Zach Trek

1986 Star Trek Pocket Books Button (or Bookmark?)

2011-09-25T10:35:00.004-04:00

As promised, here is the first item of a Zach Trek "double header." Also as promised, both of these items are book-related. Here is item number one:

This is a button from 1986, promoting Pocket Books' Star Trek books. With this type of button, you simply fold down the tab and slide it onto your collar, shirt pocket, or anywhere else you'd like to wear it.

I added "bookmark?" to the title because I have seen it described as that. I don't think that was an intended purpose, and I didn't think it would work very well as one, but I boldy went and tried it out and found that it actually does work as a bookmark. You can just leave the very top sticking out of the book. I wouldn't recommend it, though, because it is metal, which could damage the pages of a book (or your fingers!), and because it is a little thick for a bookmark, and if you left it in too long it might cause your book to flip open to the place you'd "marked" even after you remove it.

Well, the back is a little plain.

Pocket Books has indeed published a lot of Star Trek books. You'll find several of them on the Zach Trek Books page

Check out the next item below:

1986 Star Trek Pocket Books Sticker

2011-09-25T10:33:00.000-04:00

Here is the second item of this Zach Trek "double header":

This sticker, produced by Pocket Books, celebrates the 20th anniversary of Star Trek and promotes reading Star Trek books (especially Pocket Books' Star Trek books!).

It's hard to tell from the front, but
you can see on the back that just the round
part is the actual sticker.

Check out the Zach Trek Books page to see some of the many Star Trek books Pocket Books has published (and to read one of my favorite Star Trek quotes, which pertains to books).
Click here to see the first item of this pair.

Coming Next on Zach Trek: Since I've added this sticker, I'll need a Stickers page. I don't want this sticker to be lonely though...

Pins and Buttons

2011-09-25T10:18:00.001-04:00

This is a category page for Star Trek pins and buttons.

- Pocket Books -

1986

Stickers

2011-09-25T10:13:00.000-04:00

This is a category page for Star Trek stickers.

- Pocket Books -


1986

Zach Trek Random #5: Vulcan, Alberta: Canada's Star Trek-Themed Town!

2011-08-19T21:50:00.004-04:00

Welcome to Zach Trek Random #5. If you've always dreamed of living a Star Trek themed town, you're in luck because there is one:

The city of Vulcan, in Canada's province of Alberta, was already named Vulcan before Star Trek began and they decided to make Star Trek the theme of their city. The photo above shows the sculpture of the Enterprise in the city.

In addition to Star Trek sculptures and murals, Vulcan hosts the annual "Spock Days/Galaxyfest" convention.

This is Vulcan, Alberta's "Tourism and Trek Station."

The pharmacy, appropriately, displays a mural
of the doctors of Star Trek.

Check out Vulcan's tourism site for information on Trekkie tourism and other things to do in Vulcan (the whole city isn't completely devoted to Star Trek, so there's other stuff to see and do)
Read the Wikipedia article on Vulcan, Alberta

Below is a promotional video about Vulcan (wait out the first minute or so to get to the most interesting part)...

...and here's a video of Leonard Nimoy's April 23, 2010 visit to Vulcan:

(it seemed to me the crowd was a little lukewarm about New Star Trek...)

Vulcan is a long way from Georgia, but I'd love to visit someday. It looks like they've got lots of great collectibles in that gift shop!

Coming soon on Zach Trek: Check back for a "double header" of book-related items...no, not bookmarks...

"Stardate" 1979 Star Trek Calendar - Ballantine Books

2011-08-12T10:03:00.001-04:00

With this item, join us for a little time travel -- back to the late 20th century:

This was produced by Ballantine Books in, well, 1978. It features a picture from an episode each month, and a "poster" in the middle. For some reason, this calendar has three pictures from Tomorrow Is Yesterday, and two from Catspaw.

This shows what the calendar's design looks like.
November features a picture from one of my all-time
favorite episodes, Return of the Archons.

This calendar is big on angled shots.

In the center of the calendar is "A magnificent new
pull-out poster suitable for framing!"


The back of the calendar enticed 1978 Star Trek fans to want to look at this for the next year.

I may save this calendar and use it in 2018, which has all the same dates as 1979.

If you've got a vintage Star Trek calendar you want to put to use, you can use this calculator to find what years you can use it in. If you've got a 1984 calendar, you're in luck -- you can use it next year!

Coming soon on Zach Trek: Keep an eye out for the next Random, where we'll take a look at a place on earth related to Star Trek (not Starfleet Headquarters in San Francisco). For the next collectibles, watch for a "double header" of book-related items.

Calendars

2011-08-12T09:52:00.001-04:00

This is a new category for Star Trek calendars.

- - - Click on pictures to view individual items' pages - - -

- Ballantine -

1979

Magnets

2011-08-11T23:25:00.000-04:00

This is a new category for Star Trek magnet items.

- - - Click on pictures to view individual items' pages. - - -

- Ata-Boy -

1997 "Mix 'N' Match Adventure Playset"

Zach Trek Random #4: Happy Birthday, America - Part II: America In Star Trek

2011-07-14T13:53:00.000-04:00

In Part I of this Random, I strayed from Star Trek to talk about my country's Independence Day, but I promised a Star Trek tie-in, and here it is:

America in Star Trek

In Part II of this Random, we'll take a look at America as it appears and is referred to in original series Star Trek:

We'll start with the U.S.S. Enterprise:

The Enterprise "appeared" in Star Trek IV, as the ship from which the crew of the starship Enterprise drew power for their ship. I put "appeared" in quotation marks because the real Enterprise was at sea for the filming of the movie, and they had to use the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Ranger as a "stand-in." I guess even aircraft carriers have stunt doubles! (the photo above really is the Enterprise)

The U.S.S. Enterprise, CVN-65, was christened in September, 1960. It is the world's first, and fastest, nuclear powered aircraft carrier. As I am writing this, the Enterprise is scheduled to be decommissioned in 2013-2015. They'd better make sure nothing happens to the first officer, because we don't want the Captain stealing this ship and blowing it up!

The Enterprise is an impressive ship with an impressive history. These two sites are well worth taking a look at:

- The Wikipedia article on the Enterprise

- The Enterprise's official web page. Under the "History" tab, click on "THE LEGEND" to read about this ship as well as the seven previous U.S. Navy ships to bear the name Enterprise

On to the rest...

The crew of the Enterprise visited the United States several times via time travel:

In Tomorrow Is Yesterday they accidentally visited the U.S. in 1969
In The City on the Edge of Forever Kirk, Spock, and McCoy traveled back to the U.S. in 1930
In Assignment: Earth the Enterprise travels back to the U.S. in 1968
In Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home the crew of the Enterprise travels back to the U.S. in the late 1900s (the movie was released in 1986)

In Court Martial, Samuel Cogley makes reference to the U.S. Constitution as one of the documents from history that have secured people's rights
In The Squire of Gothos, Trelane reproduces the pistols used in the duel between former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Alexander Hamilton and U.S. Vice President Aaron Burr in 1804 (see a picture of the pistols from the episode, and compare to the real pistols used in the duel)
In A Piece of the Action, society on the planet Sigma Iotia II is patterned after a copy of the book Chicago Mobs of the Twenties, left by a starship from Earth
In The Omega Glory, the crew of the Enterprise encounters a collapsed society that was once almost identical to the U.S., even having the exact same flag, and a slurred and distorted version of the preamble to the U.S. Constitution, which Kirk corrects with a passionate recitation
In Spectre of the Gun, Kirk, Spock, McCoy, Scotty, and Chekov are put into a partial re-creation of 1881 Tombstone, Arizona
In The Savage Curtain, Kirk and Spock meet an image of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the U.S.

These are all the appearances and references I know of to the U.S. as a country. There are, of course, many references to places in the U.S. (Kirk being from Iowa, for example), but it is never made clear if the U.S. still exists as an independent nation at these times. There are also very possibly references that I've missed. If you can think of any, comment below or on Zach Trek's Facebook page, and I'll add them to this post.

Keep an eye out for Zach Trek's next collectible, for which we'll do a little time travel of our own.

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan - RCA VideoDisc

2011-07-10T19:24:00.000-04:00

The latest addition to Zach Trek is what may be Zach's favorite Star Trek movie, in what may be Zach's favorite format:

Although I don't have a VideoDisc player, and have therefore never seen a Star Trek (or other) movie played from this format, I just like the actual objects. They are large enough to appreciate the artwork on the front and the photos on the back, and once you've mastered the art of cracking them open (which you're not really supposed to do, as you could damage the disc), the discs themselves are beautiful (see photos below).

Check out the heading "RCA VideoDiscs" on Zach Trek's Tapes, Discs, and Other Media page for a little history on these discs
Watch a video on YouTube showing exactly how the players read a disc

The size of these discs allowed for much more impressive
photo spreads than VHS or DVD cases.

Once you can figure out how to get them out of their protective
cases, the discs themselves are beautiful.

Coming Soon on Zach Trek: A little later than I'd planned, Zach Trek Random #4 - Part II will be a Star Trek tie-in for my celebration of America's Independence Day (see Part I). For our next collectible, join me for some time travel back to a previous stardate.

Zach Trek Random #4: Happy Birthday, America - Part I

2011-07-04T11:48:00.000-04:00

Today, I stray from our Star Trek collectibles course to wish my country a happy 235th birthday! I do have a Star Trek tie-in, but I've chosen to include it in a "Part II" of this Random, which I will post next week.

I hope this will give anyone who is reading this and is not from the U.S. an idea of what we're celebrating, and anyone who is from the U.S. a reminder.

What exactly are we celebrating?

On July 4, 1776 representatives from Great Britain's thirteen American colonies signed this document:

This is the United States' Declaration of Independence. The colonies felt that Great Britain, especially their king, George III, had treated them unjustly, denied them basic rights to which they were entitled, and ignored their petitions for resolving these issues. This document detailed all of their grievances and culminated with their declaring themselves a new and independent nation.

