Federation Runabout "Rio Grande"

from "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" (1993-1999)

Scale: 1:72
Initial Release: 1993
Medium: Polystyrene
Kit Rarity: 3

About the Design

Designed for the "Star Trek: The Next Generation" spin-off series "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine," the Federation Runabout was a warp-capable transport that was a good step-and-a-half above the traditional shuttlecraft.  Capable of deep space missions and atmospheric operations, the Runabout boasted two side-mounted phasers that allowed it to function as a defensive fighter in the event of military conflict.

About the Kit

The "Runabout Rio Grande" kit was the first "DS9" model released by AMT/Ertl.  Good-sized and acceptably accurate (except for those awful incomplete phaser pieces), the kit could be built with or without the "roll-bar"-style sensor array as well as with a variety of names and registration numbers.  One big disappointment: Although the kit featured large forward windows, there was no cockpit, nor was an interior ever offered by a major aftermarket manufacturer.

This model was built from a late-1990's reissue.