A Contraversial Starship: Columbia Class

[@TheRezro]

It is worth to point out that NX has longer history then people think. In Beta canon at least. So: After failure of the NX prototype (what now is known as USS Franklin of Freedom class), what break apart during the test. United Earth realized that they need larger reinforced ship. This lead to construction of Enterprise of the NX class (sister NV class was also designed just in case if NX would fail). But NX proved to be reliable and was mass produced. Though production model such as Columbia, what has larger deflector and plasma conduits on the deck. NX production end short due to Romulan War. As costly NX was good, but cheaper ships such as NV, Dedalus and Ganges were prioritized. But large number of hulls were already finished, so they were remade into Poseidon class Destroyers. Replacing all fancy recreation rooms with phase cannons. Few surviving and finished NX were refit into heavy cruisers, with expansion secondary hull, placed inside hangar. What give them similar firepower to Poseidon. They were used primarily for deep space raids. Enterprise was decommissioned only after decade of service. With introduction of way more advanced Bonaventure class Explorers (what later serve as base for Kelvin era ships, alongside refitted Yorktown class Battleships). But NX did not ended service as people think (with Archer decision of decommission Poseidon). Federation in fact utilized series of successful old Light Cruisers of Loknar class. What were used from Bonaventure, up to TMP era. So even longer then Dedalus. If you look closely they shape look familiar. Yes! Those are refitted NX ships! What were stripped from additional hangar or hull and other features of Poseidon and expanded NX. And reliable frames, with minimal features were used for various tasks for almost two centuries! Columbia class was just modern post-TMP reinterpretation of this ancient design.

[@venomgeekmedia9886]

Personally I think the Bonaventure came later. For the kelvin era I suggest you look up the rockwell and harcourt classes

[@TheRezro]

@@venomgeekmedia9886 Bonaventure class is confirmed in the Beta canon media. I personally believe that it was named after missing USS Bonaventure, what was experimental Ceres class ship. It would fit Archer tendency to do that. As he planed to call NX class Columbia, but it was decommissioned before that happen. For reminder some members of early Federation, already did have Warp 7 technology. Bonaventure class derivatives operated in small number for almost century, with bulk of Starfleet being smaller Frigates like Dedalus and Ganges (for reminder close proximity of Earth was unexplored border region, to point that Cardassia and Ferenginar, what are rather close. Were not discovered for almost two centuries). Anyway when Starfleet was picked as standard for Federation fleet in early 23'th century. Bonaventure and Yorktown derivatives become fitted for other tasks. With even larger prototype of Walker class. Ares class though not canon, in fact perfectly fit as early prototype of Anton (Miranda/Malachowski) class Destroyers and Constitutions class Heavy Cruisers (what has smaller saucer, but expanded engineering sections).

[@TheRezro]

@@venomgeekmedia9886 Oh, and one major disclaimer. Contrary to popular opinion Discovery ships fit perfectly sized of ships between NX and TNG eras (as large ships like 400 meter Yorktown 700m D'Kyr were in limited use). Discovery ships also fit design style known as Phase 2. When Constitution class was already described as old, with TMP era refit happening directly after animated show ended. And Enterprise refit was one what become standard for future ships. It is safe to assume that during Four Years War most of modern Starfleet ships were destroyed, what forced Federation to recommission bulk of older ships, leading to TOS era style. This for sure did happen (Beta canon) to Dedalus, what gain its longer refit known from DS9. There is also a issue of Kelvin era ship. Original sizes from STO fit perfectly (they scaled them to known TMP refit of Kobayashi Maru). Current size make no sense, as Kelvin era ships should grow exponentially only after encountering Narada (thanks to stolen data core). But ok. There may be simply difference between timelines.