However, it is not only our independence that we celebrate on this day, but also our freedom. This Declaration of Independence would have been an unremarkable event in history if the freedom sought by the men who drafted and signed it had not been won, defended, and protected throughout this nation's history. An event equal in importance to the Declaration was the Constitutional Convention of 1787, in which representatives once again met -- including many of the same men who had signed the Declaration -- and, over the course of four months of passionate debate forged our Constitution, which shaped our government in a form that has kept it from becoming too powerful and safeguarded our freedom.

Following are the beginning and ending of the Declaration. I recommend reading them, even if you've read them before. It begins with this:

"When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, — That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shewn that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security."

It closes with this:

"... And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor."

Over the seven years of war that followed, many of the men who signed this document did indeed lose some or all of those things they pledged -- but they secured this nation's independence, and, thereby, its freedom.

Now, 235 years later our independence is secure, but we must always fight to keep our freedom. And to my fellow Americans I say, should we not be as dedicated to this task as the men who signed that document?

Happy Independence Day, and God bless America!

Thomas Jefferson
Author of the Declaration of Independece
and 3rd President of the United States

Links

Check out an excellent resource on the Declaration of Independence at ushistory.org, including the full text
Read the Wikipedia article on the Declaration of Independence
Visit the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration's site on the Declaration, where you can print a copy of the Declaration with your own signature added!
Visit earlyamerica.com's page on the Declaration, where you can test your knowledge of this document and its history with a quiz

Thanks for looking at this not-very-Star-Trek post. We'll resume course on Thursday with a new Star Trek collectible, and continue next week on Monday with a Star Trek related Part II of this Random.

1997 Ata Boy Star Trek Magnet Playset

2011-06-30T12:22:00.000-04:00

As promised, this week's featured item is attractive -- literally:

This is a "Mix 'N' Match Adventure Playset," featuring two backgrounds, five characters and a variety of accessories for them to "hold."

Ata Boy is still in business, and still has some Star Trek items available, although they sell mainly wholesale to dealers.

Check out Ata Boy's web site to see their Star Trek items, as well as many other licensed products
If you're just interested in the Star Trek stuff, go straight to Ata Boy's Star Trek wholesale items, or check out their shorter list of Star Trek retail items

The playset was shrink wrapped in plastic. The front
is just a sheet of paper. Flipping it over, we see our
cast and props. Hmm. I don't remember seeing Shatner,
Nimoy or DeKelley striking quite these poses in the
episodes...

...and I don't remember Shatner wearing rings as Captain
Kirk. Any chance that these are only Shatner, Nimoy
and DeKelley from the neck up?

I thought it was interesting how they prevented cutting
errors from causing white edges by extending the colors
around all the edges.

One of our backdrops is the bridge of the Enterprise,
with some extra characters already in place.

Our other backdrop is an "alien" landscape. Since the
Gorn is included, I assume this is supposed to be from
Arena, but without re-watching the episode, I can't be
sure if it is really from the episode.

Mr. Spock, taking lessons from a small, green, pointy-eared
alien, has learned to levitate objects.

Here, Dr. McCoy displays an early and unsuccessful
prototype of the insignia badge communicator.

Next Week on Zach Trek: Stop by on Monday for a special Zach Trek Random. Stop by next Thursday for to see what may be Zach's favorite Star Trek movie.

Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country - Original Movie Script

2011-06-23T11:48:00.001-04:00

This week, we take a look at a "Collector's Edition" of a Star Trek movie script:

This is the second printing of the book, made in 1995. It was published by O.S.P. Publishing, Inc., which pubilshed movie scripts for Star Trek II through VI. As far as I can tell, these are the only Star Trek books they published. They also published a variety of other movie scripts and screenplays for movies such as Star Wars and Indiana Jones as well as classics such as Gone With the Wind, It's A Wonderful Life, and The Wizard of Oz. They appear to have gone out of business sometime in the '90s. This book was published for the Premiere movie magazine's "Movie Script Library," and has an introduction by John Housley, associate editor of the magazine, that gives information on the movie. According to Wikipedia, Premiere was published from 1987 through 2007, and the original version, started in France in 1976, is still in publication there.

This is a very nice book, although some Denebian slime-devil put a sticker on the front, which has left a mark on it. I've never really looked at a movie script before, and I found it fairly interesting. It gives me a new respect for good directors and actors who are able to take the plain dialog and instructions in a script and turn it into a meaningfully spoken, smooth-flowing movie.

All the script text is on the right hand side of the book.

At the back of the book, on glossy paper,
are several photographs from the movie.

The back of the book is a little plain.

If you've just got to have one of these, you can get one on amazon.com:

Next Week on Zach Trek: Stop by next Thursday to see a truly attractive collectible.

November 1967 Star Trek TV Guide

2011-06-16T11:59:00.000-04:00

This week's featured item is one of the very earliest Star Trek collectibles:

One nice thing about collecting something that has only been around since 1966 is that it is not too difficult or expensive to find one of the "earliest" items related to it.

The only thing that disappointed me about this magazine is that it was from Thanksgiving week of 1967, during which Star Trek was not aired, so you won't find it in this magazine's listings.

The article is titled "'Star Trek' Wins the Ricky Schwartz Award." Not familiar with that award? The very end of the article explains:

"...a 12-year-old boy named Ricky Schwartz was so annoyed that the program did not receive a TV Academy Award he saved his money and bought an impressive 2-foot-high trophy which he had inscribed, 'To Gene Roddenberry and the Star Trek cast.' According to Roddenberry, 'That Ricky Schwartz Award means more to me than the Emmy would have.' He says it as if he means it, too."

This cartoon appears at the end of the article, which I liked
because I ride horses, as does William Shatner.

This ad appears on the page following the article, promising,
"It's not a little portable you can carry aroung the
house. It's big screen color tv for $299.95." That was "big
screen" in the '60s.

Here is another ad from the magazine, attempting to
win over customers who are "still nervous" about color TV.

Next Week on Zach Trek: Stop by next week as we add yet another volume to Zach Trek's growing accumulation of books.

The Music of Star Trek by Jeff Bond

2011-06-09T10:56:00.002-04:00

This week's item is music related, but won't make noise by itself:

Now, this is a book about the music of Star Trek, not a book of the music of Star Trek. It was published in 1999 by Lone Eagle Publishing Company, which seems to have only published books from about 1998-2003, and, as far as I can tell, no longer exists.

This book starts with a long chapter on music from the original TV series, then has a shorter chapter for each movie from The Motion Picture all the way through Star Trek: Insurrection, and concludes with a long chapter on the music of the Next Generation, Deep Space Nine, and Voyager TV series. There are interesting interviews with the composers and fragments of the compositions throughout.

There are fragments of the music throughout the book,
including some pages in the composers' original writing,
such as the music for the fight scene from Amok Time on
left. Unfortunately, there are no complete songs.

There are interviews with the composers throughout the book,
such as these with Jerry Goldsmith and Alexander Courage.

The back of the book.

This book can be found on amazon.com:

Next Week on Zach Trek: Stop by next Thursday for a special item, one of the very earliest Star Trek collectibles!

Comic Books

2011-06-09T10:53:00.000-04:00

This is a new category for Star Trek comic books.

- - - Click on pictures to view individual items' pages - - -

- Whitman -
Whitman was part of Western Publishing Company, Inc. This series was originally published only under the Gold Key label, and later using Gold Key for news stand issues, and Whitman for those sold in retail stores.

Star Trek #53 - July 1978

Whitman Comic Book: Star Trek No. 53 - July 1978

2011-06-02T11:19:00.000-04:00

This week, we finally add an example from the vast array of Star Trek comic books to Zach Trek:

This comic book was published in 1978 by Western Publishing Company, Inc. This series ran for 62 issues from 1967 - 1979. According to information from the links below, these comics were originally published only under the Gold Key label, and later using Gold Key for news stand issues, and Whitman for those sold in retail stores.

Read about these comics on memory-alpha.org (this is basically Wikipedia for Star Trek subjects)
Read about Western Publishing Company's comic book division on Wikipedia

The artwork is not too bad, except that William Shatner is
apparently hard to draw.

I'm not quite sure what to think of the transporter effects.

Amongst the ads in this comic book there is, appropriately
enough, an ad for Star Trek collectibles, as well as an
offer to join the official fan club for "Star Trek II" --
as this was years before The Wrath of Khan, I assume
this is for the planned second television series.

Next Week on Zach Trek: Stop by next Thursday for a music-related, yet inaudible Star Trek item.

Models

2011-06-02T11:01:00.000-04:00

This is a new category for Star Trek models.

- - - Click on pictures to view individual items' pages - - -

- Polar Lights -

U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701
2008

Polar Lights Model - U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701

2011-05-26T12:08:00.000-04:00

This week, we celebrate Zach Trek's fiftieth item. If you’ve been on Zach Trek before, then this item should look familiar:

This Polar Lights model of the Enterprise is what I used for the header image above. That was, in fact, one of the primary things I wanted it for.

Although I was very pleased with how this model turned out, Polar Lights is guilty of some false advertising on their packaging, as we'll see below. The kit does not contain everything you need to have your model looking like any of those pictured on the box, front or back. The back clearly says, “No paint required,” yet if you don’t find a way to add color to several of the pieces, you end up with something that looks very incomplete.

The set comes with extra pieces to make several different versions of the Enterprise, as pictured on the back. Surprisingly, the box does not mention or show that there are also extra parts and stickers to make this a model of the mirror Enterprise. There are also different stickers or decals to make it the Constellation, the Defiant, or the Exeter instead of the Enterprise.

When I first opened the box I pulled out a sheet of decals and began reading the instructions -- and panicking. I’ve never used decals before and they sounded a little more involved than I was expecting. I was very relieved to discover that there was a matching sheet of stickers. The stickers were challenge enough for me -- there were almost 40 to put on, and some of them were so small I had to use a pair of tweezers to get them in the right position.

I’ll explain in the photos below how I got this from looking like the Constellation to looking like the Enterprise (Zach Trivia: The Constellation, as seen in The Doomsday Machine, was, in fact, an AMT Enterprise model, made and then damaged, with the name and numbers on the hull changed).

