The USS Pytheus has appeared on a few websites, since the 1990's, as a schematic diagram. I liked the aesthetics of the ship, so decided to model it.
The NCC-1013 USS Pytheus was a single vessel order, from Starfleet, for a heavy cruiser to reinforce the fleet on the Kzinti border. Launched in 2221 as a Warp 6 capable heavy cruiser, the Pytheus saw action in the occasional skirmish with the warlike Kzinti in border space. Extensively refitted to the latest Warp 7 capability in 2230, the Pytheus played a significant role during the third Federation - Kzinti War in the 2230's (The Kzinti lost yet again!!).
Refitted in 2245 with a Duotronics computer core, the Pytheus was reassigned to the Klingon front during the 4 Years War. In 2249 thee Pytheus was returned to the Kzinti border fleet. During one particular border incident, in 2252, the Pytheus was badly hit by a massive Kzinti drone missile salvo, causing severe damage to the ship's spaceframe. After being towed to a fleet repair facility, the Pytheus was found to be to be too badly damaged for economic repair. The Pytheus was struck from the active register and scrapped in 2252.