(273) The Larson Class (An Experiment in Single Nacelle Starship Designs)

In today's episode of Truth OR Myth Beta, we're taking a look at the Larson Class, as first seen in Federation Ship Recognition Manual... I hope you enjoy!
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[@twitchew]

FASA was great for the long spell when nobody was sure if we'd get more. And they really did a nice job as a company to adhere to the spirit of the old tech manual without getting into quantum copyright entanglements. ) long live the FWC-2 (old style nacelle classification of course) !!!!

[@TriAngulumAudioStudios]

Couldn't agree more! I used to pour over FASA and the Franz Joseph Tech Manual constantly as a kid! Ahhh the good ol' days!

[@f.r.wilson7603]

Ah, another veteran from the FASA era, great game that kept Star Trek interest alive.

[@hunterpdx7061]

Star Fleet Battles helped too!

[@jamesevans886]

The Larson class is an old favourite of mine from the 1980s Fasa Star Trek Starship Combat simulator tabletop miniatures game. It was a good all-rounder. You wouldn't dream of taking on 3 Klingon D-7s like a Constitution class, but it could get in do some damage and get out again. It was a great class for system reconnaissance and patrol. I did lose some of them to cloaked Romulan ships. According to Fasa, one Larson class was the USS Richthofen, the only red painted starship in Federation history. It was a well-balanced fast ship.

[@georgeflansburg]

I have always loved the single nacelle designs! ❤

[@TriAngulumAudioStudios]

You and me both :)

[@jasonparis5635]

Ah the Larson class ship a very good design a like to see a refit version of this ship

[@TriAngulumAudioStudios]

Maybe one day ;)

[@f.r.wilson7603]

I love the Larson class, quick, maneuverable, and durable. I commanded 3 of them back in the FASA days, they were the terror of the sector, even newest Romulan designs thought twice before entering my patrol area. And when the Larson mk VIII hit the books, I was unstoppable. Untill the DM declared the design to OP to play. But, damn it was fun while it lasted.

[@TriAngulumAudioStudios]

Ahhhhhhh the good ol' days :)

[@edwardbell4928]

@@f.r.wilson7603 wolf pack tactics...that's why I always liked (and later designed) the smaller ship classes.

[@VexTibbetts]

Really enjoy the more unique layout classes and this is a favourite. I'd love to see a 'refit' kitbash version featuring the under saucer deflector section pod from the Pioneer Class

[@TriAngulumAudioStudios]

I absolutely love unique designs!

[@jeffhallam2004]

My favorite videos of yours are TOS era and TMP eta. I feel like you love those the most!

[@TriAngulumAudioStudios]

I love ALL the Eras... But this is one Era I grew up with that captured my imagination first ;)

[@cesarsosaficachi5737]

Larson class one of my fav designs from the “old days”, excellent story 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻🖖🏻

[@TriAngulumAudioStudios]

Mine too! And thank you so much :)

[@Captain.AmericaV1]

We always appreciate your hard work and efforts on content 😊😊

[@TriAngulumAudioStudios]

Thank you so much 😀 I really appreciate the support!

[@mattcarper9853]

Man, I miss the old FASA ship guides. Time to search for a Chandley Class video.

[@TriAngulumAudioStudios]

LOL, not yet, but hopefully one day... LOL

[@Arms872]

Love beta-cannon ships, especially the FASA ones

[@TriAngulumAudioStudios]

You and me both!

[@Barbariandisks]

Ah yes a fasa starship design, my fave was the Baker class

[@stevenewman1393]

🖖😎👍Very totally wonderfully cool and very nicely greatly well informatively explained and executed in every detail way shape and format provided on the "Larson Class starship's!"; A job very nicely fabulously well done indeed Sir!👌.

[@TriAngulumAudioStudios]

Thank you kindly, I always appreciate you nice comments :)

[@Malbeefance]

FASA's work needs to be canon.

[@The1ReviewBoard]

The TOS and TMP era designs have a beauty in their simplicity. It would be great to see the refit variant of the Larson.

[@mattsw104]

5:30 He said it! he said the thing!

[@TriAngulumAudioStudios]

Always, and forever :P LOL

[@XHunter442]

Ty for the update and LLAP!

[@TriAngulumAudioStudios]

You're welcome! PALL!

[@dramonmaster222]

Let's hear it for going where no one has gone before.

[@TriAngulumAudioStudios]

Amen ;)

[@Stormonu]

With your take, I'd like to think that the Larson class was the reason that a refit Saladin (? - the one seen on TMP screen) and later TNG era Freedom class was made possible.

[@TriAngulumAudioStudios]

It's part of the reason, certainly!

[@brnzro]

Great video, but im sorry, i cant believe this is really a Larson class untill i dont see a "scanner" on the front of the saucer section ;)) . I really like these videos, please dont stop making them. LLAP.

[@TriAngulumAudioStudios]

I don't intend too! No worries! And thank you for the support! :)

[@jerrylee7898]

Great video as always, thank you!

[@TriAngulumAudioStudios]

Glad you enjoyed it Jerry!

