BlueBrixx STAR TREK™ USS Excelsior NX-2000 REVIEW | Set 105689

Introduction

With the STAR TREK license, BlueBrixx achieved considerable success in 2021. Since then, many sets have followed, mainly ships, in three different sizes or scales. There are mini-sets for about 10 euros, mid-size sets for about 30-40 euros, and the display series, where a set can cost over 200 euros. Additionally, there are gadgets like phasers and similar items that can be built. Today we are looking at the USS Excelsior NX-2000, a ship in the mid-size category, known especially from the 80s movies.

Context

The USS Excelsior NX-2000 was originally introduced in “Star Trek III: The Search for Spock” from 1984. The Excelsior was presented as an advanced spaceship with experimental transwarp drive. Under the command of Captain Styles, it was to pursue the stolen USS Enterprise, but its transwarp drive failed.

In “Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country” from 1991, the Excelsior, under the command of Captain Hikaru Sulu, played a key role. It helped uncover a conspiracy aimed at sabotaging peace talks between the Federation and the Klingon Empire.

One of my favorite scenes from STAR TREK comes from this episode: “She’ll fly apart…” - “Fly her apart then!”

Behind the scenes, the Excelsior was originally intended as a replacement for the Enterprise. Its design was meant to symbolize a new era in the Starfleet. The Excelsior class also appeared in various “STAR TREK” series, like “STAR TREK: The Next Generation” and “STAR TREK: Deep Space Nine”, increasing its popularity among fans. It represents technological progress and was often a symbol of exploring new frontiers in the “STAR TREK” universe.

Packaging and Instructions

The USS Excelsior NX-2000 is packaged in the usual series, in a colorful box with an inner slider.

In the packaging, we find the instructions and the bags for the two construction phases. The larger printed parts are packed separately. Unfortunately, the instructions for BlueBrixx Pro sets are still not available digitally.

Building Experience

First, we build the stand, which is the main theme beside the hull with the deflector in the first construction phase. The stand, as usual for Starfleet ships, is built using SNOT (Studs Not On Top) technique with much Pearl Gold | Warm Gold. The ship is listed under “Star Trek III: The Search for Spock” by BlueBrixx, so the stand is designed accordingly.

The hull is built from a series of plates, which is quite varied as various parts are used. The sides, in particular, turned out very well, where the use of curved sloped bricks in various variants captures the shape around the Navigational Deflector very well. Especially in this area, BlueBrixx designers often have trouble capturing shapes well, and I find the USS Excelsior NX-2000 almost the most successful in this regard. The whole thing is also very stable when finished.

The saucer section, as often with mid-size models, is built in SNOT. I was surprised at how small the saucer becomes, a tribute to the length of the ship.

Finally, we turn to the warp drives. The USS Excelsior NX-2000 has a rather simple, very angular construction, quickly built with a few layers of plates and tiles.

Design

When the USS Excelsior NX-2000 is completed, its length is particularly striking. It’s a slender and elegant ship. Among the mid-size saucer ships, it is one of my favorites, along with the USS Enterprise NX-01.

Like many ships in the series, it suffers from the fact that the center of gravity is not exactly over the stand, causing it to always stand slightly askew, but otherwise, there’s not much to complain about.

I would have wished that the prints also existed as the USS Enterprise 1701-B, which, although slightly different in appearance on the hull in the movie, is basically also a ship of the Excelsior class.

Part Quality

Although the parts do not have the nicest sprue points, they work very well. The grateful, scratch-resistant Light Bluish Gray | Medium stone grey tone is scratch-resistant. As in my previous reviews, the Xingbao brick material wins my prize for beauty, but they function well.

The prints are well made, as always, although the labeling of the saucer appears somewhat blurry due to the very thin, red outline. However, this seems to be more of an optical illusion due to the thin line.

Evaluation and Conclusion

The USS Excelsior NX-2000 is visually very appealing to me and is again a nice little build for in between. The parts are still of lower average quality, but there are no problems with the clutch power and it was easy to assemble.

The instructions work well and leave no open questions, but are still not available digitally.

Price-wise, I find it reasonable, as there are several prints included in the package and a license.