[@venomgeekmedia9886]

@@TheRezro personally the yorktown at 400m is a bit too much. it works better for me at 246m. D'kyr is about 600m but that is exceptionally large and is still far off the galaxy and ambassador volume wise. you are right about it having similarites to phase 2, just add orange bussards. Personally ships of the early 4 years war (Late 22nd early 23rd centruy ships) shouldn't be bigger than the Connie. but they should feel proportionally heavier and more sluggish, whist still being smaller size wise

[@chrissonofpear1384]

@@venomgeekmedia9886 Ah yes, the Yorktown - from ST Legacy, right? Yes, a bit of a problem vessel. I do indeed see a nice link from Columbia(2?) to the Springfield-class, meanwhile - which seems like a surveyor/ELINT design, to my eyes. The D'kyr I guess is still around somewhat. Compare with Lower Deck's massive new Sh'Vahl-class - minimum length likely 1.4 km, but could be considerably more! Even the Dominion might get hesitant around one of those... As for the Kelvin, the design 'feels' right to me at about 900 feet, as does the airlock hatch. As a rare, one off (initially?) Nacelle design, I guess it may have been a bit bigger, though. But cannot see it at 1500 feet.

[@Jager1967]

I am very glad you're expanding on the Federation starship classes that played a role in your take of the Tomed Incident.

[@KashouWannabe]

Two things in particular I love about this episode; 1: The submarine style "hunter-killer" combat tactics. 2: That hulls get sold, loaned, or otherwise acquired by civilian enterprises. My head canon is that a lot of Oberth and Miranda classes were used by private owners, mostly as bulk haulers. But many were "enlisted" during the Dominion War, roughly brought up to combat spec, and used to supplement the Federation's ever dwindling compliment of ships. Got a fanfic mentally plotted out about a Miranda class and it's mix of civvie and Fed crew.

[@nsr-ints]

​@paladindanse2989Hmm yes old Starfleet ships... Well the hard point is still there so... Might as well.

[@occultatumquaestio5226]

So if the Excelsior is the Sovereign of the 23rd century, then the Columbia would be the Intrepid of the 23rd century. A deep space science ship that packs a punch, and also a cloaking device. It indeed is a beauty of a ship.

[@SuperGamefreak18]

that is a great comparison

[@venomgeekmedia9886]

Very good comparison and much like intrepid aesthetically halfway between the two

[@onlycorndog6322]

I really like the notion of Starfleet building a ship that just lurks around Federation territory under-cloak looking for other cloaked ships.

[@gdogg5247]

So... boarder protection with a cloak, making 4 frontal photon tubes a devastating first alpha strike, making the game of cat and mouse a decisive encounter for any enemy foolish enough to stray into federation territory. Love the vid :) can we see an Akula Class Vid, its a super fav of mine from the early Trek Video games, such a cool design.

[@venomgeekmedia9886]

Maybe... ;)

[@jeffhallam2004]

Never ceases to amaze me how I miss so many of your older videos and have to go back to catch them lol...thanks for the video

[@barrybend7189]

wish we had the EC Henry NX refit from Pacific 201 in STO.

[@stevenewman1393]

🖖😎👍Very cool and very nicely well done and very well informatively explained and executed in every detail way shape and form possibly provided indeed, And I myself like the Colombia class it's a very cool looking starship design indeed👌.

[@Cdr2002]

This thing is like a Constitution Refit, NX, and a Crossfield thrown into a blender and I love it

[@TimothyChapman]

By the way, this should be called the Columbia II class. The first Columbia class was the NASA Space Shuttle. Technically, the Enterprise was the first space shuttle, but it was just a prototype to test the gliding capabilities and never actually went into space (Columbia was the first shuttle to go to space). And we already have an Enterprise class (aircraft carrier).

[@LudditesRUs]

It bears a very strong resemblance to a Non-sensor pod Springfield-Class from the Best of Both Worlds, and ties in well as a recent predecessor. Seeing the two side by side in artwork makes it a really good evolution. Kind of like seeing a Miranda and Nebula.

[@wiaf8937]

as i ant afford a super thanks, i shall instead send good vibes and heartfelt thanks and a tiny sprinkle of gratidude for being able to watch these excourses.

[@sgt_s4und3r54]

ECHENRY does magnificent work. Not just with Trek but all the ships across scifi that he has touched. I really liked Pacific 401. Great fan film that got caught mid production with the overly strict fan film rules.

[@diver-wi9th]

awesome channel and cool ship review

[@QalOrt]

I really love the look of the Columbia Class it's a great little corvette

[@ForeverAlone86]

Truly awesome work in all your stories your literally such a great author i truly enjoy your work

[@jamesappling1212]

An early Man o' War. Looks like a clean design.