Let's start out with a look at the box, which is really pretty nice.

Once you get the lid off, you get to see these
images on the bottom half of the box.

Now let's see the back. The back shows three variations of the
Enterprise you can make with this kit: The "series version" (which
is what I chose), the "1st pilot version," or the "2nd pilot version."
The box boasts "Paint Not Required," but notes that the models
pictured were made by a professional modeler. However, using
only the parts provided...

...one ends up with this. The warp nacelles look a little dead, don't
they? And the sensor dish on the front is a little plain. I experimented
on some of the extra parts, and had little luck with paints, but I
finally discovered that colored Sharpie markers worked perfectly
on the clear pieces. I tried a metallic Sharpie for the sensor dish,
however, and it didn't work. I bought a gold paint pen, which was
too thick to reach every crevice of the area, but I managed to used it
with a small paint brush, resulting in...

...this. Ahh, Scotty finally got the warp drive online.

I also got the red and green lights on the saucer
correctly colored.

...to boldly go where no man has gone before..."

Next Week on Zach Trek: I think it's high time that there should be a comic book on Zach Trek. Stop by next Thursday to see one.

Star Trek "Alien Bean": Vulcan Beanbag

2011-05-19T11:04:00.000-04:00

As promised, this week's featured item is a bean -- an alien bean!

This bean was made by Idea Factory in 1998. It was one of six beings, and only 50,000 of each were made. The other beans were an Andorian, a Ferengi, a Gorn, a Mugato, and a Targ.

The symbols on the robe match some of those from Spock's burial robe.

He'd probably resent us saying it, but he's kind of cute.

This plump little Vulcan has no undershirt.

He might have a little trouble doing the Vulcan salute.

The tag gives us a little information on Vulcans.

Next Week on Zach Trek: Next week, join us for Zach Trek's 50th collectible, an item that has actually already been seen on Zach Trek.

The World of Star Trek by David Gerrold (1984 edition)

2011-05-11T18:40:00.002-04:00

This week's item is another Star Trek book:

This book is written by David Gerrold, most famous for authoring The Trouble With Tribbles, but he also wrote The Cloud Minders, as well as a couple of episodes from the animated series, and he helped start Star Trek the Next Generation.

This book is the 1984 "updated and revised edition," and includes material on the first three Star Trek movies (all that had been made at the time). The original edition was published in 1966, and there don't appear to be any more recent editions.

I have only read parts of this book, so I won't try to review it. There are interesting interviews with the actors and other people involved with making Star Trek, and lots of black-and-white pictures of the episodes and the first two movies.

There is quite a selection of pictures from the
episodes and the first two movies.

Next Week on Zach Trek: Stop in next Thursday to see a bean. Yes, a bean.

Laser Disc - Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country

2011-05-05T09:54:00.002-04:00

This week's featured item is a Star Trek movie new to Zach Trek in a format new to Zach Trek:

Laserdiscs were first produced in 1978, under various names, then known solely as "LaserDiscs" beginning in 1983. They were more popular in Japan than in the U.S. Laserdiscs were replaced by DVDs by the early 2000s. Laserdiscs are about the size of an LP record.

This disc is the "Widescreen Edition," which, it seems to me, is a little harder to find.

Check out the Wikipedia article on Laserdiscs
Watch a YouTube video of a 1992 TV news segment highlighting laserdiscs, providing analysis of the pros and cons and showing some of the players in action.

The disc fits into a paper sleeve.

It looks a lot like a DVD...

...but it's a little bigger!

Next Week on Zach Trek: Check in next Thursday for a book written by a Star Trek episode writer.

Zach Trek Video #14: Shore Leave: The Music Video

2011-05-03T12:11:00.001-04:00

Zach Trek Video #14, made by the same guy who did the Errand of Mercy gag reel (Zach Trek Video #9), features scenes from Shore Leave, with music by a guest star from another TV show:

Stop by on Thursday to see a Star Trek movie in a format not yet featured on Zach Trek.

The Star Trek Compendium by Allan Asherman

2011-04-28T21:37:00.000-04:00

This week's featured item is an essential volume to a Star Trek library:

This book, published in 1993, is a "Revised and Updated" edition, featuring information on Star Trek VI. It has chapters covering the creation of Star Trek, followed by chapters covering every single Star Trek episode, giving a brief synopsis followed by interesting behind-the-scenes information on the episode. There is also at least one picture from every episode. After this there are chapters covering the period between the TV series and movies, including synopses of each episode from the animated series. Next, there are detailed synopses and behind-the-scenes information for each of the movies, and, lastly, the "indices" -- this might be the only Star Trek book with more than one index. The indices index the episodes and characters of original Star Trek.

I like this most of all for the interesting information and anecdotes about the episodes and movies.

There is at least one scene pictured from each episode.

Next Week on Zach Trek: On Tuesday, stop by for a Star Trek music video featuring a non-Star Trek TV character. On Thursday, stop by to see a Star Trek movie not yet seen on Zach Trek in a format not yet seen on Zach Trek.

This book can be had (at a very reasonable price) at amazon.com:

"Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home" Betamax Tape

2011-04-21T09:46:00.001-04:00

This week's featured item is a Star Trek movie in a format new to Zach Trek:

Betamax tapes, often just called "Beta" tapes were released by Sony in 1975, two years before the VHS cassette came on the scene. Although the VHS became dominant in the famous battle between the two formats, Sony did not halt production of Betamax players until 2002.

Zach Trivia: "Beta" is the Japanese word used to describe the way the signals were recorded onto the tape.
Check out the Wikipedia article on Betamax tapes

The back of the case.

Here is the Beta cassette next to a
VHS cassette for comparison.

Next Week on Zach Trek: Check in next Thursday for a book essential to any Star Trek fan's library.

Zach Trek Video #13: The Legend in Review

2011-04-19T10:51:00.000-04:00

This Star Trek VI trailer will make you want to immediately go and start watching Star Trek:

I think this also serves as a gentle reminder that the rebooted Star Trek franchise will never live up to the standard of original Star Trek (especially when it comes to warp effects!).

Stop by Thursday to see a Star Trek movie new to Zach Trek in a format new to Zach Trek.

Happy Birthday, Robert Hooks!

2011-04-18T21:55:00.000-04:00

On February 10, we got to see Zach Trek's first autograph -- actor Robert Hooks, who portrayed Admiral Morrow in Star Trek III. Today, we're pleased to wish him a happy 74th birthday!

Happy Birthday, Mr. Hooks!

Star Trek III: The Search For Spock Storybook

2011-04-14T10:43:00.001-04:00

This week's featured item is a book version of a Star Trek movie:

This book was published by Little Simon, a division of Simon & Schuster, in 1984. It is almost 60 pages, with lots of images from the movie.

This book puzzles me on a couple of counts. First, most of the pictures are of the characters in the movie, with only a handful of space scenes (there are no pictures of the Enterprise self-destructing). Second, the text includes some scenes not in the movie, and much of the dialogue is altered (but not improved). I could understand if they were trying to simplify it for little kids, but it doesn't seem especially simplified to me, and I would think a kid would have wanted this book because they'd seen the movie and liked it. Detail-oriented kid that I was, this book would have boggled me as a kid, as it does now.

Book review aside, this is nice as a collectible. The cover looks great.

There is at least one picture on almost every page.

Not much to see on the back cover.

Next Week on Zach Trek: On Tuesday, stop by for a video that will make you want to go watch the whole Star Trek series again. On Thursday, stop in for a Star Trek movie not yet featured on Zach Trek in a format not yet featured on Zach Trek.

Zach Trek Random #3.5: Life Lessons From Dilbert

2011-04-12T11:52:00.005-04:00

Random #3.5 (why 3.5? Because I got mixed up and numbered the next Random #4!) follows up last week's Star Trek/Dilbert TV Guide with a classic strip:

Browse strips on dilbert.com, or just skip straight to the Star Trek related Dilbert strips

Check in on Thursday for a book about a Star Trek movie in which nobody gets stuck in the Jeffries Tube.

1997 TV Guide - Dilbert and Star Trek

2011-04-07T08:47:00.001-04:00

This week's item features a guest appearance by one of my favorite non-TV characters:

I realize that "Star Trek" can cover any series, but I feel certain that Dilbert is a fan of original Star Trek. In the featured article, Dilbert critiques many shows, including Voyager, about which he expressed serious reservations, it being a Star Trek show outside the realm of Vulcans, Romulans, or Klingons. He suspected the concept was a "management decision."

Appropriately enough, there is an advertisement for
a Star Trek collectible in the magazine.

Next Week on Zach Trek: On Tuesday, stop by for a Zach Trek Random related to this item. On Thursday, stop in for a book about a Star Trek movie.

Zach Trek Video #12: Star Trek as Mission: Impossible!

2011-04-05T12:56:00.000-04:00

These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise: Its five year mission: impossible! Here is a video made by a Star Trek fan, using the Tholian ships from The Tholian Web in place of the burning fuse that crossed the screen during the Mission: Impossible opening sequence:

Having recently added the "Tholian Web" Captain Kirk action figure, this seemed like a good video to add this week

The Mission: Impossible TV series ran from 1966 - 1973, and Leonard Nimoy had a recurring role on it.

Stop by on Thursday for a collectible containing information on other TV shows, but starring a non-TV character.

1984 Ertl Spock Action Figure

2011-03-31T08:36:00.000-04:00

Saturday (March 26, 2011) was Leonard Nimoy's 80th birthday. We celebrated with Zach Trek Video #11, and today we add a Spock collectible:

This was from the line of four action figures that Ertl produced for Star Trek III, the only Star Trek action figures Ertl ever made. Each figure came with one accessory -- in Spock's case, a phaser. This figure doesn't bear the greatest likeness of Leonard Nimoy, but there have been worse Spock action figures made.

I like the figures from this line because they are some of the few that feature Star Trek crew members in the red Starfleet uniforms. Interestingly enough, Spock did not wear that uniform in Star Trek III, but this was, of course, a toy, and it therefore makes perfect sense that they included it in their line.

