Through out the run of ST: TNG and DS9 the Miranda class starship was seen in several configurations. The USS Saratoga was one of those variations and was seen in the beginning of the pilot episode of DS9. It was on screen long enough for us to witness its destruction at the hands of the Borg during the battle of Wolf 359. Alliance models has produced a great conversion kit that can change the ERTL Reliant model into the USS Saratoga and it results in a good, accurate facsimile of that ship.

The differences between Saratoga and Reliant are the absence of the “roll bar” fitting across the primary hull and the added sensor arrays that ride atop the nacelles. The conversion kit comes complete with the sensor arrays along with pieces that can be fitted to enhance the primary hull. I basically just used the sensor arrays. A friend of mine purchased the model and it came already built and painted, quite poorly I might add. I refinished and repainted the entire model and made the appropriate modifications to accommodate the sensors. The (orange colored) antennae have to be pieced together and it's a little tricky getting the thin rods of plastic to stay in position. With a little patience, a steady hand and a good pair of tweezers, you can do it.

The pieces are clean and the detail is good. I should mention that the kit comes with a decal sheet too. I found them to be a little flimsy but they worked ok.

The $45.00 kit is worth buying if you wish to convert your ERTL kit into this unique model. Most of the time was spent on refinishing the model itself. Gluing the pieces onto the hull was easy. I do recommend using super glue gel, though. It provides much better control and it adds more body to the adhesive.

Image: Behind, from underneath

Image: New sensor

Image: Battling the Borg