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2DCuyahoga Class Runabout
Paragon0
Posts: 0Member
So I recently built a model of the Danube class runabout out of paper. I decided, before starting on it, that I'd make the model modular, so that the cockpit section, aft personnel section, and four middle sections could separate from the main warp sled. I know, they never demonstrated that capability during the show, but there are images and at least one or two articles demonstrating that their design was intended to incorporate that feature.
Anyway, I decided I liked the idea, but that eventually, of course, Starfleet would need to replace the Danube design as more advanced technology came out. The interesting implication of the modular design is that Starfleet could conceivably replace only one part at a time as became necessary; a new cockpit, personnel section, and warp sled could all be designed and built independently at lower cost to Starfleet, and be deployed on Danube class runabouts until all components of the new class were available. Even then, Starfleet would probably maintain many Danubes for service, and swap out modules when necessary.
Anyway, with that in mind, I started designing what I'm currently calling the Cuyahoga class (in keeping with the tradition of naming runabouts after rivers). She's designed to be compatible with every module of the Danube class, while still representing an advance. The design is basically a mix of the Danube, plus the Type 11 shuttle and Federation Scout Ship, both featured in Insurrection. I do intend to design several "rollbar" modules as well, similar to the ones runabouts used in DS9, though with some different purposes (one will very obviously be a torpedo launcher, another might look like the triangular section on the later Nebula class starships, which I would call AWACS).
I'm mostly set on the shape by now, but as you can tell, I still need to add a lot of surface detail. Any suggestions are appreciated. I do plan to make a paper model of this when I'm done designing it too, and will probably post a thread about that in the physical model section
Note: I decided to not call it the Cuyahoga, since I don't want my work to be associated with a burning mass of sewage and trash. :P
Anyway, I decided I liked the idea, but that eventually, of course, Starfleet would need to replace the Danube design as more advanced technology came out. The interesting implication of the modular design is that Starfleet could conceivably replace only one part at a time as became necessary; a new cockpit, personnel section, and warp sled could all be designed and built independently at lower cost to Starfleet, and be deployed on Danube class runabouts until all components of the new class were available. Even then, Starfleet would probably maintain many Danubes for service, and swap out modules when necessary.
Anyway, with that in mind, I started designing what I'm currently calling the Cuyahoga class (in keeping with the tradition of naming runabouts after rivers). She's designed to be compatible with every module of the Danube class, while still representing an advance. The design is basically a mix of the Danube, plus the Type 11 shuttle and Federation Scout Ship, both featured in Insurrection. I do intend to design several "rollbar" modules as well, similar to the ones runabouts used in DS9, though with some different purposes (one will very obviously be a torpedo launcher, another might look like the triangular section on the later Nebula class starships, which I would call AWACS).
I'm mostly set on the shape by now, but as you can tell, I still need to add a lot of surface detail. Any suggestions are appreciated. I do plan to make a paper model of this when I'm done designing it too, and will probably post a thread about that in the physical model section
Note: I decided to not call it the Cuyahoga, since I don't want my work to be associated with a burning mass of sewage and trash. :P
Post edited by Paragon on
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Anyway, in the meantime, another update on the design:
I've added some surface details, panel lines, etc. I also added the pads that typically appear on the bottom of nacelles on shuttles and runabouts. My guess is they're lift thrusters, and since the "Cuyahoga" should be just as capable as the Danube class, if not more capable, it obviously needs to be able to land.
And here's the Colorado equipped with a low profile warp sled. This module has a less powerful warp core, lower maximum warp, less armor, fewer armaments, fewer impulse engines, resulting in slower acceleration at sublight speeds. The tradeoff is that this module is easier and cheaper to build, and makes the runabout easier to accommodate in the hangars or shuttlebays of starships and stations.
- To carry workbees or other small utility vessels enabling fast response to starships in need away from starbases. Imagine, another runabout, or perhaps a Defiant class starship, has been significantly damaged by an asteroid collision, and emergency repairs need to be carried out from the exterior of the ship in space, and EVA suits are proving too constricting or obtrusive. The Colorado class can be dispatched with several workbees on board to help expedite the repairs.
- It might also be useful to send someone to a separate location aboard a shuttlecraft while the runabout continues on it's own. Search and rescue over a large distance, for example.
Anyway, I'm trying to come up with more modules. I'd like to do another cockpit module, but can't think of much reason to design another.
As for the cockpit, I envision it being very similar to the Danube class cockpit, though with some updates, and a little extra room. Not sure if I'll get around to fleshing that out though.
There are more in my physical modeling thread here: http://www.scifi-meshes.com/forums/showthread.php?74876-Trek-Models/page5