A Collectible Unboxing
The third issue in the latest run of the collectible ships of the line reveals the storied USS FARRAGUT, which served as one of Captain Kirk’s earliest assignments before he took the chair of the Starfleet flagship made legend.
The increasingly vast mythology of STAR TREK has remained one of the franchise’s most appealing factors. Even as new series set throughout the chronology of the Trek universe fill in gaps over the decades, some points of reference return to play relevant components in contemporary storylines. Reinforcing the backstory of one of Star Trek’s most important characters, when Lt. James T. Kirk was introduced into Strange New Worlds, which followed the adventures of the USS Enterprise under the command of Christopher Pike, it took the opportunity to fill in a blank.
When actor Paul Wesley was introduced as the latest face to assume the role made famous by William Shatner — James T. Kirk for the Paramount+ original series Strange New Worlds, the timeframe where the series is set [Strange New Worlds follows the adventures of Capt. Christopher Pike, played by Anson Mount, who is Kirk’s predecessor] gave writers plenty of opportunities to elaborate on Kirk’s backstory. Among the details to be spotlighted during the series run is his time serving aboard the USS Farragut, NCC-1647. Kirk’s assignment aboard the ship is a significant part of Star Trek canon.
The vessel was mentioned in The Original Series and establishes that before he took the center seat aboard the USS Enterprise and embarked on his first historic 5-year mission, Kirk served aboard the USS Farragut and was promoted to the ship’s executive officer under the command of Captain Garrovick. The starship itself was not seen, nor was it necessary to reveal it in detail, in that early episode, and it was assumed that the Farragut was a Constitution-class ship, the same as the USS Enterprise since it existed in the same era. We can now confirm more details about the USS Farragut.
Mission Statement
Launched in the latter half of the 23rd Century from the San Francisco Fleet Yards on Earth, the USS Farragut belongs to the Bellerophon-class, a predecessor to the Miranda-class ships in the line. These ships sported warp nacelles below the ship’s main saucer section and were often outfitted with mission-specific roll bars above the saucer's aft section. Bellerophon-class ships were not as sophisticated as the more formidable and versatile Constitution-class ships and were equipped with phasers and photon torpedoes with impulse and warp engines.
The USS Farragut was in service for over a decade when, in 2257, it encountered a sentient cloud that threatened the crew, killing half of the 400 souls onboard, including its captain. In 2259, the Farragut was placed under the temporary command of Christopher Pike, who was given a mission-specific promotion to Fleet Captain. After completing that mission, Kirk would be assigned to the Enterprise to shadow its first officer, Una Chin-Riley, likely leading to Kirk’s advancement and acceptance of a post serving as the USS Farragut’s first officer.
Although the ship may have been far more streamlined than the Enterprise, it still served the purposes of Starfleet’s continuing mission of deep space exploration. Bellerophon-class ships were likely used as escort vessels to assist with troop or science team deployments in critical situations. The ship design proved itself as versatile as any of the era. It would have considerable influences on future starship designs, most apparent in the Miranda-class, which remained in service into the early part of the 24th Century, along with the larger Excelsior-class that took the place of Constitution-class explorers.
UnBoxing
The attention to detail in the diecast model is wonderfully captured and stands very much alongside previous releases. Measuring approximately 7” in length, the USS Farragut NCC-1647 model feels is on a direct scale to the USS Enterprise NCC-1701 that appears in Strange New Worlds. Several online vloggers have determined that Fanhome may be inclined to revisit the Enterprise in this latest collection of starship models and update the model to compete with the more robust textures and surface details that have since been applied to the onscreen ship.
Adding the USS Farragut to the line is a welcome treat for completist collectors, especially given the ship’s history and connection to Starfleet’s most famous captain. The model is expertly crafted and richly detailed; its nacelles align with the design of the updated spec applied to the Enterprise since the introduction of the icon ships into the Star Trek: Discovery timeline. Still, the Farragut feels like an older craft that has been in service for a more extended period before the advent of the more powerfully capable Constitution.
The model includes a stand for display and a collector’s magazine with extended VFX views of the ship and production details on how the design team realized the USS Farragut for its appearances in Strange New Worlds. This is the third issue in Fanhome’s Starship Collection. The second release, the USS Stargazer as it appeared in Star Trek: Picard Season 2, will be unboxed and reviewed in time.
Fanhome’s U.S.S. FARRAGUT NCC-1647 | Issue #3 | 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 Farragut NCC-1647 was a Bellerophon-class ship built in 2243. Captain Garrovick commanded it, and it is notable for being the first ship that James T. Kirk served on after he left Starfleet Academy.
The standard models are 5.9 and 9.8 inches long, with XL issues approaching approximately 12.0. The USS Farragut measures approximately 7 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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