Ertl's rendition of Leonard Nimoy.

Spock's phaser.

The backs of all the packages
were the same.

Next Week on Zach Trek: On Tuesday, stop by and watch a video featuring Star Trek and another classic TV show. On Thursday, check in for a collectible featuring a non-TV character.

Zach Trek Random #3: Captains Kirk

2011-03-29T11:38:00.000-04:00

We celebrated William Shatner's 80th birthday on March 22 (2011). Here are all the Captain Kirk action figures that have appeared on Zach Trek (so far)...

...and Captain Kirk thought he had problems when the transporter malfunction split him in two:

Zach Trek Video #11: Spock Pinches, Death Grips, and Mind Melds

2011-03-26T18:16:00.001-04:00

No sooner have we celebrated William Shatner's 80th birthday, than it is time to celebrate the same milestone for Leonard Nimoy! We mark the occasion with a video showcasing Mr. Spock's ever useful Vulcan Nerve Pinch, with some mind melds and more "old fashioned" moves thrown in for good measure, and even the "Vulcan Death Grip":

Happy Birthday, Mr. Nimoy!

Next Week on Zach Trek: Next Tuesday, stop by for Zach Trek Random #3, featuring Captain Kirk, then on Thursday we'll go back to Mr. Spock for a new collectible.

1997 Playmates "Tholian Web" Captain Kirk

2011-03-24T11:24:00.000-04:00

On Tuesday (March 22), we celebrated William Shatner's 80th birthday with Zach Trek Video #10: A Tribute to Captain Kirk. Today, we continue with a new Captain Kirk action figure:

I wasn't impressed with this figure to begin with. I thought it was just a way to make a new figure that they could stick a Captain Kirk head on. However, when I decided to open this figure to take better pictures of it, I was much more impressed with it. The helmet, which appears opaque from the outside, is actually partially transparent, and the accessories were, I thought, cleverly chosen given that Captain Kirk's role in The Tholian Web didn't give them a lot of gadgets to choose from.

Captain Kirk, ready for
hazardous conditions.

The object that looks like a dagger is actually a "Tri-Ox
Compound" hypo. Although Captain Kirk didn't have
this with him in the episode, I thought it was clever to
include it. The item at top is a computer.

The phaser is identical to the phasers from other Playmates
figures, but without the extra coloring.

Here's the back of the package...

...and a close up of the details on this figure.

Coming Up Next on Zach Trek: Now that William Shatner has turned 80, Leonard Nimoy has to do it too! Stop by on Nimoy's birthday on Saturday to celebrate with a Spock video. Next Tuesday, stop by for Zach Trek Random #3, featuring Captain Kirk, then on Thursday we'll go back to Spock with a new collectible.

Zach Trek Video #10: A Tribute to Captain Kirk

2011-03-22T13:04:00.000-04:00

In celebration of William Shatner's 80th birthday today (March 22, 2011), Zach Trek Video #10 is a tribute to Captain Kirk. It's a bit lengthy, but very well done:

Happy Birthday, Mr. Shatner!

Check back on Thursday for a Captain Kirk action figure.

1997 Star Trek Plate: "Second In Command" by The Hamilton Collection

2011-03-17T10:19:00.000-04:00

This week's featured item is a plate, but not one you'd really want to use for your next peanut butter sandwich:

This represents, of course, four series of Star Trek, but it includes Mr. Spock, the first first officer in Star Trek, making it a legitimate original series collectible.

This plate features a gold rim and each actor's signature in gold. It doesn't say anywhere on the plate that it is "real" gold, so I assume it's not. A small sticker on the back assures us that the plate was made in Japan or Thailand, and decorated in the U.S.

Coincidentally, this week's item is produced by the same company as last week's Uhura action figure.

Each actor's signature appears in reflective gold
next to their picture.

This plate still has its original styrofoam box.

Next week on Zach Trek: Tuesday, March 22nd will be William Shatner's 80th birthday! Stop by to celebrate with a tribute video to Captain Kirk. On Thursday check in for a Captain Kirk collectible item.

Zach Trek Video #9: Gag Reel For "Errand of Mercy"

2011-03-15T13:57:00.000-04:00

Video #9 features a Star Trek fan's revision of a classic episode:

This video was made by the same guy who did Video #3 (Space Rage!).

Check in on Thursday for a round object, but not one that flies.

Lt. Uhura

2011-03-14T11:43:00.001-04:00

Lt. Uhura, Communications Officer
aboard the U.S.S. Enterprise

This is a new category for Uhura collectibles.

Thoughts on Uhura:

Uhura was as capable a communications officer as you could ask for. Always ready to fulfill the routine requirements of her post, she was also skilled at handling problems and difficult situations when they arose. She had Mr. Spock's complete confidence, a compliment by any standard. Away from her post, she always remained brave in the face of danger, even when she was afraid.

"Uhura" is derived from the Swahili word for "freedom."

Most Star Trek fans are already aware of Nichelle Nichols' pioneering role as one of the first African American lead characters on television, and how she stayed with Star Trek after the first season due to a personal request by Martin Luther King, Jr. For those not familiar with the story, you can read it or watch Nichelle Nichols tell it via the links below.

Visit Nichelle Nichols' website, uhura.com, from which you can follow her on Facebook and Twitter
Watch a YouTube video of Nichelle Nichols telling the story of her meeting with Dr. King
Check out the Wikipedia article on Uhura
Read the Wikipedia article on Nichelle Nichols
Take a look at Nichelle Nichols' IMDb page

Uhura Collectibles

- - - Click on pictures to view individual items' pages - - -

Action Figures

1991 Hamilton/Presents 10.5" Figure

1991 Hamilton/Presents Uhura Action Figure

2011-03-10T08:48:00.001-05:00

Today, please join me in welcoming Lt. Uhura to Zach Trek!

This figure is 10 1/2" tall and comes with a display stand. I call this an "action" figure somewhat loosely, because it moves only at the shoulders and waist. It is, however, a pretty decent representation of Nichelle Nichols.

"Presents" seems to be a division of Hamilton gifts (see 1991 U.S.S. Enterprise Mug). The figure itself is simply marked "Hamilton Authorized User."

The figure only moves at the shoulder and waist,
but as far as looks go, it's not bad.

The gold braid on Uhura's sleeve is faint, but the earrings
were a good thought.

Although the tag says "Present" the figure itself is
simply marked "Hamilton Authorized User"

Next Week on Zach Trek: On Monday, check in for a new "Uhura" category to house this figure. On Tuesday, watch a video featuring a revised version of a classic episode. On Thursday, stop by and see a collectible that you wouldn't ever want to use for its intended purpose.

Zach Trek Video #8: British Star Trek

2011-03-08T15:08:00.001-05:00

This video gives us an example of what the Enterprise might look (and sound) like if crewed entirely by Londoners.

I assume the one bleeped out word is included to let us non-Brits know that the rest of the words are okay.

Check back on Thursday for the official introduction of a new character to Zach Trek.

1974 Mego Scotty Action Figure

2011-03-03T09:56:00.001-05:00

This week's item is a special Scotty collectible, in memory of James Doohan's birthday:

This is a 1974 Mego action figure, part of the first line of Star Trek action figures ever produced (and therefore, obviously, the first ever Scotty action figure). I'm personally glad they went with Scotty's hair style from the earlier seasons.

Scotty came with a phaser, communicator, and a belt to hold them. Scotty's patch on his shirt has lost its original silver foil, which is very common for loose Mego figures.

James Doohan lived March 3, 1920 to July 20, 2005.

For a little more information on James Doohan, check out the Scotty page right here on Zach Trek, but for more information, read the Wikipedia article on him, which is well worth the read.
For all the details of every variation of this action figure, check out megomuseum.com's page on it
If you haven't seen it yet, watch Zach Trek Video #7, which is an excellent tribute to Scotty

Scotty's phaser and communicator.

The '74 figures are being reproduced, so check
the back to make sure it's the real...um...Scotty.

The Mego figures featured pretty decent likenesses
of the characters, especially compared to
some later lines of action figures.

Next Week on Zach Trek: On Tuesday, check in for a video featuring some "crew members" from another part of the British Isle. On Thursday, check in for an appearance by a member of the Enterprise crew not yet (specifically) featured on Zach Trek.

Zach Trek Video #7: A Tribute to Scotty

2011-03-01T12:24:00.002-05:00

In memory of James Doohan's birthday this week (he was born on March 3, 1920), this week's video is a tribute to Scotty:

The music (I learned from the video as posted on YouTube) is "Wander My Friends" by Bear McCreary, composer of the critically acclaimed theme for the recent Battlestar Galactica TV series, as well as many other TV and movie themes.

You can read the lyrics to this song, in the original version and in English

Check back on Thursday (Doohan's birthday) for a Scotty collectible that would be great to have whether you're a fan of Star Trek, Scotty, engineering, or Scotland.

2006 Art Asylum/Diamond Select Captain Kirk in Command Chair

2011-02-24T10:04:00.001-05:00

Please join me today in welcoming the leader of the fearless band from last week's video:

Here we have Captain James T. Kirk, ensconced in the Captain's chair of his ship.

This was put out by Diamond Select Toys, and it's a good thing I remember that, because neither the figure nor the chair are marked to indicate this. Of course, a lot of collectors might consider that to be a good thing, as it makes the whole thing more technically accurate. I received this as a gift long before I started Zach Trek, and therefore did not keep the original packaging.

The chair is electronic, and has a button you can push to hear a variety of quotes from the Captain, requesting Lt. Uhura to open a channel, a report from Mr. Scott, issuing orders to Chekov and Sulu, and calling all hands to battle stations (to name a few). The control panels on the chair light up as these quotes are playing. There is also a switch on the bottom with which one can turn it off, or put it on "try me" mode, in which case it only says, "This is Captain James Kirk of the U.S.S. Enterprise."

Art Asylum and Diamond Select are partner companies in the production of a wide array of Star Trek figures and toys from all series of Star Trek.

