The size of the Nova class

The Nova class was a type of Federation starship designed for short-term planetary research missions. It was placed in service starting in the late 24th century.

To calculate the size I first had a look at the MSD (Master Situation Display).

Nova class side view by Starship Collection

According to this MSD the ship has 8 decks and a intermediate deck on the edge of the saucer section. There are 4 decks - the intermediate deck - and another 4 decks.

• The premise for all my deck calculations: a deck is 2.5m + 0.5m for EPS cables, power cables, ... = 3m height for a deck. 
• My calculations follow a purely mathematical approach. I do not compare bridge modules or disk heights with each other. I always pull in decks based on the rows of windows and then calculate a physically plausible room height.

The height of the decks on the MSD is different (which isn't plausible). Therefore, the MSD doesn't quite fit the external appearance of the spaceship. But if you give the intermediate deck a little more space (normal deck high), it fits better with the rows of windows.

schematic by Starship Collection

With a deck height of 3m, this results in a total length of 172m for the Nova class.

The Nova class variant (USS Rhode Island under command of Captain Harry Kim) is a litte bit longer because of the different Deflector area at the front.

schematic by Starship Collection

With a deck height of 3m, this results in a total length of 175.2m.

Design problems:

• As with other Starfleet ships, there is a difference in height at the shuttle bay. I solved this with a half deck, also to be able to correctly include the construction of the rear observation lounge as a deck.
• With the original MSD, it seems not plausible why there is an intermediate deck after 4 decks that is extremely flat.
• Rick Sternbach on the planned size: "I drew the blueprints at 1"=30', and the ship is 24.25" long, so the real thing would be 727.5 feet or 221.74 meters". [drexfiles.wordpress.com] -> A length of 225m can only be achieved if a deck height of 4 m is assumed.

The size of Timeship Relativity

The USS Relativity (NCV-474439-G) is a 29th century Federation Wells-class starship operated by Starfleet. The timeship was commissioned at the University of Copernicus, and was initially under the command of Captain Braxton.

• The premise for all my deck calculations: a deck is 2.5m + 0.5m for EPS cables, power cables, ... = 3m height for a deck. 
• My calculations follow a purely mathematical approach. I do not compare bridge modules or disk heights with each other. I always pull in decks based on the rows of windows and then calculate a physically plausible room height.

It's not so easy to see in the Star Trek Voyager episode, but the bridge of the USS Relativity has a large window structure on its ceiling.

image by Eaglemoss Collection

Using the high-resolution depiction of the USS Relativity in Eaglemoss magazine, you can draw the size of the decks in the side view and thus determine the length of the ship.

 

side view by Eaglemoss Collection

 Assuming a deck is 3m high, this gives a length of 263.7m for the USS Relativity.

STAR TREK Size Comparison Charts - Space Stations from VOYAGER

Here are the size chart with the Space Stations and Outposts seen in Star Trek Voyager - including Starbase Copernicus from "Borg Invasion 4D".

PS: A special thank (and all copyright) for the picture material to: John Eaves, Drex Files, Star Trek Fact Files and Star Trek The Magazine, Starship Collection Magazine and The Light Works.

Ships seen in Star Trek Voyager:

The Delta Quadrant Size Chart

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Nova Class - USS Equinox - The Decals

I bought JT-Graphics Decals for the Nova class. These are not for beginners! They are very thin and can tear quickly if you are not experienced enough to apply decals.

When I had already applied some of the decals for the Nova class, I noticed that the decals for the sensor arrangement behind the bridge do not fit into the recess. So I filled it up.

First I always apply a thin layer of matt varnish and then I put the wet decal on it. Then I slide the decal into its final position and pat everything dry. After drying, I apply a thin layer of matt varnish over the decals. This seals everything and protects the decals from UV radiation (fading and yellowing).

STAR TREK Size Comparison Charts - The Delta Quadrant

Here is a chart with the Delta Quadrant ships seen in Star Trek Voyager.

PS: A special thank (and all copyright) for the picture material to: John Eaves, Drex Files, Star Trek Fact Files and Star Trek The Magazine, Starship Collection Magazine and The Light Works.

