UFP/ Starfleet Tug-Emergency Repair Vessle

[Patrickivan]

ARG!!! Vessel, not "Vessle"!

I’m really on a kick lately for building TOS era starships. Today’s build is a Tug/Emergency Repair Vessel. Its construction contract is ordered by both Starfleet and other UFP starship branches.

So here she is. It’s a long ship, able to accomodate pulling the largest of Starfleet’s ships and private vessels. Its wide warp nacelles allows for the maximum warp envelope/ speed possible employing the most powerful engines available. The large Warp Field however translates to a maximum emergency speed of warp factor 7.8 without tugging another ship. Under load, this speed can be greatly reduced, depending on the mass and size of that load.

The load is pulled by an array of powerful and sensitive tractor beam units alligned along the underside of the ship.

For some items, there are hard points to connect them to the ship.

It’s outfitted with a deceptively large cargo facility, allowing everything a starship may need for field service. This includes a compliment of service worker bees, remote tractor tugs, essential spare components like emergency reactors, fuel, batteries, photon torpedoes, et c.

The core crew for this vessel is only 33, however that can increase by 70 more people depending on the situation.
So here she is. Still under construction.

 

[Patrickivan]

My primary inspiration for this design came from the Sikorsky S-64 Skycrane heavy lift helicopter. A deceptively fragile looking workhorse and one of my favorite helicopters.

Some more views with some modifications to the back of the deflector pod. I added the first windows (the Tractor Control Room). You can just barely see them in the picture below waaaaay near the front of the ship.

 

[sojourner]

Cool design, but instead of tractors you know what would look really cool? If it clamped onto the top of the primary hull/saucer of the ship it was working on! It even looks like it should do that from your profile. Just add some clamping mechanisms and the saucer would nestle right up behind the deflector assemble you have there.

 

[Kaiser]

I like this

and with a few modifications could be a Starfleet version of a D7

 

[Patrickivan]

Cool design, but instead of tractors you know what would look really cool? If it clamped onto the top of the primary hull/saucer of the ship it was working on! It even looks like it should do that from your profile. Just add some clamping mechanisms and the saucer would nestle right up behind the deflector assemble you have there.

I thought of doing something like that. I'm toying with ideas. Something like below- but you're suggesting the bow of the towed ship being locking in behind the deflector. I hadn't though of that... Hmmm...

I want to maintain the delicate look of her. Your idea may work.

I certainly want some kind of TL and other hard access points. If they're travelling at warp, ship to ship and intership beaming is still dangerous in TOS.

I like this

and with a few modifications could be a Starfleet version of a D7

Ya- it does have a very delicate Klingon like look to it. If it were Klingon, it'd be the Mazda Miata of ships... Kinda girly.

-------------

Anyway- just for fun. Here's the unihull under tow. Remember, it's width is comparable to a Constitution Class, so we get an idea of what can snuggle right up into this tug. Smaller ships could get closer and hard docking may be easier.

And here's one were I tried out a clamp type boom, and a TL access shaft. I'm going to have to work on this. I'm also going to try sojourer's idea...

 

[Kaiser]

Cool new pics

 

[Colonel Midnight]

Pretty nice.

As much as I don't really like the idea, one thought would be to make her warp pylons articulated, so that they could be adjusted around the towee's geometry/configuration.

Just a thought, of course.

Cheers,
-CM-

 

[Patrickivan]

Pretty nice.

As much as I don't really like the idea, one thought would be to make her warp pylons articulated, so that they could be adjusted around the towee's geometry/configuration.

Just a thought, of course.

Cheers,
-CM-

Thanks...

I'm not a huge fan of moving parts variable warp geometry (or whatever they called it in voyager) on Starfleet ships- and I'm sticking with the apocryphal TNG Technical Manual statement were it sounds like that is a newer technology (TNG), and therefore wouldn't be in TOS's time.

It certainly would help- but every ship has it's limitations.

------------------

As far as my endeavour to come up with a reasonable hard docking system without over bulking this ship, I've come up with an idea that is similar to the space dock in TMP. A light weight frame that unfolds.

But I don't know. I'm back on the wall. Tractor beams have been well established in TOS. The purpose of the ship would justify the use of large multiple tractor beam units. The power they require will of course affect the ships's warp factor. And when it's doing a road side repair, there's no reason why they can't use those tractor beams to ensure a stable relationship with each other.

I do however like the neat look of having a TL tube go down to the towed ship, but I suppose that's really superfluous and for my own "this looks neat" idea...

 

[Patrickivan]

I’ve added some windows, access hatches, shuttle and worker bee access doors, and some pre-painted hull plating.

