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Assorted Ships Profiles - Valley Forge, U.S.S. Enterprise, Battlestar
and Orion Shuttle
L. Allen Everhart Jr., Starcraft Productions, 1979
-11 x 17 (2 pg.), scales unstated -- $3.00
I'm delighted to begin these capsule reviews with the man I consider
the best in his field, though not at his best by contemporary standards
in this minimalist set. Included are side views of "2001's" Orion
spaceplane, "Silent Running's" Valley Forge, the well-known Battlestar
(presented here without its proper name) and the "interim"
publicity-poster Enterprise refit for "Star Trek: The Motion Picture,"
which is essentially an original series "E" with dorsal torpedo bay and
swept-back-pylon nacelles bearing a close resemblance to those of the
subsequent film (the design originated with pre-production work for the
unmade "Star Trek II" TV series, for which a model was at least begun,
as seen on pp. 60-61 of Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens' THE ART OF
"STAR TREK;" it also appears as the Constitution II class of SHIPS OF
THE STAR FLEET VOL. 1, which rendering is dissimilar to Everhart's).
Everhart also shows a "scrap view," one half of a forward profile and
the inner half of the aft for hangar, deflector, impulse and torp bay
positioning; no pylons or nacelles appear here.
Bridge Blueprints
Michael McMaster, Galactic Designs and Productions,
1976 - 17 x 22 (10 pg), 1/24 scale -- $6.95
Another departed master of the field, who delivered slideshow lectures
at New York conventions of the late 1970s, McMaster undertook the most
painstaking research into canonical design work to my knowledge ever
performed. These plans are a comprehensive rendition (right down to 1/8
scale diagrams of the shapes of console buttons) of every element of
the original series' bridge. Operational notes, including a well
thought out list of keystrokes, are also featured. The plans reflect
live canon save for inclusion of a "secondary exit" (not a turbolift)
to the left of the main view screen. One emerges from a study of these
plans convinced that did the Enterprise exist, one could learn to "fly"
it, thanks to McMaster.
Class F Shuttlecraft Blueprints
David Winfrey, Omega Prints, 1987 - 11 x 17 (6 pg. +
2 8.5 x 11 detail pages), 1/24 scale -- $6.95
Time to toot my own horn. I'm not as pleased with these as I'd like to
be, nor are they in print (save in rip-off form; see Galaxy Class,
below). A revision's long overdue. This, my own entry into the blues
field, was meant to provide the most accurate possible drawings of the
original series shuttlecraft. "Possible" is a joker here, since the
interior set and "full scale" soundstage model didn't match (the former
was larger by about 50%, and hollow; interiors were filmed separately).
I took the interiors as canonical (the reverse to "Franz Joseph's" take
on things), and enlarged the exterior to hold 'em. I rendered every
panel, every button, showing changes by episode. I took one liberty,
though, which a long-delayed revision will address - I widened the
interior to fit the outer walls, rather than dropping it midline,
leaving room on either side to spare. My plans include a
forward-looking interior shot from "Metamorphosis," though, by which
the discerning modeler could correct that error. Professionalism in
both linework and printing (not done on an offset press) leave
something to be desired, but scale data is without peer (an exterior
photo of a model by Mark Nehmzow appeared in Finescale Modeler some
years back). Shane Johnson phoned in his compliments, and Allen
Everhart gave praise in person (end of plug, for now; but see "Star
Trek" Modeler's Blueprints, below).
Enterprise Construction Profile Blueprints
L. Allen Everhart, Starcraft Productions, 1977 - 11
x 17 (4 pg), scale 1.5 in. = 20 meters -- $5.95
Everhart at his finest. Two sheets present the primary hull, two the
secondary, both in five stages of construction, from the laying of
keels to hull plating and component testing. By coincidence, the plans
are a minute fraction smaller than AMT/ERTL's Enterprise cutaway model
(whose details do not reflect theirs). Allen's work was not based on
Franz Joseph (Schnaubelt)'s STARFLEET TECHNICAL MANUAL or CONSTITUTION
CLASS plans, nor does it reflect Matt Jeffries' cross-section as
featured in Stephen E. Whitfield's THE MAKING OF "STAR TREK" (his
hangar deck, for example, extending to the front edge of the nacelle
pylon, not the aft). Purists will note the primary's reflection of
AMT's upward-sloping underside, a feature absent from the original
series larger miniature (though present on the three-foot model, from
which the AMT models were derived). The set also lacks rendition of the
nacelles. Its interior profiles are interesting, however, as is its
inclusion of the ship's electrical mains, complete as to volts and
amps. One can only wish Everhart had undertaken "refit" plans as well.