Size calculation:

USS Dauntless

Timeship Relativity

Nova class 

Space Stations from Star Trek Voyager:

Space Station Size Chart

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How long is the Klingon voDIeH class? (alternate timeline Negh'Var)

The Klingon voDIeH class ship miniature was originally created for TNG "All Good Things", using the central portion of the Vor'cha class model, as the comparison of the dorsal and ventral views of the two ships demonstrates.
The Negh'Var was a modification of the original "future Klingon ship" studio model, which was designed by Rick Sternbach as a modified version of the Vor'cha class model.

redesign sketch of the Vor'Cha class by Rick Sternbach

Distances can be measured by means of the physical laws of optics.
For that I have made a calculation using the vanishing point in the screenshot of the episode from TNG "All Good Things".
With the help of the green lines, I have chosen two corner points on the voDIeH class, which are exactly opposite. Where the lines intersect lies the vanishing point.
To calculate the length, the blue lines (starting from the vanishing point) must run to the Olympic class. The Olympic class should be almost at the same angle and elevation to the voDIeH class.
Because the USS Pasteur flies a bit further ahead, as measuring points I have used the stern of the Olympic class and the bug of the voDeH class.
The blue lines now mark an area on the voDIeH class.

With this marking I have created a size chart to calculate the length of the voDIeH class.

The blue lines mark the area on the voDeH class which is covered by the Olympic class. This results in a length of 495m for the voDIeH class. Incidentally, this fits very well with the identical components of the Vor'Cha class (red lines) which were used to build the voDIeH class studio model.

visual impression on screen:

The voDIeH class can only be seen twice. Once in TNG "All Good Things" and once in VOY "Endgame". The visual impressions also go very well with what you see on screen. 

The USS Rhode Island (Nova class variant) is a small short-range science vessel. The size of the saucer section corresponds to that of the voDIeH class.

 

screencapture by trekcore.com (VOY "Endgame")

 

screencapture by trekcore.com (VOY "Endgame")

The size of the U.S.S. Dauntless from Star Trek Voyager

The USS Dauntless (VOY "Hope and Fear") was an alien starship disguised as a Federation Dauntless-class starship in the late 24th century. Artruis's (the owner of the ship) race Species 116 had been recently assimilated by the Borg. With a devious plan he wanted to assimilate the crew of Voyager by the Borg.

• The premise for all my deck calculations: a deck is 2.5m + 0.5m for EPS cables, power cables, ... = 3m height for a deck.
• Starfleet ships like the USS Voyager have 4m (3m deck high + 1m Jefferies tube) because the Jefferies tubes are located between the decks. In other Starfleet ships, they were installed "behind the walls", like side corridors.

On many websites we can find a length of 130m - 150m. The ship isn't a real Starfleet ship but we need a deck high of 4m. Why? Because the USS Dauntless had to be a convincing replica of a Starfleet vessel, in order to deceive the crew of Voyager.

From the MSD (Master Situation Diagram) seen in the Episode we know the position of the decks.

screenshot by trekcore.com (VOY "Hope and Fear")

 

With this information I have calculated a length of 252m.

schematic by Star Trek Fact Files

In this screenshot it is indeed an extreme angle in which both ships can be seen. With this impression I wouldn't think that the Dauntless can only be 150m long.

screenshot by trekcore.com (VOY "Hope and Fear")

Nova Class - USS Equinox - The Aero Shuttle

The Aero Shuttle of the USS Equinox is not correct on the model kit. That's why I built the second layer with plastic.

The Aero Shuttle is sprayed in Vallejo Aero Color: Dark Grey Blue 71054 (30%) + Dark Aluminium 77703 (70%).

Nova Class - USS Equinox - Coloration Part 2

The Illusion of Illumination

Because the USS Equinox of Starcraft is a solid resin model, I wanted to give her the appearance of lighting. All lighting is sprayed with airbrush technique.

• Bussard Collectors of the Warp nacelles:
  Vallejo Model Air Scarlet Red 71003 (50%) + Yellow 71002 (50%)
  followed by White 71001 (30%) + MIG Matt Varnish 089
• the Warp Field Grid and Deflector:
  White 71001 (80%) + Blue 71004 (20%)

The Deflector Dish is hand painted with Vallejo Model Color Leather Brown 70871 and Red Leather 70818.

For the illumination of the vessel name and registration number I have made a mask in an acute-angled triangular shape. It was important to put the mask not directly on the ship. To hold the mask slightly above the model (during spraying) gives the lighting effect blurred edges.
Sprayed in Vallejo White 71001 (20%) + MIG Matt Varnish 089 (80%).

Nova Class - USS Equinox - Coloration Part 1

The hull color of USS Equinox is a "middle grey" with a touch of brown.

 

screenshots by trekcore.com
(VOY - "Equinox I")

 

 

 

 

For this base color I used Vallejo Model Air:

Barley Grey 71051 (60%) + USAF Light Grey 71121 (30%) + Middle Stone 71031 (10%).

