The Federation Hippocrates Class Medical Frigate is a fan design that is based on the Miranda/Avenger Class Frigate (aka the USS Reliant). The hull is basically the same except for a long extension created by moving the shuttlebays. It almost looks like someone grabbed the shuttlebays of the ship and yanked them straight back from the rear of the hull while holding onto the bow with a pair of vice grips.

There are seven parts in the kit, all of which are cast in white resin: main hull, four warp nacelle halves, and two warp nacelle pylons.

The saucer section of the model has the same raised panel lines that were part of the original TOS-A-D AMT/Ertl kit, but the remainder of the model (the Miranda/Avenger hull and the extension) are smooth. It will be a toss-up for the builder to decide whether to remove the panel lines so the entire kit is smooth, or to leave them in and use a scribing tool to put some panel lines in on the remaining portions of the ship.

This kit will require quite a bit of cleanup and careful assembly, which is why I have classified it as being Intermediate level. First off, there are two large pour stubs at the bow of the ship (one port and one starboard) that will have to be carefully removed. Some seam lines are also present around the vertical hull walls. Be careful when sanding or you will mess up the angles of the walls.

Next up, the warp nacelles halves are cast on a “sheet” of resin. You will have to use a sharp Xacto No. 11 blade to trim around them, and then it’s time for multiple rounds of dry-fitting and sanding to get each half to fit properly against its mate. The warp nacelle pylons are cast the same way, but there is only one of each (port and starboard).

A sheet of waterslide decals is included and provides full markings, including RCS thrusters, phaser banks, warp nacelle grilles, mechanical areas over the shuttlebays, impulse engines, and large red crosses denoting the medical mission of the ship. A choice of three names is also offered: USS Hippocrates (NCC-4600), USS Fairbanks (NCC-4637) and USS Richmond (NCC-4613).

No marking guide was included in my review kit, so I am guessing builders will have to rely on references as to painting and/or decal placement. Below is a photo that was included years ago on the Cozmo Heavy Industries website and was recently used on some eBay auctions when the owner of Cozmo Heavy Industries discovered some old stock in the back of a closet.



The completed kit looks to be about 4 inches long and just under 2.25 inches wide across the saucer section.

This is a neat kit and a worthy addition to a 2500 scale Star Trek fleet. Just be prepared to put in some work on this one.

Review by: Rich “Lonewolf” Dula

Entry created: February 1, 2013