"Help: Star Trek, Ship Miniatures?" Topic

Historical military miniatures person here; new to science fiction, help appreciated.

Young cousins coming over. They want to paint Star Trek ship miniatures. Metal preferred but unpainted plastic OK too.
Possible gaming use, so looking for gaming miniatures, not display sculptures.

1. Is there a Star Trek ship miniatures game still in currency, still in production?
2. What is the preferred scale? Brief research, I see 1/3788 scale and 1/3125 scale.
3. What company should I order from – or, what search terms should I look for, to find someone's unpainted collection?

Thank you – appreciate this community's advice.

link

Try NashStarShip Yards on Shapeways. Decals at link and jupiterivdecals.com/. I have lots of the originals which are the ones jekinder linked to. These are basically Original Series in 1/3700. The NashStarShip ones are the bigger 2400. They are more Next Generation and beyond. I also have alot of the old Fasa ships and use a number of Attack Wing ships which I have repainted.

Star Fleet Battles. They've been making Star Trek miniatures since the 1980's. They even have to older (but very nice) Lou Zocchi plastic
models.

starfleetgames.com

in case you have (access to) a 3D printer, lots of free stuff on thingiverse.com If you don't, look for Federation Commander packs (from the Starfleet Battles guys) Federation Commander might not be a bad idea, it is played on a hex map, but you can use minis.
Ruleswise, Full Thrust (one of the classic starship combat games) is free to download from Ground Zero Games and there undoubtedly are Star Trek mods to be found online if you're looking for more freeform miniature style combat.

Federation Commander (quick start rules, aka First Missions are free here: PDF link )
Hex based, 1-2 ships per side, you manage energy allocation to engines, shields, weapons, etc. In one turn, you may move 5 or 6 times, but you only fire weapons once. Turns are broken down into pulses and phases (I think). Good if you like to keep track of numbers and plan out a strategy.

Full Thrust Lite, available here: link
Much simpler system, easily handles 5-6 ships per side. Everyone plots movement, everyone moves, everyone fires. Critical hits can take out systems affecting movement, destroying weapons, etc. Much easier to learn, faster to play and more stuff goes boom!

Also Studio Bergstrom (https://studiobergstrom.com/) has some nice Trek style ships.

As for decals Starfighter Shipyards (not Mark's Models)/Jupiter IV has been nonresponsive lately. Recommend you contact a real live person before ordering. I think he has had some health problems.

Some of Starfighter Shipyards decal sets show up on model building retailers. Do a search for them or "star trek decals".