NOTE: You can click on most pictures to get a larger view of them.
Rewrites: None
The last of the Shop Exclusive models that I recently received from Eaglemoss is an interesting design. It is sometimes hard to tell what you are looking at when browsing the Eaglemoss WebStore, so I wasn't sure what to expect with the Hierarchy Assault Ship model .
We first get to see this starship in the Star Trek: Voyager episode called "Tinker Tenor Doctor Spy" and then again in the episode called "The Void".
Per Memory Alpha and Beta, "The Assault-class was a type of starship utilized by the Hierarchy in the 24th century, equipped with advanced short and long range sensors, including micro-tunneling sensors. Other ships of this class used for raiding enemy ships were classified as assault vessels, more heavily armed, with three ships capable of outgunning a Starfleet Intrepid-class with heavy phaser armaments that could be set to fire on rotating frequencies. The assault ships were also equipped with stealth technology."
If you would like to read more official stuff on this type of ship, feel free to check out the following links:
Assault Class Information: Memory Alpha LINK and NO Memory Beta LINK
My first thought when looking at the model is that I'm looking at a Star Wars Landspeeder that drove through a pile of Bantha Foddor.
Photo Credit: StarWars.com
That being said, there is a lot to take in on this model.
To start off the review, let us talk about the stand. I don't usually discuss them, but this one is different than the ones we normally receive. This one is more like an oddly shaped table and the model sits on top of it. You really need to ensure that you have placed the model correctly on the stand to make sure you have a stable setting. This is very important as this model does have some tiny little fragile bits that jut out all over the sides, top and bottom of the model.
Upon a closer look, it appears that some of my fragile bits were broken in transit.
Writing a review on this model was a bit more difficult for me. I have mixed emotions about this model when it comes to the paintwork. The coloring is eye catching with the yellow bands wrapping around a brown and grey core.
There are darker (black & grey) areas along the front of the ship, giving the thing a bug-eyed look, and a greyish rectangle on the rear of the ship either represents a door or engine exhausts. Sadly, the paintwork appears to be sloppily applied across the model, with paint falling outside of molded details.
Rising above the ship is some sort of pod, looking sort of like a Miranda Class Roll Bar.
Photo Credit: Memory Alpha
Like the rest of the model, this part of the ship bears the yellow wrap around, encircling the black and grey core. The spiky bits are prevalent on this area as well. Like the rest of the model, the paint work is a little wonky and misaligned.
Another thing that I don't normally discuss is the magazines that come with the models. Lately though, hey have become an increasing point of annoyance for me. The writers have become a bit lazy in my opinion and have stopped doing some important research. The centerfolds used to label the important sections of the ship, but lately, they are lacking this important information, which forces me to writes things like, "above the ship is some sort of pod", and "assume that the pods on the ends of the wings". If they are going to talk to the original ship designer, ask them to define the model a bit more.
Anyway... I am going to assume that the pods on the ends of the wings are some sort of nacelles. The outer portions of these pods are painted a bright yellow to represent a glowing effect. The inner portion of the pods are painted black.
Sculpt and mold wise, the model is very nicely done, if not a bit on the fragile side. As stated earlier, all of those tiny spikes represent a breaking point. Sticking out of the very top of the model is some sort of antenna greeble. While it is just as fragile as the spikes, it still looks cool.
The join seam stands out like a sore thumb along the belly of the ship. Eaglemoss could have done a better job following the natural lines of the ship rather then run it right across where they did. As it looks now, it appears the ship has some sort of scar from a badly performed appendix surgery.
Other than that, the sculpted and molded details are crisp and I can't find any fault with them.
And that is all the pictures and comparisons I have to share on this ship at this time. At the time that I write this review on May 15th, 2022, I was unable to find this model available on eBay. Luckily for us buyers in the United States, we are able to find the model for $35 (shipping unknown) right from Eaglemoss' US WebStore.
This review took me almost a week to complete. The reason for that is because I had a hard time getting into this particular model. I have to admit that I personally find this ship to be a bit on the ugly side. It reminds me of a turd that has been given some yellow pinstriping. Putting the in universe looks aside, and trying to be fair, it is my opinion that Eaglemoss could have done a better job producing this model, especially at the price they are selling it for. I suppose one excuse could be is that they took on too complicated of a model to replicate nicely. The paint issues, the fragile spikes and the ugly join seam detract from the pros of the model and at that $35 price tag, this smallish model just comes off as too expensive for what you get. If I was to do it all over again, knowing what I know now, I would most likely save my money and skip this one.
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
No comments:
Post a Comment