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Real world article
(written from a Production point of view)

This chronological list covers all of the new studio model designs that first appeared in Star Trek: The Next Generation. Information about models that represented a single design can be found in the articles linked below. Data about models that were recycled or refurbished for later Star Trek episodes (or series) to represent different vessels (or props) are also shown here.

TNG Season 1[]

Galaxy class[]

USS Enterprise-D, TNG Season 1-2

Galaxy-class
"Encounter at Farpoint", et al

Tarellian starship[]

Tarellian starship design process by Andrew Probert

Probert's design process

This model was originally designed by Andrew Probert, finalized by him in July 1987 and when built (by Gregory Jein) was approximately two feet in length. On his design, Probert later commented, "I didn't want to do yet another ship out the back. I started out with the idea that this was an alien culture that had gone a totally different direction in their power development. Originally, I had this kind of energy ball that a ship would attach to and somehow use to pull itself." (Star Trek: The Magazine Volume 1, Issue 24, p. 112) Probert however, ran into a designers version of writers block, unable to make up his mind as to where to put the engines. On another occasion Probert related how he sought out the help of Gene Roddenberry:

"My favorite ship is the Enterprise itself, but beyond that, I like the ship from "Haven" for a couple of reasons. One, it was a ship that Gene and I put together. I was stuck on a concept of the ship I wanted to be different. Every ship we've ever seen typically has its power source in the back, engines like, pushing the ship. I was working on a concept where the engine will be in the front, somehow manipulating and pulling the ship. I went to Gene and I just told him I got this kind of creative block and I really wanted to have something different. I told I thought of having the engines on the front. And Gene said,"Put the engine in the middle". I said, "What do you mean?". "Well, just put your power source in the middle. The ship is built around it and makes it go where it was meant to go." And I came with that design. Power source is as a big energy thing – of course, you don't necessarily have to fully explain how it worked – and I took from Herman Zimmerman, you know, the production designer, I took his "zap screener", or their "breech", which was basically a triangular shape, and I duplicated that at the front of that ship. I don't know, I was just very pleased with the shape, the concept, it brings me good memories of Gene and me working together." [1](X)

Probert added, "Once a general direction came into focus, I started modeling the ship's front end based on (Production Designer) Herman Zimmerman's layout for the Tarellian bridge set. That way, I'd hoped people could relate that part of the exterior to the interior." [2](X)

As for the second reason of his pride in the design, tying in with Zimmerman's bridge layout, Probert noted in Star Trek: The Magazine Volume 2, Issue 12, p. 45, "I have a need to identify interiors and exteriors, so when I designed that ship what I did was look at Herman's set for the bridge. What you can see on that bridge is a sort of a sphere hanging down, and if you look at the exterior you can see the rest of that globe up above it."

The model for its original appearance sported a hole in the aft section in which a green ball was inserted. This ball functioned as a green screen on which the engine effects were projected in post-production as they appeared in TNG: "Haven". After this episode the model was modified once. The holes were covered up with deck plating and the triangular shaped bow section was rebuilt as a more hammerhead shaped bow. In this modification the model made its subsequent appearances.

As for the studio model itself, in its modified appearance, having escaped the 40 Years of Star Trek: The Collection and It's A Wrap! sale and auction auctions, it is still in the possession of CBS Studios Inc. and has been on tour displays such as Star Trek World Tour, Star Trek: The Exhibition, and Star Trek: The Adventure as late as 2011.

Additional sources

D'Kora class[]

Kreechta

D'Kora-class
"The Last Outpost", et al

Edo God[]

Model variations
Edo god Lysian central command-galaxy class
Edo God
"Justice"
Lysian Central Command
"Conundrum"

This studio model made two appearances in Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Constellation class[]

USS Stargazer

Constellation class
"The Battle", et al.

Shuttle drone[]

Shuttle drone

Shuttle drone
"11001001", et al.