I also have plans for the bridge. This is a non-combat, work-horse ship. It has more windows per person then a Constitution Class because it’s not meant to ever see combat. So the bridge will will a little unique in that it will be a multi-level centre. The main bridge at the top will have minimum helm/conn/ nav… Below it will be a larger operations room with big windows, though the tractor control room is on deck 6.

 

[The Axeman]

The hull panelling looks awfully busy, thousand of very small repeating panels. I would increase the area that your panel image covers.

I like the idea behind it, I always found the skycrane a fascinating machine, but I think maybe this is a little in the wrong direction. If it's just to tow or recover ships, then what you want is a tug. Small, powerful, one-purpose ship with few crew and a powerful tow system.

If it's to recover and repair damaged starships I'd be looking at the equivelant of an army engineering vehicle, something carrying the tools and people needed to get damaged vehicles to safety and then back into action. Dock facility, parts, accomodation, workbees, robot arms, etc. Much more interesting than a tug.

 

[Wingsley]

I really like your warptug idea! I started a thread in the Trek Tech forum quite a while back and encouraged everyone to show their ideas. What you're doing here would make a great addition.

One little thing I thought would make your warptug blend into Earth / Federation design lineage even better, without taking away from the uniqueness of your very artistic shape: make the aft nacelle caps opposed to each other, just like the arrangement used with Zephrem Cochrane's Phoenix (FIRST CONTACT) and the NX-Alpha prototype (ENT - "First Flight"). When the nacelles look like they're out on wings horizontally opposed to each other in this fashion, I call it the "boxer" configuration. I think it would look great on your warptug design.

 

[T'Girl]

If it's to recover and repair damaged starships I'd be looking at the equivelant of an army engineering vehicle, something carrying the tools and people needed to get damaged vehicles to safety and then back into action. Dock facility, parts, accomodation, workbees, robot arms, etc. Much more interesting than a tug.

If a starship has major engine problems or combat damage the tug could move a repair facility to the ships location. The repair facility would combine a folded orbital "dry dock" with a space station. By not making the repair facility a integral part of the tug that gives the tug more versatility. The tug wouldn't alway need to remain on scene.

 

[Colonel Midnight]

Pretty nice.

As much as I don't really like the idea, one thought would be to make her warp pylons articulated, so that they could be adjusted around the towee's geometry/configuration.

Just a thought, of course.

Cheers,
-CM-

Thanks...

I'm not a huge fan of moving parts variable warp geometry (or whatever they called it in voyager) on Starfleet ships- and I'm sticking with the apocryphal TNG Technical Manual statement were it sounds like that is a newer technology (TNG), and therefore wouldn't be in TOS's time.

It certainly would help- but every ship has it's limitations.

------------------

<Snip for brevity.>

Yes, I'm not a fan of the "variable warp geometry" silliness, either. I was thinking more along the lines of a pylon design that could be moved/re-configured (albeit with considerable difficulty -- not something that would happen automatically or with a button push) to mate/align better with the stranded ship. It's more geared towards salvage operations.

Then again, like you said, being set in the TOS timeframe may render such an idea moot. Still, I'd imagine the idea bouncing around in some young enterprising engineer's head.

Have to admit -- watching this design in action would be pretty nifty, especially if you ended up doing a side tow...

Cheers,
-CM-

 

[Patrickivan]

The hull panelling looks awfully busy, thousand of very small repeating panels. I would increase the area that your panel image covers.

I like the idea behind it, I always found the skycrane a fascinating machine, but I think maybe this is a little in the wrong direction. If it's just to tow or recover ships, then what you want is a tug. Small, powerful, one-purpose ship with few crew and a powerful tow system.

If it's to recover and repair damaged starships I'd be looking at the equivelant of an army engineering vehicle, something carrying the tools and people needed to get damaged vehicles to safety and then back into action. Dock facility, parts, accomodation, workbees, robot arms, etc. Much more interesting than a tug.

I agree. I did increase the panel sizing... small panels have been a pet peeve of mine, ever since TMP. I don't know why they'd be so bloody small.

I really like your warptug idea! I started a thread in the Trek Tech forum quite a while back and encouraged everyone to show their ideas. What you're doing here would make a great addition.

One little thing I thought would make your warptug blend into Earth / Federation design lineage even better, without taking away from the uniqueness of your very artistic shape: make the aft nacelle caps opposed to each other, just like the arrangement used with Zephrem Cochrane's Phoenix (FIRST CONTACT) and the NX-Alpha prototype (ENT - "First Flight"). When the nacelles look like they're out on wings horizontally opposed to each other in this fashion, I call it the "boxer" configuration. I think it would look great on your warptug design.

I checked out the thread. Lot's of neat designs, but they all seem geared to some sort of cargo transport, especially with regards to a standard pod (like a trailer).

