The 2021 event-exclusive Star Trek offering from Hallmark coincides with the 35th Anniversary of Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. The final chance to get your own Bird of Prey comes this week and our review can get you ready.
Heavy metal Klingon
The limited-edition Star Trek Klingon Bird of Prey Hallmark Keepsake Ornament is a celebration of the 35th anniversary of Star Trek IV. However, it is not the typical plastic ship that Hallmark normally produces. This tough little ship is forged entirely of metal and will need a strong branch if you plan to hang it on a Christmas tree.
Star Trek Klingon Bird of Prey Hallmark Keepsake Ornament
The captured Klingon ship was dubbed the H.M.S. Bounty in the film by Dr. McCoy, in a nod to the seafaring ship that was taken over by mutineers in the 1700s. The ornament is painted to match the color scheme of the ship seen in the 1986 film, right down to the “hand-painted” HMS Bounty name on the vessel’s underside. Props to artist Jake Angell, who once again provided a great design for Hallmark.
Detail on “HMS Bounty”
The colors of the ship are more vibrant than those on the 1994 generic plastic BoP, which was modeled after the Klingon ships in Star Trek The Next Generation. For the 2021 ornament, the colors are a good match for the ship in Star Trek IV. The details on the top of the metal ship are not highlighted with paint like the older model, which does take away from the aesthetic slightly by giving the pattern less depth.
Top view of Bird of Prey
This ornament has no bells and whistles. The 1994 plastic Klingon Bird of Prey from Hallmark has lights that are powered by plugging into a string of Christmas lights, which the Bounty edition does not because it is solid metal. The die casting is very good. A lot of little details can be seen and felt, from tiny ridges on the fuselage and raised patterns on the wings to the detailed weapons turrets. The finished product is clean with no visible seams or flaws.
Holding this hefty little bird in my hand I can imagine a couple of humpback whales inside. No wonder it’s so heavy!
Bottom view of Bird of Prey
The box it comes in provides a little background on the ship and how it started out as a Romulan design intended for Star Trek III: The Search for Spock. The ship arrives nicely nestled inside the box in a form-fitting plastic tray.
Packaging for Hallmark’s 2021 Bird of Prey
Available online only opening day of NYCC
The total production run for this limited edition Bird of Prey is just 3,750, half of which has already been sold out during San Diego Comic-Con at Home. A small number was also reserved for Keepsake Club Members as well, but memberships are sold out for 2021. The rest of the inventory will be available for purchase online the first day of New York Comic Con, October 7th at Noon Eastern time (9 a.m. Pacific). There is a limit of one per customer and the price is $35. For more details on how to purchase go to PopMinded.com/Events.
More Trek from Hallmark in 2021
For 2021 Hallmark has been extending their “Mirror Mirror” Storyteller collection that began last year (see TrekMovie review). Over the summer they released a brand new Mirror Spock ornament (see TrekMovie review). And on October 16 they are releasing Ensign Pavel Chekov.
Chekov arrives next week
Keep up with all the Star Trek merchandise news and reviews at TrekMovie.com.
It’s not just the whales, it’s the water!
Humpbacked… people?
I found the desktop ornament of the NCC-1701 at a local Hallmark store. At least to my eye, it was quality work.