K't'inga class

K't'inga class

The K't'inga-class battle cruiser was a primary class of warship in service with the Klingon Imperial Fleet from the late 23rd century through the late 24th century.

History

File:Constitution and ktinga.jpg

Escorted by a Template:ShipClass cruiser

Introduced in the early 2270s, the K't'inga-class cruiser was considered one of the most powerful warships in the Klingon Defense Forces, even serving as a flagship of the Imperial Fleet for a time during the 2290s. (Star Trek: The Motion Picture; Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country)

K't'inga-class cruisers were in service as early as 2272, when the Epsilon IX station recorded the destruction of three K't'inga-class vessels by the V'Ger entity. (Star Trek: The Motion Picture) Starfleet's interest in the K't'inga-class cruiser was such that in 2285, the class of ship appeared in the Kobayashi Maru training scenario at Starfleet Academy. (Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan)

For nearly a century, the K't'inga-class cruiser proved to be a rugged, sturdy design that saw continuous use. In that aspect they were much like their Federation counterparts the Template:ShipClass and Template:ShipClass starships, whose usefulness outlived contemporaries such as the Template:ShipClass cruiser.

With marked improvements, these warships saw continuous use as front-line and border patrol ships throughout the Second Klingon-Federation War and the Dominion War of the early-2370s. (DS9: "The Way of the Warrior", "Soldiers of the Empire", "Call to Arms") They were not always the ship of choice for all missions, however, as more agile craft like the Klingon Bird-of-Prey were better suited for some tasks. (DS9: "Once More Unto the Breach")

Technical data

The K't'inga-class cruiser was one of the most advanced and versatile warships in the Klingon Imperial Fleet, more than capable of facing an Excelsior-class cruiser in a one-on-one confrontation. (VOY: "Flashback")

Physical arrangement

The bridge section, which connects to the aft section via a neck support

The outboard plan of the K't'inga design incorporated the same basic shape and classic design lineage dating back over one hundred years to the D5 class battle cruiser. (ENT: "Marauders", et al.) The K't'inga-cruiser was a direct offshoot in design-lineage from the venerable D7 class battle cruiser introduced sometime prior to 2267. (TOS: "Errand of Mercy", et al.)

The bulk of the ship's overall mass was incorporated in the aft section of the ship. The bridge module was located on a bulbous forward section, which was separated from the aft section by a relatively thin connective section that attached to and flared into the aft section. Located on the caudal section of the ship were the ship's impulse engines. Jutting from below the port and starboard side of the ship's aft section were the ship's warp nacelles.

Aside from possessing a slightly sleeker shape and contour than its D7-class predecessor, the most notable design variations between the two classes included a less bulbous forward section, a larger bridge dome, differently-designed warp nacelles, and more extensive external hull plating. (Star Trek: The Motion Picture, et al.)

Tactical systems

The primary weapon systems aboard the K't'inga-class cruiser were disruptors, photon torpedo launchers, and a concussive charge launcher. (VOY: "Flashback") Some were even outfitted with phasers. (TNG: "The Emissary")

In its original configuration, the torpedo launchers were located such that one was forward section, and one aft. The forward torpedo bay was located below the bridge, in the foremost part of the ship, while the aft torpedo bay was located between the impulse engines. During the arming sequence, the interior perimeter of the torpedo tube area glowed a bright red until the torpedo or torpedoes were fired. (Star Trek: The Motion Picture; Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan; Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country)

This class of ship was also equipped with dual, forward mounted disruptors, including emitters located at the mid-point on each of the forward-facing portions of the aft section, above the nacelles. (TNG: "The Emissary") Considered "state of the art" during the late 2290s, they were no match for a Template:ShipClass starship. They were, however, more than a match for any weakly-defended colony or outpost. (TNG: "The Emissary")

By the late 24th century, many of the K't'inga-class battle cruisers had been retrofitted to keep up with the advances of technology. By the 2370s, their forward torpedo launchers had been replaced with more powerful disruptors, allowing these vessels to remain the formidable adversaries they were nearly a century earlier. (DS9: "The Way of the Warrior", "Rules of Engagement")

The apocryphal Star Trek: Starship Spotter identifies eight disruptor emitters; only two have been seen, however. But if the weapon placement on the D7 is any indication of the weapon placement on the K't'inga-class cruiser, then it is possible that there is also a pair of dual, forward disruptor emitters mounted on the nacelles.