Batris[]

Model variations
Batris Sanction, aft Erstwhile Toxic waste barge, forward
Batris
TNG: "Heart of Glory"
Ornaran freighter Sanction
TNG: "Symbiosis"
Class 9 cargo vessel Erstwhile
TNG: "The Outrageous Okona"
Ancient sublight freighter
TNG: "Final Mission"
Talarian freighter hulk at Qualor II Antares class at Qualor II Norkova tractored Skrreean ship 2
Unknown Hulk at Qualor II surplus depot
TNG: "Unification I"
Unknown Hulk at Qualor II surplus depot
TNG: "Unification I"
Antares-class (physical model)
DS9: "The Passenger" (as the Norkova), DS9: "The Way of the Warrior", "For the Cause" (as the SS Xhosa), DS9: "The Visitor", "Sons of Mogh", "Profit and Lace" (as Unnamed Antares-class starships)
Skrreean ship
DS9: "Sanctuary"
Akritirian cargo vessel Telsian freighter Antares class, 2378 Moon freighter
Akritirian cargo vessel
VOY: "The Chute"
Telsian freighter (CGI)
VOY: "Live Fast and Prosper"
Ore freighter (CGI)
VOY: "Author, Author"
Moon freighter
ENT: "Demons"

The studio model of the freighter, which first appeared as the Batris in TNG: "Heart of Glory", has been one of the most heavily reused models in the Star Trek franchise, as it was called upon to represent vessels of a multitude of races and affiliations.

According to the Star Trek Encyclopedia (3rd ed., p. 38) the Batris, "(…) was a modification of a Visitor freighter [3] from the miniseries V", built by Greg Jein. While the Encyclopedia entry suggested that the model was a modification of the V model, Jein himself has clarified years later, "I think, I was working on Red October [note: Jein was wrong about this as he would work on that feature one year later], when we did the Batris, which was a freighter ship. So we took parts we had left over from "V" and "Captain Eon and the Space Knights" [sic., Jein is referring to the 1986 science fiction short Captain Eo, featuring pop star Michael Jackson], and sort of cobbled them together to get it done within like a three-week period." (TNG Season 1 Blu-ray special feature, "Stardate Revisited, Part 3: The Continuing Mission")

The Batris itself was further modified and seen as a variety of other freighters in later episodes, presumably suggesting that it is a design in use by many different planets. As long as the model was a physical one, footage of it was shot at Image G. The first time the model was refurbished was already after its first use in "Heart of Glory" for TNG: "Symbiosis". The model was repainted to gray and had a variety of add-ons attached to it, among others additional details on the bow section, and most notably additional engine exhausts attached to the bottom section. In this guise it was used once more as the Erstwhile in second season's "The Outrageous Okona".

In 2012 a CGI model was constructed at CBS Digital for use in some of the profile shots as the Erstwhile in the 2012 remastered version of "The Outrageous Okona", simply because, "Some footage was just plain missing [remark: for upgrading the footage to High Definition]. The only time we felt justified to replace an element.", as Doug Drexler put it. [4] Use was made of the opportunity to replace the original LCARS graphics display of the vessel, that was consulted by the crew earlier in the episode, and which did not quite match up with the model configuration actually used, with the correct one, based on the wire-frame model of the CGI model. Michael Okuda recalled, "The console graphics (…) are entirely "practical,' meaning that they were actually there on set and were photographed by the camera. This is all back-lit art. The green wireframe (…) was indeed added in postproduction. Everything around the green element is practical, backlit art. I'm pretty sure I didn't do that wireframe, but I don't know who actually did it." Drexler did for the remastered version, "Deg [remark: Douglas E. Graves] built it in house." [5] Graves took care that his CGI model was not too pristine looking, and toned it down in resolution to have it correspond with its original appearance. The original green wire-frame model, Okuda referred to, was also a computer generated graphic, and therefore one of the earliest CGI applications in the Star Trek franchise, as confirmed in the auction description of the "Long-Range Scan – Forward Array" LCARS translite graphic, that appeared directly on the console screen before the green wire-frame was built up on-screen. Originating from Drexler's own personal collection that graphic was sold as Lot 82 in Propworx' The official STAR TREK prop and costume auction of 8 August 2010 for US$420 (including buyer's premium), having had an estimate of US$400-$600.

Batris studio model at Image G Batris studio model filmed at Image G Erstwhile original wire-frame model
The Batris model after its first modification
The model after its first refurbishment at Image G
Original wire-frame model of the Erstwhile
Erstwhile revised wire-frame model|- Erstwhile Erstwhile, remastered
Revised wire-frame model of the Erstwhile
Jein's physical studio model of the Erstwhile
Graves' CGI model of the Erstwhile

Oddly enough, the physical model was mostly reverted to its original appearance for its subsequent appearances. The add-ons were removed and the model was repainted in its original brownish colors, though some minor details differed slightly from its original appearance, among others the application of lattice on the bow section and the removal of the exhaust pipes on the bottom. In this guise it appeared as various ships in TNG: "Final Mission", "Unification I", with stock footage appearing in VOY: "The Chute".

