The U.S.S. Enterprise designed for "Star Trek: The Next Generation" incorporated all the advances in miniature construction and special effects technology made in the two decades since Matt Jeffries designed the original Big E back in 1964. This Galaxy-class starship incorporated smooth curves in place of the original's sharp angles (Some observer's called it the "Stealth Enterprise") and its surface bristled with detail, including Aztec paneling and myriad lifeboat hatches.
And although this Enterprise's general configuration matched that of the original NCC-1701, its proportions were significantly different: The "saucer" command hull was ovoid instead of circular and the engines were shorter and stubbier in contrast. (Short, stubby engines would also be used on the U.S.S. Voyager nearly a decade later.)
With its original TV and movie Enterprise kits continuing to be best-sellers, AMT/Ertl was eager to exploit the excitement growing around this new "Star Trek" series and so released their Enterprise-D within weeks of ST:TNG's September 1987 premiere.
The kit had its Aztec panel pattern molded directly into the plastic, although not nearly as crudely as had been done with the earlier Enterprise-A models. It was also capable of splitting into two sections (like its TV counterpart) with separate stands available for its saucer and engineering sections
In perpetual release for more than a decade, AMT/Ertl's Enterprise-D was later released in a "Plus Pack" that included paint and brushes, and in an illuminated fiber optic version. The kit was re-released in 2010 by Round 2 using the original AMT branding.
This model was built from an original 1987 release.