Firing forward photon torpedoes

Firing aft photon torpedoes

Firing phasers

Ktingas attack ds9.jpg

Firing disruptors

Cloaking device

These vessels also had incorporated, like many Klingon starships of the time, a cloaking device, which hid them from detection in most evasive situations. (TNG: "The Emissary"; DS9: "The Way of the Warrior")

K't'inga-class cruisers underwent several cloak upgrades during their years of service. Those cruisers equipped with cloaks installed prior to 2290 were known for the particular weakness of not being 100% efficient at blocking gamma radiation. (TNG: "The Emissary")

Propulsion systems

Facing off with an Template:ShipClass cruiser; clearly visible are the vessel's impulse engines and starboard warp nacelle

The warp drive of the K't'inga-class enabled it to reach the speed of warp 5. (TNG: "Heart of Glory", "The Emissary")

During an encounter between the USS Enterprise-D and the IKS T'Ong, Enterprise chief engineer Geordi La Forge figured that the Enterprise could probably knock out the T'Ong's warp engines without damaging the rest of the ship, as a means of disabling the vessel. (TNG: "The Emissary")

Additional systems

Some K't'inga-class cruisers were equipped with cryonic technology, which allowed crews of the late 23rd century to be placed in cryogenic sleep for long voyages. (TNG: "The Emissary")

Interior design

Main corridor of the IKS Kronos One

The primary color scheme aboard K't'inga-class cruisers was distinctively earth-tone colors, such as beige and gray.

In contrast to the corridors found aboard contemporary vessels, such as the Bird-of-Prey, these vessels were considerably spacious in size. (Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country)

Main bridge

The configuration of the darkened main bridge design of the K't'inga-class cruiser set the tone for many of the later Klingon bridge layouts, including the later Bird-of-Prey and Template:ShipClass cruisers.

The main bridge was located at the top portion of the forward section of the vessel. Located in the front of the bridge, against the forward bulkhead, was the ship's main viewscreen, used by the ship's captain.

Featured in the center of the bridge, on a raised platform, directly behind the viewscreen was the command chair, which had the ability to swivel 360 degrees. This positioning provided the commanding officer an unobstructed view of the screen, as well as allowed the commander to visually monitor all bridge operations.

Directly behind the command chair were two manned consoles. The port side position had control over the viewscreen display and could take the ship into evasive maneuvers (as with helm control on a Template:ShipClass ship. Lastly, at the rear of the bridge were two pivoting weapons targeting stations, which contained the ship's targeting systems. (Star Trek: The Motion Picture)

Andrew Probert's conceptualization of what lurked beneath the battle cruiser's oddly-shaped bridge helped set the Klingon style for all the Star Trek productions to follow. According to the text commentary by Mike Okuda in the director's edition of Star Trek: The Motion Picture, the Klingon interiors were intended to be "a contrast to the clean, sleek Enterprise interiors seen later" in the movie.

An alternate bridge style was also used on ships by the early 2360s. It featured the captain's chair at the back of a smokey and dimly lit bridge with banners of the Federation and Klingon Empire on the rear wall. (TNG: "Heart of Glory")

Amar viewscreen.jpg

Viewscreen of the IKS Amar with tactical display, 2270s

Captain's chair of the Amar, 2270s

Amar navigation and helm.jpg

Navigation and helm stations, 2270s

Amar tactical.jpg

Tactical stations, 2270s

Bridge, 2293

Bridge, 2364

Transporter room

Transporter room

The transporter room aboard a K't'inga-class cruiser contained five transporter pads, arranged linearly.

