A package recently arrived in our office and studio last week. Inside was the new 1/350 KLINGON K’TINGA CLASS BATTLE CRUISER I.K.S. AMAR model kit # POL950M/06. Along with the kit they sent the Klingon K’T’inga Lighting Kit for it. Check the pictures below to see the box and what’s inside it.
It features LEDs that represent every light in the ship. The set is “plug and play” and requires no soldering or advanced knowledge of electronics. Top and bottom beacons even flash in time.
The battery box (3 AA batteries required, not included) get hidden inside the model. Clear red parts are included for better color quality for lit parts. A 2” x 8” sheet of photo-etched brass supplies exquisite detail for parts that had to be oversized in the plastic kit and include window frames for the battle ahead. A pictorial instruction guide is included. STAR TREK modelers will not want to miss this!
- Skill 3, paint and cement required
- All wiring included
- No solder required
- Power supply and a plug-and-play circuit board is hidden inside the model
- Blinking beacons
- Colored clear plastic parts
- Photo-etch parts
- Requires 3 AA batteries (not included)
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Item No: MKA031M
- MSRP: $99.99 USD
- Street Price: $79.99 USD
The battery unit has female connectors (9 in total) for all of the individual cables with the appropriate LED already attached to it. Found in the lower box compartment are the instructions and a nice photoetch set for extra detailing of the model. A sprue with red parts is provided which will provide your lighted up model to glow in red in those areas as per the filming miniature model was seen on Star Trek The Motion Picture. This clear red parts will replace the parts included in the model kit itself that were molded originally clear. So this will save you the time and trouble of having to paint these parts.
The entire set is designed to be a plug-&-play deal which will make lighting the kit a more feasible task for the less experienced model builder.
If you are one of those modelers that would love to light up a model kit but lack the skills then this set is for you. The instructions are as clear as spring water and in the process, they do indicate what to do before committing the model kit to cement. There are virtually zero chances to mess things up. If you’re a first timer lighting up a model, with or without lighting set, always test the light(s) before cementing as a safety measure.
I did a quick search for this blog entry and at the time of publishing, there are dealers selling this set lower than the street price provided above. That price range seems to be more consistent but definitely, it can be found for less so shop around. Also, don’t forget your brick and mortar hobby shop if you happen to have one around. I’m sure they could get you a competitive price too.
My sincere thanks to Round 2 Models for the review sample. A build review will be coming soon so stay tuned.
