The Nebula Class: Eaglemoss XL USS Bonchune

Debuting in TNG's fourth season, the Nebula Class would be the first new Federation starship design to grace TV screens since the arrival of the Galaxy Class USS Enterprise in Encounter at Farpoint.

While it is a blatant reworking of the Galaxy Class itself, the Nebula Class would undergo several minor reworkings over its time on screen across TNG, DS9 and fleetingly VGR with the alterations here coming from one of the versions visible during DS9's sixth season.

Ok. Obvious one out of the way from the off, those windows ain't aligning perfectly. I know you expect it however, wise move is that most of the windows apart from the ones at the very edge of the saucer are all decalled on meaning there's no errors there at least. ON the underside, the deflector "squares" are all over the place but thankfully it's underneath.. Lesson learned? I doubt it.

Honestly though, the heavy saucer section of the Bonchune is gorgeous. The aztecing is sharp, lifeboat markings are in the right place and generally line up with the raised hull sections as they should. The ship registry is more than legible with a clear red outline on the numbers - it's all seemingly falling nicely into place here isn't it?

It really does have a great finish which leaves you head-scratching why the D wasn't updated after this. Anyway, we have the more sensible sensor pod at the back rather than the  AWACS monstrosity that was attached to the USS Phoenix or the mini-nacelles of the Melbourne. 

What I have noticed with this one though is that there are some little paint scuffs and flecks which I've not noticed as much elsewhere. However here along the edges of that triangular rear pod there are a couple. These stand out more because of the light base coat underneath over a darker green/brown segment. 

That said, the pod itself is well detailed with a large amount of grille work plus some very nicely painted up RCS thrusters. Also on the pod, something that I would never have seen or expected replicated - the ship registry and United Federation of Planets script. It's a minor detail but one that onscreen you may never have really seen. Minor kick here is that some of the gold detail has been misaligned and is 50% grey. I would also really like to know the significance of the numbers along the grille edges.

Even the connecting neck section between the pod and hull has been meticulously detailed up with some distinct panel work to the rear and again, the inclusion of a tiny ship registry. The Bonchune feels so very complete because of these touches. The painting in some places (especially around the pod) isn't at Eaglemoss' best yet there's something satisfying about the end result. God, even the fact that my sensor pod is sitting at an angle hasn't put me off.

The distinct aztec over the duck egg blue paint finish continues into the engine pylons. So distinctly reused from the Galaxy Class, the finish is incredibly clean and precise. This isn't shock, it's acknowledgement of a really good job. The use of translucent sections for the grilles and bussard collectors was a standard requirement here and would have made left the model a little flat but hey, they're all in there and look great.

One great touch is the precision job that's been done on the main deflector. Even though this is underneath the ship, the colours don't bleed and each ring of the element is clear to distinguish.

The problem does however lie with a good chunk of the ventral section of the secondary hull because, apart from the Starfleet pennant and the horizontal phaser beam, the alignment of windows and the cargo doors to their physical locations is criminal. The cargo doors are horribly all over the place so if you're displaying, stick this on a low shelf so you'll be looking down on her rather than up. OK, this means you don't see the lovely deflector but it's a price you'll have to pay to appreciate the finer parts of the Bonchune. Honestly, look at the emergency warp core eject hatch and that pennant and you'll see that the aztecing doesn't line up. It's not central and it bugs me to the ends of the earth. 

The accompanying magazine takes a let turn and focuses on TNG's The Wounded. Stepping more into the background of the episode, it discusses more around the prominence of O'Brien, the arrival of the Cardassians and Captain Maxwell than the Nebula Class. There is of course some page space dedicated to the development of the class and the use of the models onscreen both in space and as props.

Final line here; the Nebula Class manages to excite and disappoint with the simple flip of a hull. The top is gorgeous, clean and almost perfect aside from a few tickles that are more than likely issues of mass production. But then the underside of the ship just tosses that good will aside for some inexcusable misses. Is she worth a punt? Yes, but probably when there's a good Eaglemoss offer on because you might be upset at forking out the current price for an XL.

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To B or not... USS Enterprise NCC-1701-B XL

For many, many years I have winced at the redesigning of the Excelsior for use in Generations as the Enterprise-B.

