Something I love to keep track of is Star Trek history. Especially props, sets, filming locations, costumes, etc. Nothing has fascinated me over over the last decade than the journey of the original Galileo Shuttlecraft from the 1966-69 series. The shuttlecraft was built by ERTL for the series in exchange for the model kit rights. It was featured in a few episodes. Especially "METAMORPHASIS" and "THE GALILEO SEVEN." After the series was cancelled, it sat on the Desilu lot. It was then given to a school for children to play on.
Years later it surfaced in a old car parking lot. Looking extremely rotten. Some fan bought it and attempted restoration. It was passed to two other fans for the same issue. Restoration happened a couple times, but nothing lasting. Eventually it was sold to someone in Ohio who wanted to fully restore it but it sat in a junkyard/sanding type of business on thier lot and dissappeared. Fans would even use Google Earth sattellite pics of the business to see if it was still there. It was deemed lost forever when the business was closed and sold.
Eventually, the Shuttlecraft resurfaced, thankfully been moved to a storage unit. The owner decided the restoration project was too far out of reach so they auctioned it off. The Galileo Restoration Project bought it and over the last year have worked to restore it.
Today, they launched the results! I must say it is spectacular! They've announced that the ship will go on display in Houston very soon as a final resting place for fans to go see it and enjoy it. In a museum, where it belongs.
I know many Trek fans have been following her story and I have too, especially the last ten years. I wanna thank the Galileo Restoration project for their hard work and dedication in keeping the memory and this piece of Star Trek history alive. Excellent work!
And yes, I will be making a trip to Houston just to see this ship. I cannot wait to see it in the flesh! What a long journey she's had!
Thanks! T
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