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SCALE: 1/500 |
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INITIAL RELEASE: 1968 |
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MEDIUM: Polystyrene |
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RARITY: (5) |
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ABOUT THE DESIGN |
ABOUT THE KIT |
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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. |
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. |
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Original Box Art |
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Re-Release Box Art |
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Grab Bag |
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