EMvTW 150: USS Antares NCC-9844 (Miranda Class)

NOTE:  You can click on most pictures to get a larger view of them.

Rewrites: None Yet

It is a new week for my rally to catch up with a year of missed Eaglemoss vs. The World reviews.  This week starts off with the USS Antares (NCC-9844).

We first get to see this starship in the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode called "Favor the Bold".


Per Memory Alpha, "The USS Antares (NCC-9844) was a modified 24th century Federation Miranda-class starship operated by Starfleet.  In 2374, the USS Antares, and at least three of her sister ships, visited Starbase 375. "

If you would like to read more official stuff on this type of ship, feel free to check out the following links:

Miranda Class Information: Memory Alpha LINK and Memory Beta LINK
USS Antares (NCC-9844) Information: Memory Alpha LINK and Memory Beta NO LINK

This ship saw very little screen time, in fact, it was only seen in passing for a brief moment.  There is very little written about this ship at Memory Alpha, and apparently, it didn't impress anyone enough to write other stories about it, hence the lacking of an entry on Memory Beta.

If you are a Miranda Class fanatic though, Eaglmeoss has given you yet another variation of this beloved type of starship.

 

 

 

 

Some of my fellow reviewers, and I'm sure some collectors wondered why Eaglemoss would devote an issue of the collection to a ship that literally had only a few seconds of screen time.  Personally, that's why I love the collection so much.  Unlike other companies, like Hallmark and Hot Wheels, that sometimes produced the same ship every few years, Eaglemoss forged ahead and gave us rare models that we would never normally see in a pre-built and pre-painted format.  While others have asked "Why?", my feelings are, "Why not?"  They have already produced two other Miranda class variants as well as the Miranda like Soyuz class, so at this point in the game, they might as well.  And in my book, there is enough of a difference to warrant it.

If you would like a refresher on those other models, feel free to check out my reviews of Issue #11: USS Reliant (NCC-1864) (Miranda class) [at THIS LINK], Issue #91: USS Saratoga (NCC-31911) (Miranda Class) [at THIS LINK],  Issue #138: USS Lantree (NCC-1837) (Miranda Class) [at THIS LINK], and Issue #120: USS Bozeman (NCC-1941) (Soyuz class) [at THIS LINK].

The paintwork on the Eaglemoss model is really well done.  In all honesty, I feel that this model is better painted that the original one that we got way back in Issue # 11.

All of the important areas of the ship were highlighted in some way, and in a lot of cases, were highlighted better with the application of a tiny bit more of paint.

The model is covered evenly with a much more robust aztec pattern that the original Reliant model.  The only place where the aztecing seemed to be an issue was on the sensor pod where from a distance, the paint work looks more like an attempt at weathering.  But one you got in close, you then see that the aztec pattern is just grouped closer together.

I did a good once over the entire model, at it appears that Eaglemoss did a fine job of aligning the paint work with the molded details.

Speaking of the sculpt and mold work, the details are once again crisp and clear across the model on both the plastic as well as the metal parts.  In all honesty, Eaglemoss has gotten very good and producing crisp tactile details on the models.  It has been a very long time since I encountered what I used to refer to as the Eaglemoss Melted Marshmallow Syndrome (or EMMS (see definition at end of article)).

While the  join seam on the bottom edges of the primary hull is slightly noticeable, it is not overbearing and can be forgiven this time around.

I am very happy to find that the warp nacelle grills are made from clear plastic.  Granted, it's clear BLACK plastic, but they are clear so that you can shine light thru them to create a glowing effect.  This is a fantastic addition to the model as Eaglemoss had deiced to move away from the clear plastics in the Miranda class issues #91, #138. and the Soyuz class issue #120.

 EXTERNAL VIEW

INTERNAL VIEW

And that is all the pictures and comparisons I have to share on this ship at this time.  As for pricing, I will continue with the tradition of rounding up the most inexpensive Buy-It-Now prices from eBay at the time of this article's writing (June 2020).

Eaglemoss = $61

NOTE: Prices were researched last on June 10th, 2020.  Unfortunately, at the time that I am re-writing this, Eaglemoss does not have this ship in stock on their US WebStore, so we are at the mercy of the eBay sellers.  HOWEVER, they did have it available on the UK WebStore and that is how I acquired mine with the help of www.reship.com which allowed me to get it back to the US.  This is not a cheap option either and when I tallied everything up for the cost of the model as well as shipping, I ended up paying $45 for mine.

I write my reviews with the "cheap" collector in mind.  That being said, I am OK with spending up to $30 for a Standard Edition Eaglemoss model from 3rd parties.  Once the cost goes over that, I have a very hard time recommending the model to my readers.  

Given the quality of this particular ship's model, I am actually OK with recommending it for that $45 price tag.  Since it seems to be such a rare model, and the fact that it is so nicely done, I am able to live with myself for spending that money.  I WOULD NOT spend $61 on it though as no Standard Edition Eaglemoss model is worth that much.

BONUS ROUND!!!

Every once in a while, I'll have a little extra stuff to share with you that sort of fits in with my comparison articles.

With the Antares being added to the fleet, we now have four (five if you count the Soyuz Class) Miranda class starships.  Here's a rare picture of that fleet in formation.

As always, I hope you found this article useful and informative.  If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, please feel free to comment below.

So for now, "Live long and prosper!!!"



Definitions
EMMS = Eaglemoss Melted Marshmallow Syndrome.  This is best described as a softening of details where they appear more rounded, less edgy and a bit out of focus.  Sort of what happens to a marshmallow as you heat it up to it's melting point on a camp fire.

Additional Links To Photos Of My Collection:

Eaglemoss     Fleet Pictures

Other Reviewers Take On The Eaglemoss Model:
Some Kind Of Star Trek