Topic: U.S.S. Catchon NCC-3400 Catchon Class Interceptor

[ModelsPlease]

OUTALANCE SHIPYARDS
U.S.S. Catchon NCC-3400
Catchon Class Interceptor



Owner: United Federation of Planets
Type: Medium Ship
In Service: 2270
Out of Service: n/a
Source: Jackill's Star Fleet Reference Manual - Ships of the Fleet Volume I
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The construction of the "Catchon" (NCC-3400) class interceptors is authorized in 2270.
At least 25 of the 41 proposed ships (NCC-3400-NCC-3440) will be built.
Each ship has 3 torpedo tubes, 12 phasers, a complement of 352, and a maximum speed of warp 9.5
-------------
Author: ModelsPlease
Ship Design: Eric Kristiansen
Original Mesh and Textures: rick knox aka p81
Retextured by: GotAFarmYet? and ModelsPlease
Kitbashed by: ModelsPlease

http://www.battleclinic.com/docks/files/dist/index.php/file,175c291e9f50ee72f6a9fcb7c0c0f645.rar

And yet another Jackhill design good to go !!!
-MP

[Starforce2]

damn, you just don't quit do ya? (not that I'm bitching here...)

[Panzergranate]

And for his next trick a Podesti hopefully (hint, hint!!)

[Scottish Andy]

A very nice kitbash, MP! Would you be able to send me the blank saucer textures you use on this ship? (I don't actually want the ship...lol). I'd appreciate it! 

While the Catchon class isn't the worst example, the design of the ship just goes to show how easy it is to throw together a gun-bunny ship with existing hull pieces and very little thought. 

I'm only surprised there is no "mega-phasers" plugged in there somewhere 

[ModelsPlease]

And for his next trick a Podesti hopefully (hint, hint!!)

Podesti
http://www.battleclinic.com/docks/files/dist/index.php/file,0641d4534edd53b95a3e08db7d0f4116.zip

[Panzergranate]

Mega Phasers on a Catachon??!!

Er.... read the Jackills books to see that they don't have any!!

All Fed ships are modular build, as now are 20th Century naval warships, for ease of battle damage repair and faster build time.

The non-modular TNG ships must have longer build and battle damage repair times for shipyards.

So modularity makes Fed ships, Gorn ships, some Lyran ships, some Hydran ships  and some Klingon ships easier to kitbash. So what?? It's standard millitary practice in real life so why not in fiction??

Don't knock things for the functional way they are designed!!

Anyhow, after TOS and TMP, Fed ships become pretty dull and boring to look at.

[Bernard Guignard]

Correct Panzergranate its not a Jackill's feature but the people who put out Starfleet dynamics and Starfleet Prototype
did put out the Warlord class heavy destroyer consisting of a single mega phaser mounted on the aft of  the saucer and
an enlarged photon torp pod on the ships connecting dorsal to a single warp engine. Then there's the Dupliex class Destroyer
armed with Phasers and Megaphasers only no torps.   
I wouldn't be surprised if some one took the Catchon and bashed the schematics to put megaphasers on her. ships schematics.net has many bashes of that nature 

[Panzergranate]

There are quite a few challenging TOS period ships to yet be done. The CM 695 Nelson Class medium cruiser springs to mind. Maybe a Baton Rouge in the original Steinbeck guise.

I t would be nice to see both on screen sometime. Both are in the tricky category.

Another is the CL 1570 Belmont Class light cruiser. Also has a strange secondary hull.

[ModelsPlease]

Nelson Class medium cruiser, Baton Rouge, Belmont Class light cruiser.

Pics or schematics please, I'll give 'em a shot 

[Bernard Guignard]

There are quite a few challenging TOS period ships to yet be done. The CM 695 Nelson Class medium cruiser springs to mind. Maybe a Baton Rouge in the original Steinbeck guise.

I t would be nice to see both on screen sometime. Both are in the tricky category.

Another is the CL 1570 Belmont Class light cruiser. Also has a strange secondary hull.

Hi Mp you can find them here
http://www.shipschematics.net/startrek/federation.html
The Rick Sternback version though will have to culled from Schematics or discussions from the TREK BBS If I remember Right there are a number of elevation views for the  Baton Rouge since only the top view and illustration was published.  Panzergranate the Nelson class is that the FASA Design ? There are only 2 reference at the starship schematic data base the nelson Frigate which looks like an Akula class destroyer and the Nelson scout from FASA.

[ModelsPlease]

Thanks Bernard  .

Ok Panzergranate, now that I have seen pics.....

There were 2 schematics for the Nelson:
http://www.shipschematics.net/startrek/images/federation/frigate_nelson.jpg
http://www.shipschematics.net/startrek/images/federation/scout_nelson.jpg
Neither is a Medium Cruiser, if you know of a third please share, but both of these have already been modelled an can be found at Battleclinic.....
Nelson Frigate
http://www.battleclinic.com/docks/files/dist/index.php/file,c9e71be21b7753193ca191184d9dac04.zip
Nelson Scout
http://www.battleclinic.com/docks/files/dist/index.php/file,32c3be5ba48ef902d1dc8f7a45de4bd5.zip

The Baton Rouge:
http://www.shipschematics.net/startrek/images/federation/lightcruiser_batonrouge.jpg
Someone was working on this design but to my knowledge it hasn't been released yet.