At an angle, and to the right of the pads, was the transporter control console, with an operator's chair; to the left was the doorway. (Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country)

The transporter room was a repainted set borrowed from The Next Generation. (Charting the Undiscovered Country: The Making of Trek VI, pg. 59)

Stateroom

Stateroom

The stateroom aboard the IKS Kronos One was the Klingon Chancellor Gorkon's private dining and conference room. This room featured a large transparent pedestal-table, with an overhead chandelier, set on a raised platform with surrounding chairs. (Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country)

The appearance of stateroom was designed to accommodate the wirework that was used for the filming of the anti-gravity scene. According to cinematographer Hiro Narita, "I knew that the plainer the wall, the more noticeable the wires would appear against it, so I suggested that by darkening the wall and adding a pattern to it, we could create enough visual confusion that the camera might not see the wires." (Charting the Undiscovered Country: The Making of Trek VI, pg. 61)

Ships commissioned

Named

• IKS Amar
• IKS B'Moth
• IKS Kronos One
• IKS T'Ong

Unnamed

• Unnamed K't'inga-class starships
  • K'Nera's battle cruiser
  • Kang's battle cruiser

Uncertain

• IKS T'Acog

Appendices

Appearances

• Star Trek films:
  • Star Trek: The Motion Picture
  • Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan (simulated)
  • Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
• TNG:
  • "Heart of Glory"
  • "The Emissary"
  • "Peak Performance" (model)
  • "Unification I"
• DS9:
  • "The Way of the Warrior"
  • "Rules of Engagement"
  • "By Inferno's Light"
  • "Soldiers of the Empire"
  • "Call to Arms"
  • "A Time to Stand"
  • "The Changing Face of Evil"
  • "Tacking Into the Wind"
  • "What You Leave Behind"
• VOY:
  • "Flashback"
  • "Unity"

Background

Origins

In the Star Trek: Phase II script, written by Harold Livingston, entitled "In Thy Image", the three Klingon warships were identified as Koro-class. They were later changed to K't'inga-class in Gene Roddenberry's novelization of Star Trek: The Motion Picture.

Although this designation was never referenced in any on-screen displays or dialog, it was adopted by the Star Trek Encyclopedia, where it was referred to as a "conjectural designation." Nevertheless, the designation has been recognized by the production staff as this design's name.

Studio model

The design of the K't'inga class was based on the Template:ShipClass class created by Matt Jefferies for Star Trek: The Original Series, which was, in turn based on the manta ray in both shape and color. (Star Trek: The Original Series Sketchbook) The studio model originally started out as belonging to the latter class.

The physical model

Original livery of the model.

The original studio model, built in 1977/1978 for Star Trek: Phase II, was constructed at Magicam and at Future General under supervision of Jim Dow, and measured a total of six feet in length (its actual dimensions being 47.5"×35" [1]). It was based on molds taken from the original television D7-class studio model and was originally intended to be this class. When Phase II was upgraded to Star Trek: The Motion Picture, further refinement was deemed necessary to meet big screen requirements. The upgrades on the model were done in 1979 by John Dykstra's Apogee, Inc. model shop, brought in by Douglas Trumbull. Dykstra recalled:

"That model, when it came to us, had been set up for some other photographic technique that didn't fit with ours. So we had to go in and completely redo the lighting. That was done by Grant McCune and the people he had working with him, which is basically a very similar staff to the ones we had on Star Wars and other shows. They did an incredible job. They took all the teeny little lights out of the model and put in some lights of significant size-and they did it in a matter of a few days. They really did a nice job of redoing the model, without destroying what was already there. They had to add a lot of detail to it because we got much closer to the model than I think they ever intended to do before. Once the thing with the ship was worked out, Doug Smith, in charge of shooting that sequence, photographed the opening shot."(American Cinematographer, February 1980, p.174)

Andrew Probert further elaborated on the rework done on the model:

"Due to continuing miscommunication with Magicam, the Klingon model eventually came to our Seward shop for additional detailing. We attempted to stay as close to the TV series version as possible, but after running some camera tests we discovered that an additional level of detail was needed for widescreen photography. A series of slides was taken of the model. We had photostats made of them and I did some initial design work on top of the stats. We painted it a darker color. I've always liked the idea of a black spaceship-which would have been impractical for this movie; so we came up with a dark military green. I had an idea that was carried out beautifully by Ron Gress. Ron painted a giant Klingon symbol on the underbelly of the ship. It was a revision of the old Klingon symbol."(Starlog, No.32, March 1980, p.63)

