Did anyone ever enter the Titan Design contest a while back? My e-mail dumped my submission and suffice it to say, I did not win. (you can check this fact since my design does NOT look like the winner...)
Anyhoo, maybe we could create a fleet of "Titan Rejects!"
The Luna Class Starships are designed to become the premier exploration vessel of the Federation, taking on the exploratory and surveying duties from more traditional explorer-type starships such as the Galaxy class starships. Both the Galaxy and Sovereign class explorers have been primarily used in deterrence and support missions deep in the core of the Federation. The exploration role thus has often fallen on ships intended for specific scientific missions such as the Intrepid and Nova classes, or other even less capable starships.
The Luna class changes this trend. this dedicated exploration vessel will almost certainly lead the Federation towards new frontiers of science and knowledge. Utilizing the latest in sensor and computer technology, this class is even more capable at exploration and surveying missions than even the venerable Galaxy class, and is far less expensive to maintain in the distant reaches of theGalaxy. Like the explorers of a century ago, the Luna class is practically self-sufficient, allowing very long-term missions.
The design of the class utilizes the latest warp field geometry advances, and the structure of the starship is based upon several proven designs such as the Oberth, Akira, and Sovereign classes. Other aspects of the design are based upon the Intrepid, NX, Norway, and Neptune class starships.
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You know, in ditl spirit I should come up with her overall strengh index...More on that later...
I like the triangular saucer concept, as well as the shape of the nacelles and whatnot. The references to what has come before definitely get the thumbs up!
In my view, the only issue with the design is that the length is too short for it's height. This is probably because we're all used to a much larger length:height ratio, which is to me at least more appealing, especially with the stretching majesty that is the Sovereign Class (imo the best-looking ship in sci-fi history). The Nova class suffers from this a tad as well.
Yeah, I'm a bit freakish about making things work. So when the size of the hull got to be such that it would exceed the 450 meter limit, I lopped off the nacelles.
I got similar comments when I re-submitted it directly to Rick Sternbach. Looking at it two years later, I agree with you both! The nacelles ought to be a tad longer. In my defense I did take many cues from the Nova class...
I personally think that recent starships have gotten a bit too flat, so I deliberately made my Luna class to have some draft. But I agree that the Sovereign is an absolutely beautiful ship!
Thanks for your comments!
"With the first link, the chain is forged. The first speech censored, the first thought forbidden, the first freedom denied, chains us all irrevocably."
Wow, that's really impressive! Another poster commented that it's a bit tall for its length, and I kindof agree. But the supporting text you wrote is actually my favorite part. I love imagining this type of thing.
Looking again, I can tell I designed it from the top down! I like the dorsal view best, then the ventral view follows nicely, and even the bow and stern are okay. The one I cringe at is the side view! That's where you somehow have to make all the crazy stuff you came up with fit together!
Most if not all of any of my future designs will NOT look that good. I hope that the designs themselves are better, but I don't have Freehand anymore, so you will see lovely scans of graph paper!
"With the first link, the chain is forged. The first speech censored, the first thought forbidden, the first freedom denied, chains us all irrevocably."
Nice ship, good concept. Like others I also think it looks a bit too tall for its length.
I would give designing ships a try but my drawing abilities are rather lacking.
"You've all been selected for this mission because you each have a special skill. Professor Hawking, John Leslie, Phil Neville, the Wu-Tang Clan, Usher, the Sugar Puffs Monster and Daniel Day-Lewis! Welcome to Operation MindFuck!"
Here's my very basic sketches of the Titan. I could never decide whether or not to put the nacelles above or below the secondary hull. Either way, it's not a particularly exciting design, so I got bored with it.
Its a very nice design. I can see clearly your use of the Akira class in the design, but my concerns lie in the strength of the rear end of the ship and its weak look. I would be concerned if the ship took to many hits to the rear end.
The_Chief, I would love to see your design from the top/bottom! The bottom version looks interesting.
"With the first link, the chain is forged. The first speech censored, the first thought forbidden, the first freedom denied, chains us all irrevocably."
Wow, just the fact that you got all those accurate details is really cool, never mind the ship design itself (which is awesome!) Only thing I'm not really liking is the Obreth style double hull, just think it looks kinda odd and adds vulnerability in combat, but then again yours is an explorer, so huge thumbs up for you
"Beware what you intend to say, those words will always make you pay." - Soilwork
Thanks, now I'm inspired to create a dorsal view! The Titan above is very interesting. It is a bit tall, but then, maybe that's just the way it's supposed to be! I like it!