[WIP] TOS Era Miranda Class Starship

[SciFiFan]

Howdy MSFC. I had an idea for my own version of a TOS era Miranda Class. Though I would post what I have so far and get some feedback. I still have more work to do to her such as the impulse engines. She is currently 4000+ poly. This is intentional as I am trying to practice at doing higher quality work. I admittedly still have a long way to go Anyways, let me know what you think and if you have any suggestions, please post them.

Spoiler: TOS Miranda

 

[Jetfreak]

Looks to be a great start bro, thumbs up here.

It definitely has that basic TOS look to it, very much like the New Voyages USS Copernicus.

 

[Starfox1701]

Looks good man

 

[kjc733]

I agree it's very TOS... I hate to say it but possibly too much so. I like the character the movie era Miranda has whereas this has no real definition. Possibly thats down to the shading on the raw mesh, there is some sort of step there but it's hard to tell.

Don't get me wrong, I think you've done a great job in building her, I'm just not a fan of the simplified shape.

Beyond that, the sensor/torpedo array on the rollbar, I'd suggest making it a bit bigger, especially if that's a small deflector dish I spy mounted there (it's hard to tell without a forward view).

I like the way you've integrated the original series style shuttle bay to the back, nicely done

 

[Adm_Z]

Looks great Scifi! I also like the shuttle bays, very neat idea.

 

[SciFiFan]

Thank you all for the replies. I agree about the character the Reliant had KJC. That said, I intentionally designed her without that industrial look because I personally feel it does not fit with TOS. Also, the idea with the shuttle bay was taken from Ricky "Madman" Wallace and his Alternate Reliant. The image above was more to get a feel for how I wanted to put the old lady together. I have been working all day on a new higher quality model and I have made some significant changes. I hope you guys like them.

Spoiler: Miranda Top

Spoiler: Miranda Bottom

I did some research on the weapons placement from the shows. The best view of how the weapons were placed came from Enterprise "In a Mirror Darkly." Therefore I came up with an idea for a weapons platform in the area where the show showed them firing from.

Spoiler: Forward Weapon Platform

I also always felt that the dome that sits atop the bridge could use some reinforcement. Here is my solution to that.

Spoiler: Bridge Module

Here is a shot of the aft. You can see my new hanger bay design. It retains the basic idea from my first image but also retains the (apparent)roll up type doors. Also you can see my impulse engine and aft weapon platform.

Spoiler: Aft

Next I will try working on the roll bar and pod. I am leaning towards an elongated deflector array with another launcher facing forward and aft. The launchers in the pod would be primarily for launching science probes but, could be used to fire torpedoes in an emergency.

 

[kjc733]

I agree about the character the Reliant had KJC. That said, I intentionally designed her without that industrial look because I personally feel it does not fit with TOS.

Understood, and I'd have done the same.

Also, the idea with the shuttle bay was taken from Ricky "Madman" Wallace and his Alternate Reliant.

I actually considered suggesting raising the shuttle bays so it'd protrude from the main hull, but thought it'd conflict with the TOS aesthetics so I decided to just see where you went with it. This new layout is far better.

I also always felt that the dome that sits atop the bridge could use some reinforcement. Here is my solution to that.

Love it May "borrow" the idea at some point.

Also you can see my impulse engine and aft weapon platform.

Whilst I like the design of the impulse engine, something about it screams "tacked on" and "TMP". Just quickly googling Enterprise impulse engines it does look more TMP/JJ-prise-esque than TOS Enterprise which has a wider, more integrated looking mounting with squarer exhausts. Of course, it is your design so go with whatever you feel is right, I'm just trying to be helpful.

Next I will try working on the roll bar and pod. I am leaning towards an elongated deflector array with another launcher facing forward and aft. The launchers in the pod would be primarily for launching science probes but, could be used to fire torpedoes in an emergency.

Can't wait to see it. Personally I'd stick with science probes to prevent it being too over gunned.

Last piece of constructive criticism - on the top image it looks as though there's some sort of mesh error where the step meets the saucer. Possibly it's just down to shading and the view.

