The model collection of Kurt Kuhn, founder and owner of Modeler’s Miniatures & Magic, will be donated to the Museum of Science Fiction, the world’s first comprehensive science fiction museum, beginning with a full scale replica of the USS Enterprise from Star Trek: The Motion Picture. This model will be on public display for the first time at the Museum’s annual convention, Escape Velocity, in May 2019 (for images of the collection, please see link below).
“This is the beginning of an amazing museum,” said Kuhn. “It’s the first ever replica of the model used in the shooting of the 1979 film, and after all of the work we’ve put into it, I can’t wait for the world to see it for the first time at Escape Velocity 2019.” The replica Enterprise measures over eight feet long and four feet wide and features an automated light-up sequence identical to the scene in the film when the ship leaves drydock. The construction of this one-of-a-kind model required over 2,000-man hours and is valued at
over $100,000. It will be the first of hundreds of pieces in the Kuhn Collection that will be transferred to the Museum over the next few years.
“We couldn’t be more honored that Mr. Kuhn has entrusted us with his incredible collection of replica models and props,” said Rachel Frederick, Museum Curator. “These master-level reproductions of the most iconic ships and vehicles from some of the most beloved science fiction films and television shows are indistinguishable from the original filming miniatures and truly works of art.”
Kurt Kuhn began model building at an early age and credits the original Star Trek television series for his love of science fiction. He has built, and overseen the construction of hundreds of models and props in his lifetime, many of them studio scale and near identical replicas to what was used on set during filming. These models include Cylon Raiders and Colonial Vipers from Battlestar Galactica, a wide range of Rebel and TIE Fighters from Star Wars, and numerous Star Trek vessels such as the Defiant, Klingon Bird of Prey, and Ferengi Marauder. More information about Mr. Kuhn’s gift and images from the Kuhn collection is available here:
www.museumofsciencefiction.org/kuhn-collection
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