section. As you can see from the pictures below, the engine nacelles are captured well. The grills, displaying the blue parts of the nacelles, are a fantastic addition. Additionally, the nacelles feel sturdy on the model, not flimsy as if they would snap off.
One design choice I enjoy is the translucent material of the nacelles. Holding the model up to my monitor, the light reflecting off and through them is excellent. It brings the engines alive in a way. I imagine that display-wise, you could easily put a small light on a shelf and have it as if the engines are online. Compared to models of the previous Hero Collector Starships Line, the nacelle bussard collector material is much higher quality.
A top down view of FanHome's USS Titan-A Model(Credit: Trek Central x Jack Trestrail)
Saucer Section & Secondary Hull
Moving to the front, the saucer section of the Titan-A, you can tell this is where the die-cast metal is in the model. It is certainly front-heavy, which could be problematic if you hold it. However, the stand and base plate compensate for this. The model’s stand clips onto the saucer, allowing the secondary hull and nacelles to sit nicely behind. The Titan-A won’t be tipping over anytime soon.
Speaking of the base plate of both of these models is very similar to the previous collection. In one way, I’m glad. While different companies make both of the Star Trek Starships collections, it almost makes both compatible. I can quickly put my USS Titan-A next to my Hero Collector Luna-class USS Titan; you would think they are from the same collection. This is a decision I very much respect.
U.S.S Stargazer | Issue #2
The Sagan-class USS Stargazer model is perfect. This model perfectly captures the look of the Sagan-class from Star Trek: Picard Season 2. The four nacelles are displayed perfectly, even if they are near identical to those on the USS Titan-A model. However, that is more just a Star Trek thing than a specific FanHome detail for the model. I think the model really does highlight some of the nice details on the Sagan-class hull design.
An example of details highlighted are the bridge module. There is also the iconic phaser stips on the saucer section, as well as the countless windows displayed on the hull. Sadly, it does seem like some windows are slightly off in the paintwork, but then again, with a model this small, you’ll only notice it if you are looking at it close up. For example, I had to lean in real close to actually notice it. This is not a deal breaker for me.
I will say the weight of the Sagan-class Stargazer model does make it sag a little in the stand. There is not enough to fall off, but I would just be cautious about where you will display this one. The saucer section is the die-cast metal part, while the nacelles are plastic. As such, this seems to create a little weight imbalance. It’s nothing major, but it’s worth mentioning.
The Magazines
Something that always makes me happy about a collection like this is the information it contains. Owning a Star Trek Die Cast Model of your favourite ship is fantastic, and I would like to learn about the details behind it. Each issue of Fanhome’s collection comes with a magazine about the ship. For example, Titan’s magazine confirms details about the Consitution III class of starship, like its length and commissioning date.
The magazine contains a nice short information piece about the ship from within the Star Trek Universe. However, the details you want to enjoy are the process of creating the starship. Towards the back of the magazine is how we learn about who was involved in designing and building iconic ships from the Star Trek Universe. Additionally, concept artwork of the early ship designs is included. This is a big highlight of the collection and something I missed in previous years.
Pricing of Star Trek Die Cast Models
With the official announcement of the new Star Trek Starships Model collection, one comment I constantly saw was the price. Yes, these models are expensive, especially when you compare them to the previous Starships collection. The Fanhome collection costs around £47 a month (£38 for the first month). It’s quite on the expensive side, especially when money is tight around the world at the moment.
While some might be quick to say the previous collection was cheaper, you would be correct. However, it’s important to note that these models are bigger than the last collection. My model of the Luna-class USS Titan measures around 14 cm. However, the new models measure 22cm (27 cm-30 cm for XL). However, it is important to note that each model will differ in size. For example, the Sagan class is 20cm long and shorter than the Titan. I think the size difference does explain the cost.
What might be annoying to subscribers is that each XL size, in particular, will cost £71. That is a whopping £24 increase for a few extra centimetres. I think the collection is let down here a little bit, mainly as there appears to be no way to skip these XL ones. I want them, but I can’t imagine everyone wanting to spend an extra £24 every four issues. It’s a little on the high side.
Trekkies, there is one saving grace. You can buy some of the Star Trek Starships models individually. So if you only want the Sagan-class, you can buy that, without subscribing to the entire collection. You can choose to buy each individual starship for the retail price of £56, with XL editions priced at £83. This does not include the £4 charge for shipping. Individual models will come to FanHome’s online store around a month after subscribers get the ship.
Conclusion – Are They “Worth it”?
As a die-hard Star Trek Starships fan, I think the Star Trek Die Cast Model from Fanhome are worth it. This is if you want the collection. However, I will say the price of the XL versions of the models is a little bit steep. It’s also a bit annoying that you can’t opt out of the XL versions, which do increase your monthly subscription price. In the old days of Hero Collector’s Star Trek Starships collection, the XL line was an additional product line. Part of me wishes FanHome had stuck to that.
You could easily do XL Starships as special features that could be pre-ordered outside of the main collection. I would certainly want an XL USS Enterprise-F. That’s just me. I think the size increase of the models over the previous collection is lovely. For example, the entire collection looks like a grown-up version of what we have had before. I’m a big fan of this, even if I run out of shelf space to store these models.
Overall, I am impressed with the models! The entire collection lineup looks good. However, I can’t wait to get my hands on the model of the Odyssey-class USS Enterprise-F. That ship from Star Trek: Online (and Picard) is one of my favourite Star Trek Starships.
Review Disclaimer:
Small Disclaimer: FanHome provided both models for the purpose of review. However, my review is entirely mine and Trek Central’s. FanHome did not ask for anything specific to be written.
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