Template:Realworld
Polar Lights Models was the model-making division of the toy company Playing Mantis (itself as of 2004 part of Racing Champions, at the time also owner of AMT/Ertl), set up in 1994 with the specific intention to re-issue Aurora Plastics Corporation's signature monster and science fiction kits of the 1960s and 1970s. The company's name itself was an homage to "Aurora" (both references to the northern and southern polar lights). The company produced scale models of famous vehicles from various TV and movie projects, such as the Ghostbusters ECTO-1 and the Back To The Future Delorean Time Machine. Polar Lights started to release Star Trek-related model kits (amongst others not previously released designs) in 2003, being given the license as then owner of AMT/Ertl, Racing Champions, showed no interest to develop the Trek line any further (at the time no model kits were marketed for four years). Unfortunately, Playing Mantis itself was acquired late 2004 by the same Racing Champions and production of new model kits was halted immediately by the new owner resulting in that in 2006 closure of Polar Lights was announced, due to the elimination of the brand. [1] But a year later the product line of Polar Lights was sold to Round 2 LLC, who also acquired AMT the same year, and the brand was revived in 2008, resulting in that all US-based licensed Star Trek model kits manufactures were once again under one roof. In June 2009, Round 2 indicated that they would be releasing new models under the Polar Lights brand featuring the Enterprise from Star Trek (though as of 2012, it had yet to be released), in addition to other kits, by 2010.
Star Trek releases
Item | Scale | Release | Item No. | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
USS Enterprise | 1:1000 | 2003 | PL4200 | This kit can be built in three versions: the Enterprise seen in "The Cage", that seen in "Where No Man Has Gone Before", and the standard "production version" seen in later episodes |
2008 | POL803 | Re-release of PL 4200; acquisition by Round 2; new numbering; two issues in 2008 each with different box art | ||
2012 | POL889 | Lunchbox tin edition | ||
1:350 | POL880 | Same size as original three-foot studio model; based on Gary Kerr's research; original detailed tooling; with interior bridge, shuttlebay and in-scale Class F shuttlecraft; two editions, avant-premiere edition for "Club 1701" subscribers, limited to 1701 pieces and regular edition with differing box art | ||
File:Polar Lights Model kit POL880 USS Enterprise 2012 Limited Edition.JPG File:Polar Lights Model kit POL880 USS Enterprise 2012 Regular Edition.JPG | ||||
Enterprise NX-01 | 1:350 | 2003 | PL4201 | Featuring over 200 pieces and clear parts for lighting |
1:1000 | 2005 | PL53028 | ||
2008 | POL807 | Re-release of PL53028; acquisition by Round 2; new numbering; two issues in 2008 each with different box art | ||
Klingon Template:ShipClass Battle cruiser | 1:1000 | 2003 | PL4202 | This kit can be built and labeled as either the standard Klingon version or the Romulan version seen in "The Enterprise Incident" |
2008 | POL806 | Re-release of PL4202; acquisition by Round 2; new numbering; two issues in 2008 each with different box art | ||
Star Trek Nemesis Reman Template:ShipClass fighter | 1:33 | 2003 | PL4203 | Comes with Jean-Luc Picard and Data figures for the cockpit |
USS Enterprise-A (or Refit) | 1:350 | 2004 | PL4204 | Featuring a full interior shuttlebay, three small shuttlecraft, TMP-Style Work Bee pod, botanical garden, conference room and VIP lounge; includes a large number of clear parts to facilitate lighting of the kit; two box variants |
2009 | POL808 | Reissue of PL4204; acquisition by Round 2; new numbering; new box | ||
1:1000 | 2010 | POL820 | ||
USS Enterprise (alternate reality) | 1:2500 | 2011 | POL836 | This kit was developed using CGI scans provided by ILM from Star Trek. Slated for 2011 release[2] |
USS Thunderchild | 1:1000 | TBA | TBA | to be confirmed[3] |
All the above kits are snap-together style and featured detailed decal sheets. No glue or paint were included with the kits.
External links
- Official Polar Lights website
- Round 2 Models LLC - Current website for Round 2 LLC brand line-up.
- Collectormodel.com - Round2 blog including Polar Lights products
- The Polarpaedia - the history of Polar Lights and especially the now defunct Polar Lights Bulletin Board