On this color I first airbrushed speckles in Barley Grey 71051 and than in USAF Light Grey 71121 with this airbrush effect because the USS Voyager has a similar effect. The CGI model of the USS Equinox has only one base color.

Now it was time for the hand painted parts.

The dark grey areas are a mix of Vallejo Model color: German Grey 70995 (25%) + USA Olive Drab 70889 (25%) + Glaze Medium (50%). The lighter grey parts are Neutral Grey 70992.
The Plasma injector grid behind the Bussard collector were painted in Ger. Ornage Ochre 70824.

The dome of the bridge is a strong lightened Vallejo Model Color Imtermediate Green 70891 (with White). The illuminated area around the bridge was painted with a mix of the color from the dome + 50% MIG Matt Varnish MIG-089.

The RCS Thrusters and the Phaser strips are painted in Leather Brown 70871. The details on it are painted in Ger. Cam. Black Brown 70822.

Nova Class - USS Equinox

The Ship was based on the USS Defiant Pathfinder design. The Pathfinder was part of the background story in the DS9 Technical Manual Sternbach devised to describe the design history of what was to become the Defiant Class.
At the end it was used for the USS Equinox NCC-72381 in the Star Trek Voyager episode "Equinox".

 

Sternbach's early Defiant (Star Trek: The Magazine Volume 1 Issue 14)
and the final Nova Class Blueprint

I bought the Nova Class resin model kit in 1/1400. It's only one part - the whole ship is 16,1cm long. I want to use JT Graphics USS Equinox Decals.
Therefore it was necessary to sand some areas like:

• upper Sendor Bays
• bottom Sensor Bays
• RCS Engines

I filled some lines (which doesn't exist) and the upper Deflector for the Decal replacement.

Furthermore, I have revised the structure of the pylons bottom side and corrected the position of the lower Phaser strip.

My USS Equinox should look like in the episode. That's why I added the battle damages.

STAR TREK Size Comparison Charts - Shuttles Part 2

Here is the part 2 of my Shuttle Size Chart Project.

PS: A special thank (and all copyright) for the picture material to: John Eaves, Drex Files, Star Trek Fact Files and Star Trek The Magazine, Starship Collection Magazine and The Light Works.

Size calculations:

Shuttle ARGO

STAR TREK Size Comparison Charts - Shuttles Part 1

And now I have finished the part 1 of the Shuttles and small ships. Part 2 will include the Starfleet Shuttles.

PS: A special thank (and all copyright) for the picture material to: John Eaves, Drex Files, Star Trek Fact Files and Star Trek The Magazine, Starship Collection Magazine and The Light Works.

STAR TREK Size Comparison Charts - Space Stations & Shipyards

Here are the size chart with the Space Stations, Shipyards and Outposts.

PS: A special thank (and all copyright) for the picture material to: John Eaves, Drex Files, Star Trek Fact Files and Star Trek The Magazine, Starship Collection Magazine and The Light Works.

Space Stations from DS9

Space Stations from Voyager

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STAR TREK Size Comparison Charts - Huge Vessels

Here is a chart with one of the most popular huge vessels from the movies and the series.

PS: A special thank (and all copyright) for the picture material to: John Eaves, Drex Files, Star Trek Fact Files and Star Trek The Magazine, Starship Collection Magazine and The Light Works.

Size calculations:

Romulan Warbird

First Contact Borg Sphere

Klingon Sarcophagus ship 

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STAR TREK Size Comparison Charts

What is new about my size charts?
There are so many Star Trek sites with different lengths for one and the same spaceship, so I did something simple: I have estimated the lengths of the ships but not based on screenshots. I have calculated it.

That's the premise: a deck is 2.5 m + 0.5 m for EPS cables, power cables, ... = 3m height for a deck.

Attention:
Starfleet ships of the Intrepid class and Nova class from the 24th century have 4m (3m deck high + 1m Jefferies tube) because the Jefferies tubes are located between the decks. Before, they were installed "behind the walls", like side corridors.

Most ships have windows, so you can calculate the height of a deck. If the amount so specifies with 3m -> gives the length in meters. For all the views I have 300 Pixels/cm used because the 100% corresponds to the length (1 pixel = 1 m).

22nd to 23rd Century - from Archer to Kirk

Size calculations:

Klingon K'Tinga Class

SS Emmette

Andorian Kumari

Oberth Class

Excelsior Class

Movie Ships

PS: A special thank (and all copyright) for the picture material to: John Eaves, Drex Files, Star Trek Fact Files and Star Trek The Magazine, Starship Collection Magazine and The Light Works.

Space Stations and Shipyards

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