Federation Commander

Thank you guys. I look forward to seeing a Jeremy Gray paint job on an oCA someday!

I got most of today to sit at my workbench and just work on minis. It was glorious.

Is that FD7 to be sent in for consideration, or is it for your own use only?

I've made it using producible methods, but SVC has stated the an FD7 would not be something ADB wants to do at this time. As it turns out, it sounds like the B9 just kind of happened and there have been concerns over production costs vs. breaking-even on that one.

I'm still messing with my FD7. I might do something to the "top hat" on the command boom to make it look "speedy", but I'm still undecided.

It would be a shame if the B9 issue scuppered the potential for an FD7 (or whatever equivalent the Romulans might have converted. Do they already have one in SFB?) - but fingers crossed.

I do like the idea of making the top hat that little bit different, echoing the saucers on the CF, NCF, NLF and DDF perhaps. Might make the design stand out on the tabletop that little bit more (the way the Fed ships do).

Oh it stands out pretty well, even now. She's a l-o-n-g mini.

Looking great Will!

You are making me jealous since I haven't had a lot of time lately. Gotta get back to the workbench.

True enough, but I still like the to-hat idea, if you end up going in that direction.

Will:
Lookign good. If you do decide to try something with the top hat... try curving the main dome in an arc... you might also taper the edges so that it sorta blends into the surrounding structure.

I was thinking the actual "brim" (where the officers wardroom is, etc.) with the windows on the edges. However, scoutdad's post has me thinking... I'll do some sketching. I might try replacing the "bridge dome" with something sportier.

I did some sketches, but I'm just not feeling it. The adding mass runs counter to the fast-ship mantra.

The last one on the right looks quite good, possibly with a reshaped "bulb" underneath as well. As for weight, you could always cheat and say that they used advanced, light-weight construction materials to build her.

I too, like the spade shaped version on the right.

It's a bit more radical than I had envisioned, but it does have that "fast cruiser" look to it.

I was thinking you could perhaps leave the prow arc the way it is, but stretch the side and back of the top hat instead.

(In a sense, inverting the teardrop shape the Fed fast saucers use.)

Still thinking.


This is not a decision I want to make lightly. The mini is complete, as it stands right now. To make any change to the boom will require major grinding and there's no going back, once the Dremel hits it.