Nebula Bonchune vs Sutherland variants

[137th Gebirg]

For those interested, I did up some schematics of the variants that had been seen throughout the series (and collected a few others for comparison). Some of them are clearly not quite as accurate without good source material, like the 4-engine variant (3 versions!), but best-guess scenarios. Dukhat's already seen these, as his highly informed input helped solidify some of the more shakey aspects of some of the study models.


Here they are:

• USS Melbourne (from the battle at Wolf 359 in TNG's "Best of Both Worlds Pt. II")
• Nebula Prototype Variant 1 (Riker's Desk Model from TNG's "Future Imperfect")
• Nebula Prototype Variant 2 (Sisko's Desk Model from DS9's "'Til Death Do Us Part")
• Standard Nebula Class (seen throughout TNG, DS9 and Voyager, drawn by Adam Heinbuch)
• USS Phoenix (from TNG's "The Wounded")
• USS Bonchune (CG version from Voyager's "Message in a Bottle", rendered by Doug Drexler)

Enjoy!

 

[CharlieZardoz]

While I've nothing against what ASDB did with the conjectural designs, I don't consider them canon and a lot of them don't mesh up designwise with what they should be based on what we know of starship evolution. for example the Andromeda registries fit in line with the Galaxy/Nebula era rather than the Intrepid or Nova prototypes which is a design that looks more at home in the 70,000's like the Bradbury. ASDB has nice concepts and all but are works of fiction. I'm more inclined to believe that the concept designs or sketches that the show produced while on air via Sternbach, Probert, Jager or Drexler might have very well been used for something if the need for it arose. Like how the Excelsior study models or the bashed up enterprise 1701 or that Talarian warship wound up in shots when someone in the effects department needed to grab something to fill a scene. I'm not suggesting these actually are the conjectural ship designs more like they could be if anyone decided to go back and write a more comprehensive Trek encyclopedia taking some unused ideas and connecting the dots to offer a better picture of starship evolution. I'd rather use what was made by the creators back in that time period than something made up by fans but that's me.

Nice schematics BTW

 

[Dukhat]

• Nebula Prototype Variant 2 (Sisko's Desk Model from DS9's "'Til Death Do Us Part")

Actually, this schematic is incorrect, as there is actually a piece that connects across the top of the two smaller nacelles instead of a little tower sticking out above and between them.

 

[Ithekro]

Was there a better picture of it from when it was on set on Deep Space Nine?

 

[CharlieZardoz]

http://flare.solareclipse.net/cgi2/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=print_topic;f=6;t=002767 I think the correct schematic of the Melbourne proto-nebula might be on this page no?

 

[CharlieZardoz]

http://www.ex-astris-scientia.org/observations/thewounded/25-thewounded-r.jpg And this is the model not sure if there is a better picture of it.

 

[137th Gebirg]

• Nebula Prototype Variant 2 (Sisko's Desk Model from DS9's "'Til Death Do Us Part")

Actually, this schematic is incorrect, as there is actually a piece that connects across the top of the two smaller nacelles instead of a little tower sticking out above and between them.

Cool - I'll have to change that at some point. Not surprising that I got that wrong - the one pic I had to draw from wasn't very good in the details department. Maybe when the remastered DS9 blu-rays come out it will give me a better idea of what's there.

 

[Dukhat]

Was there a better picture of it from when it was on set on Deep Space Nine?

Cool - I'll have to change that at some point. Not surprising that I got that wrong - the one pic I had to draw from wasn't very good in the details department. Maybe when the remastered DS9 blu-rays come out it will give me a better idea of what's there.

I have a screencap of the model where it shows this mysterious little piece that was added on to the model, and that Bernd mistakenly thought was the AWACS pod that the regular Nebula has, only with a nub sticking out on top. If I can find the cap I'll post it here to show what I'm talking about.

 

[137th Gebirg]

Awesome! Very much looking forward to seeing that...

 

[Dukhat]

http://www.ex-astris-scientia.org/observations/thewounded/25-thewounded-r.jpg

Luckily the model was used as set dressing in TNG's "The Wounded," so thanks to HD, we can see that the model was modified with this extra piece even before it was used as set dressing in DS9.

