Prototype Enterprise Re-design Ideas

For a future build, I was toying with doing a re-design of the Enterprise, perhaps a de-evolution or alternate version of the NX-01 concept. Some of the thoughts I've had were to incorporate elements of already existing spacecraft (Saturn V-like profile for the nacelles?), as well as the nifty look of the Phoenix from First Contact...basically, a ship that has the essential elements of the Jefferies design, but less streamlined than the original Enterprise. I thought it might be neat to throw this out and see if anyone has had ideas along this line, or may perhaps have some suggestions for details. I plan on doing some sketches and developing this "in the open."

The thing is, I really like the design of the NX-01, but the idea of actually stripping the Star Trek aesthetic back to something a bit rougher just appeals too much to me.

I like the idea! There's just something about a re-envisioning or a concept design of something we already know that appeals to me. I toyed around with doing an Enterprise B or D as if it would exist in the new Trek universe of the movie - I think I'm in the minority of people that liked the "tweaked" Enterprise from that film (for the most part anyway).

The NX-01 is basically just a reworked AKIRA Class from Next Gen so reworking it even more is just a slap in the face to Jefferies work.

If you want to honor his work use his drawings as a starting point.

Bloop said:

I like the idea! There's just something about a re-envisioning or a concept design of something we already know that appeals to me. I toyed around with doing an Enterprise B or D as if it would exist in the new Trek universe of the movie - I think I'm in the minority of people that liked the "tweaked" Enterprise from that film (for the most part anyway).

Click to expand...

I didn't mind the new Enterprise either. It'll never be the original mind you, but I enjoyed it for what it was.

My basic idea is to keep the silhouette/profile of the original Enterprise intact, but have it be a noticeable step backward in terms of refinement and design. I like the practical explanation that Jefferies had for the contained, smooth surfaces of the Enterprise...that it's easier to repair if all the guts are on the inside. But a process of evolution would have had to take place to get the ship to that point, and since current, real-world spacecraft require spacewalks for certain repairs, I thought it might be neat to explore design possibilities that have certain systems exposed to space and requiring extrenal maintenance.

This is what I am going to use as the basis:



I figure this literally is the precusror to the final design. With some more detailing and finagling, I bet it could make a really cool 'prototype' model. Nothing too extreme, but I would like to reflect some 'real' spacecraft elements.