NOTE: You can click on most pictures to get a larger view of them.
Rewrites: None
We haven't received a new Eaglemoss model under the "Star Trek: The Official Starships Collection" line of models since February 2022. Finally, after waiting for two months, Eaglemoss released six new models in rapid successions. While my wallet is certainly hurting from that, it is still exciting to be back in the review saddle again. The first of these models that we will look at is the Nomad MK-15c Space Probe.
We first get to see this probe in the Star Trek: The Original Series episode called "The Changeling".
Per Memory Alpha and Beta, "The Nomad MK-15c (NSSDC ID: 2002-045b) space probe was a Nomad Program spacecraft that was in service in the early 21st century. Dr. Jackson Roykirk designed the probe with two goals in mind: to create a probe that could function as a perfect thinking machine capable of independent logic and that could seek out new lifeforms in interstellar space. Nomad was launched from Earth in 2002 as the planet's first interstellar vessel to seek out new life. It was a prototype and the only one of its program to be built. In 2005, Nomad was damaged by a meteoroid and lost contact with Earth, wandering without purpose. It later encountered an alien probe called Tan Ru in deep space. The two units merged, resulting in a powerful new construct with faulty programming, which sought to destroy anything that was perceived as imperfect; a condition that it evidently applied to any organic living being."
If you would like to read more official stuff on this type of ship, feel free to check out the following links:
Nomad MK-15c (NSSDC ID: 2002-045b) Information: Memory Alpha LINK and Memory Beta LINK
Jumping into the review of Eaglemoss' model, we can see, like the actual probe, the model is a bit plain looking from a distance, and appears to be rather repetitive with the details.
I guess I'll start off with the fact that I disagree with this model being included in the collection. Nomad in this state is more of an entity than that of a ship.
I'm sure there are many arguments to this point.
For instance, Eaglemoss produced V'ger, however, that model was of the vehicle that transported the entity around. Eaglemoss also produced Gomtuu, which was a living creature, however, that creature provided for living quarters and a pilot's seat so that it could have a symbiotic relationship. And lastly, there is Alice, Tom Paris' ill-fated starship purchase, but even that entity provided for the ability to transport an individual.
While Nomad was originally a probe ship, it was changed into something different. I living being that did not actually carry passengers. Sure, Eaglemoss has also produced Friendship 1, another deep space probe.
But my argument here is that this model was an actual vessel.
In my opinion, Eaglemoss should have produced Nomad in its original form as we see in the model on a desk in one of the Star Trek: Enterprise episodes.
I'll stop griping on that topic and switch to talking about the model... The overall quality of the model is not bad. It definitely reflects the simplify of the screen models of the times and Eaglemoss did a good job reproducing it.
The top of the model is sculpted well and the paint work, while scarce, does the job of representing the necessary parts. I particularly like that they added the antenna array on top.
The computational section of Nomad is painted to represent its many lights. Unfortunately, through no fault of Eaglemoss, this area is repetitive. We can thank the show's designers for that.
The paintwork is colorful in this section and lines up well with the molded details. The molded details are crisp and show off thier parts of the model clearly.
The bottom of the model is where things get a little wonky.
The very bottom of the model is flat and has no details whatsoever. Around the sides of this bottom piece, there are some nice molded details that represent access panels and other tidbits, however, the join seam slices right through some of these details and ruins the aesthetic. It looks sloppy in my opinion and seriously detracts from the look. Had they run the seam down the actual corner of the base, it would have gone a long way in looking nicer.
And that is all the pictures I have to share on this model at this time. At the time of me writing this review, on May 3rd, 2022, you can not find the model on eBay, however, the US Based Eaglemoss Webstore has it for $35 (shipping cost is unknown).
If you have followed my reviews over the years, you will know that I feel completely comfortable paying around $25 to $30 for these smaller models. At least, I feel comfortable paying that, if they are nicely done models. So strike number one for Eaglemoss' Nomad is that it goes over my pricing comfort zone. In my opinion, it is not worth the money considering what you are getting in regards to details. Honestly, this is one model that Eaglemoss should have skipped doing as this particular offering just makes me feel like they are scraping the bottom of a very dirty barrel in the hopes of squeezing a few more dollars out of us die-hard collectors. Given that this isn't even technically a ship either, just adds insult to injury to those that felt the inclination to buy the model.
Had they gone and actually produced the Nomad Probe as it looked in 2002, I think I would have been singing a different tune for this review. So, in the end, unless you are really desperate for this one for some sort of nostalgia fix, save your money as it looks like there are some better choices coming along in this particular model collection.
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!!!"
Additional Links To Photos Of My Collection:
Eaglemoss
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