1/650 Enterprise D - by Helios Models - LOTS of pics

[Crash709]

Hey! Yea....good eye! unfortunately that nacelle is drooping a bit. I have yet to take a heat gun to it and try and fix it.
Can't say this was the fault of Helios Models. This has happened to others who built this particular kit (which Helios models did not make). I should have supported it. I had the E for a while longer than the D.

Well, I’m kinda glad it wasn’t just me. So, you didn’t get the E from Helios? I’m asking because I was interested in purchasing an E model from Helios and have been looking through the net for reviews of their work (ie: quality, saucer or nacelle sag). Any thoughts?

 

[ave4uevoli]

Well, I’m kinda glad it wasn’t just me. So, you didn’t get the E from Helios? I’m asking because I was interested in purchasing an E model from Helios and have been looking through the net for reviews of their work (ie: quality, saucer or nacelle sag). Any thoughts?

I did get the E from Helios - they painted it, possibly fixed some things up. But it wasn't their kit that they built. I believe they have their own kit that addresses all the issues that you see on mine now.
In terms of quality - they are great - I have the C and B on order with them too.
If the D (which they built with their own kit, from the ground up) is any indication - there is a crazy support structure in there and there is no way this thing will sag ever.
I found them easy to work with - if you address your concerns with them, they can surely put a similar support structure in your E to ensure that it doesn't end up misaligned like mine.

I like their electronics, it's slightly a chore to get everything together when they ship it to you. You have to connect some wires and stuff, but it's not overly difficult, but it's definitely not plug and play.

Mind the wait time - these things, like most model makers, take a while.

 

[Crash709]

I did get the E from Helios - they painted it, possibly fixed some things up. But it wasn't their kit that they built. I believe they have their own kit that addresses all the issues that you see on mine now.
In terms of quality - they are great - I have the C and B on order with them too.
If the D (which they built with their own kit, from the ground up) is any indication - there is a crazy support structure in there and there is no way this thing will sag ever.
I found them easy to work with - if you address your concerns with them, they can surely put a similar support structure in your E to ensure that it doesn't end up misaligned like mine.

I like their electronics, it's slightly a chore to get everything together when they ship it to you. You have to connect some wires and stuff, but it's not overly difficult, but it's definitely not plug and play.

Mind the wait time - these things, like most model makers, take a while.

If you’d indulge me a little more; what’s the build quality? You say the E isn’t their kit? Like an AMT thing? Their build, the D, what is it made of? Just plastic? Metal skeletal structure?
I’m definitely going to talk to them directly, I was just looking for an actual customer’s review. I’m always weary of this type of thing. There’s been many companies over the years doing this sort of thing.
Also, may I ask, you say you have the B and C on order? Are they third party kits too? Or, ground up builds?

 

[ave4uevoli]

If you’d indulge me a little more; what’s the build quality? You say the E isn’t their kit? Like an AMT thing? Their build, the D, what is it made of? Just plastic? Metal skeletal structure?
I’m definitely going to talk to them directly, I was just looking for an actual customer’s review. I’m always weary of this type of thing. There’s been many companies over the years doing this sort of thing.
Also, may I ask, you say you have the B and C on order? Are they third party kits too? Or, ground up builds?

I think the build quality is great - it's not perfect. If you're expecting every single window at this scale to be perfectly scraped out in a perfect rectangle. But the balance of having working electronics and having a solid paint job make the model a keeper in my collection. The D is definitely better than the E. I think their aztecing is good and the decals they use for logos and stuff are blended in enough where they don't necessarily look like pasted on decals from a foot away. Of course, any Studio scale model won't hold up if you are looking at it through a magnifying glass.

The D is resin with a metal armature inside. It's really really heavy. So much so that I've lifted it twice and will never do it again. I think I posted pictures of it in the beginning of this thread. the D is their kit that they built up.
The E was a really old kit from Richard Long.
The B and C that I have on order from them are going to be Helio's kits, and they will be ground up builds. They just put up a 1/350 scale B they just finished. I think it's beautiful, but it's too big for the scale fleet i'm going for.

 

[Crash709]

I think the build quality is great - it's not perfect. If you're expecting every single window at this scale to be perfectly scraped out in a perfect rectangle. But the balance of having working electronics and having a solid paint job make the model a keeper in my collection. The D is definitely better than the E. I think their aztecing is good and the decals they use for logos and stuff are blended in enough where they don't necessarily look like pasted on decals from a foot away. Of course, any Studio scale model won't hold up if you are looking at it through a magnifying glass.

The D is resin with a metal armature inside. It's really really heavy. So much so that I've lifted it twice and will never do it again. I think I posted pictures of it in the beginning of this thread. the D is their kit that they built up.
The E was a really old kit from Richard Long.
The B and C that I have on order from them are going to be Helio's kits, and they will be ground up builds. They just put up a 1/350 scale B they just finished. I think it's beautiful, but it's too big for the scale fleet i'm going for.

I appreciate the comments. I hope to see the pics you post of the next models coming. I think the C is a beauty ship, too.

Thank you.