Trekyards EP74 - Centaur Class

[@USSEnterpriseA1701]

I do have to agree that this ship fits as an older design that was cheap and easy to produce that went out of service for a time, but was brought back for the Dominion War because it was so cheap and easy to produce using both stored and salvaged components.

[@peccatumDei]

I found myself liking this episode more than I had expected. I've always had a problem with Trek ships that lack a secondary hull to house the warp reactor, but after watching this episode, the Centaur class makes sense to me. With regards to the theory that there could have been parts available, One need look no further than the Qualor II Surplus Depot shown in the TNG Episode Unification, Part I. In fact, that surplus depot might be worthy of it's own Trekyards episode.

[@Trekyardswebseries]

Excellent idea

[@silmarian]

I love the Centaur / Prometheus kitbash. It looks like a dagger... in the dark.

[@robm4040]

Excelsior was a great space frame that was the backbone of the fleet for decades. Lots of upgradability and realistically, as excelsior ships were decommissioned, unless they were being melted down, the parts would be in storage ready to be "kit bashed" as you call it. Given the losses at Wolf 359 and then the initial losses in the Dominion war, Starfleet had to scrape the bottom of the barrel... this is one of the things that was there. :)

[@AvroBellow]

The Centaur, to me, was just the destroyer version of the Excelsior Heavy Cruiser. It's the same relationship that existed between the Miranda and Constitution as well as the Nebula and Galaxy. I think that it's a pretty cool doctrine and I wish we got to see the destroyer version of the Ambassador because surely there would've been one. Since it had the saucer of Excelsior, it would've had to have been the larger size.

[@lawnmowermanTX]

Nice and cute little ship.. These babies remind me of the Liberty Ships of WW2.. Cheap, easily fixable, easy dagger like supply ships, that were small, adorable ninja like ships.. The Yeager class was another adorable little ship, using the primary hull of an Intrepid class ship... Kudos!! Great Job! But my lustful ships is the Prometheus and Galaxy class.. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@jamesmagill5433]

One of several Trekyards episodes I love watching repeatedly

[@MrMartechi]

Another great episode! You did a fantastic job on this one, especially with having a supporter as special guest (who did a great job on this episode as well!) I really like this ship and I agree with the captain, that this does not feel as much as some models smashed together like some other models. It has its very own look to it and is a great addition to the fleet. As far as canon goes, I think I like the idea about the ship being produced in two "waves" the most. Just recently I saw an episode of TNG, with a giant space junkyard that has just giant amounts of old spaceships floating around. so we _know_ that a considerable amount of old ships does not get deconstructed or broken apart but just deactivated and parked in orbit somewhere. I think there are places like this in real life where big amounts of military equipment that are no longer in active use are still being kept safe and in storage to be reactivated if they'd be needed for extraordinary circumstances. I can see starfleet doing the same thing.

[@berthulf]

Great Episode guys. I love the Centaur design and the continuity of the design ethos. In fact, I'd say this was in my top 5 favourite Starfleet vessels, alongside the Miranda, Nebula, Constitution Refit and Sovereign classes. I don't think it is a coincidence that three of them use a similar ethos, of using contemporary components to make a different vessel.

[@markfields6797]

thank you guys again for another phenomenal show. I love the banter. very cool yet simplistic ship. but I'm very impressed with the stories behind it. thanks again guys can't wait for your next great show

[@davidrogers5165]

Love the ship. I wish they had shown a variant with the excelsior refit saucer section in the show.

[@hafabee]

I love the Centaur class, it's definitely in my top 5. It looks sleek and fast and nimble, which sets it apart from a lot of bulky Starfleet ships.

[@Galvars]

That is one of main reason I like this wonderful Captain & Commander duo. Fan and supporter have a favorite ship, let's invite him to the show and talk about that ship! It's simple but brilliant idea that show how much friendly and great team they are. That's why as long as they will make new vid's I will be always here to show my support for them. Good job lad's bloody good job!

[@saquist]

+Galvars Indeed. Sign up on Pateron if you can

[@Galvars]

+saquist As soon I grab some extra cash I will for sure, this is 100% worth of support.

[@kitsunekierein7253]

My knowledge on star trek ships actually comes from studying the ships in the flash trek broken mirror series. In that, the centaur looked really Goofy, but seeing it from any other angle gives me a new appreciation for the ship.

[@theqcontinuum9055]

Centaur is gorgeous. Love this ship.

[@dakkarnemo7281]

I think it looks better upside-down, so the warp nacelles are above the saucer, not below. Kind of like a Federation version of the original Romulan Warbird. And - BTW - the Excelsior class was always one of my most favorite starships, along with Enterprise A, B, and C. The only change I would have made to the Excelsior class would be to have the saucer larger (like on Enterprise C). Hmmm............. maybe have Excelsior warp nacelles on the Enterprise C would be cool too?!

