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This is going to be a long term and potentially tricky refurbishment program. Around 24 years ago, I received the AMT Ertl 1/1400 USS Enterprise kit as a present for my 16th birthday. I was eager to get going and to build the iconic Enterprise D, ad with limited tools and paints I set about it. Roughly 8 years later it was very carefully placed into storage until recently where I decided that my home needed something spectacular, something to fill a corner above the TV and to be a talking point perhaps....? To my surprise I was given permission by the lady of the house. So a recent visit to to the folks place to drag out the kit in question. Considering it had been in storage for the past 16 years, its fared pretty well. As you can see, my attempts at hand painting the Aztec patterns was not too bad at the time, though it certainly could be better. The base parts were in OK condition with everything still there. I was even surprised to see that the 1/1400 scale Runabout shuttle was still there - Though this has no gone missing.........hmm.. The instructions were still in the box too, and in good condition too Just in case you didn't know already? With everything in place, I set about very very carefully taking apart the components with a few house each into the freeze to release the glued sections. All parts came apart well with a few issues with the rear of the neck section where it refused to separate. however the split is fixable and once everything is reassembled all will be OK. the next 3 days was spent in a 1:1 "dettol" solution in both a bucket and the commandeering of the kitchen sink to release the paint from the polystyrene. With some finer working of the details with Q-tips and acetone free nail polish remover.....a superb idea from my good lady, who even spent 2 evenings volunteering to help in the clean up. I am indeed a VERY luck chap This is the result....The clear sections are not too bad, but this is the best I could do. The clear sections for nacelles and bussard collectors will be painted with a clear blue & red, so I am not overly fussed by these. The rest of the drive section is as clean as I am going to get it. Primary Hull sections Upper primary hull Lower primary hull The next step in the plans is to use a rotary tool and a very fine drill bit to carefully drill out a select number of windows to then back illuminate. How the lighting will be done as yet, I do not know? I don't have the expertise to include the flashing nav lights, so a static light show may be as good as it gets for the moment. Lighting the warp nacelle's will be tricky as a trench along the drive section supports will need to be dug and then back filled once the power cables are installed. Finding the right gauge will be tricky too. Replacement decals have been sourced from an American company called JT Graphics - JT Graphics which should be on their way in the next few weeks. I am also looking to source the Polar Lights aztec decals for the 1/1400 scale Enterprise, though they are increasingly difficult to locate. If anyone knows of a reputable supplier of them, I would be most appreciative. Thats it so far with the refurbishments. Much more to follow over the coming months I feel?