[@freelancenerd4804]

Any breakdown with The term “skullduggery” in it is a win in my book!

[@gothicalpha]

One of my favorite ships from the early star trek days. It's in the Mod Ages of the Federation for Sins of a solar empire btw

[@timjerrom7173]

Ooooh is it any good?

[@gothicalpha]

@@timjerrom7173 yes the game is quite fun with the mod and the ship itself is an anti fighter/shuttle frigate

[@b003]

Verrrry nice! My new favorite.

[@nathanielmeade5731]

Hey I was mentioned! Sweet! Great video

[@lachbullen8014]

Starfleet is based off real world naval structuring and organisation the Federation is more unified in their goals and coexisting side-by-side it's like a new neighbour moves next door to you expect things to be all nice but it doesn't turn out that way and you despise each other...

[@worldtraveler930]

The NX refit is definitely a classy looking ship!! 🤠🖖

[@jeremycaufield8605]

The Columbia seems similar to a lot of FASA designs, more weapons than it could power up and still have shields and movement available.

[@IgoByaGo]

I really, really like this design.

[@shanenolan8252]

I like the Columbia class

[@pauld5265]

One thing the Columbia gets right compared to the oberth is the use of a non explodedum based alloy for it's hull construction. And when you mentioned the Loknar ship it caused me to think of the Loc-Nar the psychotic green sphere from Heavy Metal. And it's monolog with the protagonist.

[@marsar1775]

i really ppreciate the work your doing to flesh out this era of trek, it has some of the most artistically gorgeous ships in science fiction in my opinion and critical lack of lore

[@venomgeekmedia9886]

Yeah the excelsior era is stunning.

[@jlomesou]

This is more of a scout ship. When you consider all the other vessels being built in this time period, a smaller ship like this would not be used for exploration when better ships are available for that. This type of ship would be used as a patrol vessel for areas close to outposts and colonies. It might be tasked for a specific mission every now and then, but it wouldn’t be carrying the most advanced science equipment in the fleet. Only long range heavy cruisers and battleships would be equipped with that.

[@neganrex5693]

That is a nice looking ship and worthy of caption Kirk and big screen time. Thank you for bringing this ship up. I would be proud to be a caption of that sexy looking ship that demands respect. Poor caption Sisko was stock with the Defiant class that looked like a turtle with no legs.

[@jeremycaufield8605]

The Remora? That’s a design I haven’t seen in a while, I believe FASA classified it as an escort, for police and convoy duty.

[@nekophht]

Honestly, the views I saw the Columbia in with previous videos, I was thinking more "reskinned Franklin". It's not until now when you show a view that displays an underslung section that I could see the NX reskin.

[@diver-wi9th]

Thanks!

[@josiahclinch6219]

I LOVE THIS CLASS! this is the tmp era for the nx refit,

[@bluemagus2424]

13 batteries and 4 torpedo tubes... = defiant of its age. a escort on paper, attack ship in practice

[@casbot71]

I interesting option for a civilian buyer would be to retrofit it with a 2nd hand Klingon cloaking device. If you're not Starfleet it's technically not cheating.

[@hughtonne1775]

Now imagine what it looks like with Three nacelles! Super cursed, yet still functional within the Star trek athsetic. Weird, isn't it.

[@KertaDrake]

The NXcelsior!

[@ShawnTheSheep407]

Thanks!

[@JoeCroninSHOW]

Awesome

[@venomgeekmedia9886]

thanks for the support

[@shanenolan8252]

Cheers mate

[@dr.zippymcscoots8725]

That looks like a great design.

[@georgesulea]

Neat info Sir!

[@stevepak3294]

Thanks!

[@venomgeekmedia9886]

Glad you enjoyed. Thank you.

[@ultramaximusreviews]

I don't think I knew the Oberth was a modular omni vessel - that makes it a little bit cooler I think

[@venomgeekmedia9886]

Yeah a little modular corvette

[@lanebowles8170]

Good video! What is your take on the effect a cloaking field has on the sensor systems of the ship that using it? My impression is that while it is not anywhere near the extreme double blind effect of Timothy Zahn's Star Wars works, a cloaking device in Star Trek usually has a "blinding effect" on the ship using it, limiting the effectiveness of its own sensor systems. Reducing the sensor effectiveness by half or two-thirds seems a good compromise effect to me.