[@cowboyborn]

I love this design. I do agree with the smaller size. There is a picture out there that has it in a side view above a Miranda class showing it smaller than the Miranda and also showing how the Miranda Module being the same size as the lower section of the Centaur. As you can see on the kit bash the Miranda bridge module is used in the actual model making the saucer smaller than the Excelsior. The DS9 Tech Manual had a totally different look than what we saw on screen. I also thought this ship was designed long before the Dominion War and was used as a scout or attack ship by Starfleet Security. I could see this ship being used during the Federation/Cardasian War.

[@saquist]

NOTE The Construction dates are DEAD Wrong The Centuar's Registry is NCC 42043 The Nebula and Galaxy Projects were NCC 60,000- 70,000. The Galaxy Clas Project began in the 2340's and 50's + 2:50 GREAT animation Samuel! -There are NO Excelsior Class ships crated after Galaxy (According to Registry) At Captain Foley -Centaur has to have been constructed in the 2310 & 2320's if not earlier. -Star Fleet is sporting some 40,000 in active service at the time of the Dominion War based on Registry's -This is verified by CANNON which states that the Dominion Fleet out numbered the 1,500 Dominion reinforcements 20 to 1. That's 30,000 Dominion Cardsassian and Breen ships. -Excelsior class ships should have a top speed of Warp 9.0. By this time most ship should be Warp 9. Galaxy Established a new standard top speed. Warp 9.2 while 9.3 was crossing the red line. My Thoughts: It's an attractive ship. I agree with Samual the proportions are off when you look at certain angles but that works for other areas. The windows ont he underside make no sense. I like the shield in front of the Bridge When it swings around it looks like it skating through space! Great Episode

[@avenuePad]

Great episode and choice of ship! The Centaur has always been a favourite of mine! :)

[@JLanc1982]

First off I love your channel! I remember watching that exact episode of DS9 when it first aired with my Uncle James (R.I.P :-( ) I immediately fell in love with the design. I like the idea of the ship having a limited production run and that Starfleet was experimenting with the concept of modular construction. Maybe Starfleet used it as a source of inspiration for the Galaxy/Nebula design. Putting into play the experience and research gained by the Centaurs design and construction...

[@stevenewman1393]

🖖😎👍Very nicely well done and very informatively explained and executed indeed 👌.

[@cactuspete1973]

Great episode guys! The Centaur Class looks a bit odd but its a cool ship given its tactical and support role in the Dominion War and even before. Keep up the good work guys!

[@brandond9181]

If we consider that they may still be making Excelsior class ships even recently as they transition to new designs, as well as Mirandas, the kitbash approach works. A Centaur variant would be faster to build conceivably than an Excelsior with less crew. A decent compromise for leftover ship pieces.

[@alberttetley]

The Centaur Class is one of my favourite ships in the Federation and I enjoyed and found your discussion a very interesting. As we all know the federation have massive scrap yards in space which means they have a lot of redundant components so it is feasible that the federation could use parts from existing and old ships too quickly through a new ship together. And as we know with the Federation they do a lot of one-off designs prototypes and experimental ships so this could have been a design from the time of the Excelsior class or even the constitution class & bin modified and changed many times and just did not make it past the initial trials. I would also surmise that this style of federation ship would be easier and faster to build then ships like the defiant which took a lot of time to get into service. As for the federation using 60-year-old Excelsior class ships is a policy that has worked well for the Klingon Empire as most of their ships are from the time of the Excelsior and even the constitution class if it's not broke don't fix it. If the ship is still serviceable but a little bit past it replace it with a newer ship but don't just scrap what you know works give it a different role within the Federation.

[@AlexRosenzweig]

One of the interesting aspects of the size debate is that, for a long time, the ship was thought to have a "standard" Excelsior-style bridge module, and thus the entire saucer was assumed to be the same size as an Excelsior hull. This was backed up by a lot of CG work which was based on that same assumption. Later, though, it was realized that the original filming model had an Enterprise/Avenger/Miranda bridge module. This, along with the Avenger-style weapons pod, led folks to rework the size numbers using the bridge module as the scale basis. The result was the much smaller set of dimensions.

[@GordonMassie]

I was surprised it was a kit bash because seeing it in Star Trek Online it looks like it was designed for that game, still a great looking ship. :)

[@FattyMcFox]

Federation designs always take a while to grow on me but when they do i really dig them and this is no exception.