We knew from the '90's Technical Manual that the B was Excelsior Class but it was only the seventh movie which confirmed that and also spun that visual twist. OK, for the movie all the go-faster parts were added so that the original model wouldn't be damaged when the B was inside the Nexus. However, they couldn't be removed from the model after filming hence it turns up in Paradise Lost from Deep Space Nine as the USS Lakota.

Over time I've warmed a little to the design. I was never a huge fan of the Excelsior back in the Star Trek III days and seeing it splutter and cough to a stop as the Enterprise escaped was always a highlight of the movie.

But perhaps this is like that proverbial fine wine and has aged better with time. Certainly the recent arrival of Eaglemoss' XL version of the ship has gone someway to doing that. Both the Excelsior and the Enterprise-B suffered from the restrictive packaging size of the Official Starships Collection, turning them into shadows of their grander selves. Here though we have a real chance to get under the hood of the B and see her in all her glory.

The weight of the ship is astounding. With this XL both the saucer and the majority of the secondary hull are cast in metal with only the engines and the top panel of the engineering hull in plastic. It feels the part and easily takes it head and shoulders above the regular issues just for this fact.

The light grey hull paint isn't azteced as one might have expected with the finish instead flecked with darker grey spots for depth. The dorsal saucer detail is wonderful with clear decals and well laid out colouring of the bridge module and stretching back towards the impulse engines.

The Enterprise-B has a very heavy paint scheme on that saucer with the channelling around the bridge particularly impressive but there is slight misalignment of some grey detail on the outer impulse units where it should fit into the marked recesses. Something that Eaglemoss have struggled with multiple times since day one. Again on the top of engineering hull there is segmented panelling keeping with the grey/blue colour scheme leading towards the shuttle bay.

This is one super-detailed XL and not just for the paintjob. The moulding on the B is very precise and gives a lot of light on the differences between it and NCC-2000. The only gripe I have as we look further down the ship is the grey accenting around that deflector dish is patchy at best. 

Yet its successes far outweigh a few minor paint issues. The stripe decalling around the warp engine pylons is spot on as is the inset grey detail. The engines themselves do contain those "B" upgrades including the grey tubing and the larger bussard collector units at the front. 

There is some give in these thin engines which are happily sitting in parallel from every possible angle. Including both ship decals and translucent sections, they definitely add a lot to the overall effect and banish the smaller series edition as a bad memory. I can guarantee it won't see the light of day for some time.

Underneath there is more blocked light blue panelling as well as the dark grey paint speckle identical to the top. One thing of note that isn't the same here is that the lower cargo pod area is moulded into the metal and doesn't recess as you might see on a Revell kit. It's forgivable due to the build process in this instance but is a little disappointing given the overall spectacle of this superb model.

The included magazine for this edition is sub-par however. Understandably most of the material on the B was covered in the main collection and given it had only one appearance there's not much that can be expanded upon. Ok, you could go into Beta canon but that's for another day. Instead we divert into the depths of Generations and the transition of TNG to the big screen followed up with an article on crashing the saucer of the Enterprise-D. It does at least remain focused on the movie that featured the B but as a special issue it falls far short of discussing the actual ship itself.

Removing the magazine from the equation here, the Enterprise-B XL edition is one of the best there is. Much, much better than the regular version (as you will have gathered) and with such an impressive aesthetic that you can only keep admiring her from every angle possible. Eaglemoss have just got this one right; everything from the RCS thrusters to the construction of the warp engines is solidly built. The choice to make this 75% metal is a huge bonus that really cements the quality of the replica. One of my favourites, pure and simple.

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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. 

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A Few Words from Jean-Luc: The Wisdom of Picard

Set for a 10th December release, Adams Media’s definitely-suitable-as-stocking-filler might be the words of inspiration you’re looking for in these uncertain, locked down times.

Chronicling the greatest words and phrases from the captain of the Federation’s flagship, The Wisdom of Picard covers every season of The Next Generation, the four movies that followed and the recent first season of Picard. 

Edited by Chip Carter, the book is separated out into five sections with each taking a different angle on the learned Jean-Luc, capturing those classic moments. There's The Final Frontier (Philosophy and Humanity), Where No One Has Gone Before (History and Science), New Life and New Civilisations (Literature and the Arts), Strange New Worlds (Exploration and Adventure) and To Boldly Go (Politics, Leadership and Diplomacy) so at just a flick through you can find a relevant phrase. 

