A large 8ft. model was used to represent Kirk's ship in the first few Star Trek movies. However, that large model wasn't always needed. In some shots, a much smaller, more manageable model would suffice. This model was made from an ordinary plastic hobby kit, but it was modified and painted by the effects wizards at Lucasfilm's Industrial Light and Magic. Fully detailed, ILM's model makers airbrushed the intricate "Aztec" body panel detailing that are a trademark of the model Enterprise.