The Enterprise...sorta...

[Warped9]

This the best image I have of the original TMP image.



Note that if there was any detail it's been essentially washed out. But I have seen an enhanced version of this pic and that doesn't really add any more detail either other than being somewhat sharper. Note also that where the Metaflier pod should be now looks like a more oblong shaped pod. It could be a distotion of the reproduced image or it could be exactly as it looks like. You can also see (or not) there's no distinctive detailing on the large ring support structure so whatever detailing Mark Rademaker or Fantastic Plastic Models added to this design they basically did their own interpretation. Also the shape of the main forward pod doesn't look as bullet shaped as it does in MJ's plan drawings.

Another interesting note: On one of MJ's drawings of this design there is a notation that the stated dimensions given on the drawing "are not accurate." Interesting. Perhaps they were just approximations until he actually worked things out in more detail---that is if he ever did.

 

[Albertese]

Nice.

Interesting how it looks like a jet of rocket flames coming from the aft of the center part... Maybe this had a conventional rocket engine with the ring-shaped warp drive as just a huge experiment...

I have half a mind to try to scratchbuild this thing as a physical model. Probably not for a while though... I have too many projects going at the moment already...

--Alex

 

[Tiberius]

So we begin...

Clearly not a Jewish design.

Awesome.

 

[Patrickivan]

LOL The plans say "METAFIER"... Not flier.

That said, maybe that pod, as seen in the illustration from TMP, is a detachable shuttle after-all. Though not so primitive as to minimize the tech involved at building such a fragile looking ship that travels faster than the speed of light without destroying its occupants.

Albertese- I agree in that it almost makes more sense for the design being a test bed vehicle, rather than being an exploration vessel.

 

[F. King Daniel]

You might find the Quantum Mechanix model of Enterprise.XCV-330 an interesting reference, made for Admiral Marcus' "History of Spacefight" display in Star Trek Into Darkness. IIRC it was John Eaves who picked out what ships would be part of the display.

 

[Warped9]

You might find the Quantum Mechanix model of Enterprise.XCV-330 an interesting reference, made for Admiral Marcus' "History of Spacefight" display in Star Trek Into Darkness. IIRC it was John Eaves who picked out what ships would be part of the display.

Yes, I know. It's been mentioned several times in this thread already. Given the lack of detail on MJ's drawings it, too, is just an interpretation.

Sorry, don't mean to be testy, but a head cold gave me a restless night and I presently feel like crap.

 

[Clawhammer]

Looking good so far!

The difficult part of the neck/enviropod blend is that the 2 joined cylinders have to connect to 1 cylinder (the neck) in such a way that it seems to fade/flows together. (Perhaps a 60's or maybe even 50's flow)

Andrew Probert and myself have been wondering about that transition, the blueprints show somewhat how, but it isnt exactly clear. I wanted this to be a 100% valid transition (A parametric and not manual flow.)

If you are indeed creating your own intepretation, you might want to consider fixing that (in my eyes) engineering flaw. If I had to design this ship again (oh wait...) I would center the neck on the upper part of the cylinder and hang the lower area entirely. Now it covers just 5 or 10% of the lower cylinder, making it a hell to blend right. Also makes very little sense, the solution is costly and does not really do much for the structural integrity.

Just for fun, the other side showing what I mean: http://www.ewe-squad.com/xcv330/envirpod3.jpg
(An older work in progress shot)



The model in Into Darkness is based on my version btw.

This looks like fun! Nice work so far, keep it up! Busy busy, but will take a peek every once in a while.

 

[Warped9]

^^ That's what I'm talking about---it's just weird. And that's why I have redesigned and simplified (I think) that transition. My version doesn't cut into the upper main pod like that.

 

[Patrickivan]

^
I don’t know, I think your version is pretty spot on as far as how the forward pods are put together (with the exception of the change to the metafier design). Putting the top pod in line with the boom is more an aesthetic point rather than from an engineering view. If you were going to do that, I think you're going beyond interpretation and moving into re-inventing.