For a history of Art Asylum's Star Trek work, and a detailed list of all the items they have produced, check out memory-alpha.org's article on them.

The figure has great articulation, which allows it to assume
poses like this, which I think Kirk probably assumed
at some point in an episode when the Enterprise was
unexpectedly jostled.

The chair swivels.

When the button (marked by the red arrow) is pushed,
the control panels light up. On one side the light
flashes alternately red and green.

"I'M Captain Kirr-rk. IIII'M CAPTAIN KIIIIRRRrrrkkk!"

Next week on Zach Trek: March 3 is James Doohan's birthday (he would be 91), so next week will be Scotty week, featuring a Scotty video on Tuesday, and a Scotty collectible on Thursday.

Zach Trek Video #6: Starfleet's A-Team!

2011-02-22T12:57:00.001-05:00

In this video the crew of the Enterprise star as members of an underground task force...

Check back on Thursday for an item featuring the leader of this elite squad.

1975 Deka Plastic Star Trek Cup/Mug

2011-02-17T09:14:00.000-05:00

This week's featured item is a vessel, but not of the space-faring kind:

This vessel contained liquid, and was one of several plastic Star Trek dishes produced by Deka. In 1979, they produced some for The Motion Picture.

From what I can find, Deka produced plastic dishes from the 1960s through the 1980s, including many for movies, TV shows, and cartoons. In addition to Star Trek dishes, they made dishes for Star Wars, Smurfs, Garfield, Pac Man, Care Bears, ET, Popeye, Go Bots, and Cracker Jack, as well as many non-licensed items with decorations for holidays or other general decorations. I haven't been able to find any sort of history of the company, but it seems they're no longer in business.

The date is next to the handle.

The U.S.S. Enterprise and a Klingon or
Romulan foe.

Good thing this guy is labeled "Captain Kirk,"
because we might not be able to tell otherwise.

Made in the U.S.A.

Next Week on Zach Trek: On Tuesday, check in for a video featuring the Enterprise crew making a cameo appearance as the cast of another TV show. On Thursday stop by and see an item featuring a piece of furniture.

Zach Trek Video #5: It's Fascinating!

2011-02-15T09:54:00.000-05:00

This is a video tribute to Mr. Spock's favorite word -- although he only used it when appropriate, as we'll see at the end:

Check back on Thursday for an item featuring Spock, along with Kirk, McCoy, and the Enterprise.

Autographs

2011-02-10T08:58:00.008-05:00

Autographs are listed alphabetically by last name of the actor/person signing.

Robert Hooks
(Admiral Morrow from Star Trek III)

Robert Hooks (Admiral Morrow from Star Trek III) Autograph

2011-02-10T08:58:00.007-05:00

This week's item is an interesting autograph from a Star Trek guest star:

I say "interesting" for a couple of reasons: The autograph is actually dated 1971, which is, of course, thirteen years before Robert Hooks portrayed Admiral Morrow in The Search For Spock. He added "NYPD" to his signature, because (I assume) "Frank", to whom he addressed the autograph, must have been a fan of that show. NYPD ran for two seasons, from 1967-1969 -- the same years as the last two seasons of Star Trek. Robert Hooks played Detective Jeff Ward, one of the three main characters, and was (according to Wikipedia) "the first African American lead on a television drama" (Nichelle Nichols beat him to science fiction!).

Read the Wikipedia article on Robert Hooks
View the Wickipedia article on NYPD
The IMDb page for NYPD has less information, but there's a good review by someone who watched the show as a kid.

Based on the handwriting at the bottom, I'd think
a kid recieved this autograph, but years of working
with the public have taught me not to judge a
person's age by their handwriting.

Robert Hooks as Admiral Morrow.

Next Week on Zach Trek: Check back on Tuesday for a video featuring Mr. Spock's favorite word. On Thursday check in for a Star Trek vessel, but not a starship.

Zach Trek Video #4: Mr. Spock as MacGyver

2011-02-08T14:36:00.001-05:00

This is a video paying tribute to Mr. Spock's technical skills, and showing a career he could have chosen as an alternative to Star Fleet...assuming the Phoenix Foundation is still around in the 23rd century. This juxtaposes two of my favorite TV series.

Check back on Thursday for a Star Trek collectible that has a connection of its own to another TV series.

1984 Ertl "Klingon Leader" (Kruge) Action Figure

2011-02-03T10:43:00.000-05:00

This week we again introduce a Klingon officer:

This is from the one and only series of Star Trek action figures made be Ertl, produced in 1984 for Star Trek III. Like his 1974 Mego counterpart, this Klingon is generically labeled as "Klingon Leader," yet is obviously supposed to be a specific character, in this case Commander Kruge, portrayed so well by Christopher Lloyd.

Lord Kruge is snuggled in his package with his pet lizard-dog.

Lord Kruge.

Commander Kruge's pet. It is unofficially known as
a "Klingon Monster Dog," although it was never
referred to as such in the movie. It is sometimes
mistaken for a Targ.

Here is another view of Kruge's pet.

The back of this package is the same as
that of all the Ertl figures.

Next week on Zach Trek: Stop by on Tuesday for a video featuring Mr. Spock making a cameo appearance in another TV series. Check in on Thursday for an interesting piece of paper.

Zach Trek Video #3: Space Rage!

2011-02-01T12:59:00.000-05:00

Here's a short video that expresses, in space terms, many people's feelings about their fellow pilots, as well as some people's feelings about the new Star Trek movie compared to original Trek:

Check back on Thursday for an action figure representing a new character from an alien race.

Star Trek Uno

2011-01-27T10:42:00.001-05:00

This week's featured item is a Star Trek version of a classic:

This was one of my favorite games growing up, and the Star Trek edition is just as much fun, but has a couple of added features: According to the back of the tin, when you get down to your last card, instead of merely saying "Uno!" you have to say "Uno, I'm a Doctor!" My favorite part of the game, however, is the "Beam Up" card, which allows you to "beam out" of trouble by cancelling out draw-two or draw-four cards.

If you're not familiar with Uno, here's a link to the official rules (for regular Uno).

Here is the tin out of the box.

This is the back of the tin, with an explanation
of the "Uno, I'm a Doctor!" rule.

A sampling of the cards. I wish they'd picked
a better photo of McCoy, but since there's a rule
based on one of his lines, I guess I shouldn't complain.

This card is my favorite feature of the game:
If a "draw two" or "draw four" card is played
against you, you can use this card to "beam
out" of trouble.

Star Trek Uno can be found on amazon.com:

Next week on Zach Trek: On Tuesday, check in for a short but well-done video related to piloting spacecraft. On Thursday check in for a recurring alien presence.

Zach Trek Video #2: He's A Doctor!

2011-01-25T12:43:00.000-05:00

This video is a montage of Dr. McCoy's classic, fill-in-the-blank phrase, "I'm a Doctor, not a _______!"

Check in on Thursday for a mentally stimulating item with a very direct association to this phrase.

1985 Star Trek Mardi Gras "Doubloon" Coin/Token

2011-01-20T11:19:00.001-05:00

"Doubloons" are one of many items thrown from floats during the Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans. There are many "krewes" (this is a Mardi Gras "crew," and is pronounced the same way) that arrange the floats, and each one has its own doubloon, with its krewe symbol on one side and an image representing the theme of the year's parade on the other. From what I have read, these coins are usually aluminum, as this one is, and they are produced in a variety of colors.

I like this doubloon for a couple of reasons: Aside from it's Star Trek aspect, 1985 is the year I was born, and I ride horses, so it's appropriate that it was from the "Pegasus" Krewe.

From the Krewe of Pegasus.

Here is the doubloon next to a U. S. quarter
for comparison.

The doubloon, like the quarter, is "reeded"
on the edge.

Zach Trivia: "Reeding" (in coins) refers to the ridges on the edges of coins. This practice was first used in ancient Rome to prevent unscrupulous people (mainly in the government) from shaving or "clipping" the edges off of precious metal coins to make more coins.

Next week on Zach Trek: Check in on Tuesday for Zach Trek Video #2. On Thursday, check in for a Star-Trekified version of a classic game.

Coins & Tokens

2011-01-20T11:12:00.002-05:00

This is a new category for coins & tokens.

- - - Click on pictures to view individual items' pages - - -

Tokens

1985 Mardi Gras Doubloon

Video of the Week #1: Scott Gammans' Enterprise

2011-01-18T12:49:00.001-05:00

Welcome to a new feature on Zach Trek: Video of the Week!

Our first video should help remind anyone who's forgotten that the original Enterprise was as beautiful and graceful a ship as any vessel in Star Trek:

Scott Gammans is a guy who set out (before the original series was digitally remastered) to create new special effects shots for "The Doomsday Machine." He is still at it, and, as you can see, is producing work that holds its own next to the remastered effects. You can visit his blog, "Scott's Brain" at http://www.scottgammans.com/. Here, in addition to general entries, he posts videos of some of his completed work.

Check back on Thursday for a Star Trek related item that has no face value, but is not worthless.

Mr. Scott's Guide to the Enterprise by Shane Johnson

2011-01-13T11:59:00.001-05:00

This week's item is a sequel of sorts to the Star Fleet Technical Manual:

"Based upon the engineering logs of Chief Engineer Montgomery Scott," Mr. Scott's Guide to the Enterprise is a book of diagrams explaining the structure of the "refit" Constitution class vessel, as well as much of the equipment and gear used on it. Much of this information is the same as that included in the Manual, but it doesn't include all of the non-ship-related information, and it is about the "movie" version of the Enterprise. Also, as it is only about one specific ship, it's a bit more detailed. This is one reason I like it better than the recently published Haynes manual.

This book was printed in 1987. It appears that there was another printing in 1989, but there seems to have been only one edition of the book.

True Star Trek geeks should beware that some of the information in this book doesn't line up with all of the details of Trek episodes and movies, partly because some of these details are from films produced after the book was published. It is still fun to look through.

Shane Johnson is also the author of the "Star Wars" Technical Manual, as well as several novels.

