The Smithsonian is calling on Trekkies to help restore the USS Enterprise, a fictional spacecraft that appeared in many Star Trek movies and television series.
The Smithsonian Institute received a model of the Enterprise from Paramount Studios in 1974. It is working on a new exhibit for the National Air and Space Museum and it wants the Enterprise to have a similar appearance to what it had in 1967.
The "model of the fictional starship Enterprise was used in the weekly hour-long 'Star Trek' TV show (NBC-TV), which aired from September 1966 until June 1969," stated the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.
The Enterprise has actually gone through eight restorations since it was made in 1964, during and after the TV series' production.
"Now the museum is asking for help to restore the model to its original appearance. The conservators are asking for images or film from fans or from studio staffers depicting the ship while it was under construction, or during filming, or while it was on display at other venues," said the Smithsonian.
The museum did three paint jobs on the USS Enterprise in 1974, 1984 and 1991. However, the last paint job concerned many fans.
"It was too weathered and there were grid lines that were too extensive; that's the key aspect of concern," said Adam Schneider, an amateur Star Trek model collector who is on an advisory committee participating in the Enterprise's restoration.
The 11-foot model is expected to be exhibited again in 2016 in the Smithsonian's Boeing Milestones of Flight Hall.
Star Trek has a big fan following, and many Trekkies would likely take part in the restoration program and bring back the USS Enterprise to its original glory. However, getting first-hand pictures and footage may still be a challenging job.
