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Adam Savage’s Tested

Adam Savage Unboxes Star Trek's USS Enterprise Refit Model!

3 min read1 May 2026Worth watching

TL;DR

Adam Savage and Norm Chan unbox and review the Tomy 1:350 scale USS Enterprise refit model from Star Trek: The Motion Picture, a $700 limited-run finished model with USB-powered lighting, Aztec paneling, and multiple light modes. They test the lights, discuss community mods, and assess build quality against the notoriously difficult challenge of replicating this iconic ship.

Key points

The Tomy 1:350 scale Enterprise refit retailed for $700 as a limited-time campaign and is now sold out with no more planned production runs

The model is USB-C powered through the stand (no batteries), features multiple lighting modes including impulse, warp nacelle blue, navigation blinks, and a phaser/photon torpedo fire sequence

Tomy used temple printing to achieve the complex iridescent Aztec paneling effect, solving a major challenge that has bankrupted replica makers for three decades

Some units have reported light leaks under the saucer section; Tomy will accept returns and fix them, or owners can use Valo spot putty as a DIY fix

Community mods include 3D-printed shuttlecraft files and 10-degree lens attachments over the spotlights to simulate dry dock lighting more accurately

Verdict

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If you own this model and have light leaks under the saucer, contact Tomy customer support for a fix or apply Valo spot putty with a damp cloth as a DIY solution

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Adding 10-degree lens attachments over the built-in spotlights dramatically improves the dry dock lighting effect and adds perceived scale

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The model has a 6-hour auto-shutoff cycle, making it practical to display lit in the evenings without worrying about LED longevity

Notable quotes

“The field of replica spaceships is three decades of people who have lost their shirts attempting to make this kind of object.”

“It is as much the image as it is the feeling.”

“Dude, they had to Aztec every bloody surface of this thing. And as I am looking at it, just the idea of how many notebooks were filled with this panel gets this treatment just exhausts me.”

Worth watching?

✅

Worth watching the full video?

Watch if you own or are considering this model and want to see the lighting modes and Aztec detail up close, or if you are into high-end prop collecting generally — the key specs and community mod tips are all captured here.

Topics

Star Trek Technology

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