 

[CharlieZardoz]

Deviantart has a decent Proto-Nebula rending called USS Destiny, not sure how accurate it is though

http://mckinneyc.deviantart.com/art/A-Nebula-s-Destiny-359590066

http://mckinneyc.deviantart.com/art/Dax-s-Destiny-336677051

 

[Dukhat]

It's a good attempt, but there are still differences to the actual kitbashed model, mainly that the saucer should have the same impulse engines as the Enterprise-D has because it was taken from the Ent-D model kit (and as far as we know Ed Miarecki didn't cover them up or make the saucer a complete oval). Also, the small nacelles should be even farther back IMHO, and their pylons should curve in the opposite direction per this pic:

http://vignette4.wikia.nocookie.net...ision/latest?cb=20130213235923&path-prefix=en

 

[CharlieZardoz]

True true the best pics Ive found for the proto nebula kitbash are these pics below however I believe it's of the second model and from what I've heard the two kitbashes weren't identical so not even sure if it counts as an accurate comparison. Never understood why the Nebula didn't have impulse engines there was room for them only two little reddish spots with no lighting that could be anything.

http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net...ision/latest?cb=20060629023517&path-prefix=nl

http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net...ision/latest?cb=20140122140116&path-prefix=en

http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net...ision/latest?cb=20131014234027&path-prefix=en

http://www.shipschematics.net/startrek/images/federation/tacticalcruiser_melbourne.jpg

BTW does anyone know what happened to any of the kitbashed models? I find it hard to believe they were all just thrown out.

 

[137th Gebirg]

^^^ That last one was done by me last year based on the Wolf 359 "Melbourne" version of the bash (not the desk model) with the small engines set further back and closer together and, as Dukhat correctly points out, the little nacelle connecting pylons should be swapped so that the curvature is reversed from what it currently is (can't believe I didn't see that before).

As for the desk model in Sisko's and Maxwell's offices, There definitely does appear to be a connecting piece between the 2 small nacelles, but I have no idea how it's shaped or what that little nub is on the top. Probably a weapons pod of some kind, but even in HD it's nigh-impossible to get any idea of details there. I really wish someone got a good photo of the thing - particularly a 3/4 or dorsal view. Probably just going to give it some more "artistic license" when I go to redo those orthos. I really want to try to get them as close to accurate as is allowable by current source material. Many thanks to Dukhat for drawing attention to certain architectural aspects of these designs. Definitely inflaming my starship-OCD to cover all these different variants!

 

[CharlieZardoz]

On a different note this article exists showing the USS Nebula as a Honshu/Bonchune style variant. While I've no idea if this article is anything close to canon it makes me wonder which came first the Honshu/Bonchune version that is closer to the Galaxy class or the Sutherland/Leeds style (the studio model). The registries seem to suggest the CGI variant is older suggesting perhaps Starfleet simplified the Nebula design as it evolved then mixed them up later on? I'm also opened to the idea that the CGI model is a retcon and possibly not a legitimate variant at all. Anyone care to speculate?

http://www.neutralzone.de/database/Federation/Starfleet/Nebula_USS_Nebula02.htm

 

[Dukhat]

According to Memory Beta, that CGI image was from the official Star Trek Communicator magazine, so the "U.S.S. Nebula" and the registry were probably changed from the Bonchune's after the fact (presuming that this was Rob Bonchune's model.)

As for chronological registries, my theory (based on some spreadsheets I wrote up which I can post if there's interest), is that ships with registries of 5XXXX, 6XXXX and 7XXXX were actually produced together instead of chronologically, so it's entirely possible that a ship with a 7XXXX reg could be commissioned before a ship with a 6XXXX reg. It's my "batch theory."

 

[Unicron]

I like a "batch" system myself in part for that reason. Trying to organize some of the official and non-official registries into an implied chronology would be quite a headache, if not an exercise in futility.

 

[CharlieZardoz]

I got ya! I do have your notes Dukat and feel you've thought this stuff out very well. The batch theory makes a lot of sense especially for the newer designs and on that assumption I guess all the variations to the Nebula were built side by side with various names and numbers slapped on them at one point or another with no real logic behind it. Still doesn't explain the purposes of each variation and why they exist other than the fact that we know they kept changing the studio model throughout the series and only had one at any given point lol

My main reason for curiosity is trying to determine if there is any way through looking at the registry numbers what variants the Nebula's which were not seen on screen might be (ie. Ulysses, Monitor, Merrimack, Proxima and Hera)

 

[Ithekro]

There is the batch theory. I've come to like the idea that the number indicate where the ship was built (yard/system theory). Where the first two to three numbers in the registry are to show where the ship was built, thus giving the number a purpose rather than just being there. For example the 1700s are built in the Sol System. The 74000s may also have been built in the Sol System over a hundred years later. Each system getting another set of ID number as the old one is used up. By 100s at first then perhaps by thousands later on. This would include the 0000s as Sol System as a cheat to have USS Kelvin be NCC-0514 while also having a NCC-514.

 

[QuinnTV]

This would include the 0000s as Sol System as a cheat to have USS Kelvin be NCC-0514 while also having a NCC-514.

Now, that's an interesting way to think about that.....