Why not work in escape pods, like those seen on the Enterprise-D and later ships? Canonically, they do exist in the TOS-era as Spock in "Where No Man Has Gone Before" mentioned that the Valiant's recorder buoy was too small to be a such a craft.
Somewhere I believe I remember reading that the TOS bridge, being a modular installation, was designed to serve as a lifeboat for the nearby crew, in the event of an emergency. But the shuttle idea is grand. I was hoping to see another shuttle design than the one we usually saw. TAS showed us there were indeed different classes of shuttles on starships.
My only problem with the escape shuttle is where it's located as it takes up a lot of interior volume that might best be put to better use for something else. A more efficient engineering solution might be to have the shuttle moved to the hanger deck areas where it could be kept on hot standby mode with the regular ship's complement of auxiliary craft, and replace them with flush to the exterior TNG-style lifeboat pods that the shuttles could then wrangle up and tow at low warp to a planet or Starfleet facility, or provide support until rescue ships arrived on scene.
I love the escape shuttle. However, the bay should be multipurpose, not exclusively for emergencies, so give it camouflaged, or seamless bay doors. Loved the POV sequence at the end. Masterful.
It’s mind boggling to imagine how much work it’ll take to produce this mock up, let alone the real thing. I wouldn’t say I was a super Trek fan necessarily, but this series is hands down one of my favourite things on RU-vid. Stoked to see the final piece ! Also, does anyone else think the guy sounds a lot like Guy Garvey?
When I was around 11-12 I had a large medieval Playmobile collection and I would build very large castles and fortresses out of cardboard. My 11 year old self would be giddy with amazement at what you’re doing with cardboard! Heck, my current self is as well!
The design of the escape shuttle is cool. I like landing on struts and not nacelles. However the loss of deck space on 2, and a single use shuttle of such size don’t feel very starfleet. Perhaps multiple workbee scale escape pods along the periphery of deck 2 (or even some accessed from the floor of the bridge service corridor but exiting out from deck 2) might be a more efficient use of space yet enhancing crew safety in an emergency? Just some thoughts, but you are doing a tremendous job!
I always liked the idea of the whole bridge being an escape pod. It justifies it's position on the saucer, especially given where the captain's yacht ended up being. Also I love the idea of deck 2 downward being pure computer core/ power distribution infrastructure. Anyway you're a total inspiration!
If you are making scaffolding for an all around look/appreciation tour, why not make it look like the star dock? This way you can keep areas of the ship open at important points, making the old girl look like she’s getting routine maintenance. Very nice and static way to let peeps get a good look inside and out. AND you can have little worker guys floating around outside the shop with shuttles, etc! Sweeeeeet!✌️🤘🇨🇦
Simply stupendous!! I'm guessing that many people would love to have a duplicate model of the Enterprise, at least rich nerds who can afford to construct a display space for such an incredible accomplishment.
Amazing looking shuttle! I’ve been following your build for a while now. As Spock would say “Fascinating”. Thanks, for what you are doing, for all us Trekkies. I just joined your patreon account. Live long and prosper! Tom
Man, this is getting more and more beautiful and impressive on each new video. You will become a Star Trek legend :) Love the idea of the emergency bridge crew shuttle. Beautiful design, but it looks to me that, as it is, it would be difficult for an injured person to climb on one of the warp engine tubes to get inside the shuttle. Or to carry an injured person aboard. I realize that maybe you've already thought about it and that you'll add some stairs latter (or something else), but I wanted to mention it anyway. Just in case :)
Outstanding shuttle. What are the over all dimensions. I dabble in 3D printing. I'd like to try to scratch build it. Maybe a few led lights. Each shuttle has a name so what are you going to name yours ? Maybe a naming contest. Mike
The bridge flight around the room was cool, I could imagine the crew running from side to side on set. It would look even cooler if there was a roof on the bridge and the only view was through the viewing screen. This was an exciting update.
I'm greatful for your imagination and the ride you allow us to be taken on we get to dream about this also the only part that drives me nuts is waiting till you got it finished thank you for the journey!!
All I can say is WOW! If all of the actors and actresses were still around they would DEFINITELY be making a visit to your place, Gene Rodenberry would definitely take an interest. Dude, if you follow this through to the end, your model will end up in the Smithsonian, and I would imagine a big giant fat sum of money in your pocket. You do beautiful work. Your shuttle looks better than the original design. Your bridge looks better than the commercial kits available. You must be made of nothing but patience my friend. I'm watching intently to see how this continues to develop. FANTASTIC!
I really like what you have done with the unseen parts of deck 1. Looking through the dome over the bridge is very similar to what we see / imagine we see in the Cage. 👍
I like the idea, but I'd almost rather see smaller escape pods that don't blow out major bulkheads upon launch. Seems like a serious security issue if you were boarded. Either way, keep up the good work.