Galaxy Class Cruiser Interior & Exterior Drawings
11 x 17 (11 pg.), scale unstated -- $9.95
This is nothing more than outright copies of work appearing in Rick
Sternbach's and Michael Okuda's NEXT GENERATION TECHNICAL MANUAL. Now,
I'm all for bending copyrights to some artistic purpose, whether it be
rearrangements of canon starship modules or (when it was out of print,
at least) reproducing designs from the STARFLEET TECHNICAL MANUAL in an
otherwise original fanzine tech publication like "Starship Design." But
this is theft outright, which I'm ashamed to have paid money for.
Rather than giving heat to semi-canonical designers, Viacom ought to be
taking on this kind of trash. It's also common to see convention
dealers selling xerox copies of fan blueprints, often combining the
work of several people, typically without attribution. I haven't seen
such things offered through the mail - but if you're buying in person,
look for the maker's mark. If you don't see one, ask for the dealer's
business card. There's some kind of legal action possible here, maybe,
given time and effort - and as for Viacom's lock on franchise stuff,
the biggest violator of all, Todd Guenther, won with his
professionally-distributed SHIPS OF THE STAR FLEET books the honor of
involvement with Rick Sternbach's NEXT GENERATION BLUEPRINTS. If that
doesn't beat a "cease and desist" letter like a poke in the eye with a
sharp stick, I'm an Aldebaren shellmouth.
Galileo Shuttlecraft Plans
L. Allen Everhart, Starcraft Productions, 1981 - 18
x 24 (2 pg), scale 2 in. = 1 meter -- $3.00
An impressive effort at documenting the original series shuttlecraft,
far superior to that shown in the STARFLEET TECHNICAL MANUAL (whose
artist had access to the "full scale" soundstage prop, as I suspect
Everhart did not). The plans feature fore, aft, left exterior and left
interior ("hatch walls" both, in other words) views with a pleasing
amount of detail, capturing even the door button just to the "porch's"
left (though if Everhart correctly labeled it "PUSH" it goes illegible
on my set). The chairs seem a bit inaccurate, and Everhart's
established size does not reflect that of the televised interior set -
but he does show the nacelle pylons' inside bracing, and was far before
his time in positing the shuttle as a warp-capable vessel, a
canon-established fact (the nacelles left a trail of antimatter in
"Metamorphosis") then overlooked by professionally-produced "tech"
literature (e.g. FASA's). Everhart's least well-presented set, sold in
an end-opening envelope whose exterior profile can barely be seen - but
if you see these for sale, grab 'em. They're worth a look.
Glenn Class Fleet Survey Vessel U.S.S. Grissom
L. Allen Everhart, Starcraft Reproductions, 1985 --
18 x 24 (4 pg), scale 1.75 in. = 20 meters -- $5.95
Everhart's oddest product, in that the first page's overhead view and
the second's interior profile show the trajectory and point of impact
of the torpedo which destroyed the first-ever shown of the vessels
since canonically dubbed the Oberth class. Nomenclature and
idiosyncrasy aside, these plans are a delight to see. Top, fore, aft,
side and bottom views (with sections removed for full views of the
primary) are rendered in a variety of line weights, reflecting
structural elements and hull gridwork. A nice series of "behind the
scenes" photo cards were available about that time; these presumably
gave Everhart the reference needed to produce this well-crafted set.
The envelope bears a triangular logo for the "Star Fleet Corps of
Engineers," a feature of Lawrence Miller's Regula 1 prints (which see),
also.
