U.S.S. Defiant

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

Scale: 1:420
Initial Release: 1996
Medium: Polystyrene
Kit Rarity: 1

About the Design

Introduced in "DS9"'s first Season Three episode, "The Search," the Defiant was an experimental "overpowered" gunboat originally built to meet the Borg threat.  Briefly mothballed in the Sol system, it was subsequently brought to Deep Space Nine to help challenge in Gamma Quadrant's Dominion.  Fast, agile and armed to the teeth, the Defiant was also the one and only Federation starship equipped with a Romulan-style "cloaking device," making it invisible to enemy sensors.

In reality, the Defiant was brought to DS9 to give the cast an excuse to get off that damned space station; after two seasons, the producers realized that the principal setting was too confining and that, to be "Star Trek,"  the characters needed the occasional opportunity to "go where no man -- er -- no one -- has gone before."

About the Kit

This was a typical AMT/Ertl "Star Trek" kit; large, acceptably accurate and an easy build.  The biggest disappointment was its lack of clear parts, especially around the engines.

Manufactured in large numbers, the Defiant kit remains in release with new box art.

This model was built from an original issue.