LET'S SEE WHATS OUT THERE --------------------------- By Colin Gunn --------------- This ongoing article, I hope, will keep the fans aware of any or all of the many items of merchandise to look forward to being released over the coming months. Where at all possible I have put release dates and prices (in dollars with a rough pounds conversion in brackets). If any one knows of any pieces of merchandise I've failed to mention, perhaps you could get in touch with me. My address is 26 Alfred St., Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs, ST4 2HH, ENGLAND, so I can put them into the next colunm. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- FRANKLIN MINT --------------- Pewter Starship Enterprise -------------------------- This is a re-issue of what was initially advertised as a limited edition one time only offer (Being one of the fans that bought this under that premise some time ago, does this constitute being ripped off as I thought I was buying a collector's piece? - This is my view and not that of the mag) Anyhow, this is a nice piece to own. Measuring 10" in length, it comes with a matt black insignia shaped base and has a gold sensor array. The price 195.00 pounds so probably for the die hard fans only. (This is reviewed elsewhere in full in this issue - Ed) 25th Anniversary Medal (Silver or Pewter) ----------------------------------------- This is being advertised as the ONLY anniversary medal, only availible until the end of 1991 then all dies will be destroyed (did I hear the same with the above?). The medal measures 76mm in diameter and has Kirk, Spock, McCoy and the Enterprise on one side, while the other has a calendar with the anniversary date marked on it. It comes complete with a stand and is priced at £150 (silver) or £40 (pewter). Chess Set --------- For those that have seen the pictures of this in Starlog issue 168 it must be one of the things high on their "must have" list. But be warned, it's going to cost. Each of the pieces is a character from the original Star Trek with the castles being the Enterprise (movie version) on the gold side and Klingon battlecrusers for the silver side. The playing board gives the appearance of a star chart and is mounted on a base with the 25th anniversary medallion on each side. This has not reached our shores as yet so the price is in dollars at 29.50 for each piece (don't forget there's 32 pieces on a chess board). The board seems to be advertised as being sent at no extra cost. (Editor's note - this chess set was originally released about two years ago, but this release features a redesigned 25th Anniversary board.) MODEL KITS ------------ There are four kits available (1 new, 3 re-lists). The first is a repackaged kit of the original series Bridge. It's a good kit for those with patience and enjoy painting kits to a realistic degree. The price seems to vary. I paid £6.99 for mine but have seen it in one model shop for the ridiculous price of £9.20, so shop around. The second model is one I missed first time round so was pleased of it's re-release. The Galileo Shuttle craft is a good basic kit to build, unfortunately it is not the original kit as this one has the transfers as being the Galileo 2 not the original as seen in THE GALILEO 7. Again I've seen this at 2 prices as mentioned above. The third re-release is the classic series Klingon battlecruiser. Not as detailed as the Movie ship that was released in 1979 but still a good kit to make. Again prices as above. The only new kit on the horizon is the limited edition movie Enteprise. This is in effect the Star Trek V version but with 2 added features. This one lights up (reminiscent of the original movie version release in 1979) and also has 2 sound effects. I'm not sure of the british price for this, but it is priced at 24.95 dollars. Ammendment:- Also available is the limited edition chrome 3 piece set. This is the AMT/ERTL 3 Enterprise kit Vac'ed in Chrome. Not a good kit to make as the chrome splits off when you break the pieces from the gates. Also the British price is fairly steep at £20.99 (as opposed to the U.S. price of $24.95 which should make the price about £13). BOOKS ------- STAR TREK THE NEXT GENERATION TECHNICAL MANUAL ---------------------------------------------- I think this is one of the books we've all been waiting for. It's the definitive book on how things work in the world of the Next Gen. It's by the series' technical illustrators Mike Okuda & Rick Sternbach and is certainly one of the books to look out for. I'm not sure of the price, but I would imagine it will be in the 15-20 pounds range. STAR TREK : THE FIRST 25 YEARS ------------------------------ This has got to be the book to buy. A history of Star Trek from the beginning to present day. Written by Gene Roddenberry, We get for the first time the complete story of our favourite programme. This book promises to be heavily illustrated with color photographs and story synopsis, and interviews. But be warned this is not a cheap book. The book is due out in July and is priced at 45.00 dollars (about 30.00 pounds), so start saving. MAGAZINES ----------- STARLOG 25th ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL -------------------------------- By the time you read this, this mag should be out. The magazine will be full of photographs, interviews and a complete run down of all the TV & film voyages. The price should be round about 4.50 - 5.00 pounds. Well thats it for this first column. In the next issue I'll be letting you know about the vinyl figures and pvc miniatures. Plus the re-issue video releases, and of course more that I get to know about. And the additions to my Novel guide.