In the process the D7-class became the K'tinga-class. The most significant change in the design of the K't'inga model was its more detailed surface, so that it would look more believable on the movie screen. The K't'inga-class cruiser sequence shots for Star Trek: The Motion Picture were shot under the supervision of Dykstra (Cinefex, No.1, 1980, pp.4-34). The footage taken for this movie were the only ones taken of the model in this finish[2]. Later appearances in Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan and Star Trek: The Next Generation were stock footage taken from this shoot.

For Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country the original studio model, in 1991, underwent extensive modification to become Gorkon's flagship IKS Kronos One. Modifications, done at the Industrial Light & Magic model shop by model-makers Bill George, Mark Moore and John Goodson, involved a new paint scheme and gold colored metal etched ornaments applied all over the model[3]. As George recalled:

"(...)Mark and I sent out to the library for books on military hardware; and out of that research, we came up with the concept that when Klingons return victorious from battle, they add some new piece of equipment or new graphics to their ships. We chose medieval armor as both our color palette and our design springboard and devised this regal and ornate looking paint job, which everyone liked and approved, so we transferred that look onto the model."(Cinefex, no.49, 1992, p.49)

In addition the warp engines were outfitted with internal lighting visible through newly applied jagged slotted patterns to the hull. In this finish the model would be used only twice more, in DS9: "The Way of the Warrior" and in VOY: "Flashback", as Kang's battle cruiser. In the 'Special Features' segment on disc seven of the VOY Season 3 DVD entitled Flashback to "Flashback", there is a 0:02:45 segment with Dan Curry discussing the filming of the encounter between the USS Excelsior and Kang's battle cruiser in the Azure Nebula. In 1993 the model was on loan to Smithsonian Institution for their Star Trek Smithsonian Exhibit, where it was shortly re-united with its "mother", the original D7-class model.[4]

Design patent image.

The model at aution in its Kronos One livery.

A design patent, No. D263856, was issued by the US Patent and Trademark Office for the K't'inga on 4 April 1982 (there called a "toy spaceship") noted Andrew Probert as the sole "inventor" of the design.

The original physical studio model was eventually listed as Lot #996 in the 40 Years of Star Trek: The Collection auction, where it was given an estimated sale price of $3,000 to $5,000; it ultimately sold for $85,000 ($102,000 with premium) on 7 October 2006. After its acquirement the owner hired Ed Miarecki's company, FX Models, to do restoration work and to build a custom made display cabinet for the model.[5]

Other physical models

Unnamed K't'inga at the Surplus Depot Z-15.

Though the K't'ingas shown in The Next Generation were all stock-footage taken from The Motion Picture, there was one exception with the appearance of an unnamed K't'inga-class at the Surplus Depot Z-15 in TNG: "Unification I", where a shot of the ship was used not covered by the footage. For the shot Gregory Jein, assisted by Bruce MacRae and Scott Schneider built a separate model, using a set of the 1977 three feet molds of the D7 Jein owned.[6] This model has been on tour in 1996 and 1997, appearing amongst others in the 1996 LA Star Trek Convention and in the BOSS Film Studios' model shop expo '97 in Los Angeles and seemed, a bit surprisingly perhaps considering the effort that went into the later "The Way of the Warrior" episode, not to have been used since in subsequent Star Trek productions.