[@Cragified]

Considering the amount of Excelsior class ships that stayed in service so long as workhorses when the Dominion War came and the staggering losses there I can see the Centaur class being put back in production using components from Excelsiors that where too damaged to repair expediently. I.E. they would take production time away from newer more effective ships. If I remember right A Time to Stand begins with a flotilla of federation ships retreating with one disabled ship being towed at warp so it's clear ships where recovered whenever possible. Something that really bothers me with Discovery and it's repeated leaving ships behind or destroying them.

[@tammastrongbear]

I have always loved this ship. it reminds me of the NX-01. Keep up the good work guys i love your show.

[@jonnybridin]

I'd LOVE to see an Excelsior refit (ENT-B) variant of the Centaur. With the extra impulse engines, fins on the nacelles etc. It would slightly modernize the ship.

[@Knightfang1]

I've always thought of this ship as the Excelsior's smaller counterpart, in the same way that the Miranda Class was the smaller counterpart to the Constitution Class

[@Edward_Plantagenet]

Idea....mothballed after Khitomar as mentioned in undiscovered country the fleet would be leaving only the scientific and exploration ships. This explains the number of Excelsior ambassador galaxy's and other exploration types seen on screen. Even q points out how the federation hasn't met a real enemy for nearly a century before the Borg are introduced. After wolf 359 the mothballed ships are re activated and brought back into service. Neat little explanation even explains away the myriad of Miranda class subtypes and why the ageing oberth class is still in service.

[@calumknight9178]

With regards to the size I personally prefer the one that makes the saucer the same size as the excelsiors...so 381m. Simply makes sense that they would use the same resources as the heavier cruisers to create smaller cheaper escorts. (that and didn't they have saucer seperation on excelsior.....makes sense they could use the saucer from a destroyed ship to make a centaur fast)

[@godofawesum223]

+Calum Knight "didn't they have saucer seperation on excelsior" Yes and no. Most Starfleet ships that share the same basic configuration as say the excelsior class and the constitution class have saucer separation, but this was done by means of emergency bulkheads and explosive bolts. The saucer would quite literally explosively separate from the engineering hull. The Galaxy was the first ship with saucer reengagement built in as a function.

[@90lancaster]

+godofawesum223 I wouldn't be surprised if the Ambasador Class has saucer separation function too - and likely is less drastic and more easily reversible than on a connie. but not as fast as on a galaxy Class. It might require secondary craft to help reattach or some such for example. or just take a few minutes rather than well under a minute like the D could do.

[@AndyWoodall]

One of my favourite ships in trek. Felt a very natural variant despite its franken-fleet origins. It looks a little clumsy from some angles as stated but generally I like the proportions and I think shorter nacelles would have spoilt the look. I love the forward facing shuttle bay. My only niggle, and its a general thing with fan created background info, is why the constant obsession over combat dictating mission specs. I'm no fully fledged member of the Jean Luc Picard attitude to dealing with interstellar issues, but I always thought Starfleet very rarely sat down and intentionally designed a warship (this is explicitly stated in dialogue, Defiant, Prometheus and now Ares fits into that perfectly) and their ships were effective combat as merely one element of many other aspects of the specification. To me the Centaur was a border patrol (as stated), fast response ship deployed to support the Federation colonies and member worlds out on the edge of explored space. Of course it was armed with the latest kit, but all this 'deep intruder' 'special mission' fanwank nonsense doesn't really fit well with the Starfleet we see.

[@surealmagic9670]

the centaur looks awesome.

[@red2001ss]

Another good theory on the Centaur, maybe they had a bunch in mothballs built from the 2280's+. Obviously its a ship for battle, so during mostly peace time they laid them up. Kinda like we did with the Iowa Class Battleships from WWII and then modernized back into the fleet during needs.

[@mulletboater]

I have what might be an interesting topic for this web series. The Warship Voyager; the far more militarized counterpart of Voyager that was extrapolated by a Delta quadrant race in "Living Witness"

[@michaelwileyart]

The mesh Samuel used in his animations is actually the one I created for Star Trek: Bridge Commander.

[@saquist]

+Michael Wiley Hey Mike I didn't realize that. I'm sure they appreciate you hard work.

[@toddsmitts]

I think the low registry number alone rules out the possibility that it was a design created during the war.

[@dwightgordon9354]

Hmmm. I see one problem with this design. Rapid deployment of attack or rescue shuttles could at times mean that they need to be deployed while the ship is still in motion, which would create problems with a forward-facing shuttle bay.

[@sirbobbyuk]

I would have thought that starfleet could have looked in their mothball fleet yards to see what they could use and launch as quickly as possible.

[@DarkSitesChannel]

My favourite one shot wonder!

[@nicholasdickens2801]

I love the Centaur and the Axanar Aries :)

[@seanoneill9606]

I never expected to see this ship again in Star Trek. It was a good choice by Prodigy.

