Hence, this dive down into a rabbit hole to see what can be made of it...
Jayru (JSnaith's) 3D Trek
- Thread starter JSnaith
- Start date
Just a few random thoughts...
The pod may be modular, but that doesn't have to mean the entire pod gets swapped out. Maybe just the internal sensors or whatever get swapped out via those side panels or some removable panels on top.
For the turbolift, there's no reason the car itself has to be perpendicular to the other decks when going thru the pylon. Maybe it rotates to where it's top is pointing towards the front of the ship. Or maybe there's just a 0G tube thru there. (I keep picturing the tubes from Futurama!
)
And the windows, I wouldn't let their location limit you. Maybe it's an extra tall deck with multiple rows of windows? Personally I like the idea of non-standard deck heights, especially since real-world ships (other than cruise ships) rarely have two decks the same height, mostly due to machinery and space constraints.
But, this is your build, and I'm looking forward to see how you make it work!
The pod may be modular, but that doesn't have to mean the entire pod gets swapped out. Maybe just the internal sensors or whatever get swapped out via those side panels or some removable panels on top.
For the turbolift, there's no reason the car itself has to be perpendicular to the other decks when going thru the pylon. Maybe it rotates to where it's top is pointing towards the front of the ship. Or maybe there's just a 0G tube thru there. (I keep picturing the tubes from Futurama!
)And the windows, I wouldn't let their location limit you. Maybe it's an extra tall deck with multiple rows of windows? Personally I like the idea of non-standard deck heights, especially since real-world ships (other than cruise ships) rarely have two decks the same height, mostly due to machinery and space constraints.
But, this is your build, and I'm looking forward to see how you make it work!
Updates (last of the day):
We can't assume that this would have the same multi-mission abilities like the Constitution or Miranda. I think this is a more dedicated class, hence the role it always serves in: science.
I agree about the turbolift, and have had lots of thoughts about it. But let's see where the build goes.
Decks? If you look again, you will find I have a few "tall" decks on this ship...
More soon.
Just a few random thoughts...
The pod may be modular, but that doesn't have to mean the entire pod gets swapped out. Maybe just the internal sensors or whatever get swapped out via those side panels or some removable panels on top.
For the turbolift, there's no reason the car itself has to be perpendicular to the other decks when going thru the pylon. Maybe it rotates to where it's top is pointing towards the front of the ship. Or maybe there's just a 0G tube thru there. (I keep picturing the tubes from Futurama!
And the windows, I wouldn't let their location limit you. Maybe it's an extra tall deck with multiple rows of windows? Personally I like the idea of non-standard deck heights, especially since real-world ships (other than cruise ships) rarely have two decks the same height, mostly due to machinery and space constraints.
But, this is your build, and I'm looking forward to see how you make it work!
We can't assume that this would have the same multi-mission abilities like the Constitution or Miranda. I think this is a more dedicated class, hence the role it always serves in: science.
I agree about the turbolift, and have had lots of thoughts about it. But let's see where the build goes.
Decks? If you look again, you will find I have a few "tall" decks on this ship...
More soon.
Oh, I was thinking that you had modeled docking ports on your own reference model that you had some source for your scale. 137th Gebirg's post explained that they are conjectural so that cleared it up for me
I'm aware that the Movie era offered no visible docking ports that were visible on screen. But yeah, there are TNG episodes where you can see the docking port and an MSD of the deck layout.
Thank you, that was a rationalised version of the Oberth - a previous attempt. Going to be a bit more canon this time (well, except for scale).Oh, I was thinking that you had modeled docking ports on your own reference model that you had some source for your scale. 137th Gebirg's post explained that they are conjectural so that cleared it up for me
I'm aware that the Movie era offered no visible docking ports that were visible on screen. But yeah, there are TNG episodes where you can see the docking port and an MSD of the deck layout.
Think of the SURTAS ships of the United States Navy with their towed array sonar...
One of my long term thoughts about what are generally labeled warp nacelles as containers holding a like system.
Problem: stringing out kilometers long lines of sensor packages, may have to be jettisoned - fast, which is a better explanation for why the Grissom, was so easily destroyed; it was pinned down.
One of my long term thoughts about what are generally labeled warp nacelles as containers holding a like system.
Problem: stringing out kilometers long lines of sensor packages, may have to be jettisoned - fast, which is a better explanation for why the Grissom, was so easily destroyed; it was pinned down.
No updates at the mo - away from my PC. Will be back this afternoon! (hurah!)
But I thought I would share this:
Project Log – USS Apollo, NCC-627
Oberth-Class Evolution Refit
By JSnaith
After years of sitting with the Oberth design — admiring its unique silhouette but wrestling with its internal contradictions — I’ve returned with a new take: the Apollo, a general-purpose science vessel scaled up and reinterpreted for logic, realism, and presence.
Key Redesign Goals:
Next Steps (after the model is built):
Deck plans are on the horizon. I’m still finalising lab placement and internal layout. She'll remain a science ship through and through — just no longer a fragile outlier. She's a ship built for wonder.
Happy to hear feedback from fellow Oberth observers, kitbashers, and canon rationalists!
USS Apollo NCC-627 – "Knowledge Illuminates the Stars."
More later.
