My TOS shuttlecraft...one last time...

[Warped9]

This project got sidelined for quite a while. But now I'm getting the urge to finish it. I've got all the exterior views done. I've got most of the interior views done. I've got the inner hull external views done. I have the history and specifications done. I have the project notes done. I have the starflight formulas done.

Next is to do the structural spaceframe and then integrate that with the interior cross section views.

I've decided to scale down the project and set aside my Class H designs simply because I'm not sold completely on anything I've come up with. Also, if the TAS episodes had actually been done as live-action then except for the aquashuttle a standard Class F would have served perfectly well in the "Slaver Weapon" and "Mudd's Passion."

Class F exterior: 6 sheets
Class F interior: 6 sheets
Class F Lifeshell Inner Hull: 2 sheets
Class F Structural Spaceframe: 2 sheets
U.S.S. Enterprise Class F Complement: 1 sheet
Class F History & Specifications: 1 sheet
Warp and Impulse Flight Formulas: 1 sheet
Class F Project Notes: 1 sheet

Total = 20 sheets

The only way I'd expand this project again would be to go ahead with my take on the Enterprise's hangar and flight deck facilities. I'll really have to think about that.

For anyone who would like a recap on how this project got started, progressed and evolved to its current stage go here: http://www.trekbbs.com/showthread.php?t=31724 and http://www.trekbbs.com/showthread.php?t=50073

Hard to believe this project initially began almost exactly four years ago. This project was undertaken to create a realistic vehicle that integrated the three disparate version of the TOS shuttlecraft seen onscreen: the fullsize exterior mockup, the fullsize interior set and the "flying" filming miniature. The goal was not to create an exhaustively faithful recreation of filming sets but a believeable "whole" ship.

This is where the project stands at present:

BTW, Phil Broad has been gracious enough to host this project on his site:
http://cloudster.com/Sets&Vehicles/...ans/Raymond_Lefebvre/RaymondLefebvrePlans.htm


And here is where I left my conjectural "real" version of the TAS Copernicus. I've designated this design a Class F3 since it is a variant of an existing platform.

 

[Kaiser]

very cool stuff

 

[Warped9]

I must say that sometime ago I reread both original threads from start to finish and it made for some fascinating reading reviewing all the remarks and contributions from various posters. I have to say that my adaptation's current state was influenced by sound insight from the discussions.

 

[Captain Robert April]

Another aspect that would make the Class H work from a production standpoint is that the existing interior set could be utilized, with minor modifications to the exterior mockup and the miniature.

 

[Warped9]

Another aspect that would make the Class H work from a production standpoint is that the existing interior set could be utilized, with minor modifications to the exterior mockup and the miniature.

This is a very good point. Considering how adept the TOS production crew were able to cleverly redress sets without great expense the interior of the Class F3 would be the easiest part of depicting a live-action shuttlecraft variant.

Consider that the exterior of my variant isn't much different than the Class F. But I could afford to expand the interior some because of the double hull setup I allowed for on the Class F. And the fact that the sublight impulse drive is slung under the hull rather than aft affording a longer cabin length.

I've been giving the structural spaceframe a lot of thought on how best to approach it. And I've got some Photoshop work to consider.

 

[Warped9]

I suspect there will be a fair number of asymmetrical pieces in the spaceframe.

 

[Warped9]

Here's what I'm thinking at this point. The rim/stabilizer that runs around the widest point of the main hull will be a major structural member, minus the section where the hatch is located. This perimeter member will also extend outward at the sides to form the structure for the port/starboard stabilizers. Attached to this perimeter frame will be structural members that surround the inner hull--the outside edges of these will be the same except being incrementally larger with each member moving aftwards. However, the inside shape of these members will be distinct to fit the asymmetrical shape of the inner hull life shell. Additionally there will be longitudinal members that fit lengthwise to the inner hull.

 

[Nero's Shadow]

Holy halo,s warped9 these are brilliant keep up the great work.

 

[Warped9]

Here is my alternative for a "real" shuttlecraft Copernicus from TAS.

The thing about this design is it takes familiar elements of the TAS design and adapts them towards something that could work in a design that can actually be accommodated within the Enterprise's hangar facilities. The downside is that it isn't likely TOS could have afforded to build this (even in a fictitious 4th season) because of its elaborate shape. However, one way to have possibly pulled it off would be to have built a miniature "flying" replica as well as redress the Galileo interior set and perhaps construct part or a facade of the aft and/or side section of the ship.

Hmm... It would be kinda cool to see these two alternatives rendered in 3D. Anyone willing to try?