For a more in-depth history and overview of this book, check out the Wikipedia article on it

There are multiple excellent diagrams of the ship as

a whole.

Here we have the bridge -- with the Enterprise's dual

elevators, we no longer have to worry about the bridge

being offset at a weird angle.

One thing I like about this book is the profusion of

"toilets" aboard the Enterprise. It wouldn't do to get

"caught short" in the middle of a battle with the

Romulans.

As with the Manual, there are also illustrations of a

variety of gear and equipment.

This book can be had on amazon.com:

Next week on Zach Trek: On Tuesday, check in for a video from YouTube that any fan of original Star Trek should enjoy. On Thursday, check in for a round, flat, Star Trek related object (no, not a frisbee. No, not a plate. Just check back next week).

Zach Trek Random #2: Spock Must Die!

2011-01-11T16:53:00.001-05:00

In an unused script for the final episode of Star Trek, a seemingly innocent mix up in the Enterprise's laundry detail may have fatal consequences for the first officer...

Check back on Thursday for a book that the guy who should be wearing that shirt would enjoy.

1997 Playmates Harry Mudd Action Figure

2011-01-06T12:00:00.003-05:00

This week, please join me in welcoming the legendary Harcourt Fenton "Harry" Mudd!

This figure is the first item featured on Zach Trek in 2011, by unanimous vote of me and my immediate family in December's "Poll of the Month."
This figure was one of many produced by Playmates, but is not from any particular series of figures. The pictures of other figures on the back of the package do not show nearly all the others made by Playmates.

Harry Mudd was the ultimate self-servant. Had he been a little less affable, he might have been the Long John Silver of space -- he would ally himself with good or bad guys, as long as it was expedient for him. He had a certain cluelessness about him, though, so that his devious plots could spin out of control, forcing him to seek help -- even if it was from James T. Kirk.

Harry Mudd was the only guest character to appear in more than one episode of Star Trek. He is also sometimes mistakenly attributed to the Tribble incident, in which Cyrano Jones, a similar character, was the culprit. Mudd was portrayed by Roger C. Carmel.

View the article on Harry Mudd at memory-alpha.org
View Roger C. Carmel's IMDb page

Mudd the First

They even did a pretty good job on his hair.

According to the caption, the two objects next
to the communicator are "Lithium Crystals." I
first thought they were pieces of meat to go with
Harry's goblet. I suppose they'd work either way.

This is the back of the package...

...featuring information on Harry Mudd. Note that...

..."Harry Mudd Stands Ready to Torment
Captain James Kirk!"

Hey, wait a minute. Why isn't Harry in there?
And how did Captain Kirk get in there?

"No need to be so hostile, gentlemen. Your Captain is
perfectly safe and comfortable..."

This figure can be had on amazon.com:

Next week on Zach Trek: Next week, check in for a sequel of sorts to the Star Fleet Technical Manual.

1993 Playmates Classic Collector Figure Set

2010-12-30T13:11:00.000-05:00

"Something happens here you'll have to remember later on..."

(click here to see the Christmas adventure by which Zach was able to catalog this item)

On Christmas morning 1993, I received a starship and crew for Christmas:

This was one of my very first Star Trek collectibles. Of course, at the time I didn't consider it as such -- I played with it, and the crew of the Enterprise had many adventures aboard this slightly modified two-level bridge. Eventually, Kirk sacrificed the battle-worn ship, enacting the self-destruct sequence in order to gain victory in the Battle for Closet Space. His crew, however, survived, along with most of their accessories, and the photos of loose figures and pieces below are of that original set that I got on Christmas Day 1993, and still have:

The crew of the U.S.S. Enteriprise. Note that

Spock's hand is in the shape of the Vulcan salute.

Each figure came equipped with a phaser and a
communicator.

There was also a display stand for each figure,
with the correct insignia for their area of
expertise...

...demonstrated for us
by Mr. Scott.

Now for some closer looks at that package/bridge:

Here is a close-up of the Captain's chair.

The background contained accurate images
of bridge displays.

Here we have the top of the box.

The back of the box had a brief but
well-written biography of each character.

Both ends of the box looked like this...

...and even the bottom wasn't left blank.

Check in next Thursday for a new character on Zach Trek, to be determined by the results of December's Poll-of-the-Month.

~ It's A Wonderful Zach Trek Christmas Carol ~

2010-12-23T11:13:00.000-05:00

"Zachary!"

"Yes...peanut butter...mmm...what?"

"I am the Ghost of Christmas Past."

"Long past?

"No. your past."

"Come with me!"

"See the living room?"

"Where? I-I don't see a thing!"

"Oh, I forgot, you haven't got your wings yet. Now look,
I'll help you out. Concentrate! Begin to see something?"

"Why, yes, this is amazing!"

"If you ever get your wings you'll see all by yourself."

"Oh, wonderful...Hey, who's that?"

"That's you, Zach."

"A boy?"

"That's you when you were eight, back in 1993."

"Something happens here you'll have to remember later on..."

To be concluded next week.

~ Merry Christmas from Zach Trek! ~

Merry Christmas From Zach Trek!

2010-12-22T10:44:00.000-05:00

~ Christmas Blessings From Zach Trek! ~

Zach Trek Random #1: Ford X-2000!

2010-12-21T09:46:00.001-05:00

This was bound to happen. I want to post something on Zach Trek not (strictly) related to collectibles. I have, therefore, created the "Zach Trek Random" category, inaugurating it with this:

This is a concept car I came across recently. It is a 1958 Ford X-2000 -- made 12 years before Star Trek went on the air...did original U.S.S. Enterprise designer Matt Jeffries work for Ford before he went into the television industry?

Now, I suppose you could technically call this a Star Trek collectible, but if you've got one, you may have taken your Star Trek collecting obsession a little too far.

Ahead mph factor 30!

Check back on Thursday for a special Christmas edition of Zach Trek.

Star Fleet Technical Manual by Franz Joseph

2010-12-16T12:34:00.001-05:00

Today we add a book full of useful information for any Star Trek fan's library:

This book, first published in 1975, is an absolute classic, having gone through several reprints. It is filled with material taken directly from the show (such as diagrams of equipment and uniform patterns), as well as material filling in gaps (such as a copy of the Organian Peace Treaty, and several different classes of Star Fleet ships that were never seen in an episode).

This book is perhaps best known for two things: first, for classifying the Enterprise as a Constitution class starship. This was made official when it was referred to as such in an episode of Star Trek the Next Generation. Second, for its diagram of the bridge, showing it as being offset from the ship at a 36 degree angle:

For what it's worth, here's my opinion on the offset bridge: I understand why Franz Joseph did this. The "turbo elevator" was not located at the rear of the bridge, but one would think it would be aligned in the center of the ship, which would mean the rest of the bridge was offset. I disagree with this for two reasons. Remember how, whenever the Enterprise would go hard to port, everyone on the bridge would lurch to starboard? If the bridge was at an angle, they would have lurched more backward. Also, if you pay attention to the lights passing by the elevator walls in the Enterprise, you'll notice that, as the elevator moves, they sometimes shift from passing horizontally all the way to passing vertically -- which would seem to indicate that the elevator went both up and down and side to side (there's an excellent example of this in Wolf In the Fold), so the elevator could move to the side a little to get to the entrance to the bridge.

This is a "Special Book Club Edition." It says
so on the front, which is the only difference I
can find between this and a regular edition.

There are many images of flags and seals,
including the United Federation of Planets
and the United Nations (don't worry, it's
only fiction)

Some ships we might have gotten to see if
Star Trek had had a bigger budget

There are diagrams of most, if not all, of the
equipment and gadgetry use aboard the
Enterprise...

...but one has to wonder why cadets at the
Star Fleet Academy had to study this in
their technical manuals.

Read Wikipedia's article on Franz Joseph
View a page on Franz Joseph at trekplace.com. From this page you can navigate to interviews with Joseph and his family, examples of his Star Trek and other artwork, and more -- Note - This site has some great information, but many of the links no longer work.

This book can be had at amazon.com, in its original printing as well as in more recent editions:

Next Week on Zach Trek: Next week should be exciting on Zach Trek. Check in on Tuesday for the introduction of Zach Trek Randoms (posts not strictly related to collectables). On Thursday, stand by for time warp as we visit Zach's past to catalog a great item.

Star Trek III: The Search For Spock on Video 8

2010-12-14T19:14:00.001-05:00

Today we add a movie new to Zach Trek in a format new to Zach Trek:

Here we have a Star Trek movie on 8mm film. Video 8 was the first generation of 8mm cassettes, introduced in the 1980s. This format proved more popular for home video recording than for producing movies, as VHS was coming into prominence at the time, but several Star Trek movies were produced in the Video 8 format. This one was from 1986.

Here's the side view.

The cassette fits into a plastic case, similar to
an audio cassette tape.

Here is the Video 8 cassette next to a VHS cassette
for comparison.

Click here to look at mediacollege.com's page on the Video8 format
Click here to check out Wikipedia's article on 8 mm videos

Coming Soon: Check back on Thursday as Zach Trek gains some technical data.

1979 Mego Spock Action Figure

2010-12-02T11:34:00.000-05:00

This week, please join me in adding a new action figure, and a new action figure line to Zach Trek:

This action figure is from the line produced by Mego in 1979 for The Motion Picture. These figures were 3 3/4" tall (perhaps modeled after the wildly popular Star Wars action figures). They are, as you can see, a little stiff at the elbows and knees, and, though I may have talked about this too much already, there was no way to make the uniforms from that movie look very comfortable, and the straight arms and legs don't help. Still, the important thing to any kid was that this was Spock, and with the application of imagination, that's all one would really need.

While most of these figures were made in Hong Kong, it appears that
Spock was made in Hong Xong (maybe that's on Vulcan).

For the definitive information source on these figures and all of Mego's toys for this movie, visit megomuseum.com's page on The Motion Picture action figures and toys

Next week on Zach Trek: Check in for a movie not yet featured on Zach Trek, in a format not yet featured on Zach Trek.

Tribbles!