Within each part we have those key words from the captain such as his chilling appearance as Locutus in The Best of Both Worlds, his revealing discourse with Seven in Stardust City Rag, passionately defending Data in The Measure of a Man and making the sky the limit in All Good Things... - but it’s got a lot more in there too and that’s where the headings come in to play.

Splitting The Wisdom of Picard into bite size pieces makes it a lot easier to find what kind of phraseology you’re looking for. Each is also paired with an image from the relevant episode and this includes everything up to Ergo in Arcadia, Part II which aired earlier this year (2020).

It’s a nice little volume to dip on and out of with his epic words divided into a series of categories so when you need one to assist in your diplomatic duties with the Gorn Hegemony you won’t be at all lost. 

The research here is very good with a nice, concise introduction to each section followed by the appropriate quotes. In one sitting it is a very quick read but I foresee this being something more to dip in and out of to seek some inspiration in one area or another.

Definitely something as a quality stocking filler for the discerning Star Trek fan or perhaps even your average fan of the recent Picard series alone. Given the mess of a year we've had alongside all the political shenanigans going on coupled with a pandemic and there's got to be a few words from Patrick Stewart's alter ego that will happily sum up the best and worst of times in a positive fashion. 

Ideal as a Christmas stocking filler, this little gem is already available for Kindle and will be out in hardback (my preference) from December 10th.

The Wisdom of Picard ISBN 978-1-5072-1473-2 is priced at £9.99 from Simon and Schuster

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All images CBS All Access

The Lockdown Interviews: Tracee Lee Cocco

In the third in our Lockdown series we're getting to know an actress and stuntwoman with one of the most extensive lists of appearances in the franchise outside of any of the main cast - Tracee Lee Cocco.

Joining the show from its fourth season, Tracee would initially be a background character seen at the rear bridge consoles or walking down a corridor to create the sense of ongoing life aboard the USS Enterprise-D but it would come to be so much more, even after The Next Generation closed out in 1994.

"I started out modelling doing a lot of printwork and then I was working for a company out of Finland when the girl for the catalogue shoot didn't show and they put me in there. One thing led to another, I did a McDonalds commercial singing which was hysterical! 

My first movie was Gross Anatomy (1988) which starred Matthew Modine and I played a medical student."

Alongside her in this was Christine Lahti who's character suffered from lupus, a condition that Tracee herself was diagnosed with around the time she was involved on the project and still manages it successfully today.

"After that I got auditioned for Baywatch and got on as the regular lifeguard  ('89 - '91) and when that got cancelled I got onto Another 48 Hours with Eddie Murphy and in that movie I did a stunt where I was running around a bar and had to jump over tables. It was filmed on the Paramount lot and somebody from Star Trek happened to be watching the filming that day and came up to me after it and said I should go and talk to them because they would like my look.

"I went for the audition and I got it. They put me in the black and gold colour which was the best colour to be because it runs a lot of stuff on the ship. I started out as an ensign and the next time I go to put on the uniform I'd got two pips and I was a lieutenant. Then they started to put me everywhere and do things with the main cast."

The next thing Tracee knew, Michael Westmore was involved prepping her for an alien - in that case, an Antican; "Funny story here is that I go out from the set and the stage to get some air and have a sip through a straw. Who then comes out of her trailer but Sharon Stone (filming Sliver at the time) and comes straight towards me.

"She was asking what I looked like under the costume and that same day I'd given the security guard a picture of me which he showed to Sharon Stone. She was surprised that I was covering my face up because she thought I was so pretty. 

"For one," said Tracee, explaining her response to Sharon Stone; "I didn't mind because my skin was fine with the prosthetics, secondly they paid me well and I quite liked it!"

The meeting would lead to an invite to the wrap party for the movie - with Sharon Stone lending Tracee some of her security guards to walk in with!

Westmore would go on to give Tracee 15 more alien roles in Deep Space Nine and Voyager alongside her 50 plus appearances as Lieutenant Jae in The Next Generation which included wearing all three divisional colours and joining the ship for Generations, First Contact and Insurrection.

Star Trek fans will remember Jae stationed at Ops, perhaps sitting next to Patrick Stewart during the performance of Frame of Mind or getting blown out her chair while the Enterprise was under attack from the Duras sisters in Generations.  In fact she's worn all three colours during her tenure plus Tracee has turned up in the PC games Klingon and Borg.

