I was inspired a while back by the ship we barely see just before the Enterprise in the opening credits. All you can tell as it streaks by is that there is a saucer attached to the front of a lifting body-type aft section. I started to try to recreate it, but I decided to go my own way, mostly because there are way to many greeblies on the underside of that ship!
Anyway, my ship exists before ENT, in the time when efficient SSTO engines weren't quite small enough for a shuttle. So, this ship is a compromise between warp capabilities (the saucer section) and aerodynamic capabilities (lifting body shape). Even the saucer section gives some lift. This ship would travel mostly between planets with atmospheres, especially between Earth and Mars at any point in their orbits.
For now, I've stolen the nacelles from another design of mine since I suck at nacelles. It needs some other details and refinements, but let me know what you guys think!
It looks really nice, but the perspectives are incompatible. The top view puts the wing at the right side, the side view puts it on the left side. Intentional? Is it movable, for ambidextriosity? :-)
The wide empty space on the dorsal area, maybe it could be filled with...something? Not necessarily a bulky and pointy device (un-aerodynamical), but a texture or grille or something.
What are the dimensions?
Posted by Bernd (Member # 6) on :
That could be just the missing link. Reminds me of the ship in the opening credits. A warp ship still small enough for frequent take up and landings. The obvious question, however, is if such a small ship needs a saucer.
Posted by MinutiaeMan (Member # 444) on :
That's definitely a nice-looking design, but I also question the need for a saucer on such a small ship. If the overall ship design were approximately comparable to the NX-01, it'd probably make a bit more sense. But not if it's so tiny, IMO.
Posted by Aban Rune (Member # 226) on :
Has anyone ever cobbled together what the ship right before Enterprise in the opening credits looks like or might look like? We know it has a saucer and we know it has nacelles and Star Destroyer-like impulse engines... I thought someone had put together a possible configuration....
Posted by BJ_O (Member # 858) on :
Nim: Oh yes, it only has one wing, but it moves in the fourth dimension! Something will go on the dorsal area, but it may just be panel lines to break up the surface. As for size, I haven't determined that yet.
Thanks, Bernd. I really don't know why it would have a saucer, but I figured that something with a lifting body shape that lands can't be that big. Maybe at this point in time they were experimenting and trying to get as much performance out of the shape as possible, and the saucer gave them the last few percent they needed?
B.J.
Posted by AndrewR (Member # 44) on :
quote:Originally posted by Aban Rune: Has anyone ever cobbled together what the ship right before Enterprise in the opening credits looks like or might look like? We know it has a saucer and we know it has nacelles and Star Destroyer-like impulse engines... I thought someone had put together a possible configuration....
I did, I pencilled a 3-plan sketch of it. It's rough and I haven't scanned it in. Do you want me to?
I'd love if someone did a nice graphic version of it. I don't have the time. It's been sitting on my filing cabinet for a couple of months.
Andrew
Posted by Nim (Member # 205) on :
Those blue panels look like windows for a cockpit, which makes it look no more than 60-70 meters or smaller.
I wouldn't call the front half a "saucer", more like a circular nose.
Posted by BJ_O (Member # 858) on :
Small update: http://www.mindspring.com/~bj.o/BJ_art/ent-spaceplane2.jpg I added the rest of the landing gear and a person for scale, and I added in new nacelles, as well as other minor details. The ship is approximately 74 meters long, about the same size as a 747 (71 meters).
B.J.
Posted by Aban Rune (Member # 226) on :
Andrew: Yes please! Posted by Sarvek (Member # 910) on :
Andrew I would like to see it as well. I wish that there was an official technical manual depicting that ship for reference.
Great Job BJ_O. Are you planning on doing any more orthographics on your ship?
Posted by BJ_O (Member # 858) on :
I'll do the other views eventually. Just have to find time.
B.J.
Posted by AndrewR (Member # 44) on :
OK cool.
Warning it IS rough.
Posted by BJ_O (Member # 858) on :
Final update. I added the front view and a couple of size comparisons. I had to make the image 1600 pixels wide to get some decent detail to show up. Personally, I like it how it is now, so I don't think I'll be doing anything else to it. ent-spaceplane3.gif
AndrewR: You ever going to post that sketch?
B.J.
Posted by The Mighty Monkey of Mim (Member # 646) on :
I like it. Posted by AndrewR (Member # 44) on :
Oh - yes. Heh. I will.
Posted by Sarvek (Member # 910) on :
Great Job BJ_O. I especially like the comparisons for reference.
Are you planning on any other designs?
Posted by BJ_O (Member # 858) on :
Of course I'm planning on other designs! What, you think I'd give this up? No telling what inspiration will strike me next, though. And thanks for the compliments!
![[Razz]](tongue.gif)
Something will go on the dorsal area, but it may just be panel lines to break up the surface. As for size, I haven't determined that yet.![[Confused]](confused.gif)
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
I wish that there was an official technical manual depicting that ship for reference. ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)