The pilot might have been too expensive to make without it then.

I recall B5 FX shots being used to promote the Amiga back then, so clearly the truth was being bent a tad. ;)

Many years ago, I used to chat online with someone who worked at Foundation when they did the TMP Director's Edition. They were loaned the original movie Enterprise miniature to study for the new shots. Even though the model had been stored in a crate, it was dusty and covered in insect droppings! The photos I was allowed to see of the big E in that state were a little sad.