The first volume was published in 1977 and focused on the Enterprise model; the second, published in 1978, focused on the Klingon shop; and the third (also 1978) consisted of instructions on making the Enterprise a lighted model. In addition to instructions on assembly and painting of the models, there was also in-universe fanon about the San Francisco Fleet Yards. A Ultimate Modeling Edition of the manuals, which was a trade paperback combining all three manuals with some additional content, was published in 2004.