The Belmont Class Light Cruiser:
http://www.shipschematics.net/startrek/images/federation/lightcruiser_belmont.jpg
Haven't seen this one either but an easy bash though the design is a little silly, a half size sec hull and half size neck on a TOS Connie  .

[Panzergranate]

The USS Nelson is listed as a Saladin Class destroyer launched in 2223 and as being used as a test bed for a possible frigate. The pciture with the twin engines is diffent from what I saw only in the registry number, which should still be NCC 546.

Other Saladin Class destroyers were used as test beds such as the NCC 506 Pompey, NCC 501 Jenghis, USS Hamilcar, etc. The Nelson was just such an example.

Aparently Star Fleet decided that the project was not so smart, due to the obvious lack of hangar space, and developed the Surya Class frigates instead.

The Nelson was rebuilt to Jenghis Class specifivcations in 2275 along with the other test bed destroyers, such as the NCC 506 Pompey.

The Belmont is interesting as it would have better endurance range, as a TOS period light cruiser than the Hunt Class (CL 1353 - 1369) or Kearsrge Class (1500 - 1549).

Other advantages would be in maneuverability over the Constitution Class cruisers.

I just think that these ships prove that not all TOS ships are modular or simple in construction.

I had a go at what a probable Belmont might look like in the TMP period. The small secondary hull concept looks good on a ship.

There should be an image of a Hunt Class somewhere on line. The one I found didn't make it that easy to see the details of the deflector mount drum as it was a port side view only. Fortunately, I'd seen the design many years ago from all angles and know that it is a small drum under the neck pylon. The neck pylon and defelctor was removed in 2245 so that an aft under saucer AWALT torpedo launcher could be fitted, to upgrade the class into light strike cruisers.

I haven't found any images or designs of a TMP version of the Hunt Class but it would probally retain the aft torpedo capability.

TOS period Hunt Class have ingle split aft phaser mounts the same as for the Ptolomey Class Transport tugs, which are derived from them.

I've noticed that a few of Jackill's designs are TMP upgrades of ol TOS based ships, and well done as well.

So, model please, a possible wish list......

Belmont Class (TOS and/or TMP)

Hunt Class in MK.I. pre-TOS mitt die tall bridge, maybe a Mk.II. TOS-period and a Mk.III. TMP period.

[ModelsPlease]

Hunt Class?
http://www.shipschematics.net/startrek/images/federation/lightcruiser_hunt.jpg

You don't need me to bash either of those I've seen your work you can easily bash them 
And what you are calling the TOS Belmont design. I have seen labeled as the Akula class as well.
Akula
TOS
http://startrekspecops.bravehost.com/akula.jpg
TMP
http://startrekspecops.bravehost.com/akula-refit.jpg

Anyway....check your mail 

[Panzergranate]

I'm figuring how to make the tail pylon and deflector mount drum seperately and then attach it to the MK.II. Hunt I made many months ago. I've already tried to modify a  Connie neck but that plan soon fell apart, so I'm doing hwat I'd do with a plastic model kitbash and fabrication the required parts from scratch.

I'm working from memory of a schematic I saw 20 odd years ago which showed front and rear views as well of the Hunt Class. It was finding that same schematic onlinne that made me want to model the ship in both 2223 Mk.I. and 2245 Mk.II. versions, the latter proved pretty easy to do.

At the moment I've a couple of my motorcycles that need fixing just in case summer actually arrives here in the UK this year!!

I'll have a go when I have a spare moment and a plan of how to do it in mind.

[Panzergranate]

The "Akula" image in the links is actually the Fargo Class heavy destroyer and I've seen the schmatic years ago somewhere and recently online. I've no idea how or why someone could have mixed this up. I remember seeing it in the same book as the Hunt, Swiften, Connie, etc. many years ago.

The low set engines sacraficed Warp speed capabilty in return for a 270 Degree dorsal secondary hull Phaser mount. It is a tad slower than a Connie and most of the TOS fleet at that time.

I've already found a schematic someone has kindly scanned in from the book online. The saucer has extra "bits" added on for some special functions, which'll take a bit of cunnig for any modeller to replicate exactly.

The Marco Polo (1590 - 15??) Class tactical cruisers use a similar hull but with the AWAC dish mounted above the impulse deck of the saucer.

There are quite a few old TOS designs out there dating back years that make interesting modeling subjects.

[Bernard Guignard]

Man I was wondering where you were getting your information. I don't remember any of those designs designated the way you stated them in any of the reference material that I currently have. For me the saladin is a destroyer aka Franz josephs tech manual and SFB, the AKula is from Mastercom ships of the Starfleet and STarfleet command, the Nelson is a scout from FASA. thats not to say that in some one elses private universe they are different its just that I don't know about them. 

