Hey, all...
So, for a while now, I've had this idea in my head to visualize the bridge of the Decker-Class starship (designed by FASA), since the U.S.S. Decker plays a small part in the opening of one of my Star Trek fanfics, "A New Beginning". The U.S.S. Decker is the previous and first starship command of Captain Yuri Nikolayev, who is now leaving to assume command of the new Galaxy-Class U.S.S. Frontier. In my own head canon, and for the purposes of both the story and this project, I'm going with the idea that the Decker-Class was built sometime before season one of TNG, but just after the Cheyenne and Springfield classes were built, probably around the same time as the New Orleans-Class. Going by that, I'm going to experiment with two design approaches. However, the Decker-Class is a long and very slender ship, and I want to reflect that in the look and layout of the bridge. To accomplish this, I'm using the bridge of the Defiant-Class ship as a basis and starting point, going with a bridge that is long, versus wide. The basic floor plan will remain unchanged... only the cosmetic decor elements will change, much like how the Defiant-Class bridge was modded for use as the NX-01 bridge.
The first design approach will be to incorporate many design/decor features from the ST:V 1701-A bridge, including the overall general color palette, along with many features from the season three TNG 1701-D bridge. The second design approach will be to drop the ST:V 1701-A bridge design/decor elements, in favor of entirely TNG 1701-D bridge design/decor elements, with an overall general color palette of the season one TNG 1701-D bridge. Below are some starting-off notes which I jotted down last night.
ST:V 1701-A BRIDGE ELEMENTS VERSION
- Overall bridge wall same as ST:V 1701-A bridge wall... same color, same baseboard lighting, same beige fabric panels under wall stations.
- All side stations forward of the bridge doors are the same style as the ST:V 1701-A bridge wall stations. The "wrist-rest" bars on the stations are wood.
- Main viewscreen is the same as the ST:V 1701-A main viewscreen.
- CONN console & support is the same as the ST:V 1701-A CONN console & support, either kept the same, or curved more to match the shape of the U.S.S. Defiant CONN console.
- The Captain's chair is the season one TNG 1701-D Captain's chair. The U.S.S. Defiant Captain's chair standing side consoles are removed.
- The Captain's chair is surrounded by a ST:V 1701-A bridge style handrail that surrounds the Captain's chair in a "U" shape. Handrail is wood, supports are brushed metal.
- There is a TNG-style standing Tactical console behind the Captain's chair, the same as the kind seen in the TNG 1701-D transporter room.
- Both bridge doors are standard-size TNG 1701-D doors. Port door opens to ready-room, starboard door opens to corridor. Both doors have "Future Imperfect" Okudagraphics.
- Replace U.S.S. Defiant mini-bench/seats by doors with the ST:V 1701-A bridge curved light stumps that join the wall stations to the turbolift walls.
- Aft wall boasts the ship's MSD/cutaway, flanked on each side by TNG 1701-D bridge alert status LCARS columns.
- Replace U.S.S. Defiant bridge station dividers/structural support columns with the station dividers from the ST:V 1701-A bridge.
- Wall between forward side stations and door walls - port side holds yellow ship profiles, starboard side holds ship's commissioning plaque.
- Aft side walls aft of the doors hold TNG alcove console stations (see pic below). On each side of the alcove console stations are custom circuitry access panels.
TNG 1701-D BRIDGE ELEMENTS VERSION
All design elements of this version are the same as the ST:V 1701-A version above, with the following exceptions:
- Remove ST:V 1701-A station dividers for the entire forward and aft SIDES - keep them on the AFT wall.
- Replace ST:V 1701-A bridge wall stations with TNG 1701-D season one bridge aft station style stations inset into the side walls.
- Replace ST:V 1701-A CONN console & support with a modded/custom unit that follows the same style as the TNG-era CONN console.
Decker-Class Starship
TNG Alcove Console
My plan is to sketch out and then draw in Illustrator, my ideas and final plans for the Decker bridge, and hopefully construct a small scale study model our of foam board or balsa wood.
Posts
I think your ideas about where it fits in TNG chronology also feel right. Would love to tackle the exterior of the Decker, but I've got enough unfinished projects :P
Eager to see what you come up with.
Quite the change from the earlier TOS/TMP designs. Most of those were at least decent and some were excellent.
I think it looks best with Excelsior nacelles seen below
https://continuingmissionsta.com/2020/12/15/the-book-that-never-shouldve-been-part-2-the-decker-class-starship/
http://fasaststcs.com/index.php/thefleets/united-federation-of-planets/star-fleet/decker-class-x-destroyer/
http://raygunsandspacesuits.blogspot.com/2014/06/the-decker-class-was-one-ugly-fasa-ship.html?m=1
https://www.shapeways.com/product/RW4355RLP/wellington-class-light-cruiser-8-quot