[@patrickdawson3960]

Love it!!

[@TriAngulumAudioStudios]

Me too!

[@ericmadsen7470]

Those Old Scientists TOS class of starships are oldies but goodies.

[@TriAngulumAudioStudios]

Very... imaginative! Lol

[@longWriter]

Sssssay...those pylons seem to have some TMP-era design beats to them, don't they? This is a kind of a good transition ship between TOS and TMP, though leaning _heavily_ towards TOS!

[@TriAngulumAudioStudios]

The Beginning of the End of the TOS Era ;) :)

[@dominik8005]

very nice video

[@TriAngulumAudioStudios]

Thank you Dom, Appreciate the continued support, always :)

[@dominik8005]

@ No Problem

[@TriAngulumAudioStudios]

😁

[@dominik8005]

@ 😀

[@defiantance]

I do like the Larson class design. The only change I would make; if it was my idea, was to have the deflector dish placed at the front of the saucer like with the NX design or use deflector "strips" like with the Miranda class. But that is my ideas. You can kick me out of an airlock now.

[@TriAngulumAudioStudios]

Well you'll have to address your complaints to the authors of the Federation Ship Recognition Manual, and THEY can decide your fate :P

[@defiantance]

@@TriAngulumAudioStudios LOL.

[@charlestaylor253]

"Ensign, open the outer door!"... 😉👍

[@edwardbell4928]

Are we gonna see the ANDOR and NORTH HAMPTON class at some point?

[@TriAngulumAudioStudios]

Maybe at SOME point... Be PATIENT, there are 100s (probably 1000s) of ships for me to do! And all depends on getting a high quality 3d model! So if youd like to help out the channel, you can make an official request for a starship design by becoming a highest tier Patreon Member!

[@edwardbell4928]

@TriAngulumAudioStudios oh...I'm always patient and always waiting to see what you put out next.

[@MrSheckstr]

My only major problem with the Fasa era of ships design is they look like they were designed to conform with the limitations of card stock paper design …. Alot of folds and tabs

[@TriAngulumAudioStudios]

Im not sure what you mean... And I don't see these designs as a problem at all... After all, they were all we had for years when it came to starship designs, having influenced many of the starship designs that have no become canon!

[@scottbraun2457]

The Larson CLASS, desperately needs to be given more love..and a TNGera level upgrade equal to it's past..surpassing of expectations of the original refit. Obviously..a dramatic size expansion..would result..but I think it will still work..and look good.

[@daviddyster4145]

I love if the class got a cameo or a guest ship in an episode of Strange New Worlds.

[@josephryman3799]

hope we can see the Larson class in season 3 of strange new worlds

[@TriAngulumAudioStudios]

You never know! :)

[@josephryman3799]

@@TriAngulumAudioStudios fingers cross

[@KingofPotatoPeople]

Did the Larson class explore the Far Side of the galaxy?

[@TriAngulumAudioStudios]

Ba doom Tssssss :P

[@radeksparowski7174]

why does it reminds me of the character of "Halfsack" from sons of anarchy?

[@Brando501st]

Interesting design. It seemed to work great in the field but doesn't putting double the amount of warp coils in 1 nacelle defeat the purpose of a 1 nacelle ship? 😅. I guess star fleet just wanted to make a challenging design at the end of the day lol

[@athomheart]

I made a Strange new World Version of the Larson Class.

[@TriAngulumAudioStudios]

So did I :) Nice looking right?

[@USS_LaughingChicken]

I feel like there should be some trade off for giving up the nacell and the drive section but at best this thing runs about the same as an original Constitution class or other two 'cell contemporary, which makes me wonder why you'd want to bother if there's no trade off in, say, weight, (as if that was a factor), or something else. I thought it would be fun to have the single nacell ships run similar to two stroke dirtbikes as opposed to four strokes but in warp engine terms, of course.

[@TriAngulumAudioStudios]

Well, as the video said, there is a trade off (normally) being a less powerful warp field causing slower speeds... But like this video also said, this Nacelle was redesigned to act as TWO nacelles in one casing, hence it's increase in speed, but is also VERY dangerous...

[@charlestaylor253]

​@@TriAngulumAudioStudios The 24th century Freedom class says: "Hold my Romulan ale!"...😉👍

[@seanc9401]

I do like single nacelle designs, but I'm not a massive fan of this one, for some reason it just doesn't vibe with me the right way. Great video as always!

[@TriAngulumAudioStudios]

Fair enough! After all, you can't please everyone 100% of the time ;)

[@centaur1a]

Should include in the bios are the number of ships that were made and the upgrades before production ended.

[@TriAngulumAudioStudios]

Nahhhh, the video is fine as is! If it's important to the story I include it, if not, then I dont!

[@bearthegenxgm]

Why the sensor dish on the bottom? So fugly.

[@TriAngulumAudioStudios]

Because that's how it was designed back then? And I think it's charming ;) :P

[@blindscience1701]

Hmmm...I love the look of this lovely lady, with the exception of the dish location. But, that's an easy fix. Bring my ship to dry dock and remove said dish from current location and place it on the forward of the Saucer, like the NX class and bam even more lovely. But, it came from FASA and I'm okay with the design as well.