K Class Space Station General Plans
Kenneth Altman and Geoffrey Mandel, 1976 - 17.5 x 22
(4 pg), scale 1.5 in. = 20 meters -- $3.00
A virtual one-man blueprint industry, Geoffrey Mandel produced a
number of "General Plans" sets from the mid-'70s on, as well as a dozen
or more volumes of his "Starfleet Handbook" fanzine (he did some
"Space: 1999" work as well, and had Eagle blueprints in Starlog
magazine). A workmanlike draftsman of the "Franz Joseph" school, Mandel
lacked the bent for canonical accuracy. His K Class blues are a perfect
case in point, being based not on K-7 as shown in "The Trouble With
Tribbles," but on the sharply angled (and mercifully un-re-released)
AMT model kit. The last page features an interesting centerline
cutaway, but save for this, there is nothing here to interest any but
the most maniacal completist. Of late, Mandel produced signage (wall
labels) for the short-lived series "Space: Above and Beyond." His
"Trek" blues include nearly every original series and animated vessel,
as well as a version of the aforementioned "Motion Picture" poster
refit, but none are reflective of canon. He was graced with
semi-professional distribution of his STARFLEET MEDICAL REFERENCE, a
likewise exhaustive but otherwise unimpressive effort, and achieved
full professional standing with his work on Bantam's STAR TREK MAPS
(whose ship plans were also inaccurate). The Handbooks were distributed
under the "Interstellar Associates" masthead, and are also of little
merit.
Klingon Blueprints
Michael McMaster.
I mislaid my set of these original series plans years back (I'd gladly
trade my spare Bridge set for a copy), but recall them as a multi (10?)
page set of "Franz Joseph" scale drawings, complete to every deck. I
recall some fan comment (perhaps alluded to by McMaster) of the high
levels of engine radiation suffered by the secondary hull crew, which
danger the "command pod" left its occupants immune.
Merchantman (Federation Class J, Type 3)
L. Allen Everhart, 1986 - 17.5 x 22.5 (5 pg), scale
approx. 2 5/8 in. = 20 ft. -- $6.95
Side, top, bottom, fore & aft views, a centerline cutaway and plans of
the upper and lower of four decks (quarters and engine room/hold
respectively, those between being duplicates of the latter), these
plans present an impressively detailed study of the little ship that
got blown away in "The Search for Spock" (to which incident Everhart
makes allusion). Are the surface details accurate? My inclination is to
say "who cares?" - but given the Battlestar comment (see Assorted
Ships, above), I'd bet my first edition of THE MAKING OF "STAR TREK" on
it.
Regula 1 Space Laboratory
Lawrence Miller, 1985 - 17 x 22 (5 sheets + 6 pg.
8.5 x 11 text supplement), scale 1 in. = 40 ft. -- $8.95
A well-done "Star Fleet Corps of Engineers" rendering by Miller, a
sort of warm-up for his "Starbase 79" (which see), beginning with
"front," side and top views, proceeding to a cutaway profile, then an
exploded side view with isometric details, and concluding with an
exploded top view of the living area, including variant connector arm
configurations (as used in the "Centroplex" of "Star Trek: The Motion
Picture," which the effects crew of "The Wrath of Khan" inexplicably
flipped upside-down to produce Regula). Good general data for modelers,
but differs proportionally on close examination from a partial plan
printed in an old issue of Starlog (see "Starbase 79" for further
explication of this caveat).
Robot Cargo Ship
David Winfrey, Omega Prints, 1989 - 11 x 17 (3 pg.),
scale "Franz Joseph's" -- $ 4.95
A "beauty" set of plans of the grain ship from "More Tribbles, More
Troubles," painstakingly researched if a bit roughly rendered, with
off-the-screen "cel tracings" showing elements that appear and
disappear from one angle to another. See Modeler's Blues for further
notations on my work.
Romulan "Bird of Prey" Blueprints
Michael McMaster, Galactic Designs and Productions,
1977 - 18 x 24 (5 pg.), scale 1/157.5 -- $6.00
I don't know how McMaster derived this ship's size. According to him,
the ship's only 68 meters long (223 feet, about half the diameter of
the original Enterprise's primary hull, since denied by canon - e.g.,
the Okudas' and Rick Sternbach's "STAR TREK" ENCYCLOPEDIA). That said,
these are the first (and for many years, the only) accurate plans of
the original Romulan "warbird." Exterior plans and full deck layouts
are featured, as well as many technical notes. The "bird" painting is
well represented. I've long intended to modify AMT's abysmal model kit
to match this one's lines, a project these plans - coincidentally twice
the model's size - would make a breeze. Unfortunately, that kit's long
out of production (as are indeed all original series kits, for the
present anyway). Nor does the little MicroMachine replica (accurate
though it is) satisfy my urge to breech the Neutral Zone. But McMaster
set the course, and a well-flown course it was, though too short, alas,
by far.
