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Apr 22
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(2022) 1:650 Star Trek: Nemesis – Enterprise 1701-E (2007 Cast #001, Incarnation #004) in The Albert Siow Collection

As stated in October 2007, and again in December 2012: This 41 inch model was mastered by Richard Long in 2005-2006. This was the very first cast kit from his patterns. Though it was the first cast in the world of this model kit, it was the third to be built and finished. The first two (Casts #002 and #003) were built and finished by ILM artist John Eblan, under his company banner of “The FX Company”.

What a story this model has… and now, with it’s complete re-build by artist Dan Grumeretz, I hope this to be it’s final representation as a part of the Albert Siow Collection.

As the story goes: The first Kuhn Global build, using Cast #001 (which I refer to as “Incarnation #001), was first painted in 2007 to replicate the USS Enterprise we viewed in Star Trek: Nemesis. Sadly, while on display, the secondary hull buckled, causing the model to fall forward, thus damaging the model significantly. Aside from a mounting point having originally been glued into it’s hull, we discovered that there was no armature built into the model for strength and stability. As with all Starships named Enterprise, the Enterprise 1701-E is extremely front heavy being that it’s saucer section makes up most of the design. Of course in space this would not be an issue, but since this is a model here on Earth,.. with gravity, it makes every difference…lol. Moving on, with the model significantly damaged, in 2012 artist Marc Elkins took on the commission to fix this fantastic piece, taking it apart, and placing an armature inside of it. After doing so, he re-painted all of the damaged areas and presented it to me. It was beautiful, and that representation can only be seen in one of the videos I made of one of my visits to see Marc years ago. Unfortunately this model representation was never photographed in front of the Blue Screen. It is what I call “Incarnation #002”. Shortly after receiving the fixed model from Marc, the Port side Bussard Collector on the Nacelle stopped working, with the lighting effects no longer lighting. Something had obviously become disconnected, or shorted out. Instead of having Mark take the model apart again, I asked Marc to instead place a battle damaged paint job on it, then making it a replica miniature of the 1701-E from Star Trek: Insurrection. The battle damaged Insurrection 1701-E is what I refer to as “Incarnation #003”. The model was then sold on May 6, 2013 to my friend and collector Albert Siow, who promptly commissioned artist Dan Grumeretz to re-build it entirely.

Nearly 15 years later from it’s original build, now being April 2022, this model has now reached it’s pinnacle. Dan Grumeretz has done amazing work with his replication of the USS Enterprise 1701-E as Albert Siow wanted it to be seen. This all new build, made from Cast #001, is seen here in my Blue Screen Photos. What I wish I had captured as well is the amazing lighting and sound effects that are now included in this model… which I refer to as “Incarnation #004”. Perhaps Albert and Dan will make an additional posting on Modelers Miniatures & Magic to show those amazing features in the future,.. as they are stunning! No pun intended. lol. I mean ‘stunning’ literally as the phaser strips work as if they are firing. Then there are the nacelle effects of going to warp! And in addition are not only Photon Torpedo firing effects, but also Quantum Torpedo firing effects! This piece is fully loaded, enabled by the fantastic products of Starling Technologies… Stanley Koziol. I also love the fact that Dan included the Shuttle design, from Star Trek: Insurrection, to be inside the open, and lit, main Shuttle Bay on the rear of the Saucer section. If you look closely at it, you will notice that the Nacelles of the Shuttle are actually lit! The beautiful paint job is amazing… and everything, with the exception of the lifeboat numbering, is PAINTED ON!! Dan did amazing work on this piece. OUTSTANDING!!

This piece is truly amazing, and I am very happy it has a home in the Albert Siow Collection. I am grateful to Albert of allowing me to photograph this piece one last time.

Enjoy the Blue Screen Photos…

Peace be unto you.

Kurt Kuhn
Kuhn Global Incorporated