In 1992/1993 the model was for the third and last time refurbished to represent yet another freighter configuration, in this case to represent the Antares-class vessel Norkova in the first season episode of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, "The Passenger". The refurbishment was an extensive one. The model was flipped, had its original upper bridge module removed, the original spine appendices reattached, the cargo modules extended and last but not least repainted in gray. In this very guise it was most notably used to represent the SS Xhosa in the DS9 episodes "The Way of the Warrior" and "For the Cause".

For its three last appearances as Earth/alien freighters in Star Trek: Voyager and Star Trek: Enterprise, a first CGI model was constructed at Foundation Imaging, based on the physical model as it was then. The CGI model debuted in VOY: "Live Fast and Prosper" as a Telsian freighter (Star Trek: Voyager Companion (p. 466)), and was for the last time, anachronistically, reused as a Moon freighter in ENT: "Demons".

As of 2012, the physical studio model itself, never been modified afterwards, having escaped the 40 Years of Star Trek: The Collection and It's A Wrap! sale and auctions, is still in the possession of Paramount Pictures and has, as a display piece, been on tours such as Star Trek World Tour, Star Trek: The Adventure, and Star Trek The Exhibition as late as 2011. [6]

Additional sources[]

Type 7 shuttlecraft[]

Feynman

Type 7 shuttlecraft
"Coming of Age", et al.

Echo Papa 607[]

Echo papa 607

Echo Papa 607
"The Arsenal of Freedom"

Space module[]

Model variations
SS Birdseye Relay Station 47 Starbase 47
space module
"The Neutral Zone"
Relay Station 47
"Aquiel"
Starbase 47
"Parallels"

This model, which measured 36×26×5 inches, was designed by Rick Sternbach and Michael Okuda. It was based on a drawing Sternbach did in the Star Trek: The Next Generation Technical Manual. According to the Star Trek Encyclopedia (2nd ed., p. 93), "Extremely close examination of the model might have revealed tiny letters reading "S.S. Birdseye" inscribed on the hull."

The module was modified to become the Relay Station 47-type design after the solar panels were removed and replaced with other antenna.

A concept sketch for this design was sold in the Profiles in History auction for US$150.00. [7] The studio model was later sold in It's A Wrap! sale and auction for the final auction price of US$3,329.00. [8].

D'deridex class[]

Model variations
D'deridex class Mazarite ships Illyrian starship (aft)
D'deridex-class
"The Neutral Zone", et al.
Mazarite ship
ENT: "Fallen Hero"
Illyrian starship
ENT: "Damage"

TNG Season 2[]

Containment module[]

Model variations
Containment module, 2365 The egg
Containment module
"The Child"
"The Egg"
"Evolution"

This model originally appeared as a containment module in TNG: "The Child". It would later be reworked, as a Rick Sternbach design, into "The Egg" appearing in TNG: "Evolution". The new design was inspired by the anime series The Dirty Pair. [9] (Also see: Exocomp)

A miniature was also created for this prop, which sold in the It's A Wrap! sale and auction. The model measured approximately 16×10×20½ inches. [10]

Straleb security vessel[]

This model, according to the Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion (2nd ed., p. 70), was a Rick Sternbach design, that was said to have been modeled simply after "a big Easter egg." The studio model measured 24 inches×9½ inches.

The model was eventually sold for US$4,800 at the 40 Years of Star Trek: The Collection auction, then re-sold in the Profiles in History Hollywood Auction 30 for US$6,500. [11]

External link[]

Type 15 shuttlepod[]

Type 15 shuttlepod

Type 15 shuttlepod
"Time Squared", et al.

Borg cube[]

Model variations
Borg cube, 2366 Borg tactical cube Romulan Reclamation Site
Borg cube
TNG: "Q Who", et al.
Borg tactical cube
VOY: "Unimatrix Zero"
Artifact
PIC: "Remembrance"

Mondor[]

This model was sold for US$3,360 in the 40 Years of Star Trek: The Collection auction. [12]

TNG Season 3[]

Husnock warship[]

This model was designed and built as the Delta Rana warship by Tony Meininger when regular studio model vendor Gregory Jein was temporarily unavailable to the television franchise for reasons stated below. As already indicated by Larry Nemecek in his Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion (3rd ed., p. 103), this model was upon Jein's return multiple times heavily modified at his company to represent a plethora of vessels belonging to a wide range of alien species and became in the process one of the most reused "ship-of-the-week" models. (Star Trek: The Official Starships Collection, Issue 101, pp. 10-11) It was also part of the very last batch of existing physical studio models to make the transition into a CGI version, which was done in the LightWave 3D software at Digital Muse by freelance digital artist Tim Wilcox for its digital debut in DS9: "Shadows and Symbols".