Not that there's anything wrong with that. Personally, I see nothing wrong with either approach.

 

[Warped9]

^
I don’t know, I think your version is pretty spot on as far as how the forward pods are put together (with the exception of the change to the metafier design). Putting the top pod in line with the boom is more an aesthetic point rather than from an engineering view. If you were going to do that, I think you're going beyond interpretation and moving into re-inventing.

Not that there's anything wrong with that. Personally, I see nothing wrong with either approach.

No, I left the pods where they are. My transition section (between the boom and the pods) is simplified and doesn't cut into the main pod as MJ's does.

 

[Warped9]

First view with the rings in place. But the three connecting sections are not done yet.

 

[Albertese]

Nice! Really looks the part. I am looking forward to seeing your surface detail.

--Alex

 

[Warped9]

Update. Got the ring connecting sections in although I still need to add a bit of detail to them. Actually I can see quite a bit of detailing yet to go on this puppy. But at least it's recognizable and progress is happening even if slowly.

 

[Irishman]

Beautiful

 

[Kaiser]

Awesome

 

[Warped9]

While I work on this it's gotten me thinking about Cochrane's protoype and an idea is taking form in my imagination. It's something I'd like to explore. Yes, it would be a ringship concept rather than a necelle based idea, and it won't look like either of the prototypes that have been seen either in FC or the first edition of the Star Trek Chronology (which, personally, I think is the much better of the two).

Meanwhile here's a small update. Finished the detail on the ring connector sections as well as begun detailing of the main ring support.

 

[Sarvek]

Looking good!

 

[B.J.]

Are you going to end up doing anything different to the back of the crew pods? A flat plate is not wrong from an engineering standpoint, but it just doesn't look good to my eye. Seems rather abrupt.

Off-topic, when did you change your signature? I seem to remember it reading "STAR TREK: 1964-1979", but now it's "STAR TREK: 1964-1991". Something about TUC make you change your mind? Just curious.

 

[Warped9]

Are you going to end up doing anything different to the back of the crew pods? A flat plate is not wrong from an engineering standpoint, but it just doesn't look good to my eye. Seems rather abrupt.

Off-topic, when did you change your signature? I seem to remember it reading "STAR TREK: 1964-1979", but now it's "STAR TREK: 1964-1991". Something about TUC make you change your mind? Just curious.

The first thing is I've already changed the back of the pods in that I gave them a convex shape rather than leave them flat. And, yes, I'm thinking of adding something extra. As I have said before Matt Jefferies' drawings of this concept leave a lot blank beyond the shape, size and proportions of the major components. So from there it becomes pure interpretation of what should be added as has already been done by others. So I will seek my own interpretation as well.

Yes, I did change my signature sometime back. It isn't meant to be a reflection of embracing the later films, but rather finding that there are things in early TNG that I liked. Citing 1991 also indicates the cut-off point when I feel Trek started to really slide and get mired in tired and disappointing formula, which is strictly my own opinion, of course. I think Trek's slide (from my perspective) actually began with the films of the '80s, but we still managed to get some decent stuff until about TNG's mid run. And thats when I started to get disenchanted and remain so today. I just haven't cared for any new Trek after that and that goes for a lot of tie-in mechandise as well.

That said there are occasionally things that manage to keep my interest alive. We occasional get some tie-in items that interest me such as reference books or original soundtrack CD's or model kits or whatever. Not a lot, but some. There is also the fact that fans themselves, and particularly dedicated fans, share their interests and hobbies as well as knowledge that feels more in keeping with what I like to see in Star Trek more so than what the-powers-that-be crank out on television or film. One example is the discussions often enough found here on the TrekBBS. You can often disagree with what you see, but it does stimulate thought and discussion. It is like an endless series of convention panels that aren't restricted to a few hours over a weekend.

 

[publiusr]

I can almost see this flying one day...