A Collectible Unboxing
Making its canon debut in the final season of STAR TREK: PICARD, the Federation flagship USS ENTERPRISE NCC-1701-F barrows from an established medium to face its fate in the series' exciting climax, and it is now a large-scale model.
In all of the continuity of Gene Roddenberry’s sci-fi epic Star Trek, no other starship inspires the most reverence than the one that started it all. The Constitution-class Starship USS Enterprise NCC-1701 introduced in The Original Series set the pace for the franchise's later iterations. Its adventures, crews, and especially its captains became legendary archetypes and the standard by which all others would be measured. Captains Pike and Kirk continue to carry the torch as the originators of that legacy. Captain Picard would take the center seat in the 24th Century to new levels of the imagination.
As far as Star Trek is concerned, there will always be an Enterprise at the core or periphery of a driving story; its influence is far-reaching. Even after the final appearance of the Enterprise-E in the big screen feature Star Trek: Nemesis (2002), it was inevitable that another ship would soon follow to continue the legacy. It may have taken a decade, but the USS Enterprise NCC-1701-F was introduced into the 25th-century narrative in the popular Star Trek Online video game. This newly designed Odyssey-class ship went into service around 2409 and was led by Captain Va’Kel Shon, an Andorian.
The Enterprise-F saw action in several campaigns and was critically damaged, demanding a significant refit in 2410. Many surviving components would be incorporated into a similarly sized Yorktown-class vessel to continue as part of the online adventure. Recently, the Enterprise-F got another “upgrade” after making its “live-action” appearance and stepping into canon in the final season of the Paramount+ original series, Star Trek: Picard. The Odyssey-class flagship is on track for decommissioning but is brought in to headline the Frontier Day festivities in 2401, and ceremoniously under the command of Fleet Admiral Elizabeth Shelby.
The design for the Odyssey-class USS Enterprise also signaled the end of an era of design elegance with its swift-feeling curves and much more organic symmetry, reflective of nature that was common in many ship designs of the 24th century. Most 25th-century starship designs emerging on the current original series are far more functional in their approach, many nostalgically reflecting the 23rd-century vessels that appeared as Star Trek: The Motion Picture hit theaters. The USS Titan NCC-80102-A is an example of a 25th-century design that adopts those aesthetics (see also STO: Age of Discovery), making ships like the Odyssey-class look impressive but otherwise outdated.
Mission Statement
In 2401, the Odyssey-class USS Enterprise NCC-1701-F is slated for decommissioning. This contradicts the established backstory of the vessel introduced in the Star Trek Online continuity, which suggests the USS Enterprise-F is in service in the year 2409. Whether this will be considered a divergent timeline or will be adjusted accordingly is unknown at this writing. Still, for the relevance of Prime Timeline continuity, the in-canon adventures of the Odyssey-class ship with the legendary name appear to end at the turn of the 25th century.
The capitol ship measures a startling 1,061 meters in length and served as the Federation’s flagship during several prominent diplomatic and military incursions; like its predecessors, the vessel could separate into two independently functioning components. The Enterprise-F was heavily armed and formidable in a firefight. As part of Frontiers Day, the events celebrating the 250th anniversary of the launch of the Enterprise NX-01, the ship is captained by Fleet Admiral Elizabeth Shelby as part of a demonstration of Starfleet’s new fleet formation initiative.
Unfortunately, this makes it vulnerable to an enemy attack. The fleet, including the USS Enterprise NCC-1701-F, falls prey to a Borg takeover, and Shelby is murdered by her assimilated crew. If not for the quick thinking of Admiral Jean-Luc Picard and his allies working in conjunction, and their commandeering of the USS Titan NCC-80102-A and the USS Enterprise NCC-1701-D, they save the day and prevent their enemy from destroying the Earth. In the ensuing battle, the USS Enterprise NCC-1701-F is damaged beyond repair and is considered “lost.”
UnBoxing
Since coveting the Star Trek Official Starships Collection IP, high-end fan collectible curator Fanhome has proudly picked up the mantle and consistently delivered on its promise to feature the new and bold designs that continue to appear across Star Trek franchises. Including the Odyssey-class USS Enterprise NCC-1701-F in an XL edition (measuring 10.6” in length) as part of the current subscription will delight fans of the original series and the online video game. The Enterprise-F was also featured during the Eaglemoss and Hero Collector lines, but in the traditional “pocket” format.
The detail on this version is illuminating and striking. Given that the original series production designers borrowed the starship design from the online version, the Enterprise-F was slightly upgraded before it made it to the screen. It was first introduced in 2010 and hadn’t been rendered to this degree that the model reflects the latest adjustments made to adapt it into canon. The Odyssey-class ship takes many cues from John Eaves’s designs for the Enterprise-E and follows the natural evolution expected. The model makes that most apparent and sits in line with the series.
One can very much appreciate the intricate and elegant design of the Enterprise-F, especially at this scale, and its sculpted profile, with an exterior paint job that gives it a retro “hot rod” appeal. Unlike its predecessors, its story is unique, given its online origins. With this release, the Enterprise-F assumes its proper place and just in time — the previously released 3.5-inch models don’t do the ship justice.
Although its time is fleeting on screen, in 2022, Titan Books published a compilation of short stories, Star Trek: The Short Story Collection, that included adventures set in the Star Trek: Online continuity, many centering on the Enterprise-F and its crew. Perhaps, with only a few minor adjustments to continuity, these stories will reflect the missions the ship experienced before the Borg incursion realized on Star Trek: Picard. Adding the vessel's Fanhome XL Edition will satisfy every enthusiast’s dream and only encourage their imagination to pursue the final frontier.
Fanhome’s U.S.S. ENTERPRISE NCC-1701-F | Issue #4 | The Official STAR TREK Starships Collection is available now through Fanhome as a single purchase or as part of their subscription service. Never miss an issue! Order here.
Product Description
The USS Enterprise NCC-1701-F was an Odyssey-class ship in service in the late 24th century. The Star Trek: Online video game first introduced the starship before it made its proper in-canon appearance in the final season of Star Trek: Picard.
The standard models in the collection are 5.9 and 9.8 inches long, with XL issues, such as the USS Enterprise, approaching approximately 12.0 inches. The USS Enterprise measures approximately 10.6 inches in length.
Based on the original VFX files.
Each issue includes an exclusive collector’s magazine, and 20 Exclusive Starship models are expected in the collection.
Die-cast models (including ABS plastic parts); incredible accuracy to detail.
Fully licensed and authorized by CBS Studios.
Ages 4 and up
⚠️ WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD-Small parts. Not for children under three years.
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