In "Way of the Warrior" several other physicals models of the K'tinga were used for the massive battle scene, supervised by Dan Curry, Gary Hutzel and Glenn Neufeld. These however were modified commercially available Playmates Toys {"We had to take out the sound effects", according to Judy Elkins), Hallmark Christmas ornaments and AMT/Ertl Star Trek model kits ("which blew up real good") (Cinefantastique, Volume 28, No.4/5, p.72 and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion, p.263). Being the first mass battle scene ever shown on Star Trek, it was also the last one entirely done with physical models (save for a few shots with a CGI-Defiant, the only one available at the time). Effects supervisor David Stipes had the procedure repeated with model kits for DS9: "Call to Arms", the last time physical models of the K't'inga were used.[7]

The heavily battle damaged IKS B'Moth as seen in "Soldiers of the Empire" was a yet another separately built model by Greg Jein, again using his set of the 1977 three feet molds of the D7. This model was on tour in 1997 shortly after filming and could be seen at the Star Trek Convention in Pasadena, 1997.

CGI model

A low resolution CGI model of the K'tinga was build at Foundation Imaging by Jose Perez for later appearances in Deep Space Nine and VOY: "Prophecy" (although it is there misrepresented as a D7-class vessel), making its debut in DS9: "The Changing Face of Evil".[8] The CGI model was later enhanced by Adam Lebowitz and Robert Bonchune for representation in their book Star Trek: Starship Spotter.

Interior

Bridge concept design

Probert's design sketches of the bridge.

In the words of The Motion Picture's special photographic effects director, Douglas Trumbull, the Klingon battle cruiser interior should look like "an enemy submarine in World War II that's been out at sea for too long." (Star Trek: The Motion Picture (The Director's Edition)) Probert recalled, "Doug wanted something like the interior of a Japanese submarine; he wanted a bridge suspended between big shock-absorbing supports, with mechanically operating stations for the crewmen. For my own guidance, I worked up a sketch showing the orientation of the bridge within the shape of the ship. I came up with a design that apparently everybody was happy with, and Doug brought in an art director for the construction of the Klingon bridge-who added some outstanding ideas of his own. In my humble opinion, the Klingon bridge is the most exciting set in the movie."(Starlog, No.32, March 1980, p.63)

The movies Star Trek: The Motion Picture and Star Trek: The Undiscovered Country both heavily featured the interior of the K't'inga-class cruiser – the only glimpses we've had into one of the oldest, yet most unexplored designs featured on Star Trek.

Technical Manual

The following information of specifications and defenses comes exclusively from the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Technical Manual:

• Production Base: Qo'noS Orbital Factory Base
• Type: Heavy Cruiser
• Accommodation: 800 plus flight crew and troops
• Power Plant: One M/A warp system; two impulse systems
• Dimensions: Length, 349.54 meters; beam, 251.76 meters; height, 98.41 meters
• Mass: 760,000 metric tonnes
• Performance: Warp 9.6
• Armament: Six ship-mounted disruptors; two torpedo launchers

Inconsistencies

The K't'inga-class studio model that appeared in VOY: "Prophecy" was incorrectly identified as a "D7 class cruiser" in the dialog. According to writer Mike Sussman, he had assumed the D7 studio model created for "Trials and Tribble-ations" was going to be used in the episode. In post production, the special effects staff instead used a low resolution CGI model of a K't'inga-class to represent the ship in the story, rather than the D7 model, as described. Sussman stated that if he had known that the K't'inga model was going to used, he would have (re)written the script so as to avoid this discrepancy. For more information on that particular vessel, see Kohlar's battle cruiser.

The same low-resolution CGI K't'inga-class model was later used as an alternative to the "D4-class" model that was designed to appear in ENT: "Unexpected", nearly 120 years before the original appearance of the vessel. For more information on that vessel and model, see Vorok's battle cruiser.

Apocrypha

• The K't'inga-class was also seen several times in the Star Trek newspaper comic strip.
• According to the instruction manual for Star Trek: Klingon Academy, some K't'inga's are refitted D7s. It also details how the new design was cast into doubt within the Empire, following the loss of three ships during the V'Ger incident, until details of the Federation's encounter with the entity came to light, revealing its immense power.

External links

• Klingon K'tinga-class Cruiser at StarshipModeler.com - includes over eighty close-up images of the actual shooting models from Star Trek: The Motion Picture and Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
• Template:Exastris - a comprehensive look at the lineage of the legendary Klingon battle cruiser
• Template:NCwiki
• K't'inga class at Wikipedia

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