Star Trek fans who are also Lego fans (there are a few of you out there) will want to keep their eyes peeled for this Black Friday. Not because of any particular special, though there are bound to be a few of those, but because that’s when their pre-ordered U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D set will arrive at the local Lego store.

Yes, even South Africa’s official outlet. The space-themed 3,600-piece set launches on the same day in SA as the rest of the world, on 28 November. You could wander in and get it, but Trekkies will know that there’s often fierce competition for limited-edition products. Better to hand over the R7,700 pre-order price now and be secure in the knowledge that the store’s staff will protect your purchase with their lives. Something like that, anyway.

Star Trek to the Lego store

Several versions of the iconic Enterprise have existed over the years. This new Lego set reproduces the spacecraft from Star Trek: The Next Generation, with Picard (Patrick Stewart) at the helm. Included with the set are nine minifigures, including Picard himself, as well as Worf, Data, Riker, Deanna Troi, La Forge, and a couple of members of the Crusher family. Also, a cat.

The Lego Icons Star Trek: U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D set (to give it its full title) features extensive detailing of the craft’s nacelles and outer surfaces, the saucer section is detachable, and the build includes two shuttles and an opening shuttle bay.

The build is intended for adults — Lego’s age rating pegs the complexity at ages eighteen and up — but pretty much any Star Trek obsessive will have fun with this one. Until it’s built and placed behind glass, never to be touched again.