"I used to be in Ten Forward a lot and then the studio began to get letters about me. Then I was Michael Dorn's date one time and Jonathan Frakes' too (in episodes)."

Surprisingly (and I only learnt this from this interview), stuntwork can include something as little as falling off a chair. The explosion on the Enterprise bridge from Generations was Tracee's first experience of a stunt of that scale; "I have my limits - I'm not going to jump off a tall building for instance because I have quite a bit of metal in my back!"

Nor have multiple surgeries stopped Tracee working with a recent film project, Night Mistress, in which she played a head bodyguard to the underworld - in fact her experiences on Star Trek were one of the reasons that she got the part.

One of Tracee's other memorable appearances was as one of the Borg drones experimented on by Lore in Descent, Part II; "That was great," she recalled, "I did that drone and a regular Borg as well. When they called me for that it's a one piece metal-look bodysuit and then they attach Borg pieces to that and finally the white makeup - but you can't smile or anything because it cracks."

Tracee would be further involved with the Borg in First Contact acting as Alice Krige's stand-in - and she would also be "stunt arms" for the Queen when she reaches up to grab Picard in the film's climax. 

Y'see not only is Tracee Lieutenant Jae or an alien but in Rascals she also moonlighted as a Ferengi and a hand double for the young Picard too!

Being put into scenes prominently with the main cast meant that Jae was getting a lot of attention as The Next Generation progressed with even Patrick Stewart receiving fan mail that were inquiring about the possible relationship between the two characters; "As soon as I got my name by accident I ran with that one and it went from there. I'm totally wowed by the following that the character has now."

Indeed, #bringbackltjae is a real thing with Tracee keen to see if the former Enterprise-all rounder can make further appearances in the franchise because, well, she must be at least an admiral by the time of Picard? Maybe just even in the background?

Tracee's first convention experience was the London Film and Comic-Con in 2012 and from there she went to Fed Con in Germany then Australia for Super Nova and a lot more since then. Due to recent events, the last one that she managed to attend was Destination Star Trek in 2019 where she managed to get to see some of her former cast mates from The Next Generation including Patrick Stewart.

Outside of the Star Trek franchise you can catch Tracee in Demolition Man alongside Sly Stallone and Sandra Bullock - for which she also ended up voicing the arcade pinball machine as well as appearances in Pamela Anderson's Barb Wire and notably in the excellent Space: Above and Beyond.

Following on from her time on the Enterprise, Tracee now splits her time between cons and acting; "I'm so grateful I have a fan club. I love the cons, I get so much energy from doing them!

But if Jae were to come back, what would Tracee like to be doing if she was given free reign? "I love the thought of Section 31 or having my own ship and be out there exploring."

If not commanding the ship then there could be other possibilities and I suggested maybe in the Support Services division; "I'd want to be there to help get the characters out of something or helping to figure out how to get them out."

And for the future? Well, there's the possibility that we might see a storyline in Star Trek Online with the ever-present lieutenant - something that's in discussion so keep an eye out for that!

Many thanks to Tracee Lee Cocco for her time to speak to SKoST

You can find out more about the Star Trek actress at her website traceeleecocco.com!

Green Lit: The Official Starships Collection Issues 162 and 163

Coming to the collection 25 years after its appearance in the franchise, the Lakul adds an oft discussed starship to the collection.

Seen for only a few moments while held within the Nexus, the Whorfin Class ship would be destroyed with significant loss of life in the seventh Star Trek movie however it's striking design has remained a strong image for myself ever since.

Eaglemoss' latest production brings that very craft to life. I do find that there are certain "facial" similarities between this and the Event Horizon from the film of the same name. There's a distinct industrial/1950's feel to the shape of the Lakul too with its curved grey panelling and odd outslung engines giving it a very unique silhouette. 

Let's take a deeper look into this one. As with a few recent releases, the Lakul was a blink-and-miss but that's not deterred from seeing that the final model was good enough to stand up to the rigours of cinematic scrutiny. 

The metal/plastic mix is a bit more intricate than usual on this one as well with both materials wrapping together at some points, most notably at the back where plastic hull parts are glued on top and underneath of the metal structure.