Size Comparison Chart
Michael McMaster
The original item of this name was a large (24 x 36?) one-sheet with
three-views of the Enterprise, Klingon, Romulan and Tholian vessels, as
well as the K-station, set against a "backdrop" of a section of
Baylock's Fesarius ("The Corbomite Maneuver"), of which a full scrap
view appeared also at reduced scale. A masterful piece of work, and the
finest rendition of a K-station ever created.
Starbase 79
Lawrence Miller, 1990 - 17 x 22 (6 pg + 5 8.5 x 11
supplemental pg., 4 text, 2 drawings) -- $12.95
I gave up on Miller after this. The cover lists him as having done (in
addition to Regula) the U.S.S. Enterprise Bridge (series unstated), the
Hornet and Lynx (both original designs, I think), all well-drawn, I'm
sure - but "Starbase 79" is the weirdest set of plans I've ever seen.
This is "Spacedock" from "The Search for Spock" - sort of. That is to
say, Miller's "crushed" it, making all elements taller in relation to
their diameter than shown on-screen. This cannot have been accidental;
good reference shots of Spacedock appeared in Thomas G. Smith's
INDUSTRIAL LIGHT AND MAGIC: THE ART OF SPECIAL EFFECTS (1986), a book
which, while costly (for its time), should have been readily available
to Miller through interlibrary loan if nothing else. I can only presume
he altered the thing's shape (and name) to keep clear of potential
legal action by "Trek's" copyright holder Viacom. I'd be the last to
call this paranoia; a couple of years back, the franchise boys shut
down some not-for-profit websites due to their inclusion of screen
captures and the like, and put the fan community on notice that
copyright could be applied against any and all derivative works (a
practice not followed up as yet, thankfully). Too, I've heard that one
of the two mail-order markets long given to selling fan tech materials
have been warned off that tack by Viacom. All that said, however,
"Starbase 79" is a dunsel. I suppose one could run a revision off on an
X/Y axis altering laser copier, but the cost of that would equal or
surpass that of the plans themselves. That said, this is a nice piece
of work, replete with exterior and interior detail, and including the
fanboy's delight of a STARFLEET TECHNICAL MANUAL scout/destroyer docked
adjacent to a refitted Constitution class ship. Miller's tech details
are fascinating, and he even shows a representative section of the
station's quarters. But if you're looking to scratchbuild a Spacedock,
don't invest your bucks in this.
"Star Trek" Modeler's Blueprints Set I
David Winfrey, Omega Prints, 1989 - 8.5 x 11 (16
pg.), scales 1/48, 1/92, 1/639, 1/1597 and 1.5 in. = 50 ft. -- $6.95
Yep, me again. First off, a note on scales. The Class F (original
series Galileo) and (animated) armored shuttles appear in 1/48 and
1/192, the scales of the AMT/ERTL Galileo and Surak shuttles,
respectively; the (animation's) robot cargo ship, K-7 station and
Botany Bay are done to the scales of the small and large AMT
Enterprises, with a "bonus" page of the Botany Bay to the scale of
"Franz Joseph's" CONSTITUTION CLASS plans. Same note on errata applies
to the Galileo as in my Class F review above. Armored shuttle includes
off-the-screen "cel tracings" of the interior and Enterprise's
jam-packed hangar deck , former color-keyed (as is the set entire).
Robot cargo ship ("More Tribbles, More Troubles") includes cel tracings
and an "alternate design" from an old fanzine; K-7 includes a scrap
view of the real-world Douglas Aircraft Company space station design on
which it was based. Botany Bay plans are likewise due revision by dint
of since-acquired detail photos of studio miniature, but proved to be
within a fraction of an inch of that miniature's dimensions, despite
having their size derived from extremely limited reference (e.g., 2
wallet sized photos and episode videotapes). Font is that of an IBM
Selectric II, my "word processor" of choice circa 1989. Not the most
aesthetically attractive set of blues the world has seen, but good
modeler's reference, if I do say so myself. And I do.
(David has supplied some additional
reviews of non-Star Trek blueprints - see the HTML version of this FAQ,
in which this paragraph is a link to that document.) |
