Over the past year I've been working on a board game design of my own set in the 2270s-2290s span of time. Essentially, you have a ship and crew of your own undertaking and resolving missions in the local sector. It was also an excuse to make some nice TMP model minis and actually have something to do with them.
With help from Furyofaseraph (Rob Mayer), I started making some to 3D print and put on the table. I began with the customary big three from the 2280s:
Next I made up the experimentals. Part of the reason I wanted to share this thread was to post some pics of my take on the Constellation. I figure it was built under the rationalization that if the Excelsior was "the big experiment", Constellation was built out of contemporary parts as the next stage of cruiser development if Excelsior went under. This is why she's fitted with Refit nacelles, which would be eventually switched out for the clubbed ones.
The other reason I wanted to share was, as I was developing my game, I started reaching for obscure content of this 2270s-2290s period from somewhat obscure sources. Things like the old 1982 comic strips just after Trek I but before Trek II, and both runs of the Marvel series. It's the closest we have to a TV series set in that TMP time period- which continues to be kind of sidelined to favor just about every other Trek period.
Anyways, there are some interesting ships out there that I started modeling for possible inclusion in the game in one form or another, and to my knowledge nobody has ever sought out to render them. So this post is not just to show off what I made, but also to shine a spotlight on these obscure designs.
Bold Venture (NCC-2013)
Part of the 2274 Nogura Regatta from the newspaper comics, captained by Vera DiMarco. With each participant handicapped based on their speed, Bold Venture was launched fourth-from last. Last, and the fastest in the race, was the Enterprise. Of the three I'm presenting this one is the closest to getting into the game because of how unique it is.
My take: Part of a three-ship class of couriers known as the Mercury class. Mercury herself is known for contesting the speed of U.S.S. Discovery's Earth-Vulcan transit run. Bold Venture, apart from the race participation, also made the Earth-Andor courier run in record time.
The class was halted after three ships because the Sydney-class transports were also being developed at the same time in a much more economical platform. They also didn't use a massive experimental engine that the Mercury class used, so they were discontinued.
Rim Explorer (NCC-3913)
This ill-fated ship was targeted by mercenaries hired by Kyoshi Nogura (Grandson to the Admiral) to delay the racers. Instead the mercenaries kidnapped Kyoshi and attacked the Rim Explorer to destroy it. While Bold Venture continued the race, thinking the distress call was a ruse, Enterprise came to the rescue.
My take: A "bulk explorer"- a class produced in large numbers for low-intensity scientific and exploration duties. She was also to take advantage of new technological developments, deployed around 2269. A prospective replacement for the Capella-class utility cruisers, she ended up being too awkward of a middle child once the sleeker Oberths began to be deployed. Rim Explorer's loss, combined with a few other disasters and their lack of capability in the face of 2270's developments, eventually saw the class sold off. By the time they were retired, the technology used in their construction (as well as the low armament) meant they were easily sold into civilian hands as couriers and tramp freighters.
Gallant (NCC-????)
Another ill-fated ship, commanded by Captain John Bearclaw. It was suddenly destroyed by the Klingons, striking from ambush out of a hidden base. Bearclaw's son comes to blame Gallant's Science officer for being unable to detect the ships in time, and takes it out on Bryce's daughter nancy.
My take: A small exploration and patrol vessel, more intended for frontline duty than the RIm Explorer's class, they were intended to be frigates in wartime and medium science vessels in peacetime. Released so close to the Oberths they competed for the same space, and ultimately the Gallant's class type lost out. Supporters of the Oberth extolled the virtues of the ship's ease of maintenance and production (resulting ultimately in a weaker class), and the Gallant's type only produced around a dozen vessels before production ceased. Apart from the Gallant's loss, they were fine, capable ships.
The developer for the Gallant would try again (and succeed) with the Nova class in the 24th century, which is more or less nothing more than a technological update of the Gallant-type.
-------------
And that's what I got! If folks are interested I can post pics of the other craft I've made for this game of mine, and a few even got printed.
