Request feedback on this starship design

[Scott1768]

Hi folks!

I'm a new member on this board, though I've lurked here for quite some time. I would appreciate some feedback on this starship design:

Project Logo:
http://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/197536_10150144591649489_312939564488_6503597_1764006_n.jpg

Profile:
http://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/197294_10150142884104489_312939564488_6484992_1262673_n.jpg

Plan View:
http://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/188441_10150136184889489_312939564488_6431018_5841638_n.jpg

Nacelle Detail:
http://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/198902_10150145833479489_312939564488_6515548_8118321_n.jpg


I am working on a complete set of these plans for both a Schematic Packet and a "Crew Orientation Manual." Any opinions or feedback would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Scott

 

[Kaiser]

Very good version of Jackills Explorer class there

So far so good on those

 

[Scott1768]

Very good version of Jackills Explorer class there

So far so good on those

Thanks! Actually, though, it's my design. Eric published it with my permission.

Scott

 

[Cary L. Brown]

Since the writing on your prints is effectively illegible (a compromise to make them small enough not to lock up webpages, I know!)... it would be nice to hear a bit more about the ship. Pictures are great, but by themself they don't say much to me.

What is the role of this ship? Timeframe (TMP-ish, but it could be near TMP or a LOT later on)? What are the various details, and what purpose do they serve?

I LOVE ship designs, especially well-thought-out ones... but so far all I can see are some nice-looking 2D drawings. The ship "looks cool" but you weren't asking about the "coolness of appearance" you were asking for critiques of the design, right?

So... tell us about the design.

 

[Kaiser]

Very good version of Jackills Explorer class there

So far so good on those

Thanks! Actually, though, it's my design. Eric published it with my permission.

Scott

Well thats good to know

Your design was actually the only single ship Data sheet i've bought from him someday i hope i can afford to buy his last 4 books instead of spending over 1K on the rest of his datasheets

 

[Mysterion]

How about a larger version so we can read the crew-breakdown on the plan view? It is an interesting design, and I would be interested in seeing your completed plans and manual.

 

[Albertese]

Without being able to read anything, my first thought is, "Neat. I like this," but my second thought was, "Woah! That's a lot of phasers!" Maybe too many? Maybe they're not phasers?

--Alex

 

[BillJ]

Nacelles are too close together... looks like a pizza cutter in the top down view.

 

[backstept]

my only crits are in execution, not design
I'd tone down the grid background, and find a way to make your leaders less distracting . . . it's hard to see what's what with all those pointers

 

[Wingsley]

Nacelles are too close together... looks like a pizza cutter in the top down view.

Agreed. Each nacelle needs to be moved outboard from the fuselage by at least 1 to 2 nacelle-widths.

Otherwise, very interesting design. Where's the navi-deflector?

 

[sojourner]

I think it's that big orange thing in the side view.

 

[Mage]

Personally, I wouldn't change anything when it comes to nacelle-placement. I think it looks pretty funky.

Some bigger rez pictures would help.

 

[Cary L. Brown]

Nacelles are too close together... looks like a pizza cutter in the top down view.

See, this doesn't bother me at all...

I've always had this idea about warp nacelle placement... the closer together they are, the more efficient the engines are in straight-line flight, but the less maneuverable the vessel is.

In some cases, the ship is really never expected to have to make sudden at-warp course corrections and certainly never to enter combat, so they put the "guts" for two separate "nacelles" into a single nacelle... it's very efficient flying to a trouble spot, and much lighter at sublight (so there are sublight manuevering benefits) but in warp-combat, it's not going to do all that well.

This works for the FJ scout design, of course... it flies way out front, sits there and watches, and runs away fast if trouble approaches. It also CAN work for the FJ destroyer, if you assume that this "destroyer" isn't a warship as it is a "safe spacelanes patrol vessel" or a "strike" element of a large fleet.

It also works for the Kelvin, by the way... which I assume is actually a colonial transport vessel (hence the massive embarked personnel list, the huge hangar, etc). The Kelvin loads up people and supplies, flies out to a planet to be colonized, disembarks the colonists and their gear, and provides local security in orbit until the colony is established.

Now, for other ships... like this one... I see this as a "sprinter" ship, with more maneuverability than a single-nacelle design but really designed to fly long distances to known points, and if engaged to "run away" fast to another known point.

I get the impression that this ship has a big advanced-sensor-suite down below, and while it has plenty of launchers, I would presume that a sizable portion of that facility is dedicated to probe systems, with the torpedo complement mainly there to ensure that the ship can effectively escape from any hostilities.

This would be a "deep-range, hostile territory" observation platform, basically... like a forward observer for fleet actions.

That's what this ship looks like to me. I'm curious what the creator had in mind, though...

My one big qualm with what I see... the impulse engine placement is really bad. Unless, of course, there's another impulse exhaust down lower (say, between the two nacelles?) which can balance out the forces so the ship can fly straight!

 

[Kaiser]

My only Question now is this Manual going to be $0.00 or cost me some over $1.00 to download or own?

 

[Mysterion]

My only Question now is this Manual going to be $0.00 or cost me some over $1.00 to download or own?

Good question. Also, is there any sort of definite "when" for this manual?

 

[SonicRanger]

So you want it to look like it has a dick in the side view? It reminds me of the "donkey dick" antenna on an F4, A7, or C130.

 

[Albertese]

I'm not concerned with the phallic appearance of that part (though now that it's been mentioned, I'll never be able to unsee it.) But from a purely technical standpoint it does seem like in that position it'd be blocking a pretty big viewing angle for the planetary sensor array...

--Alex

 

[Cary L. Brown]

apparently, the OP is not following his thread?

 

[Scott1768]

apparently, the OP is not following his thread?

LOL Yes, the OP *is* following his thread, but has not had a chance to put together an in-depth response of any substance. I intend to respond to everyone before the weekend, and add some higher-resolution pics. Thanks for your patience, guys, and for the comments so far. Keep'em coming!

Scott

 

[Herkimer Jitty]

So you want it to look like it has a dick in the side view? It reminds me of the "donkey dick" antenna on an F4, A7, or C130.

See, I don't mind that. Every now and then, a piece of equipment is gonna look... unfortunate. My advice for the OP is to roll with it and have a bit of fun with how Starfleet personnel might refer to their ship.