Romulan Warbird. No love for the design?

Hey guys, I was looking around and realized that there just aren't many versions of the romulan warbird d'deridex class vessels that have been put out. Why is that?

 

I actually have one of those NIB that I haven't had time to build. I like that version as it's in line with the Enterprise-D design.

Size comparison..
Scimitar, Enterprise-E, Warbird, Valdore


As for firepower, the Scimitar had multiple redundant disruptors, torpedo launchers, and shields. Picard called it a "Predator". Worf said "Gotta get me one of those!"

 

funnily enough I was thinking the exact same thing the other day, to my knowledge Ertl only ever released the smallish one with the 'Enemy Ships' 3 piece set, I would love a decent sized TNG Warbird

 

as a kid i had a model kit of the warbird that was made by Ertl it was 1.3200 scale. in the 90's it was about £30 i think, i also had the 3 piece set with the ferengi ship, klingon BOP and the romulan warbird. none of the ships where ever in scale to each other.

 

Strangely I was just looking at one of these as a next-build. Love the Warbird, far more so than the Scimitar - which to me looked like a gigantic mess (no offense to the hard work John Eaves put into it, the Valdore was a far better and more Romulan design).

The ERTL kit, while small, is a really great model. I have one I built up years ago (unpainted, needs better seam-work), and an unbuilt one still in the box.

 

The design of the Warbird IMHO is a bit of an oddball. In one sense it is a very cool design with its bi-plane wings. But it is kind of strange and maybe a bit too stylized. If the Enterprise D seemed like a cruise ship, the Warbird LOOKED like one with how vertical its structures were and you didn't see any obvious weapon ports. Valdore being more understated I think did the job better as a ship of action that could pounce when needed. There are also some strange looking angles on the Warbird as well.

I would say the biggest reason why you don't see more of these built is due to its paintjob though, which is almost monotone bright green. Romulan TNG ships are rather clean and have to be kept that way while the Klingons can be detail heavy with all the weathered accents and surface panels on them to pop out the detail. You can do paint effects on a Romulan, but they have to be kept rather subtle (like doing a proper Aztec pattern on a Federation ship so it doesn't end up checkerboardy) to look good and they don't read too well until you get close. At least the classic Romulans were cooler looking with the gray tones and the bright obnoxious orange and red bird on the bottom (I would love to see somebody try that on a TNG Warbird, if it could be done properly).

I remember when Hallmark did the Warbird ornament for Christmas. So you had a green ship with green lights put on a green Christmas tree. It made the perfect camouflage (or the ship was cloaked)!

 

Thanks for the input guys. I always wished to own a studio scaled warbird lol. But can;t find anything cept the ertl kit and the playmates warbird

 

Best ship design in all TNG, if you ask me.

 

^excluding the D, I agree.

 

Yep, i agree with this too.
When i saw the very first pic of the Warbird, i thought, "wow!!!! That's fantastic, original and inspiring!!!"

Now if only Star Trek could sort out their "all over the place" ship scales....

Rich

 

Looking forward to watching this build. I've got one finished and one in the box. I've thought about re-doing one of these for some time. My wife really likes the design of this ship.

 

Built my AMT Warbird from the NextGen Adversary Set years ago. I painted it using a transparent pearl green overcoat. Did a few too many coats though so it ended up being more of a dark jade green. I still like it though. Here's a pic:

 

I think Andrew Probert was kicking around working with a modeler to come up with a kit of his 'concept' Warbird. While I appreciate the finalized design, I thought his first take on the ship, (with a vertical orientation as opposed to the standard horizontal) was extraordinarily innovative..And, scary. Reminded me of some massive scorpion or something. If anyone hears of a kit of that design actually getting produced, PM me...That's my Romulan "must have"

 

You mean this design? I like it too.

 

Both are equally good, one can be a variation of the other.

 

There IS a studio scale Warbird coming.... stay tuned!

 

Woohoo!

 

Sweet news! Personally though, I'd be happy with one in scale to the 1/1400 scale Round 2 Enterprise D.

 

Yes, I've seen bits of it. It's HUGE

 

Awesome! Hey Chris, tried to get ahold of you several times. BlackbirdCD right?

 

Yessir, blackbirdcd@gmail.com

Cheers!

 

Update tonight. Get ready with a tissue near by.
George :cool

 

How did you do those windows?

 

Nice build, trekriffic! And, yes..That Drexfiles pic is of the design I was talking about. Love that concept bird!

An aside; I remember when TNG came out, I wasn't big on Andrew Probert's designs for Trek's future. I've grown to LOVE his style, and now appreciate the 1701-D as a tremendously innovative cocktail of angles and shapes..Took about twenty years for me to realize it, but that guy is right up there with Wah Chang, Matt Jeffries and Ralph McQuarrie..IMO.

 

THIS is a Warbird! :love
George

 

YEAH!!! Very cool pic. Okay..Can't leave us hangin' with that picture. Do tell

 

Some Pics I have


Star Trek USS Stargazer


All the best Rewen

 

That is a neat-looking ship! The only downside to it that I can see is that it's height-to-width ratio wouldn't lend itself too well to a t.v. screen. In order to see the whole thing, the image of the ship would have to be quite small..:wacko

 

Umm...hello...want...

 

Posting all the goodness in the Junkyard. :love
George