The model (measuring 25"×14") was listed in the 40 Years of Star Trek: The Collection auction. The estimated price for this model was US$3,000 to $5,000; it ultimately sold for US$4,800 ($5,760 with premium). [13]

Further reading[]

External link[]

Promellian battle cruiser[]

Model variations
Night of the Creeps studio model Night of the Creeps end scene studio model Cleponji
Original studio model, as an alien ship in Night of the Creeps
With red lighting, seen close up in the alternative ending of Night of the Creeps
Promellian battle cruiser
TNG: "Booby Trap"
Skrreean large ship, aft Noggra's shuttle Alien ship docked at DS9
Skrreean ship
(docked at center and right docking pylon)
DS9: "Sanctuary"
Noggra's shuttle
DS9: "Sons of Mogh"
Alien ship docked at DS9
DS9: "The Muse"

The studio model "[…] was designed by Steve Burg and built by Ron Thornton for [the 1986 film] The Night of the Creeps." (Star Trek Encyclopedia (4th ed., vol. 1, p. 146)) In the first edition of the Star Trek Encyclopedia (p. 51), the authors erroneously stated that Tony Meininger designed and built the Promellian battle cruiser.

David Stipes, who at the time was a visual effects supervisor for the movie, stated on his blog(X) that, since there was only to be one shot of the ship to be seen in the movie, only the ventral side of the model was built in any detail. In the alternative ending of the film, the ship was seen in better detail in the very last shot of the film flying slowly over a grave yard.

After the movie had wrapped the model ended up in the possession of Stipes, thereby saving the model from the dumpster as was customary in the motion picture industry. (Star Trek: The Official Starships Collection, issue 142, p. 11)

When the The Next Generation's third season episode "Booby Trap" went into pre-production, the producers found themselves in a time pinch to come up with a model for the Promellian battle cruiser Cleponji, in scene 12 of the script simply described as "an ancient warship", as regular studio model vendor Gregory Jein, Inc. was tied up in the Paramount Pictures production of Hunt for Red October (1990).

As a stopgap, Stipes – who had already provided the franchise with some occasional services before he was given tenure in late 1992 – lent Paramount Television his model for use in the Star Trek television franchise, where the model was flopped, with the ventral side becoming the dorsal side. (Star Trek: The Official Starships Collection, issue 142, p. 11) The opening shot in the episode showed the model from the aft (and its perspective thereby confusing the editors of Star Trek Fact Files – a predecessor of The Official Starships Collection – , whose interpretation of the Cleponji was woefully inaccurate [14]). The studio held on to the model long enough for it to be used once more, as a Skrreean ship for the second season Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode "Sanctuary", with stock footage of that shoot appearing as Noggra's shuttle in "Sons of Mogh", and as an alien ship in "The Muse", both in that show's fourth season.

Upon return to the Stipes family, the model was entrusted, after refurbishment by Stipes' son Nathan in 2005, into the care of genre aficionado Bob Burns for display on a semi-permanent basis in his private museum "Bob's Basement", and where the model still resides. [15] [16]

The model has the distinction of being one of the very few studio models neither commissioned nor constructed by the Star Trek production team (the Olympic-class was a privately built model, while Jaheel's ship may have been used in an earlier TV show). The Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion (3rd ed., p. 106) inaccurately describes this model as being "a re-dress of the Husnock ship seen in "The Survivors"." Previously, the Star Trek Encyclopedia (1st ed., p. 51) too, erroneously attributed the build to the builder of the Husnock ship, Tony Meininger, before that was corrected in later editions. Incidentally, Meininger was called upon in the same time period as well to take up the slack, left by the temporary unavailability of Jein.

Star Trek Official Starships Collection issue 142 Promellian battle cruiser in a bottle
…with its associated physical display model featured in Picard
Promellian battle cruiser in a bottle model at auction
Giddings' CGI model on/in its own dedicated magazine…
…ultimately showing up at auction after its production use

No production CGI model was ever constructed of the design, as none were deemed necessary at the time. However, a need for one arose when the design was up for its own outing in Eaglemoss Collections' Star Trek: The Official Starships Collection partwork publication. The partwork's Project Manager Ben Robinson tasked regular contributor Ed Giddings with the construction of one into LightWave 3D, Eaglemoss' software package of choice, as it was needed for not only illustrative purposes in and on the accompanying magazine, but also for turning them into the CAD files needed as templates for the associated display model manufacturing. [17] Model and magazine were released as issue 142 in January 2019.