Outstanding work, as always! Just a thought, the TOS Enterprise was one of the few TV models without an obvious Captain's gig. Instead of a simple escape shuttle, why not make your deck 2 shuttle the gig, which could be used to evacuate the bridge crew should necessity arise? That would also explain why it doesn't look like a standard shuttle.
KEEP THE TUURNTABLE. You just need to establish that whenever a shuttle docks into the ship, it immediately turns around for the next lift-off. You don't wait for the next flight to turn the ship around.
I know right?! Ran across the thumbnail and I literally immediately thought it was a full size mock up of exceptional quality. Mind boggling detailing!
Incredible! I can't wait to see the finished model. Also, "Phoenix" is an excellent name for the escape shuttle, not only due to the "reborn from ashes" sentiment but also as a reference to the 1965 movie "Flight Of The Phoenix" featuring an escape apparatus of that name as well. 👍🍻
The way u explain and use ur camera to show and tell is very good so easy to follow and understand ....started watching when I saw u show length of ship outside and I was no way how can u make something so big yet so detailed......top top job always look forward to the next update .......and the shuttle name ........USS Alamo
There is some incredible work being done on open source motion control that can be used with green screens... look, all I'm sayin is this would make a great miniature set for actually filming in. In fact, every time you say it's a test model in preparation for the real thing, my mind is blown! The work is already so intricate that it's hard to envision what the final build will look like.
Thank you for bringing the Enterprise to life! I really love your idea of the escape shuttle and love your concept of the ship itself. You're one impressive guy, not to be overwhelmed by the mission at hand. Always remember, when eating an elephant, focus on one bite at a time 😊 From a fellow Trekie, Puyallup, Washington USA
Love that escape shuttle! If you're still after alternative names for it (although 'Phoenix' works great), how about 'Pandora'? In the myth of Pandora's box, after all the trouble and destruction and evil had been let loose the only thing that remained was hope...
I love this project and I am here for it. The only suggestion I have is that I always saw the briefing room on the side of the ship because the curved ceiling is visible in wider shots when they are in there. Why there are no windows I do not know but it did seem to look like it was on the side of the hull where it curves down. Also the escape shuttle could be called "Gaia".
There will indeed be briefing rooms on the side of the ship but remember, I'm building the whole ship, there will also be briefing rooms on the interior of the ship and many areas that we just didn't see on the show.
When you do the final build of this it should go into the museum next to the original model to show the internals. That would be so cool to see in person
Awesome! Should there be bulkhead doors between the stairs and the shuttle area? I understand that the ship may be doomed, but what if it survives? Or if there are still crew in the area. Shouldn’t the vacuum of space be contained in the bay area? Also, it would be great for the final museum display location to have copies of stuff like this bridge shuttle on display tables around the room. I’m sure folks would love to also have a copy of the bridge on the museum floor table to get a closeup look. Etc.
This is Soo cool!! A big kid with his big kid toys lol. But for real you are so creative and really good at building models on your own it's really amazing
I imagine the rest of the crew (and especially the security red-shirt guys) grumbling about how the bridge crew get their own shuttle to escape in, while they have to go down with the ship.
Reminds me of my early days building the enterprise d bridge and ready room and conference lounge for my star trek action figures, hours of work but oh the fun. still build in cardboard to this day. great work.
Looking Great!! Just an idea for explaining the existence of the shuttle, Enterprise C and D had a Captain's Yacht on the bottom of the saucer section, maybe this is the shuttle bay for the captain's yacht. And in emergencies it can be the escape shuttle.
Im glad to see someone really explore deck 2. There is so much that should obviously be there and the fact that the show's production chose to completely ignore that region of the ship in designing interior sets is a shame. The briefing room should be there, the Captain's quarters should be there as well as Mr. Spock's quarters, a small lounge, transporter room.
Ironic, that we saw exactly this very concept in Star Trek 2009 with the crew evacuating the U.S.S. Kelvin, and they were of a similar size. Too bad the crew of the U.S.S. Constellation didn't use any of their shuttles or they could've gone right back up into space when the planet killer machine began attacking the third planet they were evacuated via transporters to.
Once again, just incredible fun, and innovation, but, a thought/query, I really like the whole idea of this "emergency" (my term) shuttle, but it seems a little bit cramped in that space (but also very double), so I'm wondering if perhaps repurposing that enormous science lab (originally there was some kind of "space telescope" in there but a lab can be placed anywhere in the ship) would've perhaps work better, higher ceiling, more surrounding staging space, you could get your turntable back, and maybe operable hatches at the top (or blowout panels), sort of a 2nd shuttle bay, the drawback of course is that access from the bridge would be less immediate, something to consider anyway, your creativity is just astounding
for showing the interior it would be really cool if you had a tiny robot with a camera that can explore the hallways! also how are you going to make the exterior wall? it seems like a very complex curved shape for flat cardbord (or whatever material) plates
This is awesome...have you thought about getting an led screen...possibly get one the size of the view screen...and you could put different screen savers on it projecting star fields and movement...but your doing an amazing job...love it so much detail...