2010-11-24T13:24:00.000-05:00

This week, please join me in finally welcoming a furry, fuzzy little alien to Zach Trek:

This tribble was made by Idea Factory. I think it was made around the time tribbles appeared on an episode of Deep Space Nine, but since tribbles, unlike Klingons, always looked about the same, it could just as easily be an original series tribble. This is just one of a vast array of tribbles produced. Some have electronics inside that make them purr and move, but this is just a simple, plain tribble. Hopefully I'll be able to get some more tribbles on later --

Wait a minute, I thought I only had one tribble -- HEY, where's my peanut butter?!

Well, this tribble is kind of cute, too.

This is my chicken sandwich...this is my chicken sandwich and my coffee!

Happy Thanksgiving (if there's any food left for us)!

1995 Playmates Movie Series Dr. McCoy

2010-11-18T11:09:00.001-05:00

This week Zach Trek is joined by a very prolific maker of Star Trek action figures:

Playmates is almost certainly the most prolific maker of Star Trek action figures. Diamond Select Toys has recently been producing a wide variety of figures from the original series, but Playmates produced original (and other) series figures for years before that.

This figure is from the "Movie Series." It seems that this was the first line of original series action figures Playmates produced. Now, this series included characters from Star Trek I - VI, so I can't help but wonder who decided that the Enterprise crew figures, instead of being produced in the professional looking uniforms of Star Trek II - VI, should be produced in the unattractive, uncomfortable-looking (and, according to William Shatner, truly uncomfortable) uniforms of The Motion Picture. I can think of only two plausible explanations: One, perhaps Playmates hoped to subsequently release figures in the red uniforms, and thus make more sales, or, two, perhaps they were afraid that having all the characters in the same uniform would be too repetitive for children. Speaking for myself, I know that when I was a kid I absolutely would have preferred to have my figures in the uniforms from the movies I liked, rather than the one I didn't. Come to think of it, I still would.

Notice that the "movie series" features the original television Enterprise on the front of the package, and a picture of the "tablet" that was often used in the television series on the back.

Now it may sound like I don't like this action figure, but that's not the case -- I'm just puzzled by some of the design. The details on the figure are good, the accessories are not bad. Each Motion Picture crew member came with a piece of the V'Ger probe, which could be assembled once you had them all (Playmates is using this concept again with their figures for Star Trek XI).

View memory-alpha.org's article on Playmates Star Trek toys/action figures (memory-alpha.org is essentially wikipedia for Star Trek, but due to a lot of sidebar advertisements, it takes a long time to load, so I don't link to it often)

Next week on Zach Trek: Please join me next Thursday (Thanksgiving) in cautiously welcoming a potentially dangerous alien.

Zach Trek Upgrade #1!

2010-11-16T21:44:00.000-05:00

I have made the first upgrade to an item on Zach Trek. This is not a huge upgrade: I have taken much better photos of my 1974 Mego Dr. McCoy, and I talked Mr. Spock into loaning him a tricorder and phaser.

Click here to view the new and improved post

Check back on Thursday for this week's featured item, which has quite a bit in common with this one.

Before:

After:

The Star Trek Encyclopedia by Michael and Denise Okuda

2010-11-11T11:47:00.002-05:00

This week's featured item is an essential reference for any serious Star Trek fan, especially for a fan of the original series:

This book is an exhaustive reference of every detail in Star Trek. The authors both worked fairly extensively on various series of Star Trek, and Academy Award winning makeup artist turned graphic designer Doug Drexler provides excellent illustrations throughout. In addition, the book is filled with photos taken from the shows and movies.

This book was originally published in 1994. My copy is an updated edition published in 1999, with information from shows and movies produced since the original edition included as an extra section at the back of the book, rather than being integrated into the rest of the book.

This appears to be the latest edition published. Now, for an original series fan like me, this book has everything I might need. However, for fans of later series, it has an obvious shortcoming in that there were many episodes, a couple of movies, and an entire new series produced since this publication.

I have also seen a Star Trek Omnipedia, which contains the information in this book along with narration by Mark Lenard, plus some other extra features, and which could be registered and updated via internet. This appears to have been produced in 1995, however, so I don't know if updates are still available or in effect. In addition to this, the Encyclopedia has been produced in a CD-ROM format, the most recent edition being, like the book, put out in 1999.

Even if the Omnipedia is current, I'm not inclined to purchase a computerized version of this book. In the words of Samuel T. Cogley:

"I've got my own system. Books, young man, books, thousands of them. If time wasn't so important, I'd show you something: my library. Thousands of books. This is where the law is, not in that homogenized, pasteurized, synthesized — do you want to know the law? The ancient concepts in their own language? Learn the intent of the men who wrote them? From Moses to the tribunal of Alpha Three? Books!"

Yes, I know it's ironic to put that quote on a blog, but that's exactly how I feel when it comes to books.

This book, in print and on CD-ROM, as well as the Omnipedia, are available on amazon.com, but remember that I'm not sure if the Omnipedia can still be registered and updated. Also, if you buy the book, make sure that you're getting the most recent edition (1999):

Next week on Zach Trek: Check in next Thursday for an action figure from possibly the most prolific maker of Star Trek action figures.

1991 U.S.S. Enterprise Mug

2010-11-08T10:56:00.001-05:00

As Kahn said "It's very cold in space." This week's featured item is just the thing to help warm you up:

Just fill this mug with coffee, hot chocolate, or Earl Grey tea to ward off the cold of space.

This mug was made in 1991. Just who to credit it to is a difficult question. On the bottom, we are informed that it has artwork by Susie Morton of Planet Earth, and is distributed by Presents, which is a division of Hamilton Gifts. Since Hamilton Gifts seems to be at the top of this chain, I suppose that's the company to be credited with making it. My impression is that "Planet Earth" is not a company, but merely denotes what planet in the galaxy Susie Morton is from. Her artwork appears on a vast array of decorative plates and mugs, including many other Star Trek works, as well as subjects ranging far and wide beyond Star Trek.

Coming Soon On Zach Trek: Check back on Thursday for a book essential for any Star Trek fan.

The Monsters of Star Trek by Daniel Cohen

2010-11-02T15:09:00.001-04:00

This week's addition is a guide to Star Trek's aliens:

Despite the title, this book actually covers all alien races in the original TV series, not just the monstrous ones. It has black and white photos of the crew of the Enterprise and of all the alien races, with one notable exception: although tribbles are discussed in the book, they don't have a photo. The author admits that tribbles aren't really monsters.

I believe this book was published in several editions. This appears to be the first printing, January 1980. I like this book, if only for the cover art.

Check back on Thursday for a heated-liquid container.

This book is available on amazon.com (and cheap!):

Castle of Frankenstein No. 14 - 1969

2010-10-28T13:26:00.003-04:00

Happy Halloween from Zach Trek!

A note near the back of the
magazine discounting rumors

that Star Trek would not have

a fourth season...Oops!

This week's item is a 1969 Castle of Frankenstein magazine featuring Star Trek on the cover. See anything wrong with the cover photo? I'll tell you at the end of this post.

The cover announces that "Star Trek Is Back!" This actually refers to a note toward the end of the magazine announcing that rumors of Star Trek's cancellation after its third season were not true. Unfortunately, it was the rumors of its continuation that were really untrue. There is also an "article" entitled "Star Trek Debate. It consists mostly of a letter written by one of the magazine's readers. In a previous issue, the magazine printed an article calling Star Trek "the best dramatic T.V. series ever made!" This reader writes in reply a scathing put-down of Star Trek, to which the magazine offers a brief rebuttal.

So what's wrong with that cover? The image is reversed. I noticed that Captain Kirk's Starfleet badge is reversed and on the wrong side of his shirt. A really geeky Star Trek fan might also notice that the screen is on the wrong side of Mr. Spock's tricorder.

Castle of Frankenstein was a magazine devoted to sci-fi/fantasy films and TV published 1962 - 1975.

See the Wikipedia article on Castle of Frankenstein

Next week on Zach Trek: On Tuesday, look for a small book about alien life forms. On Thursday, check in for a new liquid-containment vessel.

An ineresting piece of NON-Star Trek
art on the back cover

William Shatner's Star Trek Memories

2010-10-26T18:48:00.000-04:00

Today's item is another accessory film:

This film/documentary was produced in 1995, four years after last Tuesday's Star Trek: 25th Anniversary Special. It contains interviews with all of the original cast members, as well as D. C. Fontana, author of many Star Trek episodes.

I have to admit that this overall seems like an attempt to pull a little extra money out of Star Trek, but there is still a good bit of interesting material here. It is worth watching if only to hear James Doohan's samples of two alternate accents for Scotty.

The "runtime" is 86 minutes.

On Thursday, check in for a special Halloween addition to Zach Trek.

This item is available on amazon.com:

Toys

2010-10-26T18:45:00.003-04:00

If there has been a toy made, there has likely been a Star Trek version of it. Action Figures have their own category.

Items are listed alphabetically by company.

- - - Click on pictures to view individual items' pages - - -

- Ata-Boy -

1997 "Mix 'N' Match Adventure Playset"

- Idea Factory -

Tribble, year unkown (probably 1990s)

"Alien Bean" - Vulcan
1998

- Larami -

Wallet
1979
This might not normally be considered a toy, but due to the nature
of Larami's products, I've included it in this category.

Star Trek: The Robot Masters - Book & Record, 1979

2010-10-21T11:31:00.004-04:00

Today's item is an item from my own past:

This was a book that my brother and I had growing up. I have no idea what happened to our copy, but when I found this one in good condition at reasonable price, I snatched it up. As I recall, we did not have the record with our original copy (but then, we didn't have a record player either, so it wouldn't have made any difference).

The record slides into a pocket on the inside of the back cover.