The shape of the Lakul is very unusual with a half-cylindrical "head" to the front with painted on rather than recessed windows. As noted there's more of this plastic wrap with that forward unit locked into the central metal body. It's a seamless visual transition into the metal body mainly due to the way it is slotted together and the colour match between the sections. In that respect, the Lakul has two distinct grey shades right across the model with the lighter colour highlighting some of the panels top and bottom.

One thing to note is how the plastic sections to the rear have more distinctive panel lines than the metal. Looking at the two column structures to either side of the "head", the detail itself is a tad washed out, more due to the shape rather than the amount of paint used to cover them.

The back end is as interesting as the front, perhaps more so with a plastic housing slipped over the top of the thinned metal body and then a second plastic section slotted in underneath. The wrap effect of the materials really works here and the joins between then are very well camouflaged through the paint scheme. To either side and reaching out from the plastic underside are the two warp pylons. 

These are very sturdy even considering their width and thickness. Attached to either end and continuing the paint theme to their tips are the two stubby warp engines. Panel detail is nice and clean on all these elements with the plastics overall having the better lining impressions. This is backed up with the point that the detail on the very back of the Lakul where there are very clear docking ports and gimbles around the twin hatches.

Given its unconventional appearance and cumbersome frame, Eaglemoss have worked a lovely bit of constructive magic with the Lakul. Pristine paint scheme coupled with a clean build make this a lovely ship for display although you're probably going to have to explain to a lot of people exactly what it is and where it appeared!

The magazine for issue 162 takes us back into the 23rd Century section of Generations, recounting the incident that led to the apparent death of James T Kirk and the loss of the Lakul herself. There are a few additional notes around the ship herself including the fascinating point that the other ship that was destroyed was the Robert Fox named after the ambassador from A Taste of Armageddon in The Original Series.

It's a good issue this time because not only do we get the usual narrative but there are six pages handed over to discussing how the odd design of this ship evolved and what ended up being used on screen. Lots of sketches, pics and more in this bit which made for a very good read. Even more impressive for me, who loves Generations was the final article talking about how they created the Stellar Cartography set for one of the movie's most important scenes. For me this is up there as one of Star Trek's most exciting sets and to have some more background on its conception is fantastic to read.

Back in time now to Enterprise and the Orions. You can tell it's an Orion ship because it's green.

Distinctly resembling a bird/70's sci-fi fighter plane, the Orion Interceptor could easily be a majestic bird of prey with its sewpt and arched wings and that striking beak thrusting out at the front.

In comparison to the Lakul this thing is extremely light with a metal top piece and then a plastic insert for the ventral area as we've seen on numerous occasions.

It's another that I struggle to place within the Enterprise series so I've been a lot more reliant on the magazine to keep me on the straight and narrow when it comes to reviewing her. However, this is another interesting footnote in the franchise. Eaglemoss have definitely captured the aggressive nature of the ship especially through the forming of the beak on the nose and the red blending back into the solid green of the main hull.

For its size too the Interceptor packs a lot in; there are the ship markings on the nose (unusual outside of Starfleet) plus Orion script and decals applied to the wings. These do lift this model out of the average since they are quite small details that we will have all missed on the show and are now being introduced to properly through the collection.

Along the centre line on the sides and just behind the painted windows of the bridge we have some very small technical detailing which I was surprised to see given the sleek nature and scale of the craft. Within the pieces on the top you can make out shapes of equipment around the smoother hull plating.

That plating itself also seems to have some slight tonal differences across the surface. Not so much a two-tone as a mottled effect which gives off different tones in patches when it catches the light. This works really well to give a used and worn feel to the Interceptor which manages to have some panels in different colours indicating some form of repair work and/or battle damage.

The wings themselves are an extension of the hull, sweeping out into their crescent forms and also curving slightly down to the tips. The thickness of the wings - which includes exhaust openings to the rear definitely help the structure as they are very firm and there's virtually no give in them.

There is a very striking propulsion unit with the Interceptor with a single unit on the topside and then three engines slung underneath. The detail on the panelling and the depth to the exhausts on all four is fairly impressive and gives a sense that these are fed from deep inside the hull. In fact on the underside of the Interceptor it's the engine assembly that's the real draw for me. It looks like it means business and it's rare to see such "antiquated" engine tech in Star Trek that reminds us so clearly of proper rocket boosters.

