Enterprise NX-01

This LEGO^® Star Trek MOC is a replica of the Enterprise NX-01, seen in Star Trek Enterprise.

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Quick Facts

Building time: Two months
Parts count: Approx 1200
Versions made: Two
Dimensions: 53 cm long, 31 cm wide
Weight: 1.4kg

Gallery

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The Design Process

This is my second version of the Enterprise NX-01 (one of my favourite ships in the Star Trek universe so a must for a LEGO^® model!). I decided it was time to replace the earlier model (which I built in my teens) with a more accurate model that utilised all of the new parts I now have.

The first stage was the saucer, which started with a basic skeleton that I built up on. There was no SNOT (Studs not on top) here but I don’t think it was needed. Next was the warp nacelle pylons and the warp nacelles. Here was where the challenge started – holding up the weight of the warp nacelles.

Enterprise NX-01 Warp Nacelle
Enterprise NX-01 Warp Nacelle

I ended up working in some extra supports to hold them up, just. If you look closely, you’ll see that they “droop” a little. I decided this was better than needing to add extra supports. I was really happy with the design of the warp nacelles, using grille pieces to create a realistic effect. I didn’t have enough rods, so I ended up using the rods that come with the train tracks to hold them together. Its amazing how LEGO^® pieces can be utilised in so many different ways.

Using train track pieces for the Enterprise NX-01 Warp Nacelles
Using grille pieces to create a realistic effect for the Enterprise NX-01 warp nacelles

I also did something a little different with the front of the warp nacelles, to create a transparent effect and maintain the curved structure (this is where SNOT came in).

LEGO Enterprise NX-01 Warp Nacelle Close up — Close up of the front of the Enterprise NX-01 warp nacelle

Still, in the end, the ship was missing something. It felt too grey, so I ordered some pearl gold pieces to add to it. I loved the end result! The hardest part about building Starfleet ships is to stop them looking so grey and bland in colour. I was really happy with how the balance turned out on this one.