Type 15 Shuttlepod

from "Star Trek: The Next Generation" (1987-1994)

Scale: 1/32
Initial Release: 2002
Medium: Resin
Kit Rarity: 3

About the Design

The small, angular Type 15 Shuttlepod first appeared in Star Trek: The Next Generation's second season episode, "Time Squared" as the "El Baz."  It later appeared as the "Pike" in the Season Three episode "The Most Toys," and finally as the "El Baz" again in the Season 6/7 cliffhanger, "Descent."  Ostensibly, this two-man craft was designed to ferry individuals between starships and for extravehicular inspections.  Lacking a warp drive, the shuttlepod  is impractical for long-distance flights or even planetary excursions.

In fact, the craft's diminutive size and highly angular design reveals more about Paramount's budgetary restrictions at the time of its construction, as highly angular props are much easier to design and build than those with difficult curves.  (This is the same reason the original shuttlecraft Galileo was so damned angular.)

About the Kit

Released in 2002 by Britain's UNCL garage kit company, this Type 15 Shuttlepod consisted of only five pieces.  Although it was hollow, no interior nor clear windows were provided.  The decal kit allowed it to be built as either the "El Baz" from the episodes "Time Square" and "Descent," or as the "Pike" from the episode "The Most Toys."

This model represents the original "Time Squared" version.

This model was built from an original issue.