I know what Firesoul means about the Guard ships => this would be an ideal candidate.
I just generally have a problem with the Guard ship concept => old ships are *old* and would be too expensive to operate. New ships would be first line warships (maybe just small ones), not undergunned oversized warships that drag down resources and don't provide enough protection.
Not really. If you follow the principle that the National Guard does, the Guard would be home to ships like a 24th century
Excelsior or a late 23rd century
Asia.
The real Nat'l Guard uses old, but servacable equipment. I'm getting a 20 year old M60 in the next few months, but it is still deadly dispite it's age and the availability of better weapons. A starship is too expensive to be thrown away even after 50+ years, and having it refitted Nat'l Guard (or ready reserve) service would be a great way to squeeze some more use out of it.