Sci-Fi Model Podcast

What’s up, Plastic Addicts?

Welcome back to the Sci-Fi Model Podcast, presented by Jason’s Model Shop. Your source for   everything Sci-Fi model making. Including pop culture subject, Movies & TV and a little bit of miniature war gaming.

Miniature Wargaming is a subject I know very little about.  In fact it’s something I’ve never really been interested in. Even though I’m rooted, firmly, in Nerd/Geek culture it’s possible the prevailing cultural view, that it was just something men with poor hygiene did in the darkest corners of their basements, was preventing me from seeing how awesome it really could be.

No matter how woke we might be, we still have blind spots…

Anyway, I had been doing model making on YouTube for several years at that point and offered (or was asked?) to assist with the launch. That was my introduction to Anvil of War Gaming, a YouTube channel focus on Warhammer 40,000.

At the time I was focused on the nuts and bolts of setting up the channel, and occasionally assisting with the filming of battles/segments. However, I did notice just how detailed the playing pieces were. Though, I didn’t realize until later, that the game pieces were models that the payer had to assemble and detail themselves.

Fast forward to 2023 and I’m developing the Sci-Fi Model Podcast. 

While taking it from concept to reality I sent a great deal of time trying to figure out what the scope would be. I know it’s important to find a niche, but I also know being too niche can be restrictive. I also wanted to avoid gatekeeping, to not be that shithead who says things like ‘eagle moss isn’t modeling’ or other bullshit of that sort.

With that in mind the scope was expanded to include Pop Culture, Movie & TV subjects and Miniature Wargaming. This allows for more varied conversations with different builders. It also give me the opportunity, as a builder, to keep things fresh/follow my interests.

That’s what led to my conversation with Ken. In the case of Warhammer 40,000, and other games, the playing pieces are quite literally model kits. To say nothing of the game’s lore.

Episode 5, of the Sci-Fi Model Podcast, started out with a simple question. Are Wargaming Miniatures Sci-Fi Models? Now, I don’t think we really answered a question directly, but we discussed the process that goes into creating a mini.

The process is literally the same as building an Enterprise or a Baby Yoda figure. The only real difference is the use when completed. Most model kits end up being a passive piece, something you display and admire. Wargaming miniatures are active. Once completed they will be used over and over again in the various campaigns played.

Because Ken is a friend the conversation meanders a bit, and I’m quite OK with it. I want this show to be warm and welcoming, not just a series of questions thrown at a guest.

We also talked for a long time, so this episode is broken into two parts.

I hope you enjoy part 1 and return for part 2!

As always thank you for reading, listening or watching. I really do appreciate it. And remember feed your plastic addiction and keep on building.

Podcast Links:

Ken’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kenb0592/

By the Dice Games YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@bythedicegames

By the Dice Games Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bythedicegames/

Anvil of War Gaming YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AnvilofWarGaming

Anvil of War Gaming Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Anvilofwargaming/

Anvil of War Gaming Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anvilofwargaming/

Relevant Links:

Miniature Wargaming Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miniature_wargaming

What's up, Plastic Addicts? Welcome back to the Sci-Fi Model Podcast, presented by Jason's Model Shop.

There's a much more detailed description in the Jason's Model Shop Blog in the links below.

Reissuing the Enterprise B

The first mention of the Reissuing the kit came on the Collector Model blog in January of 2010. Not much in the way of info. Rather musings about what to reissue with the ultimate message being the tools needed to be pulled and inspected.

There were questions about what still existed and what would need modification. the belief was reissuing the B or Excelsior were both on the table, as both kits were in production at the same time for a number of years.

In June of 2010 Another update shed some more light on the subject, including pics of the existing tools.

It appears that AMT permanently altered the tooling for the Enterprise B, meaning the excelsior would need brand new parts if it were ever to be reissued.

Mid August 2010 provides an update on the improvements being made to the model. Secondary Hull surface details (strong back). Correcting the back of the neck, to give it a curve, the indents on either side of the deflector trench. The biggest change is an entirely new lower saucer

The last real update comes in October of 2010 in a post about Round 2’s visit to the iHobby trade show. The only things to note are a mock up of the B and the corrected parts on display.

The model hit shelves soon after that and once they were gone…they were gone.

Excelsior reissue, refitting the refit

Fast forward to November 2015 and a post with a whole lot of details about the improvements being made as new parts were being created to reissue the much loved Excelsior;

An entirely new lower secondary hull, a new strong back, corrected neck detail, both upper and lower saucer halves and supplemental parts to match the appearance of either the NX or NCC versions.

In regards to having both the Excelsior and Enterprise B on shelves at the same time in the 90’s it appears there were tooling inserts to make the Enterprise B BACK into the Excelsior.  But, those tools were lost.

February 2016 was a big update. Test shots of the model, and boy did it look good.

July 2016 was the last post about the Excelsior and it was all about showing off the finished model, in both NX and NCC configurations. They also detailed the supplemental aztec decal sheet, which includes slightly different colour variations for each version.

I would say the Excelsior reissue has been a success. Initially reissues in 2016 it got another repo in 2021. Hopefully this one will stay in relatively continuous production, much like the 350 TOS or Refit.

LINKS

Model Kit releases 

https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Star_Trek_model_kits

https://www.scalemates.com/kits/amt-amt-1257-uss-excelsior-nx-2000--1322012

Collector Model Blogs

https://www.collectormodel.com/round2-models/512-star-trek-model-kits-to-“b”-or-not-to-“b”/#sthash.sHm64anG.dpbs

https://www.collectormodel.com/round2-models/717-round-2-models-random-thoughts/#sthash.UA0c4n85.dpbs

https://www.collectormodel.com/round2-models/763-star-trek-model-kits-enterprise-b-improvements/#sthash.vvnWfwIk.dpbs

https://www.collectormodel.com/round2-models/868-polar-lights-model-kits-ihobby-recap/#sthash.u4BXAeLH.dpbs

https://www.collectormodel.com/round2-models/2427-star-trek-models-u-s-s-excelsior-new-part-preview/#sthash.tuOaORbs.dpbs

https://www.collectormodel.com/amt/2560-star-trek-model-kits-u-s-s-excelsior-update/#sthash.9xzqrxrR.dpbs

https://www.collectormodel.com/round2-models/3029-star-trek-model-kits-u-s-s-excelsior-buildup/#sthash.76ngx8hc.dpbs

3D Files

https://modelwerkshop.com/collections/upgrade-kits/products/1-1000-uss-enterprise-b-upgrade-kit-pre-order

Studio Models 

https://www.ex-astris-scientia.org/articles/excelsior-model.htm

https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Excelsior_class_model

https://fantastic-plastic.com/uss-excelsior-by-amtert.html

What's up, Plastic Addicts?

Welcome to episode 3 of the SciFi Model Podcast.

In this episode we discuss the complex topic of motivation and all the reason why not having it may not be what's holding you back from tackling your stash.

If you're a fan of the show, please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/scifimodelpodcast

Want more SciFi Model Making content? Find us on all the socials @jasonsmodelshop

Or, click use our link tree: https://linktr.ee/jasonsmodelshop

What's up, Plastic Addicts?

Welcome to the first episode of the SciFi Model Podcast!

As is often the case, this episode is an introduction to the series, to myself (Jason C. Marshall) and why it exists in the first place.

If you're a fan of the show, please consider supporting us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/scifimodelpodcast

Want more SciFi Model Making content? Find us on all the socials @jasonsmodelshop

Or, click use our link tree: https://linktr.ee/jasonsmodelshop