Shuttles 6: Pick n' Mix

 The sixth instalment of the shuttles series from Eaglemoss covers TNG, DS9 and VGR.

Probably one of the more unusual pieces to enter the fray is the Sphinx Workpod. Bright yellow, the model is one of only two I can think of within the shuttles series that has taken the risk of a transparent passenger cover meaning that here we get to see the pilot seats within. 

It's got a weighty metal base too onto which the plastic "bug eyed" section sits and although rarely seen in the show, Eaglemoss have again managed to succeed in portraying the "lived in" look they achieved on the Starfleet Tug for example.

The blocky yellow patterning covers the work unit from tip to toe and it does have some of the cleanest decals I've seen in this sub series with identification numbers extremely visible on the front and sides of the base and Starfleet pennants along the tops of them. The base has some nice detailing with the lights to the front marked out distinctly and, for once, the engine exhausts avoiding any paint bleed from red to grey.

With its very visible paint scheme, the Workpod makes a big impression in this set but when you spin it round to view the flatbed it's even better. There appears to be "genuine" wear and tear on the rear platform which would be applicable from moving items on and off the craft. It's a brilliant and well executed touch that finishes off this unique craft near perfectly. Everything here just sits right - the inclusion of an interior, the fantastic paintjob and the added realism of a working existence. Great piece, well constructed and very solid. An unexpected highlight from the off!

Then there's the Fiat Multipla of shuttles with the USS Defiant's Shuttlepod 01. Seen in a few episodes including (firstly) The Search, Part II, the odd looking craft found itself later usurped by the more streamlined Chaffee which was included with Shuttles One.

Yet there's something very endearing about this out of the box design. The wide base tapering up into the passenger compartment is very specific to this ship and it's recreated well here. The colours, the panel lines and the finer hull detail all work well and align nicely but there are a few niggles with the edging alignment on the decals which has continued in the main ships lines and the shuttles as we've seen in sets two and five.

The 74205 registry on the sides and rear is perfectly fine but the one on the nose is blurred thanks to the off-centre edging and while just legible it plays havoc on the eyes!

A rare addition to this craft too is the translucent blue piece attached to the topside unit on the Pod. Taking a look to the rear it's continued in the mechanics which are exposed there. The mould of the hull is respectable yet the painting isn't up to par with a few frayed edges. The grilles and thruster units are cleanly painted in but the blue elements visible just don't match especially on the straight lines.

The front 5/6ths of the Pod are cleanly recreated but there's a lot going on right across the back end. Within the shuttles there have only been a couple with any significant amount of exposed workings and while they got away with it due to single paint coats, the Pod doesn't because of the multiple shades involved.

Number three in the box is the Hawking Type-6 shuttle featured at the end of Generations retrieving Picard from the Veridian III mountainside. What I'd immediately do is grab the Type-6 from Set One along with the Galileo from Set Five and line the three of them up - because they're all versions of the one from The Final Frontier. The Galileo is of course the original but you'll spot the striking similarities immediately.

The Hawking, in its own right, is a good model with a lot of familiar pieces. The addition of side windows for the pilot for instance or the changing of the engine venting from black to blue; the updating of the pennant and name but at it's heart we've been here before!

It's a good model if repetitive with good detailing and a simple paint job that can't go wrong. Once more the edging on the "1701-D" lettering is disgustingly misaligned to the black centres and that continues to irritate. There is an update to the engine blocks either side of the rear bay door featuring a grille effect rather than a flat slab of colour but overall this is one that you can't help but feel a little disappointed with considering it's already - 90% at least - been done with the better looking Galileo.

Last up for Set Six is Janeway's Armoured Shuttle as featured in Voyager's finale, Endgame. We've had an armoured Voyager in the main 180 issue collection so this was more than a logical choice to include at some point in this addition. Plus it's totally unique and looks like no other shuttle as it's covered in a grey protective shell.

The armadillo effect of the plating looks fantastic on what is the smallest of the four ships from the set and the defensive cover goes right down to the bussard collectors and warp grilles with their red and blue colours poking through slats. 

Noticeable only when you're very close is the speckled effect of the "metal" finish accentuated with the occasional light blue panel for exhausts. The whole of this piece is a work of art on a small scale given how many panel lines have had to remain distinct across the full 360 degrees of the shuttle hull. Indeed, the underside might even be more detailed than the top where the plate appear to stack up behind each other from bow to stern.

Each of the ships has its own lithograph print with stand bases for display and an individual magazine. They all cover only screen appearances of the shuttles with screencaps and CG with the back double page of the miniature publication including a more easy to read LCARS print.

This set of four is a real mix of quality. I'm a fan of the unusual Defiant Shuttlepod but the standout in this set is the highly detailed Sphinx Workpod that ticks every box from paintwork down to final touches. 

Check out all our Starships (and shuttles!) posts HERE

You can find out more on the Star Trek: The Official Starships Collection by visiting the Hero Collector website HERE

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