With help from Furyofaseraph (Rob Mayer), I started making some to 3D print and put on the table. I began with the customary big three from the 2280s:
Next I made up the experimentals. Part of the reason I wanted to share this thread was to post some pics of my take on the Constellation. I figure it was built under the rationalization that if the Excelsior was "the big experiment", Constellation was built out of contemporary parts as the next stage of cruiser development if Excelsior went under. This is why she's fitted with Refit nacelles, which would be eventually switched out for the clubbed ones.
The other reason I wanted to share was, as I was developing my game, I started reaching for obscure content of this 2270s-2290s period from somewhat obscure sources. Things like the old 1982 comic strips just after Trek I but before Trek II, and both runs of the Marvel series. It's the closest we have to a TV series set in that TMP time period- which continues to be kind of sidelined to favor just about every other Trek period.
Anyways, there are some interesting ships out there that I started modeling for possible inclusion in the game in one form or another, and to my knowledge nobody has ever sought out to render them. So this post is not just to show off what I made, but also to shine a spotlight on these obscure designs.
Bold Venture (NCC-2013)
Part of the 2274 Nogura Regatta from the newspaper comics, captained by Vera DiMarco. With each participant handicapped based on their speed, Bold Venture was launched fourth-from last. Last, and the fastest in the race, was the Enterprise. Of the three I'm presenting this one is the closest to getting into the game because of how unique it is.
My take: Part of a three-ship class of couriers known as the Mercury class. Mercury herself is known for contesting the speed of U.S.S. Discovery's Earth-Vulcan transit run. Bold Venture, apart from the race participation, also made the Earth-Andor courier run in record time.
The class was halted after three ships because the Sydney-class transports were also being developed at the same time in a much more economical platform. They also didn't use a massive experimental engine that the Mercury class used, so they were discontinued.
Rim Explorer (NCC-3913)
This ill-fated ship was targeted by mercenaries hired by Kyoshi Nogura (Grandson to the Admiral) to delay the racers. Instead the mercenaries kidnapped Kyoshi and attacked the Rim Explorer to destroy it. While Bold Venture continued the race, thinking the distress call was a ruse, Enterprise came to the rescue.
My take: A "bulk explorer"- a class produced in large numbers for low-intensity scientific and exploration duties. She was also to take advantage of new technological developments, deployed around 2269. A prospective replacement for the Capella-class utility cruisers, she ended up being too awkward of a middle child once the sleeker Oberths began to be deployed. Rim Explorer's loss, combined with a few other disasters and their lack of capability in the face of 2270's developments, eventually saw the class sold off. By the time they were retired, the technology used in their construction (as well as the low armament) meant they were easily sold into civilian hands as couriers and tramp freighters.
Gallant (NCC-????)
Another ill-fated ship, commanded by Captain John Bearclaw. It was suddenly destroyed by the Klingons, striking from ambush out of a hidden base. Bearclaw's son comes to blame Gallant's Science officer for being unable to detect the ships in time, and takes it out on Bryce's daughter nancy.
My take: A small exploration and patrol vessel, more intended for frontline duty than the RIm Explorer's class, they were intended to be frigates in wartime and medium science vessels in peacetime. Released so close to the Oberths they competed for the same space, and ultimately the Gallant's class type lost out. Supporters of the Oberth extolled the virtues of the ship's ease of maintenance and production (resulting ultimately in a weaker class), and the Gallant's type only produced around a dozen vessels before production ceased. Apart from the Gallant's loss, they were fine, capable ships.
The developer for the Gallant would try again (and succeed) with the Nova class in the 24th century, which is more or less nothing more than a technological update of the Gallant-type.
-------------
And that's what I got! If folks are interested I can post pics of the other craft I've made for this game of mine, and a few even got printed.
What's the ship in the upper right? I didn't really follow much of the DC comics but I know that Spock's crew on the Surak was killed off in one issue.
