Round 2 AMT USS Reliant Aztec Decal Set

I just received this. Ordered a couple of Round 2's AMT 1/537 scale USS Reliant Aztec Decal Set from Starship Modeler after seeing and getting swept off my feet with their 1/2500 scale decals. I must admit the decals here are quite impressive, and comprehensive. They literally encompass the entire ship, looking at the instruction sheet.

The packaging is relatively simple. 4 sheets of decals, each protected with their own wax paper, and each set comes with a hard cardboard piece to prevent them from bending. The decal sheets are slightly larger than an A4 size paper.

The nice thing about this set besides being comprehensive is that it also gives you an alternate registry for another Miranda Class Vessel, the USS Saratoga, seen briefly on Star Trek IV The Voyage Home. So for those who were curious about this set, and was contemplating about getting one, here are some images to help you make up your mind.

A comprehensive instruction sheet is also included.

Not sure if you can make out the Aztec patterns but you can clearly make out the Saratoga's registry markings

Instructions are simple and helpful with each numbers and pieces clearly illustrated. The patterns are also reproduced next to their placement positions.

So for those who had purchased the 1/537 scale USS Reliant, be it the recent issue or if you still kept the old one, this Aztec Decal Set is a must have if you wish to detail your Miranda Class Starship. And yeah, had to include that Titanium Series Raptor in there .. well, I really love that ship. Really.

My Review of the 1/537 scale AMT Round 2 USS Reliant Kit

I actually received this kit a few days ago and boy, have I got a ton of excuses for not getting this review done on time. First, my cat gave birth, then I caught the flu cause I spent too much time outside in the heat taking care of the cat .. yadda yadda yadda ..... so after some heavy dosage of medication and snooze time, I'm feeling much better to get this done. So here's AMT Round 2 USS Reliant in 1/537 scale

What I plan to do with this review is to compare her with an earlier issue since Round 2 have done some retooling to this kit. Interesting to note that Round 2 has also released the Aztec decals for this kit and I'm waiting for Starship Modeler (SSM) to carry some stock before I order her.

First thing that is worth mentioning is the packaging. No more over sized flimsy box with 70% extra space inside. Round 2 actually provided a nice sturdy box and the parts fit inside snugly. Even the decals now come with wax paper protection.



On the left in the battered box is the earlier issue of the Reliant under the ERTL/AMT banner while on the right is the recent re-tooled issue of the same ship

New Round 2 Star Trek Decals are now Available

I was asked if I had any information on this about 2 weeks ago regarding Round 2's Star Trek Decals release. At that time, I wasn't able to find anything. I did find out over the Chinese New year Holidays that these decals are now readily available at Round 2's website. They look really nice, a good supplement to your kits.

So to those who are still interested, here's what you get and where to get them:

Polar Lights 1/350 scale Refit USS Enterprise

• 5 HUGE (approx. 15” x 15”) sheets
• 4 sheets of Aztec decals used in the 2009 1:350 Enterprise 1701A release
• 1 NEW sheet created specifically for this set with alternate ship names and registry numbers
• Engineering colors in blue, gray (onscreen appearance), and green
• Detailed application instructions

You need to stare really hard to see those aztec designs. They're pretty blurry from where I'm looking

AMT 1/537 scale USS Reliant

• Complete aztec decals for the 1/537 scale U.S.S. Reliant
• Accurately styled design
• Alternate markings for the U.S.S. Saratoga
• 4 big 10” x 13 1/2” sheets

Polar Lights 1/1000 scale Refit USS Enterprise 

• Supplemental decal sheet to the recent Polar Lights U.S.S. Enterprise Refit 1:1000 scale ship
• Big 8”x 9” sheet
• Alternate ship names and registry numbers
• Engineering colors in blue, neutral gray, and green
• Various ship markings allow builders to paint the majority of the surface detail and add fine details with decals

Studio Model Reference of the Miranda Class Starship

Since Round 2 has reissued the USS Reliant, I'm sure many of you would be looking for reference images of this Starship, or its variant. Hopefully the images below would prove useful to those who needs them.

Detailing your AMT 1/537 scale USS Reliant

The USS Reliant was officially the first deviant starship from the United Federation of Planets which did not conform to the requirements of having 3 cylinder and a one saucer pattern design. I say official because we had never seen any other starship designs (besides fans based) that made it into TV or film prior to her existence. And what was really odd about this ship was when her design was approved, Gene Roddenberry was looking at her upside down.

Nevertheless, this ship made quite an impact on me. I remembered watching Star Trek II : The Wrath of Khan and thought both the Enterprise and the Reliant were beautifully designed. Of course then there was no plastic model kit of her made available until after Star Trek The Next Generation came about.

I got mine back around 1998, and never really got around to building her. Yeah, at that time, I was sidetracked dating my wife with the hope that she would be my wife later on, so my priorities were a little off for the hobby. But at least I made the smart move of purchasing her just in case. 11 years later I am glad I have her.

However, this post isn't about a review for this old kit. In fact, Round 2 has recently released a new issue of the Reliant, and she now comes with corrected saucer thickness (the earlier issue was just too thin). This topic will actually touch on detailing and correcting the earlier issue of the AMT USS Reliant.

To achieve this, you're going to need the following:

Miranda Class Saucer Correction Kit
Miranda Class Shuttle bay (which also comes with the saucer correction kit)
Some new decals
All of these are actually still available at Federation Models under Products - Federation Models

Since I was getting a detailed hangar bay set, I figured to have a couple of 1/537 scale shuttles inside would definitely look awesome since they could provide a sense of depth to the kit. And oh yeah, a friend told me to get the saucer sensor replacement kit as well since the current one on the kit was a little "short". I didn't understood what he meant until I got one to compare. Anyways, there are still a few accurate parts I want to get later, but first, here's what's in hand, and next, what else you need.

KIT Alert - Round2 Polar Lights JJ Enterprise and AMT Reliant New Release Dates

This kit was originally slated for a December 2010 release but has now been pushed back to April 2011. Its in 1/2500 scale and measures up to 11.5" long. Its called the JJ Enterprise due to its bold radical design. Some loves it, and some hates it. I kinda like it. It'll grow on you if you keep staring at it.

More news over HERE

The USS Reliant's Aztec decals can also be ordered separately in October

The re-tooled USS Reliant however have been scheduled for a November 2010 release. This kit will be on the same scale with the ERTL/AMT USS Enterprise 1701 A kit. It will come with more accurate parts such as the removed saucer ridges, thicker saucer and improved bridge dome.

More news over HERE