[@ChrisTian-ed8ol]

I think they packed the weapons on for narrative. In my opinion itd be better if the Columbia class gad a similar weapons layout like the NX, if not slightly better do to tech. For example, this ship looks swift, put 2 to 4 pulse phase cannons (Like what was initially on the NX Enterprise) forward, 4 to 6 phaser cannons (top and bottom) for a near 360° firing arc, and 3 torpedoe banks (2 forward, 1 aft). It sounds more realistic, and it would fit the more militaristic Federation of the time, while making the Columbia a fast attack craft.

[@MrZonehawk]

So it’s NASA and the D.O.D using the same ship and actually getting along with each other is what Starfleet is?

[@calvinlweir2795]

This ship looks like the Franklin from JJTrek

[@shmee123ful]

I've always wondered how dose funding work in the federation given their irating instance they don't use money and things like replacactors exist that pull matter out of thin air so long as you can power the thing

[@shanenolan8252]

Good to see we are getting the enterprise f. In picard . ( seems like commador le forge may be in command) ?

[@45580677]

I wonder have you happen to look at the Klingon Academy ships of Starfleet I link for ideas like the Yamato class

[@shadowalk]

One thing I hate about Star Trek Online is that some of the endgame meta ships are stronger than the 'newer' ships...Constitutions that are stronger than a Sovereign or a Negh'Var just because they slapped the 'legendary' name onto it and because it appeared in Discovery or the JJ Abrams trek movies?

[@emperorofscelnar8443]

The Columbia Class and the Akira Class are improved versions of the NX Class.

[@daniellafferety4025]

Star trek has to littel fier power. They need fast warp 8 drives were avaliable. And small crew's. Modular local space drive capabilities in modules for fast changes at star base. The tri hule design in most hule has crew ,logistics, hydroponics, manufacturing areas can eject and be faster trasfered to new fully logistics, food wepons etc loaded Secondary hules cargo, logustics. The out hull armor, wepons, pods, phazer banks. Warp drives.

[@timjerrom7173]

Just realised, we do have a current series in this timeline "well 20 or 40 years before" Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, so yea depends on what they do with Captain Pike and if there is any way of stopping his future and getting away with the canon I suppose. Just hope if they do continue to this, they won't re-design this eras class of ships. I know the mighty red jackets they have done in the last episode of season 1 and they do not look so mighty anymore, but the same was for Discovery season 2 with the Enterprise's uniforms and now they look sort of ok'ish. Nice work. Definitely needs explaining why the United Federation of Planets has never looked into researching or stopped this technology, well apart from section 31 😉 🖖

[@AvroBellow]

It looks like the Freedom-class to me.

[@brightlord-ov7cm]

It looks like enterprise from the same named tv show with Johnathan Archer as captain.

[@ericmadsen7470]

The Columbia class looks a lot like the USS Franklin from Star Trek Beyond.

[@venomgeekmedia9886]

Well that was also meant to resemble the NX

[@chrissonofpear1384]

@@venomgeekmedia9886 You might say the Franklin was the direct ancestor of the Loknar, too. Plus it's obscure various spin off designs, like the Thruxton(?); Iverson, or the Phobos (from the fanfilm 'Of Gods and Men') possibly.

[@TrueSighted]

Ehh... As long as its not slowing it down, theres no such thing as too many weapons. Redundancy is important in a defense system. A basic coverage layout without redundancy would just get you killed the first battle you lost one section of coverage. Better to have nodes that overlap their coverage a bit, and add a little extra strength and redundancy. Better to be a bit over prepared for what could happen, than be under prepared for what does happen.

[@ycplum7062]

Actually, if you have so few of these ships and they are not heavily armed, I think it would make more sense for it to send a tight beam message to a relay station and then vector in more powerful ships to engage the cloaked Romulans. It can feed the heavier ships target tracking data while it stays hidden.

[@venomgeekmedia9886]

Yeah that is another option call in an akula or excelsior

[@ycplum7062]

@@venomgeekmedia9886 I was an armored recconaissance specialist (aka cavalry scout). If we had to use our weapons, we screwed up somehow. Our primary offensive weapon was the radio. We would stay concealed, call in artllery or an air strike, sit back, and watch the fireworks. lol

[@lachbullen8014]

You are practically describing to what is a submarine V submarine warfare in space..