[Starforce2]

Man I was wondering where you were getting your information. I don't remember any of those designs designated the way you stated them in any of the reference material that I currently have. For me the saladin is a destroyer aka Franz josephs tech manual and SFB, the AKula is from Mastercom ships of the Starfleet and STarfleet command, the Nelson is a scout from FASA. thats not to say that in some one elses private universe they are different its just that I don't know about them. 

MP is his own reference manual

[ModelsPlease]

Man I was wondering where you were getting your information. I don't remember any of those designs designated the way you stated them in any of the reference material that I currently have. For me the saladin is a destroyer aka Franz josephs tech manual and SFB, the AKula is from Mastercom ships of the Starfleet and STarfleet command, the Nelson is a scout from FASA. thats not to say that in some one elses private universe they are different its just that I don't know about them. 

The source for each ship is always listed under the Out of Service year in my read me's

[Panzergranate]

The Nelson started out as a Saladin Class destroyer (Franz  Joseph). A lot of material has been built onto the original Franz Joseph material. FASA stated on its own direction but does have a few Franz Joseph Federation ships that are in common with SFB such as the mention of the loss of the frigate NCC 350 USS Chadwick (Burke Class) in a mission brief.

I have a few decade worth of material, some of which contradicts the common concensus though not in the extreme way ENT does!!

There are a lot of interesting designs that go back decades in fandom that would make interesting model projects for shipyards.

If one hunts around the bookshops, car boot and garage sales, some of these 1970's ad 1980's books and other material does turn up. Luckily some folks are posting it up on websites, though its not the same as pouring over a book.

Some of my books are falling apart now as they're over 30 years old and need replacing.

I figure Models Please probally has a similar collection of well worn material, if not more.

[Bernard Guignard]

The Nelson started out as a Saladin Class destroyer (Franz  Joseph). A lot of material has been built onto the original Franz Joseph material. FASA stated on its own direction but does have a few Franz Joseph Federation ships that are in common with SFB such as the mention of the loss of the frigate NCC 350 USS Chadwick (Burke Class) in a mission brief.

I have a few decade worth of material, some of which contradicts the common concensus though not in the extreme way ENT does!!

There are a lot of interesting designs that go back decades in fandom that would make interesting model projects for shipyards.

If one hunts around the bookshops, car boot and garage sales, some of these 1970's ad 1980's books and other material does turn up. Luckily some folks are posting it up on websites, though its not the same as pouring over a book.

Some of my books are falling apart now as they're over 30 years old and need replacing.

I figure Models Please probally has a similar collection of well worn material, if not more.

Hello Panzegranate
 I guess I'm going to have to Refer to my editions of the FASA Material regarding the Nelson starting as a Saladin Class I must have Missed the reference in one of the source books. I do have an extensive collection of Blueprints and Technical manuals that I started collecting in the Mid Eighties.
 Would you happen to remember what source book that this is mentioned in. Also the Chadwick class any idea as what source book it was taken from sounds like the 4 years war, or are you just interpreting the Class as a sfb Burke class?
 Keep in mind that FASA Frigates are shown to be Much in line with a heavy cruiser or Battle Cruiser than the small Frigate of SFB. I Also Collect SFB Material as well as Decipher and Lost Unicorn material, as well as Primedirective and other materials.
I just finished getting my Blueprint inventory listing on the TreknoGraphx Yahoo Groups site. Now I plan on working on the Technical/Reference manual side of things.

thanks for your help in this matter. Its greatly appreciated

[Panzergranate]

I've seen several version of the Burke Class and it is quite an old frigate dating from the late 2100's but alway with the saucer and engines underneath layout. The engines chnage though and by TOS a small under saucer hangar "shed" had been added.

The saucer is very similar in style to the Baton Rouge Class cruisers.

Additions to the frigate inventory during the "4 Years War", which is probally the war McCoy refers to in TOS, resulted in the construction of the Chadwick and Buford friigate classes, both built using the same hull design. The obvious limitation of such an old design for such a limited small frigate was recognised. They are severly undergunned and underpowered by the 2240's when faced with superiour Klingon frigates.

During the "4 Years War" the Saladin Class destroyer USS Nelson NCC 546 and the scout USS Hamilcar were badly damaged.

The oportunity was taken to use the Nelson as a testbed for a proposed frigate upgrade. However, for several reasons, the project was not a success and Star Fleet went with a totally new design of frigates which resulted in the Coventry, Quillen, Miranda and Surya Class frigates.

The USS Hamilcar became the test bed for a new conccept in Warp Propulsion.... high speed cruising by switching between pairs of engines.

From this initial test bed runnig 4 x PB 32 Warp Engines, the Catchon, Chetah, Constellation and the TNG Galaxy class evoloved. The Klingons also "borrowed" and used this technology on several starships including the L7.

Other testbed Saladins include the USS Pompey NCC 506, which was converted into a succession of twin engined destroyer test bed configurations.