It's a nice, if forgettable model from Eaglemoss in this case and even with the fancy vents and "cutout" hull sections showing sensor equipment and the like, it doesn't really help this one get a lot of attention. The colour is great, the decals are great and the look is great. As a model it works perfectly but I don't see it being one that we'll be clamouring to see back in stock quickly. It's possibly one of those that we'll suggest could have been dropped for other items that should have been included. 

The Interceptor's magazine follows the standard tried and tested specs and discussion of its appearances in Enterprise followed up by the design process. Lots of good background material to get your teeth into but nothing mind-blowing that you'll be bookmarking for future use I suspect!

Thoughts on the Lakul? Remember the Interceptor? Comment below!

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Barbara Scarfe (March)

Long-time associate of Star Trek, Barbara Scarfe aka Barbara March has lost her battle with cancer at the age of 65.

First appearing in 1991's Redemption two-parter, March took on the role of older sister and acting head of the House, Lursa. The sisters were attempting to place their illegitimate nephew as the new Chancellor throwing the Empire into a brief but bloody civil war which would have benefited another Alpha Quadrant power if successful.

With their distinctive outfits (which both March and B'Etor actress Gwyneth Walsh have worn at conventions over the years), the Sisters of Duras became an instant hit with fans and easily the most reknowned female Klingons ever to walk on Q'onoS. 

Indeed, Lursa and B'Etor would prove to be so memorable and in demand from the Star Trek fanbase that they would reappear not just in Bloodlines as The Next Generation's seventh season drew to a close but also across in Deep Space Nine's first season Past Prologue (the first regular length episode aired after Emissary) and ultimately would prove to be the downfall of the Enterprise-D over Veridian III in the seventh feature film, Generations.

I found March's Lursa to be the more dominant of the pair, more calculating and the one behind the master plan while B'Etor would be close by to get her hands dirty. Of the five appearances (Redemption being two parts), it would be that cliffhanger from the fourth and fifth seasons that will remain as my favourite moments. It's a rare event to see a Klingon female taking command at this point in the history of the franchise and would perhaps set a precedent that would be evoked through Grilka in Deep Space Nine's Looking for Par'mach in All the Wrong Places and later with L'Rell in Discovery as she takes command of the Empire.

However their was a more devious streak to the duo with their family connections to the Romulans dating back to the Khitomer incident which was explored in Sins of the Father and Reunion before being glaringly exposed in Redemption II. A Klingon family perhaps but one that did not concern itself with honour in the pursuit of control of the entire Empire.

While Generations would also provide the undoing/overconfidence of the sisters, their mark on the Star Trek universe was secure, leading to more Duras' in Enterprise some years later. For appearing in approximately six hours of the franchise, Lursa and her sister were well recognised and certainly the sci-fi world is a little emptier.

RIP.

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Predicting 2019

Once more we’ve completed a spin around the Sun and welcome in 2019. But what will this year hols in store for Star Trek?  Here's our top ones to watch

1. Discovery

The item at the top pf any Star Trek list has to be the continuing success of the latest series. Frankly, screw the doubters because its back for a second series and treading into the territory of recognisable characters with Pike, Number One and Spock all showing up this year. The premiere for season two is but 15 days away so how can this show be failing especially as there are at least two shows in the pipeline that will launch in the next 18 months. I'm predicting a renewal for the show for season three with a 2020 launch date probably announced at the midpoint in the 15 episode run but I also think that we won't be getting any more Short Treks past the four we have received this time around. Nice placeholder and I hope they use the material contained therein within the show itself.

2. Picard

Probably timed to coincide with the end of Discovery’s second season I believe that we will have the first teaser trailer for the new Picard series by mid-year. 2019 will most likely see further main castings for the show plus hints at what the future holds for the former Enterprise captain. Can we be more specific than this? Not at this time. What we do know is that Patrick Stewart was heavily involved with the initial talks about the direction of the series and how Jean-Luc would be treated within its framework which was part of the reason that he agreed to come back to the franchise after a 20 year gap.