Well that's my two cents worth - I think it's great work.

 

[dvatreknerd314]

Love the new shuttle bays. Looks awesome!

 

[SciFiFan]

Love it May "borrow" the idea at some point. Feel free to do so.


Whilst I like the design of the impulse engine, something about it screams "tacked on" and "TMP". Just quickly googling Enterprise impulse engines it does look more TMP/JJ-prise-esque than TOS Enterprise which has a wider, more integrated looking mounting with squarer exhausts. Of course, it is your design so go with whatever you feel is right, I'm just trying to be helpful.
I actually agree. I had an idea I was running with when I started the engines but it did not turn out the way I wanted. In all honesty, it looks like something that would bridge between TOS and TMP. As for the Impulse Exhausts, I think that will stay. Two little squares just seems underwhelming to me. Look at it this way, the Miranda is a newer class than the Constitution so there will be things that have changed. I will be taking another crack at the engines when I get time.


Can't wait to see it. Personally I'd stick with science probes to prevent it being too over gunned. Primary use will be for science probes. As the Miranda was designed (at least in my mind) to be a multi-mission type of vessel, it comes with a certain amount of versatility. If they get caught up in a jam, they could use the probe launchers to fire torpedoes.

Last piece of constructive criticism - on the top image it looks as though there's some sort of mesh error where the step meets the saucer. Possibly it's just down to shading and the view. Yeah, I know what I was going for and I missed on it. I will be going back and redoing those corners later to try and get it right. I already have an idea on how to do it.

Well that's my two cents worth - I think it's great work.

Thanks for the input guys. I will keep this thing going as long as I can. I sleep in the day and work through the night so I can really only work on it on weekends. Keep your eyes open.

 

[Majestic]

Sweet work mate, I love the re-done model. Very fitting for a TOS styled Miranda. One of the better ones I have seen.

 

[SciFiFan]

Just a little update. I have not been able to work on this model this past weekend as I have been busy with other things. I have tried the idea I had regarding the mesh error on the corner of the secondary hull and I was not too pleased with the result. I will try again by pretty much redoing the upper half of the secondary hull when I get a chance.

Also, I have been doing some research into 3DS Max. I am installing it on my laptop and try to learn how to use it just as I learned how to use MS3D. With a more powerful program, perhaps in time I can make a better looking model. I may consider making a low poly version (model only)for release to anyone who wants to use it for Armada.

 

[SciFiFan]

Started a little more work on the Miranda. Here is what I have got now:

Here I have cleaned up the corners of the secondary hull where it meets the primary hull.


Here you can see some minor adjustments made to the shuttle bays. They sit a little lower and I have changed the curvature.


Here is the new design for the impulse engines. I actually got the idea from looking at the speakers on my tablet. Sometimes you get inspiration from the strangest places...

 

[Majestic]

Looking great mate, yes inspiration does come from the most unusual places. I like how much thought you're putting into this design, evolving the design as you see fit. A lot of work there for sure.

 

[Jetfreak]

Certainly a step up in quality for sure. You know if this was done a few years back you could have sworn it was for Bridge Commander. How times have changed indeed.

Well done SciFiFan, I'm really wondering how you're going to approach the nacelle pylons. Straight and simple or something else in mind?

 

[SciFiFan]

Thank you for the compliments. I have used the spoiler of a Plymouth Super Bee as inspiration for the roll bar. So to answer your question Jet it is somewhat a mix of straight and angular. I also have the main deflector pod mostly done. I would like to add some detail to the back of the pod but, I am not certain what yet.

 

[Majestic]

I would like to add some detail to the back of the pod but, I am not certain what yet.

View attachment 9261View attachment 9262

Have you thought of an auxiliary impulse engine or perhaps a probe launcher?

 

[SciFiFan]

Have you thought of an auxiliary impulse engine or perhaps a probe launcher?

I have actually been thinking of a probe launcher, auxiliary sensor package and main tractor beam.

 

[Jetfreak]

I have used the spoiler of a Plymouth Super Bee as inspiration for the roll bar. So to answer your question Jet it is somewhat a mix of straight and angular.