The comic book seems to have been written - or at least drawn - by someone mostly unfamiliar with Star Trek. That green guy visible on the inside front cover is supposed to be a Romulan (perhaps the artist assumed that he could take the same liberties with Romulan appearance that the movies took with the Klingons). The Enterprise is awkwardly and disproportionately drawn throughout. The characters wear the Motion Picture uniforms, but Kirk is still a Captain, and the bridge as well as the Enterprise exterior seem more based on the TV series than the movie. A possible explanation is that, since this book was published the year The Motion Picture came out, perhaps the artist did not have access to enough images from the movie to draw from. However, this book was written for kids, not detail-obsessed Star Trek fans, and I recall that I enjoyed it when I was a kid.

Peter Pan Records, under different names and parent/offspring companies, produced many Star Trek records, and was a leading name in children's records of all sorts.

Check out the site danhausertrek.com, which is devoted to Star Trek story records. On this site: Read a complete plot synopsis of this story, and even listen to an MP3 excerpt; and read a history of Peter Pan Industries (nothing to do with peanut butter).
There is also a Wikipedia article on Peter Pan Records

Next week on Zach Trek: On Tuesday look for another non-show/movie video, and on Thursday check in for a special Halloween addition to Zach Trek.

Clothing & Accessories

2010-10-21T11:27:00.000-04:00

There have been a vast variety of Star Trek clothing and related items produced, and more are still being made. This includes both authorized merchandise as well as "fan-made" items.

- - - Click on pictures to view individual items' pages - - -

- Wallets -

1979 wallet by Larami Corporation

Star Trek: 25th Anniversary Special

2010-10-19T18:58:00.000-04:00

Today's item is an accessory film to Star Trek:

This documentary, made in 1991, was hosted by William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy. It looks back at the creation of Star Trek, and its progress through the Next Generation to Deep Space Nine. It also looks at the (then) current space program. Perhaps the most important feature is the famous "blooper reel" from the original series, as well as a few parodies of original Star Trek from comedy programs.

This seems to have been released one time only, on VHS.

This video is available on amazon.com:

Check back on Thursday for a combined-media item that my brother and I had (part of) growing up.

1979 Larami Star Trek Wallet

2010-10-14T13:49:00.001-04:00

This week's featured item is, ironically, for holding money (ironic because, after buying Star Trek stuff, you won't have anything to put in it):

This was one of many Star Trek toys made for The Motion Picture by Larami Corporation. This particular piece seems to really be just a plastic wallet with a clear cover and a Star Trek picture slipped inside, but thanks to the packaging, it's still a pretty nice piece. The back of the package is blank.

I suppose this is technically a clothing accessory, but because of the nature of Larami's products, it might also be labeled a toy.

About Larami Corporation:
Larami Corporation was a company best known in the '70s for making low-cost "rack toys" -- toys designed for checkout line type displays. In the '80s they became better known for water guns, introducing the Power Drencher, which became the Super Soaker in 1991, a line still produced by Hasbro, which acquired Larami in the '90s. The company name was retired in 2002. They made toys for many TV series and movies.

View the Wikipedia article on Larami Corporation -- NOTE, the article says Larami was founded in 1947, but according to the book Timeless Toys, it was founded in 1959.
View a page of Star Trek toys from Larami's 1980 cataolg on the '70s catalog site plaidstallions.com. There are a couple of pages with Star Trek toys in this catalog.

Next week on Zach Trek: On Tuesday, look for a Star Trek video, but not a show or movie. On Thursday, check in for a book that my brother and I had growing up.

1984 Star Trek III Taco Bell Glasses: The Commercial!

2010-10-13T22:25:00.002-04:00

Here is a commercial for the series of 1984 Taco Bell glasses, one of which I added on Tuesday:

Check in Thursday for this week's featured item!

China, Dishes, Glasses, Etc.

2010-10-13T22:11:00.003-04:00

This category is for all manner of dishes (china or plastic), collectible plates, glasses, mugs, and steins.

- - - Click on pictures to view individual items' pages - - -

- Glasses -

1984 Taco Bell Star Trek III Glass

Mugs

1975 plastic mug/cup by Deka

1991 Mug by Hamilton Gifts

- Plates -

1997 "Second In Command"
by The Hamilton Collection

1984 Star Trek III Taco Bell Glass

2010-10-12T13:59:00.001-04:00

Today's item is both collectible and useful:

This is one glass of a four-glass series produced in 1984 for Taco Bell for Star Trek III. At one time I had the entire set, but, having foolishly sold them, I now have only this one and must seek out the other three again.

Each glass has information on the back about the scene on the front.

Check back on Thursday for a Star Trek item related to personal finance (no, not the annual Federation Turbotax program).

Lt. Commander Montgomery Scott

2010-10-11T16:53:00.010-04:00

Chief Engineer of the U.S.S. Enterprise

Lt. Commander Montgomery Scott

Thoughts on Scotty:

Montgomery Scott was a brilliant engineer in the tradition of Scottish engineers. He knew the workings of the Enterprise thoroughly, and was proud of and even affectionate toward the ship. His ability to coax extra performance from this and other ships earned him the nickname "The Miracle Worker."

For relaxation, Scotty liked. . .well, reading technical journals.

Scotty was third-in-command of the Enterprise, and displayed his capability to command when Kirk and Spock were both absent from the ship.

The Scott Clan's tartan, as
published in the Vestiarium Scoticum

Scotty was portrayed by James Doohan, a Canadian actor born of Irish immigrant parents. He served Canada during World War II, participating in the D-Day invasion of Normandy. He was wounded by accidental friendly fire, and lost the middle finger of his right hand, which he concealed quite well in his acting.

Doohan studied science and engineering to educate himself for his role. He auditioned several different accents, and a Scottish accent was chosen. It was Doohan's idea that Scotty should wear a kilt as part of his dress uniform, and a Scott Clan tartan was obtained from Scotland for it.

Watch Zach Trek Video #7: A Tribute to Scotty
View the Wikipedia article on Montgomery Scott
View the Wikipedia article on James Doohan
View James Doohan's IMDb page

Scotty Collectibles:

- - - Click on pictures to view individual items' pages - - -

- Action Figures -

1984 Ertl action figure

1974 Mego Ation Figure

- Books -

Mr. Scott's Guide to the Enterprise
by Shane Johnson
Pocket Books, 1987

Magazines

2010-10-09T19:18:00.004-04:00

The most obvious Star Trek magazines are the official magazines dedicated specifically to Star Trek. These are, of course, so numerous that it would be difficult to collect them all, so I prefer to look for non-Star Trek magazines with Star Trek-related articles.

- - - Click on pictures to view individual items' pages - - -

- Castle of Frankenstein -

Castle of Frankenstein No. 14
1969

- Future Life -

Future Life - March 1979
Featured article on Star Trek: The Motion Picture

- TV Guide -

Nov. 1967 TV Guide

Jan. 1997 TV Guide:
Dilbert likes Star Trek

1984 Ertl Scotty Action Figure

2010-10-07T12:43:00.001-04:00

This week we introduce a new action figure, and the first appearance on Zach Trek of U.S.S. Enterprise Chief Engineer Lieutenant Commander Montgomery Scott:

This figure was part of a series of four action figures and three model ships made by Ertl for Star Trek III.

This particular action figure is interesting to me on a two points:

First, it shows Scotty in the red Starfleet uniform used in all but the first of the original series movies. It is remarkable to me that, although this uniform was used in five Star Trek movies, almost no action figures were made using them. Even when playmates began issuing action figure series in the 1990s -- including figures for all six original Star Trek movies -- they chose to put the Enterprise crew in the awkward-looking uniforms of The Motion Picture. Action figures are available now with these uniforms, but more as specialty individual pieces, rather than parts of action figure series.

Second, Scotty almost never actually wore this uniform, having a special engineering uniform.

This line of action figures is interesting in that Ertl is by far best known for making die-cast toys, especially of farm equipment and other vehicles. Ertl has been in business since 1945. They acquired the model company AMT in 1981, and there were Ertl/AMT Star Trek models produced, but these are the only Ertl Star Trek action figures.

Click here to view the Wikipedia article on the Ertl Company

Next Week on Zach Trek: On Monday, check in for a "Scotty" category with "Thoughts on Scott." On Tuesday look for a Star Trek liquid containment vessel. On Thursday check in for a Star Trek monetary containment device.

Future Life Magazine - March 1979

2010-10-05T13:34:00.000-04:00

Here we have a magazine with a sneak preview of the new Star Trek movie - the one coming out in '79.

This magazine has a featured article on Star Trek: The Motion Picture, with details on staff and production and quotes from Gene Roddenberry. True to the nature of the magazine, it also has information on new technology used for producing the movie and its potential applications.

I have found copies of Future Life on the internet dating from 1978 to 1981.

Check back Thursday for Zach Trek's first non-Mego action figure, which will also be a new character.

Games

2010-10-04T19:40:00.002-04:00

There have been quite a variety of Star Trek or Star Trek-themed games made, from board games to role-playing games, to computer games, to card games.

Games are listed alphabetically by title.

- - - Click on pictures to view individual items' pages - - -

Star Fleet Battles
Captain's Edition Basic Set
Task Force Games
1990

Uno
(Star Trek Edition)
Fundex (licensed by Mattel)
2008

Tapes, Discs, and Other Media

2010-10-02T17:07:00.008-04:00

- - - Click on pictures to view individual items' pages - - -

- Betamax (Beta) Tapes -

Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home

- LaserDiscs -
First produced in 1978, these faded out in the early 2000s, replaced by DVDs.
- RCA VideoDiscs -

Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country

These discs utilized RCA's Capacitance Electronic Disc system, which looked like sort of a cross between a record and a laser disc. You would insert the entire plastic cartridge into the player, which would pull the disc out and read it using a needle.

These discs were made in the early 1980s. By the time they were being produced, VHS tapes were coming onto the scene, so VideoDisc players were only made for a few years. Discs were made in advance so they would be ready for the new players, and RCA continued producing discs for a few years after they stopped producing players.

Watch a video on YouTube showing exactly how the players read a disc

Star Trek - The Motion Picture

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan

- VHS Tapes -

Star Trek: 25th Anniversary Special
1991

William Shatner's Star Trek Memories
1995

- Video 8 Tapes (8 mm film) -

Star Trek III: The Search For Spock
1986