But I thought I would share this:
Project Log – USS Apollo, NCC-627
Oberth-Class Evolution Refit
By JSnaith
After years of sitting with the Oberth design — admiring its unique silhouette but wrestling with its internal contradictions — I’ve returned with a new take: the Apollo, a general-purpose science vessel scaled up and reinterpreted for logic, realism, and presence.
Key Redesign Goals:
- Rescaled to 250 meters: Aligns windows with deck heights and allows for proper internal layout.
- Turbolift-access pylons: The connecting struts now include a slender, embedded conduit for turbolift and systems routing between hulls.
- Rebalanced role: Though still unmistakably scientific in purpose, the Apollo is equipped with limited defensive capability — a probe-focused torpedo bay and phaser arrays inspired by the Star Trek Online version — to reflect her self-sufficient mission profile.
- Expanded interior logic: Dedicated lab space, crew support areas, and modular mission bays. The design respects the original’s mood and silhouette while strengthening its credibility as a long-range vessel.
Next Steps (after the model is built):
Deck plans are on the horizon. I’m still finalising lab placement and internal layout. She'll remain a science ship through and through — just no longer a fragile outlier. She's a ship built for wonder.
Happy to hear feedback from fellow Oberth observers, kitbashers, and canon rationalists!
USS Apollo NCC-627 – "Knowledge Illuminates the Stars."
More later.
Last edited:
And now for a reveal:
Onto the meat - been working out if a: I can get a turbo lift to travel down the pylons, and b; make it look that's always how it was meant to be. This has meant adding some structures to the internal face of the pylons so that a lift can indeed get down there, without having to flip to an odd angle (stays upright the entire time) and add some structure for the nacelle feeds:
I very much feel I've cracked this idea, and got it working - this opens up a lot of possibilities for the lower hull. Again, this works better on the scaled-up version, so I'm sticking with it. I have also been able to confirm that a full-sized TMP-style bridge can fit in that dome, and that's going to be the "vision" going forward. I'll keep the dome as is, but the bridge will occupy the centre of it.
Comments welcome, more later or possibly tomorrow.
Onto the meat - been working out if a: I can get a turbo lift to travel down the pylons, and b; make it look that's always how it was meant to be. This has meant adding some structures to the internal face of the pylons so that a lift can indeed get down there, without having to flip to an odd angle (stays upright the entire time) and add some structure for the nacelle feeds:
I very much feel I've cracked this idea, and got it working - this opens up a lot of possibilities for the lower hull. Again, this works better on the scaled-up version, so I'm sticking with it. I have also been able to confirm that a full-sized TMP-style bridge can fit in that dome, and that's going to be the "vision" going forward. I'll keep the dome as is, but the bridge will occupy the centre of it.
Comments welcome, more later or possibly tomorrow.
Hmmm. APOLLO would really like your mentioning of him...
See 'Pilgrim of Eternity'.
Hmmm. For the last few days I have been doing a rewatch of DS-9, I wonder how he would handle the Founders...
See 'Pilgrim of Eternity'.
Hmmm. For the last few days I have been doing a rewatch of DS-9, I wonder how he would handle the Founders...
Thank you - and no need, I am an avid TOS follower ;-) ('tis what I grew up with)
This really is my last update of the day. Had some mesh errors to fix, and wanted to make a start on the nacelles;
More tomorrow :-)
Great rendering so far. It’s definitely coming together nicely.
Thank you. I've done a better study of the studio model this time and found some very accurate plans to use for reference when building. Some things surprised me: the number of greebles and the level of detail in some areas. Not sure about the greebles, it goes against Jeffries' ethos, the outside of the ships should be "clean" - but the Miranda has them as well, so there is a precedent. I will think about how best to implement them today, as there are some that should be on the inner surface of the pylons.
Today's plan when I get to the big rig -
Finish the pylons and texture them. Demonstrate the bridge module and how it now fits. Build in more detail.
As a BTW, the name - Apollo - came about because I have been binge-watching lots of TV stuff about NASA's Apollo Program. I was thinking of using one of the Astronauts' names, but the entire program was just an awesome achievement. The ship logo was created, not by me, hands up - I spent a couple of hours using Co-Pilot and having a back-and-forth over it. I directed, it did the work. Kudos to it.
Anyway, enough waffle. More later.
Heh... yeah, I believe that was a direct artifact of ILM taking over the VFX production of Trek movies, starting with TWOK, and on into current times. The Excelsior's lower cargo area in the bottom-rear of the 2H is a perfect example of this new design aesthetic - looking nearly identical to the interior of an Imperial Star Destroyer docking bay, complete with the exposed structural ribs, grappling armature and access port. They liked to greeble-up their designs, effectively ending the Jefferies era of the clean design.
Not necessarily bad, mind you, just "young minds, fresh ideas" and all that...
Thankfully the Oberth doesn't have many areas of greebles.Heh... yeah, I believe that was a direct artifact of ILM taking over the VFX production of Trek movies, starting with TWOK, and on into current times. The Excelsior's lower cargo area in the bottom-rear of the 2H is a perfect example of this new design aesthetic - looking nearly identical to the interior of an Imperial Star Destroyer docking bay, complete with the exposed structural ribs, grappling armature and access port. They liked to greeble-up their designs, effectively ending the Jefferies era of the clean design.
Not necessarily bad, mind you, just "young minds, fresh ideas" and all that...