You know that's a very interesting take using a car as an inspiration. The Super Bee wing is really appropriate. Can't go wrong with that very 60's look.

I once read an interesting article on how automotive designs can be related to the evolution of Star Trek ship aesthetics. Apart from being sci-fi vessels, these designs had to evoke a certain level of familiarity to the layman audience. They noticed how the 1979 Enterprise Refit evoked the angular lines of cars at the time. Also, when the Excelsior debuted in 1984, their designers admitted to being influenced by japanese designs. Moving forward, the Enterprise-D and E had very smooth and elegant "new age" looks, just as the 1990's rolled in. And with retro-cars in vogue today, the JJ Enterprise went full circle with the classic layout in 2009. I never really noticed it before but there it is when you really think about it.

By the way about the aft of the deflector pod, how about a single torpedo launcher? Without one you have a blind spot methinks.

 

[Majestic]

I have actually been thinking of a probe launcher, auxiliary sensor package and main tractor beam.

It will be interesting to see what you come up with.

 

[Atlantis]

Looking good so far.

I have to admit, I was very much a fan of your first take on the shuttlebays, though depending on where you take them, this second take should look pretty good too.

The main issue I see at the moment is the rear "wall"; you've got it as a straight line across the back, from side to side. On the "refit" Miranda that wall comes inward from the sides, forming a very shallow "V" shape in the centre, which really helps break up that "flat wall" bit.
Similarly, if you add some kind of detailing below where the impulse engines are, maybe some kind of reinforcement for the engine block, something big, that would help with that area too.

That said, it's your project and you've done really well so far. Loving the rollbar's shape; certainly better than my imagination could come up with when I was thinking about this.

 

[SciFiFan]

I haven't worked on this in a while. I did place an observation deck and some probe launchers on the back of the pod but, I am going to see about creating a TOS version of the Torpedo pod and see how it looks. I did some doodling and have created an adversary for the Miranda.

Spoiler: Sh'vara Warbird

The Sh'vara Class Warbird was believed to have been designed to compete against the Federation's Constitution class starships. Though the Empire never got the chance to pit the Sh'vara against a Constitution, It's performance against the smaller Miranda class ships have left the Admiralty feeling that it would not fulfill it's intended purpose. The Sh'vara would ultimately be relegated to support duties for both the Bird of Preys and the eventually acquired D-7s that would be re-designated as the Stormbird.

 

[Majestic]

An interesting design mate, I can certainly see the TOS BOP influence in it.

Also here is a thread for some inspiration on a TOS Miranda.
http://www.trekbbs.com/showthread.php?t=166732

 

[Tecnitron]

for SciFiFan ,
to see that rollbar is much better , mirandas are a bit more beautiful than constitutions i think.
it is a nice beginning like to see the whole thing. can't see the spoiler Pictures.

oh yes those ship designs , it really goes by the car designs of that time, never thought of it 60' 70's 80' 90's. tmp is really like 80's

i like to use your tmp assault in a2files , can i have permission for your strider class
please ?

that miranda would fit in very well in my tos fleet , those rounded edges in that time period
make those ship good looking <3

 

[SciFiFan]

@Tecnitron

Bad news on the TOS Miranda. Due to some computer issues I had some time back, I no longer have that file. I would have to start again from scratch and at this time, I don't really have a lot of time to play with. That said, that particular model I was working on was intended to be a higher poly count than the game engine would likely be able to support. Thank you for the kind words though and I may revisit this project at some point in the future.

As for the TMP Assault, please feel free to use it. Only rules I have for my models are that they not be used for personal gain and that proper credit be given. That said, I do not own the rights to the design which was created for another game. It was a made from scratch port.

 

[Tecnitron]

i wish i could do such great work. i try to find a program like pinnacle that is free...
to do proper credits in videos.
due to computer issues i lost my armada 2 , two or three times , that gives a learning ...
now i got a save palce.
why i got every time those earth globes ...

thank you ^^

 

[SciFiFan]

Blender is also free and is a very powerful program. I am trying to learn it. When I get comfortable, I plan to try more renders.