Conjectural shuttlecraft design (TOS era)...

[Wingsley]

If I understand what the Copernicus was supposed to be in "The Slaver Weapon", it reminds me of a TOS-era precursor to the DS9 Runabout. Hard telling how a show like TOS would have realized a significantly different craft such as that and still found a way to fit it in a starship's Hangar Deck.

This may sound cheesy, but the difference between the Galileo, a more utilitarian shuttlecraft, and the Copernicus, more like a Runabout, reminds me of the differences between the Seeker of SPACE ACADEMY and the Starfire seen in JASON OF STAR COMMAND.

That aside, if we take TMP as a closer source of reference, the Copernicus might be characterized as being more like the shuttle/warpsled combo Spock used to intercept the refit Enterprise. It would be neat to see a shuttle-like body that can attach or detach from a foldable TOS-era warpsled, especially if there's a way to somehow make the two parts fit in the Hangar.

 

[Warped9]

Except I'm not trying to bridge TOS and TMP as much as trying to envision how things could have been done during TOS.


This is the beginnings of laying out the interior. The maximum ceiling is just a tick over 6'-1" and the cockpit area narrows to 5' furthest forward.

 

[Warped9]

This is the final line drawing I did of this design some years ago. I have been using this as the basis for the current model. And, of course, I've been making some changes as I go. For example the aft roof line (outlined as a dotted red line) is different on the current model than I originally envisioned. You can also see the outline of the impulse engine housings.

The question I'm facing now is whether to add the spars to the sponsons as I had thought of originally or leave them off. Initially I envisioned them as part of the antigrav system, but now I'm not sure about them. At the time they were a carry-over from what I was doing with the TAS designs rather than having '50's era landing skids, but the TOS designs really don't have anything analogous to this. The spars could also be rationalized as part of the navigational deflector system.

Hmm...



This illustration also shows my original idea for the forward landing strut. In retrospect I think it looks clunkier than what I went with for this model.

 

[Warped9]

On further thought I'm not going with the spars. They look a bit too Star Wars. I've got a kernel of an idea for something else.

 

[MGagen]

I am loving this.

And if I may hazard a guess, I think Uncle Matt would have approved. It is different enough, and has a good deal of original thinking behind it.

M.

 

[JES]

I love how this uses a curved bow, like that of the TMP-era shuttlecraft onwards.

The type-F Shuttlecraft's nose never worked for me aesthetically, and don't get me started on aerodynamics.

The compact arrangement of the nacelles makes me think of the much later Type-10.

 

[Warped9]

So all the major components are done. I'm down to working out a few more details before I start adding the markings. Then I have to decide how far I'll go with the interior.

 

[cardinal biggles]

Are those just windows on the stern, or will there be some kind of exit (either a door, or the familiar cargo ramp from the TFF shuttle and its shortened TNG cousin)?

 

[Warped9]

Are those just windows on the stern, or will there be some kind of exit (either a door, or the familiar cargo ramp from the TFF shuttle and its shortened TNG cousin)?

It's not obvious because of the lighting on that shot, but the rea access hatch is in three pieces. The hatch is outline by a fine recessed seam (that I will darken a bit) that should be more apparent when the lighting strikes that surface at a better angle. The small viewports are part of the two upper panels that are meant to slide open (like the TOS design). The lower part of the door swings down to a forty degree angle wherein steps fold out.

 

[Basill]

Wow, I love this. It's like you added cornstarch to a watery stew to help thicken it up to perfection!

It's stuff like this that helps my mind better appreciate the more minimalist design elements of TOS (which I used to just dismiss as "budget"), and makes it all seem more aesthetically viable and even slightly more achievable than I'd ever imagined.

 

[Warped9]

I'm out of town for a few days (and away from my computer) so it will be a few days till my next post. Before I left I already started on the signage and markings.

I didn't get my done last night because I was watching the Montreal Canadiens win over the Ottawa Senators to take an early lead in the series. Go Habs!

 

[Atolm]

Sexy Prototype you got there mate

 

[Warped9]

I'm still trying to work out some finer exterior details, but this should convey a decent feel for the design.

 

[cardinal biggles]

That is excellent! I love it!

 

[Albertese]

Nice composite! Fits right in there, lighting and everything.

--Alex

 

[beamMe]

Very nice work.

 

[Warped9]

In term sof interior for this design what I did for my other Class H concept (in my TOS Class F thread) is very similar to what I have in mind. There would be some variations, of course, because of the slightly differnt shape of the new inner hull, but it would be very similar.



As for dimensions this is what I have for this design:

L.O.A. = 28' - 2 3/16"
W.O.A. = 9' - 1/2"
H.O.A. = 17' - 1 1/4"

 

[Warped9]

We need some shuttlecraft launching music...

 

[GNDN18]

We need some shuttlecraft launching music...

Like this? http://youtu.be/jHr_CALgYZQ

 

[Warped9]

We need some shuttlecraft launching music...

I made a boo-boo in this pic. I forgot to rotate the turntable as well as evidenced by the scuff marks not alligned properly with the shuttlecraft. Oops.