👍😃 A super duper job (so far) on building the bridge dome with every thing in side including the bridge it self. 💡I have thought of a name for your escape shuttle. You could call it "Nightingale" after Florence Nightingale.
I think that with the turntable removed, the escape shuttle needs a track that the landing legs (or engine nacelles) fit into that would be an electromagnetic launcher to help clear the shuttle form the hull. Just a thought.
It may not be of help but I use a pocket sized, diamond hone sharpening rod meant for putting a quick edge on pocket knives on my scalpel blades. I use it before cuts on blades that are getting a little dull and it helps me get a little more life out of each blade while I'm model building. I picked mine up at a camping store, it's not a miracle tool for keeping blades sharp but I do find my blade supply lasting a little longer when i use it.
A week or so ago, my girlfriend and I visited the TOS-era set replica in Ticonderoga, NY. If you get the chance to visit, I strongly recommend it. It would very likely afford you the opportunity to take many reference photos and might inspire new, non-canon inspiration such as what you've explored in this video.
Interesting take with the shuttlecraft. Would be curious your take on going that route instead of the typical "escape pod" idea. As mentioned in other posts, being this is a shuttlecraft hanger design are you going to incorporate a mini version of a shuttle bay? The zero atmosphere in that area if used would be hazardous to say the least. As for your comment at the beginning of the video for what its worth, your design SHOULD be cannon!
Your shuttle model is awesome! I love the way you’ve blended TOS style with TNG enough to demonstrate/establish a design heritage from one to the other. Brilliantly done!! It feels just right!! However… Does it seem a bit insensitive to the rest of the crew to abandon them to the life pods while the bridge crew takes off in a shuttle? Especially if you consider that the people on the bridge are most likely to be responsible for the situation requiring such immediate egress? 😉 The science labs suggested in the Franz Joseph plans do a pretty good job of accounting for the external decals on the aft end of the teardrop. Just a thought...
Try to align with canon, please: no escape shuttlecraft on deck 2. Develop your plan for escape pods instead. Try your hand at Captain’s yacht at the base of the saucer section. Place your shuttlecraft in the hanger bay.
That shuttle is amazing! Excited for the 3D version of the turbolift. Have Kirk wash his uniform. That black smudge on his back is quite unbecoming of a Starfleet officer! 😊 Also, do you personally supply the SHHHKT sound for the turbolift doors at the beginning and end of your videos?
Just a thought for your final build. Is it possible to install a camera somewhere hidden on the front, so that whatever is in front of the model can be displayed on the bridge view screen? If so, maybe a camera situated on the rear as well 🤷♂️ I know thats jumping ahead a little, but the nerd in me had to ask 😎
I absolutely love what you are doing! I have modelled several TOS dioramas in 1:10th scale, and am always looking for new ideas for materials, especially when they are common "found-around-the-house", type things. So I really love the nacelles made of cardboard tubes! I have a question if I may, at about 5:50 or so in the video there is a section of see-through "grid" on the upper level near the physics lab. What is that material if you don't mind my asking? Keep up the amazing work!
If you mean the red grill, he talks about it an earlier video. I think he said he bought it in a hobby shop but he did say it was black and he spray painted it red. Edit: I found it. It wasn't in the video, it was a reply to a similar question under the video called "I Live in my Starship Enterprise Model". Look for the reply to the comment by KaylMacLaren.
Wow what a fantastic project you've got on the go there, personally my favourite ship was 1701A and for you to do this movie version ship would be even bigger this and think of how more complicated that would be?. Your talents my friend are phenomenal and you have my utmost respect for this challenge you are doing, let's hope that it gets noticed worldwide and you can at least achieve a level of fame only equaled to that of the original USS Enterprise. On a side note with regards to the size, we know that it's going to be heavy because of how big it will be and you're talking about using some sort of support to keep it in place so what about using something that is going to be self supporting, something that strong enough to stand rigid by itself without the need for any support from underneath the structure of the ship and other than the main stand supporting the hull, because of its size, weight has now gone out of the window and you could if you wanted to make it out of sheet metal which would of course be strong enough but then the concern you would have is moving it from one location to another if you wanted to move it as a complete structure or construct the ship so that it's in 4 or 5 attachable / detachable parts? and with regard to seeing different parts of the ship I think you'd have to do horizontal cutout sections so that you can see parts of the bridge, parts of engineering, a look inside a warp nacelle and so on and so on. But what would I know? you're the expert my friend so as I said all the best and I hope it all comes to fruition, from me Chris in the UK keep up the good work and well done!. Happy Christmas 2023 and Happy New Year 2024 to you and yours.
That escape shuttle looks really good and fits into the original shuttle design. BUT there is a really practical issue: how does the crew get to the doors so high up? they would need to climb on the engine nacelles. With the time constraints in an emergency, if should be very easy to get in and seal the doors.
I know this is a bit late in the day but as you have increased the size of the bridge (for good reasons) you could 'sink' it into the teardrop so that it more closely matches the canon external dimensions.
