Monday 18 July 2016

Flying Star Trek starship models

While the ships of Star Trek are wholly designed for space, and not naturally inclined for atmospheric flight, that has not stopped numerous toy makers over the year trying their best to bring model Star Trek starships into the air. This page lists those efforts, in reverse release order, with the most recent flying ships at the top of the page.

USS Enterprise-A quadcopter
  • Overview: A remote controlled quadcopter, with the four propellers contained inside the saucer and lightweight polystyrene making up most of the rest of the ship. Also features lights and sounds.
  • Maker: Spin Master: Air Hogs.
  • Release date: June 2016.
  • Coverage: Toy Fair Announcement, images and video.
  • Purchase: Amazon.

Deep Space 9 flying disc
  • Overview: A hand-thrown foam flying disc with prints and cut-outs making it DS9-shaped.
  • Maker: Star Trek Shop.
  • Release date: July 2015.
  • Purchase: Star Trek Shop.

USS Enterprise flying disc
  • Overview: A hand-thrown flying disc version of the Enterprise. The saucer spins freely as the engineering section trails behind. The idea was initially solicited as an April Fools joke in 2014, before being brought to market as a real product the following year.
  • Maker: ThinkGeek.
  • Release date: March 2015.
  • Coverage: April Fools joke, video.
  • Purchase: ThinkGeek.

Klingon Bird of Prey remote controlled flier
  • Overview: Light weight remote controlled model with propellers built into the body of the ship.
  • Maker: Mattel: Tyco.
  • Release date: 2009.
  • Purchase: Amazon.

USS Enterprise remote controlled flier
  • Overview: Light weight remote controlled model with propellers built into the saucer, and relatively flat orientated pylons forming wings.
  • Maker: Mattel: Tyco.
  • Release date: 2009.
  • Purchase: Amazon.

    USS Enterprise flier
    • Overview: Light weight free flying model with propellers built into the saucer, and relatively flat orientated pylons forming wings.
    • Maker: Mattel: Tyco.
    • Release date: 2009.
    • Purchase: Amazon.

    USS Enterprise-E rocket
    • Overview: Pre-assembled model of the Enterprise-E which is formed around a rocket. The nacelles feature addition thins for stabilisation, the rocket fits into the neck section, and the front edge of the saucer separates to release the parachute. 
    • Maker: Quest.
    • Release date: 1998.

    USS Enterprise helium balloon
    • Overview: Helium balloon offering a somewhat distorted version of the classic USS Enterprise. Apparently stays afloat for four weeks! 
    • Maker: Anagram.
    • Release date: 1994.

    USS Enterprise-D glider
    • Overview: Hand thrown glider, which is remarkably accurate to the design of the ship, adding just a thin under the saucer to provide stabilisation.
    • Maker: Playmates.
    • Release date: 1993.
    • Purchase: Amazon.

      USS Enterprise launcher
      • Overview: A propeller driver rip-cord powered model of the Enterprise. The model does distort the Enterprise dramatically, moving saucer to be mounted at the back of the engineering section so that the propeller can be mounted centrally above it.
      • Maker: Azrak-Hamway International.
      • Release date: 1977.
      • Links: Images.

      USS Enterprise "Controlled Space Flight"
      • Overview: A tethered model of the USS Enterprise with a fan forming the saucer. Using the wired controller the user can fly the Enterprise in a circle. The model becomes a game, coming with three objects which can be hooked on the deflector dish as the model is flown around.
      • Maker: Remco.
      • Release date: 1976.
      • Links: Video.

      USS Enterprise rocket
      • Overview: USS Enterprise model kit which forms around a rocket. The saucer has a tube going through it, where the rocket is placed, the Enterprise sits at the base of the rocket when launched. The kit was reissued on Star Trek's 25th anniversary.
      • Maker: Estes.
      • Release date: 1975 and 1991 (reissue).
      • Purchase:

      Klingon battle cruiser rocket
      • Overview: Klingon battle cruiser model kit which sits atop a rocket. The model had added fins on the top for stabilisation. The kit was reissued on Star Trek's 25th anniversary.
      • Maker: Estes.
      • Release date: 1975 and 1991 (reissue).
      • Purchase:



      1 comment:

      mark bernero said...

      The styrofoam ENT-D glider didn't fly at all!