 

[publiusr]

The guys in scifi-meshes might want to take a look at that.

Other shuttles:

Matt's originals...
http://www.foundation3d.com/forums/showthread.php?t+4839
http://trekbbs.com/showthread.php?t=78081

http://www.scifi-meshes.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid+71189&d=1248755753
http://federationreference.prophpbb.com/topic397.html

http://www.treknology.org/shuttles1.htm

Misc.
http://www.ex-astris-scientia.org/schematics/tas-chart.jpg
http://www.ex-astris-scientia.org/schematics/stxi_ships.htm

Now if the shuttlebay were vacated, (or a JJ giant version of the Enterprise in TAS, that would be fine. Then too, there is another way to look at things, in that an arguement can be made that the Enterprise might have shuttles stored off site at certain bases.

These might have an Enterprise name associated with it--for recruiting's sake--but it was never seriously expected that all craft HAD to be carried aboard at any one time as is seen on screen.

A compromise might be to have a long shuttle backed into the bay to fill it for a short while.

 

[Irishman]

Here is my alternative for a "real" shuttlecraft Copernicus from TAS.

The thing about this design is it takes familiar elements of the TAS design and adapts them towards something that could work in a design that can actually be accommodated within the Enterprise's hangar facilities. The downside is that it isn't likely TOS could have afforded to build this (even in a fictitious 4th season) because of its elaborate shape. However, one way to have possibly pulled it off would be to have built a miniature "flying" replica as well as redress the Galileo interior set and perhaps construct part or a facade of the aft and/or side section of the ship.

Hmm... It would be kinda cool to see these two alternatives rendered in 3D. Anyone willing to try?

I really love your version of the Copernicus! The more curvilinear bow really bridges the gap between what was sseen in the TOS/TAS period with the TNG shuttle from Season 1. (I know you're not a big fan of the direction Trek took for the TNG period, but you really have come up with a VERY plausible ancestor design for them).

Bravo!

 

[Warped9]

Here's a nugget. Many of us are awaiting the Haynes Operating Manual or whatever it's called featuring the TOS Enterprise and tech. OF course, the shuttlecraft will be in it.

Well, seems a pic of their take on the shuttlecraft is online ...and I've been studying it.

Looking closely at this three things leap out at me. First looking at the side panels of the upper hull they're bent just like the old AMT model kit. Sorry, but this is a huge inconsistency with what we saw onscreen. And it doesn't gel with the construction drawings.

Secondly, there is no aft cabin. The main cabin fills the entire interior. This is certainly not the shuttlecraft we saw onscreen.

Thirdly, the chairs don't have the right bases. They're the bases of the AMT kit.

I'm still curious to look this thing over, but at the risk of sounding self-important these guys have little to show me in regards to the TOS shuttlecraft. I think I figured it out better than they did. The only thing they did similar to me was give the craft a double hull.

Here's where I'm going.

 

[Kaiser]

Such awesome work in this thread

 

[TIN_MAN]

I like how they merged the inner and outer hulls, as evidenced by the edge of the door/hatch. Other than that, I don't see anything inspired or inspiring.

Your versions much much better Warped9!

 

[Shaw]

Here's a nugget. Many of us are awaiting the Haynes Operating Manual or whatever it's called featuring the TOS Enterprise and tech...

I'm still curious to look this thing over, but at the risk of sounding self-important these guys have little to show me in regards to the TOS shuttlecraft. I think I figured it out better than they did.

Well, you can now see why I haven't been more enthusiastic about the release of the Haynes book. I think most of us have moved beyond this type of commercial stuff.

But it is sad when fan/amateur efforts clearly out shine "professional" ones. And your work here is a perfect example of this.

 

[B.J.]

First looking at the side panels of the upper hull they're bent just like the old AMT model kit. Sorry, but this is a huge inconsistency with what we saw onscreen.

I'm not sure I understand what you mean here. Could you clarify this a bit for me?

 

[Warped9]

First looking at the side panels of the upper hull they're bent just like the old AMT model kit. Sorry, but this is a huge inconsistency with what we saw onscreen.

I'm not sure I understand what you mean here. Could you clarify this a bit for me?

The sides of the TOS shuttlecraft are flat from fore to aft. But on this rendering, just like the old AMT kit, the sides have an angle to them about midway along the stabilizers.

 

[publiusr]

Have you ever thought about modifying the Caracal class. Frankly, Having similarly shaped shuttles flying out of a larger version of themselves would look..fitting somehow. Your version of the long range shuttle looks best emerging from the Connie.