Afterwards, the issue's display model actually became a production asset itself when a copy was sent by Robinson to Star Trek: Picard's Production Designer Dave Blass for a ship in a bottle set decoration that first appeared as a Château Picard fireplace mantel display piece in the Season 2 trailer, [18] like it was in the episode "The Star Gazer", while making an additional appearance in the episode "Hide and Seek" as part of a childhood memory of Jean-Luc Picard. [19] Designed by series' prop master Jeffrey Lombardi, the 11.5×6×5 inches measuring ship-in-a-bottle model prop turned up later at auction as Lot #178 in Prop Store's 15-29 November 2022 Star Trek: Picard Seasons 1 & 2 Online Auction, eventually selling on 29 November for US$9,375. [20]

Ferengi pod[]

Ferengi pod, 2366

Ferengi pod
"The Price", et al.

Romulan scout ship[]

Model variations
Romulan scout ship Romulan science vessel, profile Nerada
Romulan scout ship
TNG: "The Defector"
Romulan science ship
TNG: "The Next Phase"
Nerada
VOY: "Favorite Son"

According to Star Trek: The Magazine Volume 3, Issue 4, when designing this vessel, Rick Sternbach made sure that the design echoed the shapes that had been established for the D'deridex-class and the Star Trek: The Original Series Romulan Bird-of-Prey. At he same time he imagined the bridge to be an ejectable module, usable as an escape pod in an emergency, though that never came to be.

Once approved, the design was eventually built by Gregory Jein. The model was modified twice. For its appearance as a Romulan science ship in TNG: "The Next Phase", the forward module was replaced with a different structure at Gregory Jein, Inc., and a "hammerhead" extension was added on the aft. Simultaneously a varying paint scheme was applied. The one and last later appearance as the Nerada in VOY: "Favorite Son" entailed a far less intrusive modification as the model was merely endowed with a new paint scheme at Brazil-Fabrication & Design, and that the flight direction was reversed.

Romulan scout ship design sketches by Rick Sternbach Romulan science vessel studio model
…as the Romulan science ship
Romulan scout ship studio model at auction
Sternbach's design concepts…
…and as the Nerada at auction

The practice of altering physical studio models to make them re-usable as ships of other design and/or affiliation, was met with rueful skepticism by designer Sternbach, "Once the drawings and/or blueprints left my desk, I didn't have a whole lot of control over what happened to the models, as evidenced by the weirdness with the Enterprise-C and ships like the Romulan scout and Talerian (Tarelian?) cruiser. [21](X) (…) I don't mind the rework of some of my designs in CG (…), since there's no real loss, but it was sad to see them do chop jobs on the physical miniatures like the Romulan scout. Expediency vs. history." [22](X)

The model itself, by now 31×25 inches, was later listed as Lot 703 in the 40 Years of Star Trek: The Collection auction, estimated at US$4,000-$6,000; it ultimately sold for US$5,500 ($6,600 with premium) on 7 October 2006. A set of ten concept sketches, listed as Lot 272 of this design was sold in the The Ultimate Sci-Fi Auction estimated at US$400-$600, selling for US$400. A foam core camera test model for the Romulan scout was later sold as Lot 7165 in the It's A Wrap! sale and auction for US$138.61 on 28 March 2008, measuring 8½×10.¾×1 inches, while stating "Romulan Scout 1/3 scale".

Angosian escape pod[]

Model variations
Angosian escape pod Ferengi probe
Angosian escape pod
TNG: "The Hunted"
Ferengi probe
TNG: "Bloodlines"

Ambassador class[]

USS Enterprise-C

Ambassador-class
"Yesterday's Enterprise", et al

Gomtuu[]

Gomtuu

Gomtuu
"Tin Man"

Jovis escape pod []

Time pod on set

The time-pod on set

This model was designed, in part, by Joseph Hodges (citation needededit) and Rick Sternbach, as well, on this ship type. (Star Trek Encyclopedia (4th ed., vol. 2, p. 73))

The original model was later redressed for several appearances throughout TNG.

The front portion of the ship was a reuse of the Zibalian escape pod partially seen in "The Most Toys", which was also used as the Zalkonian escape pod in "Transfigurations", and the Arcos escape pod in "Legacy".

The penultimate appearance of the model, as the Iyarran shuttle, [23] [24] had the registry BCD-31775.

Illustrations of Sternbach's modifications for the model's final appearance as a "Klingon shuttle", dated July 1993, appeared in the Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Continuing Mission (p. 200).