If it's to recover and repair damaged starships I'd be looking at the equivelant of an army engineering vehicle, something carrying the tools and people needed to get damaged vehicles to safety and then back into action. Dock facility, parts, accomodation, workbees, robot arms, etc. Much more interesting than a tug.

If a starship has major engine problems or combat damage the tug could move a repair facility to the ships location. The repair facility would combine a folded orbital "dry dock" with a space station. By not making the repair facility a integral part of the tug that gives the tug more versatility. The tug wouldn't alway need to remain on scene.

It's main design is indeed to pull a ship home. But if a field repair is possible, then this ship is able to carry out the task. But otherwise, it's towing the ship to a repair facility.

Pretty nice.

As much as I don't really like the idea, one thought would be to make her warp pylons articulated, so that they could be adjusted around the towee's geometry/configuration.

Just a thought, of course.

Cheers,
-CM-

Thanks...

I'm not a huge fan of moving parts variable warp geometry (or whatever they called it in voyager) on Starfleet ships- and I'm sticking with the apocryphal TNG Technical Manual statement were it sounds like that is a newer technology (TNG), and therefore wouldn't be in TOS's time.

It certainly would help- but every ship has it's limitations.

------------------

<Snip for brevity.>

Yes, I'm not a fan of the "variable warp geometry" silliness, either. I was thinking more along the lines of a pylon design that could be moved/re-configured (albeit with considerable difficulty -- not something that would happen automatically or with a button push) to mate/align better with the stranded ship. It's more geared towards salvage operations.

Then again, like you said, being set in the TOS timeframe may render such an idea moot. Still, I'd imagine the idea bouncing around in some young enterprising engineer's head.

Have to admit -- watching this design in action would be pretty nifty, especially if you ended up doing a side tow...

Cheers,
-CM-

Hmmm. The idea of a modular variable warp nacelle assembly is intriguing. Almost like an engineering section that can be repositioned for a different task.

Perhaps this might be an idea for the ship, but it's something that would have to be done at a starbase or repair facility because of its complexity. I mean, when they send the tug out on an assignment, they would know what ship(s) they are going to be assisting. They would be able to optimize the warp field geometry for the mission, then send her on her merry way.

Something to consider. I could only see some ships having this.
------------------
Anyway. Here are a couple more pics. I've built the tractor units and increased the panel sizing. Then again, I'm all for the clean painted look of TOS. So it may get painted

 

[Data Holmes]

This is a very interesting thread to watch. Nice work P.

 

[USS Jack Riley]

I do however like the neat look of having a TL tube go down to the towed ship, but I suppose that's really superfluous and for my own "this looks neat" idea...

Actually, it isn't as crazy as it sounds. It seems that Federation ships tend to put personnel quarters on the outside and more ship essential equipment in the center of the ship (warp drive, etc.). This makes sense as if you have a choice of losing personnel space or your warp drive, you are going to choose the personnel space first.

To that end, the connection between the tug and the ship is not a bad thing. It could allow personnel to transfer to the tug for sleeping quarters while under way. The tug could even have detachable cargo bays similar to the Botany Bay's cargo bays to allow for this very issue.

YMMV

 

[Saquist]

I like your design thought:

Forward mounted deflector that is lowered to protect the towed vessel.
The Nacelles are also suspened "down" for tow coverage
THe body is simple and rigid.
It looks like you have tractors along its bottom.

I love designs born of thought instead of form first.
Good Job.

 

[Patrickivan]

I do however like the neat look of having a TL tube go down to the towed ship, but I suppose that's really superfluous and for my own "this looks neat" idea...

Actually, it isn't as crazy as it sounds. It seems that Federation ships tend to put personnel quarters on the outside and more ship essential equipment in the center of the ship (warp drive, etc.). This makes sense as if you have a choice of losing personnel space or your warp drive, you are going to choose the personnel space first.

To that end, the connection between the tug and the ship is not a bad thing. It could allow personnel to transfer to the tug for sleeping quarters while under way. The tug could even have detachable cargo bays similar to the Botany Bay's cargo bays to allow for this very issue.

YMMV

To be honest, I've always wanted to see a Starship connected like that. Plus I love the shot of the Millinium falcon docked to the medical frigate at the end of SW:TESB....

I like your design thought:

Forward mounted deflector that is lowered to protect the towed vessel.
The Nacelles are also suspened "down" for tow coverage
THe body is simple and rigid.
It looks like you have tractors along its bottom.

I love designs born of thought instead of form first.
Good Job.

Thanks! You really see what the purpose of the design is!

And beauty really is in the eye of the beholder. A lot of people would find the utilitarian bare bone design of the Skycrane to be bland, but I love the way it looks.

Of course for this ship, I did add some curves and lines that are purely to make it look neater, and I can't justify them other then for that reason. Otherwise it would be a lot more boxy looking.