3. Lower Decks

As with Picard's return we'll be getting more hints on what the future holds for this spin off from the franchise. I think this one might be set between the original six movies and The Next Generation since there's a good 70 year gap we've never explored. Big concerns are that this is going to be a humorous animated encounter like nothing we've seen before in the Star Trek universe. Truly the unknown - also well worth paying attention to the last of the Short Treks; The Escape Artist which was written by Mike McMahan and might give a hint at what this new show will be like tonally. Plus, any excuse for a Rick and Morty pic...

4. Novel Series Restart

Yay! So 2018 was a bit of a dud year for the Star Trek novel series but with a new deal completed we are going to be seeing a good flood of Star Trek book titles in the new year from all aspects of the franchise and that, it seems, includes the Kelvin timeline as well as the Discovery era. I'm predicting a return of the time travellers from Dayton Ward plus the continuation of the Deep Space Nine Gamma Quadrant saga which kicked off so well late in 2017. 

5. DST 2019

George Takei and Michelle Forbes are already confirmed for the 2019 event which nobody expected since it took two years for the event to return to the UK after the 50th anniversary. Last year's October-fest was a much more streamlined and organised celebration of Star Trek than before with much more for fans to get involved with across the weekend including tabletop and video gaming, talks, fantastic displays from Discovery and the first 50 years. The 2019 event has to equal this so I'd expect more props from the latest TV series as well as guests from the show (Anson Mount must be top of that list with Ethan Peck). Personally I'd love to hope Avery Brooks drops in but that's a long shot at best. What about an appearance from John de Launcie? Is a drop in from Patrick Stewart an option?

6. End of the Starships Collection?

Is it finally time for The Official Starships Collection to call it a day? I think this is the year it could come to a close with the Discovery collection striding on plus the Graphic Novel and Busts series also still in play. It's been going for a fair few years now and the majority of the craft from the show that anyone generally cares about have all but been announced. Recently it was confirmed that the Fesarius as well as Baran's Raider and the Scimitar would be included so I'd give this one a maximum of 12 months before it's closed up. Watch me be horrifically wrong on this one.

7. Confirmation of Star Trek 4

As in if it’s on or off. The lack of news on this makes me think that the Kelvin timeline may have drawn its last breath with the 2016 Beyond and, honestly, that's not a bad way to go out. The quality of the three films has been on the whole decent but another year without any progress on story at the least will kill it off and leave the way very open for the vaunted R|-rated Quentin Tarantino movie. Prediction for 2019 on this one is that we'll be in exactly the same position in a year's time. Neither of these projects will move forward and they'll be rotting in Development Hell for a little bit longer. Almost certain we'll have no action in regards to big screen Trekking this year.

8. 30 Years of The Final Frontier

 Who isn't going to want to celebrate this gem of an anniversary?! Yes, 2019 will mark 30 years since William Shatner asked God what he needed with a starship. A highly maligned Star Trek movie that's never mentioned anywhere else in any context ever and is almost considered the most un-canon item of canon just ahead of Threshold. I'd look forward to lots of reminiscing over filming of The Final Frontier, what went wrong, a ton of comparisons to Discovery and a few oddball rants about how this was the sign that the franchise was failing before the year is out.

9. 25 Years Since The Sky Was the Limit and It Was Fun 

...And on a more positive note, it's 25 years since The Next Generation drew to a close on TV before stepping in front of another set of cameras to take the voyages of the Enterprise-D to the big screen with Generations back in 1994. Definitely an opportunity for the cast to get back together and maybe a reason to get Malcolm McDowell along to Destination Star Trek along with Shatner and Stewart for a rather expensive but damn fine photo shoot?

Expect 2019 to revisit best episodes from the show's run as well as offer up potentials for what could have been the eighth season. Remember too that this will also mark 25 years since Shatner's last onscreen appearance as Captain James T Kirk.

10. Axanar Rolling On

It's off, it's on, it's off, it's... who knows. Even now we're two years down the line from THAT decision which changed the face of Star Trek fan films as we knew them, Axanar still exists and I think we'll be hearing more from this one in 2019. The plan, apparently, is to launch two 15 minute slices of the story rather than the epic independent movie we were initially promised. Maybe 2019 will see the first footage from Alec Peters other than the now infamous "Vulcan Scene" filmed oh-so long ago.Love it, loathe it, despise it more than anything ever, you still can't get away from it and this story will continue!

What do you predict to be the big Star Trek stories of 2019? Will we be wrong on any of these?

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