External link[]

TNG Season 4[]

Challenger class[]

USS Buran

Challenger-class
"The Best of Both Worlds, Part II"

Cheyenne class[]

USS Ahwahnee

Cheyenne class
"The Best of Both Worlds, Part II"

Freedom class[]

USS Firebrand

Freedom-class
"The Best of Both Worlds, Part II"

Nebula class[]

Nebula at Qualor II

Nebula-class
"The Best of Both Worlds, Part II", et al.

New Orleans class[]

USS Kyushu

New Orleans-class
"The Best of Both Worlds, Part II"

Niagara class[]

USS Princeton

Niagara-class
"The Best of Both Worlds, Part II"

Springfield class[]

USS Chekov

Springfield class
"The Best of Both Worlds, Part II"

Federation defense pod[]

Model variations
MarsDefensePerimeter Federation defense pod at Qualor II Soliton wave rider
Mars Defense Perimeter ship
"The Best of Both Worlds, Part II"
Qualor II hulk
"Unification I"
Soliton wave rider test ship
"New Ground"

According to the Star Trek Encyclopedia, this studio model was made from a Soviet Typhoon-class submarine, with two Los Angeles-class submarines as nacelles. The model of the Federation defense pod was designed and built by Rick Sternbach as confirmed by Michael Okuda, "Rick S. built the Mars perimeter ship from the same type of model kit. I think the body was made from a Typhoon-class Russian sub kit, although it was not specifically tied to the movie Red October. If I recall, he and I bought a whole bunch of kits, including the Russian subs, in hopes of doing some kitbash ships ourselves. I used a couple of other subs on the Buran. "[25] Sternbach later clarified that there was only one built, "There's no they. It was a single model which I built that was, yes, based on a Typhoon hull at one scale, and two Dallas hulls at a different scale. Motion control and compositing can do wonders in the absence of additional copies." [26](X)

The offhand remark of Sternbach, belied the amount of work that was involved in shooting the scene in TNG: "The Best of Both Worlds, Part II". Composited in the pre-CGI age, choreographing the action of multiple ships required the motions of each element be worked out separately in motion control photography. "If it's a battle sequence that involves three or four ships, the work goes up in geometric proportions. For ten seconds of screen time, you've shot four or five days. That's [rem: the scene] a big shot. It has Mars in it, it has the starfield, the three ships blowing up, and the Borg ship flying towards us and away.", Visual Effects Supervisor Robert Legato explained. (Cinefantastique, Vol 22, No.2, p.33)

Built shortly after the movie The Hunt for Red October was released, the model was dubbed the "Blue-gray October" by the TNG production staff. (Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion (3rd ed., p. 139)) In the documentary "Models and Miniatures: A Model of Perfection" a slightly longer take was featured of the model than was aired in the episode TNG: "The Best of Both Worlds, Part II".

McKinley Station[]

Earth Station McKinley

McKinley type
"Family", et al.

Talarian observation craft[]

Talarian observation craft, studio model

Original shooting model

This model was built by Gregory Jein, based on sketches drawn up by Rick Sternbach.

Original design and modifications:

  1. It originally appeared as the Talarian observation craft in TNG: "Suddenly Human". Sternbach's design was "given a slight Coast Guard sailing ship feel." [27] The Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion (2nd ed., p. 140) explains, "the training ship, with its two great power panel "sails," harks back to the early wind-powered Coast Guard trainers." It also appearing in this form in one of the two variations of the Kriosian ship that appeared in "The Perfect Mate".
  2. The model was then heavily modified, and given red nacelle glow, for its appearance as the Tamarian deep space cruiser in TNG: "Darmok".
  3. After that, it was further altered to become the Klaestron starship in DS9: "Dax". In this usage, the entire model was turned upside down, and the nacelles were given a light blue glow.
  4. The structure was modified again, and the nacelles were given an orange glow, when it appeared as the T'Lani cruiser in DS9: "Armageddon Game". The glow was then changed to purple for its appearance one of the two illusory Bothan starships that appeared in VOY: "Persistence of Vision".
  5. Finally, its structure was heavily modified, this time with nacelles glowing dark blue, as the Drayan starship in VOY: "Innocence".

A concept sketch for this design was sold as lot 273 in the Profiles in History auction for US$275.00. The model itself, measuring 27×29 inches, was listed as lot 696 in the 40 Years of Star Trek: The Collection auction. The estimated price for this model was US$3,000 to $5,000; it ultimately sold for US$5,500 ($6,600 with premium).

