posted
Originally the TOS Enterprise is clearly designated Starship Class. It's on the dedication plaque, on screen schematics (Day of the Dove), etc. Years later, we have her designated Constitution Class in the Franz Joseph Blueprints, and then later in one or more of the films.
So, should there be a ship that is a predecessor to the Enterprise called the U.S.S. Starship?
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Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
This has been debated here before, and recently too, even w/my short time here. It's pretty silly to think that there's a U.S.S. Starship flitting about the Federation. Instead, it would likely be that "Starship Class" designates a very general classification of ships.
Supposedly, there is a TOS Era reference for the Constitution class moniker in "Space Seed". The display that Khan is looking at while in Sick Bay supposedly shows the phaser emitters for the Constitution class starships. Or was that as early as "Where No Man Has Gone Before"...? I forget for sure, but I'm thinking it was "Space Seed".
Registered: Apr 2003
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posted
The display mentioned is seen in "The Troubles with Tribbles".
Starship Class is the family name for a type of large heavily armed ships with a balanced mix of offensive and defensive weaponry. Other family names known are Scout, Dreadnought, and Runabout.
MKIX, referenced in the above display, is a more specific designator for ships of the Constitution class and Enterprise sub-class.
A further, more specific designation is the designation of the Constitution Class as Class 1 Heavy Cruisers. Class 1 Heavy Cruisers, like the Class 3 Galor Class warships, are the top-of-the-line heavy cruisers. Other classes of heavy cruisers, starting at Class 2 and descending are less heavily armed and shielded.
A less-well known designator is starships identified by alpha-designators, such as Class J. This reference was used once and has never been explained.
Registered: Sep 2002
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posted
Consider shuttles - once there were "Types" of Shuttle, now there are "Classes" (although I think only in Voyager, which was pretty screwed up most of the time anyway; were there any references to Class-whatever shuttles on DS9?). The Enterprise was probably originally called a Constitution-type. 8)
quote:Originally posted by newark: The display mentioned is seen in "The Troubles with Tribbles".
If you're referring to my comment above, the T-Negative article that Greg Jein wrote references "Space Seed". And there's no "s" at the end of "Trouble" in the title.
posted
Sorry, I don't accept as read GJ's chart interpretation. Very coll as it is, I don't concur that 16xx or 18xx registries are the same class as Enterprise.
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Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
But that doesn't matter with regards to the original point of this thread, since that picture from "Space Seed" shows that the Enterprise herself is a Constitution Class.
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Registered: Mar 1999
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posted
Wait a sec, every TOS episode, without exception, identifies the U.S.S. Enterprise as being Starship Class on her dedication plaque. What is that, 72 episodes plus The Cage? But then we have one small viewscreen graphic where the words Constitution Class are not readable.
Okay, I am confortable with the Enterprise being upgraded at some point in her history and she is designated Constitution Class thereafter. But originally, she was Starship Class. That doesn't change on her dedication plaque because that was what she was when she was comissioned.
So why is there such resistance to a ship, probably a design pathfinder, called U.S.S. Starship?
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Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
I seem to remember it being the S.S. Essess, and that I recall thinking USS Yuessess would have been funnier and more appropriate.
quote:"StarShip" could have been used as a specific type back then
That's basically what I said. But wait! I forgot! Eeveryone in this Forum ignores me! I can say things like "The Enterprise-refit is an Enterprise-class vessel!" and no-one reacts!
Oh Lord, please kill this thread before it goes any further, I still have waking nightmares about the last 50 discussions we have had about this.
Okay, once and for all, "Constitution Class" was specifically spoken on screen in blatant reference to the USS Enterprise (TOS) in, for sure, "Relics" [TNG] and "Trials and Tribble-ations" [DS9]..., thank you very much, END OF ARGUMENT!!!!!!!!
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Registered: Jan 2003
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posted
Starcruiser: Although Starship could be a type of some sort, Cruiser is what a the Starship Class is.
Guardian 2000: I never thought about what I wanted before. You know, it would tidy things up a bit if there was a U.S.S. Starship. I think that will be the first Polar Lights 1/1000 scale version I will do.
Futurama Guy: If this topic makes you uncomfortable because it challenges your precious treknology beliefs, then you don't have to participate. The argument will end when no one continues it. Chill pal.
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Registered: Jul 2003
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To think that there's a U.S.S. Starship flitting about the Federation is pretty silly.
Wait, there's an echo in here. Didn't I already say that...? And in this very thread?!?
I agree w/the thinking that the nomenclature of "Starship Class" was meant to represent the basic "Everyman" concept for large Federation starships. Basically, the small, auxiliary scouts, shuttlecraft, freighters, etc... don't fall in to the "starship family", being mission specific and not at all versatile like their larger cousins. Constitution class starships fit that classification.
End of argument.
Registered: Apr 2003
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