[@short72hp1]

Henry did the Davinc also bothe great ships

[@matthewcaughey8898]

Might make a good precursor story of the name USS Normandy and why they commissioned the Dominion war Super heavy Destroyernaught type Normandy ( which is based off another canceled defiant variant)

[@emperorofscelnar8443]

I could see like a NXM2 Class

[@TimothyChapman]

13 phaser batteries on such a small ship? (1) I counted 16 batteries based on your arrows. (2) That's impressive for a Starfleet vessel. But how many batteries can it provide power to at once? And how long can it keep all that hardware from overheating during extended use? Also, your theory on the rebranding of Space Force into Starfleet is exactly what I was thinking. Except that I also think that changing "space" into "star" gives a stronger impression about what the amount of territory the organization requires. For example: "Spacefleet" may be interpreted as covering *only* the local star system, if not just the planet that the person lives on, or covering many star systems. But "Starfleet" leaves no room for interpreting it as a local organization.

[@venomgeekmedia9886]

When I say a battery I mean a pair. But some are Solo mounts.

[@TimothyChapman]

@@venomgeekmedia9886 I also mean pair. I saw a total of 16 of them based on the arrows in the images.

[@venomgeekmedia9886]

@@TimothyChapman ok might have miscounted.

[@r.connor9280]

Asymmetric Warp nacelle placement What are your thoughts on such unique designs

[@venomgeekmedia9886]

You mean two separate pairs?

[@r.connor9280]

@@venomgeekmedia9886 More like an outrigger, or weighted placement so that all nacelles land on the left or right exclusively

[@Mephilis78]

This ship make me feel guilty when I use it

[@merrick1588]

Given everything that happened to the NX in her service span, is it really any surprise that the next time humans built it they would up-gun the shit out of it? Even the Federation has a proven history of over gunning the next generation of designs when they get punched in the nose.

[@charleslee8505]

We are the crayons we must build better ships more armor more pew pew for the honor in Gloria of warf

[@TimothySchulting]

It's not a rip-off, it's an homage.

[@jhallam2011]

Is the overcompensation of weapons prominent in STO? Oh and I haven’t watched the Tomad incident yet… I’ve been crazy busy.

[@venomgeekmedia9886]

I'd strongly recommend you watch it. This will all make sense after watching that.

[@zelphx]

"Contr-O-versial". And I think you mean "Col-U-mbia". It's important to proof-read when you present content.

[@HarperStl]

Confused by the talk of armaments. At the beginning you point out how heavily armed it is with 26 phaser emitters and by the end of the video you’ve mentioned a different count of 8 phaser arrays and seem to disregard your statement about the ludicrous number of torpedo tubes. Am I missing some nuance? It’s entirely possible I am - I was listening on the drive home and may have zoned out.

[@barrybend7189]

didn't the NX have 6 ordinance launchers? four probe/ spacial torpedo launchers and 2 Photon Torpedo launchers.

[@venomgeekmedia9886]

So 8 is my head canon

[@venomgeekmedia9886]

Photons seemed to share the same tubes as spatial torpedoes.

[@barrybend7189]

@@venomgeekmedia9886 nope the Photon Torpedo tube was always flanked by the original spacial torpedo launchers.

[@smileygabe22]

I like this version despised the 25% alternative license design from the movie

[@venomgeekmedia9886]

It's not from a movie.

[@smileygabe22]

@@venomgeekmedia9886 yeah I realized that I thought it was based on that dreadful design in star trek beyond

[@smileygabe22]

I left a comment before seeing your video :p

[@drewjackson3858]

Are you done with the whole Dominion War thng?

[@venomgeekmedia9886]

No I will be coming back to it.

[@drewjackson3858]

@@venomgeekmedia9886 😀

[@yourstruly4817]

*contro

[@emperorofscelnar8443]

Well people are going to tweak designs.

[@professorhelmling6059]

Controversial

[@followerofjulian1652]

Apologia

[@adeptlupatus4946]

Over gunned huh? Sounds like it was designed by an American 😂(source: the pre civil war navy)

[@philiptai2675]

controversial