Model variations
Talarian observation craft Kriosian ship 1 Tamarian deep space cruiser Klaestron starship
Talarian observation craft
TNG: "Suddenly Human"
Kriosian ship
TNG: "The Perfect Mate"
Tamarian deep space cruiser
TNG: "Darmok"
Klaestron starship
DS9: "Dax"
T'Lani cruiser Bothan starship, underside Drayan starship
T'Lani cruiser
DS9: "Armageddon Game"
Bothan starship
VOY: "Persistence of Vision"
Drayan starship
VOY: "Innocence"

External link[]

Talarian warship[]

This studio model was designed by Rick Sternbach and built by Gregory Jein. According to the Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion (2nd ed., p. 140), Sternbach revealed that "the look of Endar's warship, Q'Maire, is based on the big galactic patrol vessels of E. E. "Doc" Smith's Lensman series."

The forward part of the primary hull for the model of the Talarian warship was constructed from an Imperial Star Destroyer. The remainder of the model remains true to the "Talarian design" found in the similar observation craft. [28]

This model was used in several appearances throughout Star Trek. It was eventually sold for US$6,000 at the 40 Years of Star Trek: The Collection auction.

Model variations
TalarianWarships Talarian warship hulk at Qualor II Lysian destroyer Kriosian ship 2
Talarian warship
TNG: "Suddenly Human"
Hulk at Qualor II surplus depot
TNG: "Unification I", "Unification II"
Lysian destroyer
TNG: "Conundrum"
Kriosian ship
(one of the two variations)
TNG: "The Perfect Mate"
Frunalian science vessel Valerian-Boslic freighter docked at DS9 Hekaran starship Drayan shuttle
Frunalian science vessel
DS9: "Emissary"
Sherval DasDS9: "Dramatis Personae"
Boslic freighterDS9: "Sons of Mogh"
Hekaran starship
TNG: "Force of Nature"
Drayan shuttle
VOY: "Innocence"

External link[]

Vor'cha class[]

K'mpec's attack cruiser

Vor'cha-class
"Reunion", et al

Galor class[]

Model variations
Galor class Keldon class
Galor-class
TNG: "The Wounded", et al.
Keldon-class
DS9: "Defiant", "The Die is Cast"

Cytherian probe[]

Model variations
Cytherian probe Pup
Cytherian probe
TNG: "The Nth Degree"
"Pup"
DS9: "The Forsaken"

This studio model was sold in the It's A Wrap! sale and auction for US$2,200. [29]

TNG Season 5[]

Type 6 shuttlecraft[]

Justman, 2369

Type 6 shuttlecraft
"Darmok"

Saucer[]

Saucer hulk at Qualor II

Saucer
"Unification I"

Space stations[]

Apollo class[]

Model variations
Vulcan transports Tosk's ship Vulcan freighter
Apollo-class
TNG: "Unification II"
Tosk's ship
DS9: "Captive Pursuit"
Vulcan freighter
DS9: "For the Cause"

According to the Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion (2nd ed., p. 185), this studio model was originally designed by Rick Sternbach, "with a Reliant-like feel featuring long, pointed engine pods and a bridge-over-pod hull look. Urged to go for a more alien non-Starfleet look, Sternbach said he based the design on a central core surrounded by a wraparound circular generator." Sternbach did start from the only Vulcan ship ever seen up to that point in Star Trek: The Motion Picture, as his annotations on a preliminary design sketch showed, "-Basic masses only; -Vulcan style engine pods ala shuttle/sled in ST:TMP; -Vulcan/Starfleet Main Hull style" [30]

T'Pau type design studies T'Pau type studio model
Original appearance of the studio model
T'Pau type studio model at Christie's
The studio model at Christie's
Typical camera test model Apollo class
Apollo-class design studies by Sternbach
A camera test model of the Apollo class

Abandoning the preliminary design lines which echoed the design of the long range shuttle, Sternbach arrived at a final version in September 1991 and his notes on the final design read, "Vulcan Ship V Variant of Annular; No windows or other details; basic body shape." Later he recalled,"The commandeered Vulcan ships in "Unification" followed a pretty familiar approvals flow of initial idea, producer changes, and final concept to go to the model maker, in this case Greg Jein. Since we hadn't seen much in the way of Vulcan ship technology, beyond the motion picture shuttle, it was a bit daunting to home in on a true Vulcan style, and I can't say I'm terribly happy with the final result. Hindsight always invokes a desire for more design time, which might have helped. Perhaps different proportions on the annular warp ring, more curves, and more positive-negative surface detailing." (Star Trek: The Magazine Volume 3, Issue 8, p. 104)