[@seand.g423]

What in the Voidborne signal fan???

[@TriAngulumAudioStudios]

I have no idea what you're talking about...

[@eddzyeddzy6158]

over time, making it bigger , I would have leaned into making this a transport., cargo,or a transort. 4 or 5 of those could build an outpost in no time. Actually looks like the construction ship from ST Armada.

[@TriAngulumAudioStudios]

If I made up what it was, then it wouldn't be a Beta Canon video now would it? 😜

[@HansZarkovPhD]

Isint that the same as the kelvin?

[@TriAngulumAudioStudios]

No, not even close!

[@michaelspain3601]

Heres a thought... USS Iowa (Oddysey Class)

[@TriAngulumAudioStudios]

Im not sure what this thought means...

[@isaiahgray3057]

Who would want to command a gimped starship with only one nacelle?

[@TriAngulumAudioStudios]

Uhhhh, pretty much anyone in Fandom? :P You know you would!

[@twitchew]

@@isaiahgray3057 anyone that doesn’t want the brass breathing down their necks but still wants to zip around at warp 9 (old scale of course) ;) But I get you.

[@edwardbell4928]

Much better than a BAKER-class...

[@OllamhDrab]

Real chance for junior captains to see some action/distinguish themselves?

[@xheralt]

Warp coils are warp coils; same coils generate same max speed. In my view, single nacelles are NOT slower than dual -- but the ride is rougher, without other nacelle(s) to balance them out. Single nacelle vessels wear out faster, developing micro-stress cracks in the spaceframe that need to be repaired or reinforced, lest hull breaches occur. But they're cheap and quick to build, so they usually get replaced before they fail outright. Or, if Fleet has time & resources, better built, longer-lived dual-nacelled frigates take over their niche in the fleet. TBH, "destroyer" is almost too good of a classification for the _Saladins_ (and similar designs), it just has "history and tradition" behind it, just like calling anything with three nacelles a "dreadnaught". _Saladins_ should really be "corvettes" IMO, with "destroyer" reserved for small dual-hulled, dual-nacelled vessels (i.e. USS Pioneer or USS Polaris). Smaller unibody ships, I tend to call "frigates" or "light cruisers" instead.

[@TriAngulumAudioStudios]

Sorry you are incorrect... Speed is created by the Warp Field, which is created by the Warp Coils... A stronger, more focused field = faster speeds... See every Trek show ever made and every Tech Manual ever made... also everything else you said is incorrect as well... Please do better research in the future before commenting!

[@xheralt]

@@TriAngulumAudioStudios My real point is, Destroyers _should NOT be slower than cruisers!_ To that end, you negated your own argument. Speed is created by Warpfield, which is created by Warp coils; we're together to this point. What you're ignoring is, if the warp coils of the Larson are the same as those of the Connie nacelles, same materials, same technology, they should _at worst_ produce the same amount of speed. Even with one nacelle, because remember, thanks to TMP, nacelles aren't the power producers, warp _cores_ are. Having a warp core, everything else should be the same. If you hold that "more focused" field yields greater speed, well then, a small ship like this generates a more compact, and therefore more focused field. Stop regurgitating "official" sources and think for yourself, it's what Trek fans like me have been doing since the 1970's.

[@TriAngulumAudioStudios]

Sorry again, youre incorrect, with a very illogical argument! You do not get to create how the universe works, canon and beta canon does! Saying "think for yourself" is just so silly, especially on a channel that is DEDICATED to Canon and Beta Canon! The universe works as canon dictates, besides I agree with canon and how it all works, thinking for myself! So repeating yourself doesn't change that... sorry, you've got absolutely nothing here! Im also closing this thread here as you seem intent on arguing something thats just wrong! Take care! PS; Im a 1970s Trek fan... And 1970s fans actually respect canon! (THREAD CLOSED- No further comments will appear to prevent OP from continuing an incorrect circular argument)

[@charlesrosenberg8233]

Have you done the Federation and Ascension Class Dreadnoughts or the Old CL from Starfleet Battles?

[@TriAngulumAudioStudios]

I have done the Federation Dreadnought, you can use the search function under the videos tab!

[@charlesrosenberg8233]

@@TriAngulumAudioStudios , I just watched the DN video (which briefly covered the Ascension Class Refit at the end). Have you done other videos of Federation Ships from Starfleet Battles (beyond the Franz Joseph Tech Manual ships)? I'd love to see the Old CL (a Pre UFP Earth Ship), Flatbed CVA (from SFB expansion 2), Galactic Survey Cruiser (apparently based on the Baton Rouge Class from the Spaceflight Chronology) or Corvette (a ship designed for Customs, Law Enforcement and Anti Piracy operations)?

[@JeffreyPiatt]

The Maranda class predicessor

[@TriAngulumAudioStudios]

Sorry, you are incorrect... This class is not, and has NOTHING to do with, the Miranda Class!