Starship Leif Erison (1968)

Scale: 1:500
Initial Release: 1968
Medium: Styrene
Kit Rarity: 1

About the Design

Following the success of its first batch of Star Trek model kits, AMT decided to launch its own series of original sci-fi models under the moniker "Strategic Space Command."  The galactic cruiser "Leif Ericson" was the first in what AMT hoped would be a whole catalog of proprietary sci-fi kits, and even hired Star Trek Art Director Matt Jeffries to do this premiere design. (Jeffries had a particular affinity for submarine-like conning towers, a feature he incorporated into both the Leif Ericson and the DY-100 sleeper ship "Botany Bay" from the ST:TOS first season episode "Space Seed.")

Unlike Star Trek's ships, the Leif Ericson was not equipped with transporters, instead using an insect-like landing craft to shuttle personnel to and from planetary surfaces. This shuttle was stowed in a large hanger bay situated amidships.

About the Kit

The original Leif Ericson kit came equipped with both clear and chrome parts as well as an internal lighting kit.  Unfortunately, the kit was a commercial failure for AMT, one that scuttled the company's plans for any more models in its "Strategic Space Command" line.

The kit was re-released in 1976 as the glow-in-the-dark "Interplanetary UFO Mystery Ship." That kit lacked the clear and chrome pieces from the original Leif Ericson, including the landing craft's chrome landing legs!

The Leif was again re-released in 2010 by Round 2, using the same 1968 box art and original AMT logo.

This model is a refurbished original 1968 issue.