Eventually Jein constructed a physical studio model, measuring 20" × 13" for TNG: "Unification II". The model was to be used twice more. The first re-use was as Tosk's ship. The model was extensively re-modified for the episode. Modifications included a new paint job, addition of small curved winglets in the mid and front section, an additional superstructure at the aft end and white window-like detail visible on the top of the model to convey the notion that it was a smaller vessel. Modifications were done at Jein's shop where co-worker Bruce MacRae was responsible for much of the refurbishment. [31] The second re-use was aptly as a Vulcan freighter. Modifications this time were done at Brazil-Fabrication & Design and were limited to removal of the winglets and application of additional "greeblies" over the window details. As such, the model known as Lot #711 was offered in the 40 Years of Star Trek: The Collection auction at an estimated sale price of US$4,000 to $6,000, where it ultimately sold for $12,000 ($14,400 with premium).

A set of Sternbach's design sketches, including some done in CGI, was sold as Lot #331 in the Profiles in History Hollywood Auction 14, [32] and another two sets were later offered as Lot #279 and Lot #280 in the The Ultimate Sci-Fi Auction of 26 April 2003, estimated at $600-$800 and $400-$600, where they sold for $850 and $350 respectively. A foam core test model, Lot#7164 (measuring 7"×3"×10"), created for Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, was later sold in the It's A Wrap! sale and auction for $119.61, resold in the Propworx' STAR TREK auction as Lot 202 on 2 June 2011 for $100 ($128 inclusive buyer's premium and with an estimate of $100-$200). [33]

Sternbach's misgivings notwithstanding, the Apollo class was a co-influence in the design of Doug Drexler's Suurok-class, establishing the circular warp engines as an signature design feature for Vulcan starships. [34](X)

Lysian sentry pod[]

Model variations
Lysian sentry pod Kelseys ship Ekina
Lysian sentry pod
TNG: "Conundrum"
Kelsey's scout ship
TNG: "Starship Mine"
Ekina
DS9: "Invasive Procedures"

One of the least known studio models to appear in the Star Trek franchise, it is only known that the model was built at Gregory Jein, Inc. (Star Trek: Official Guide 4 - Mechanics, p. 145)

In 2022, the model showed up unexpectedly at a Prop Store auction as Lot #343, with an auction estimate of US$4,000–6000. [35] It was not sold at its slated auction on 21 June 2022, being "passed" instead, [36] but was apparently sold beforehand to an as of yet unidentified buyer in an off-the-books transaction, as the official auction house site does list the model as being sold.

Academy trainer craft[]

Academy trainer craft near Titan

Academy trainer craft
"The First Duty"

TNG Season 6[]

Dyson sphere[]

Dyson sphere exterior

Dyson sphere
"Relics"

Tyrus VIIA station[]

Tyrus VIIA station

Tyrus VIIA station
"The Quality of Life"

Exocomp[]

Exocomp with tool

Exocomp
"The Quality of Life"

Yridian starship[]

Yridian destroyer

Yridian starship
"The Chase", et al.

Borg type 03[]

Model and likeness
Borg type 03 model Multikinetic neutronic mine
Borg type 03
"Descent" and "Descent, Part II"
Multikinetic neutronic mine
VOY: "Scorpion"

This model was designed by Dan Curry and built by Greg Jein. (Star Trek Encyclopedia (2nd ed., p. 50))

A display graphic, featuring an overview of the same design was later used to represent a Borg multikinetic neutronic mine, which appeared in VOY: "Scorpion, Part II".

The original shooting model was later placed in the 40 Years of Star Trek: The Collection auction, where it was identified as a "Borg Type-2 Ship Model" and described as "An irregularly-shaped asymmetric ship visual effects model featuring numerous open areas, outer hull made of overlapping matrices of miniature conduit detail, and intricate interior details – 36×26 in." [37]

Lot #705: Estimate: $4,000 – $6,000; Highest bid: $9,500; Price: $11,400

TNG Season 7[]

Terellian cargo freighter[]

Terellian cargo freighter

Terellian cargo freighter
"Liaisons"

D'Arsay archive[]

D'Arsay archive

D'Arsay archive
"Masks"

Maquis fighter[]

Model variations
Maquis fighter in combat Eddington's raider, aft dorsal
Maquis fighter
TNG: "Preemptive Strike"
Maquis raider
VOY: "Caretaker", et al.

Olympic class[]

USS Pasteur

Olympic class
"All Good Things..."

Negh'Var warship[]

IKS Negh'Var

Klingon attack cruiser
"All Good Things...", et al.

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