[@coyoteman7718]

After playing Star Trek: Legacy, I found out that this ship was used in the 23rd century as a prototype. You guys should talk about that game more

[@bsmnt23]

If you think about it, we are all half-centaur.

[@cb-gz1vl]

One reason federation was still using Excelsior style ships is the founders admitted they were gradually holding the alpha quadrant back so that the Dominion would have the tech advantage when they were ready to attack. Deep Space Nine forced the Dominion to attack sooner than expected.

[@katakisLives]

I'm a huge fan of the Excelsior class ship and I felt it didn't get much chance to shine in the movies for the most part only seen stationary in Spacedock so I was very glad that it persisted into the TNG era! I would have been more than happy to see many older ships still in action for me the older ships have more character than some of the sleeker modern vessels.

[@eXcommunicate1979]

Where's the deflector dish?

[@2863Tom]

+eXcommunicate1979 lol

[@crazieddy1]

been waiting for y'all to do this one for a long time one of my favorites.

[@nimbly1693]

There is no excellent beauty that hath not some strangeness in it's proportions. Sir Francis Bacon

[@NovaScotiaNewfie]

Outside of MACO's in Enterprise was there Any mention of Marines in any of the TV shows?

[@tooresttrikie6744]

I think it would be better if the nacelles were located more toward the mid section of the saucer section! also where is the deflector dish?

[@SquadraCorse]

I know this video is older - just wanted to point out that for a crew of 315 with 16 decks, the ship must be 381m long because the 210m version is way too small for either of those figures to be correct.

[@sirbobbyuk]

it is missing the buzzard, red bit in front of the warp nacelles

[@JRJohnson1701]

It's an Excelsior saucer, so I'm going to say it's in scale with that.

[@TrentonBennett]

Reliant bridge...the bridge on the outside is clearly Excelsior but weird the interior would be a Reliant setup. As I stated in the Excelsior video I love the Excelsior specifically the NX-2000. I guess Stuart forgot the Miranda class was still going on in the 24th Century.

[@nimbly1693]

The Centaur wouldn't have been an emergency Dominion War produced ship. It's registry number is NCC-42043, right between the USS Malinche NCC-38997 and USS Lakota NCC-42768.

[@jeremycaufield8605]

An older design that was built in small numbers, Starfleet was dissatisfied with the design, but new tech and the Dominion War gave it new life.

[@90lancaster]

If the Nacelles were shorter - it would make it look to much like a Soyuz class. but them being so stupidly long it allows you to tell it apart from a distance more easily. I would have been curious to see a variant with the nacelles on the top and a flat underside - perhaps capable of planetary landing. but that might look to NX like perhaps. Also maybe a version with the engines mounted a bit further forwards on the struts - but she's perfectly fine as she is really. and quite suitable to use in the new TV show too. I also wonder what the basic Idea would look like with Ambassador class parts too, The only problem with designs like this is the Miranda Class is that it has space for a warp core if transverse mounted. but the Centaur's lack of any such obvious space for a warp core is a bit of a worry - not to mention it also has no deflector like the Miranda. I guess they are claiming that the warp core is in the underside weapons pod so it's not weapons all the way through like on a Miranda - but that is a bit of a stretch really sticking the warp core in a weapons pod like that. Post JJ Movies though I have been wondering about the idea of multiple small cores linked in series so instead of one long one you have a cluster of smaller ones that sort of design would get around many of the space issues too. The lack of a deflector remains a puzzle though.

[@joshmolepske3232]

I know you guys haven't done a Yeager class yet and in keeping with the whole mash up theme it would be a good one to do a break down of I honestly can't tell you why but it's one of my favorite cannon ships and in the ultimate universe mod for legacy it is a complete kicker of major ass just kind of wondering what you guys might think

[@ToLightToFight]

Trekyards-Where did you guys find the intell on the Centaur class been used for its Intruder/infiltration role?Sorry for the Necro post.

[@stevenewman1393]

I have a Centaur class from Eaglemoss, and it is a nice looking ship but the only problem I have with it is where the warp nacelles pylons comes out of the torpedo housing. Which to me a very dangerous ship that you would want to be on, how do you keep the radiation from the warp engines from effecting the torpedo bay?.

[@Atharun18999]

The Centaur has always been a nice sleek unit that would make sense for the needs of the Dominion war. The problem is really the nacelles. The rest of the ship gets a visual pass but the nacelles are such an old design. If they could have updated that a bit it'd be a much more modern looking ship.

[@jeffhallam2004]

They did being back the Miranda class out of mothballs also

[@Blackjack1321]

Maybe it was a warship design that could be built at civilian ship yards during the war.

[@tideoftime]

Similar to my comment vis-a-vis The New Orleans' class under-pod, the length of the nacelles seems to just create a strategic vulnerability, particularly in a relatively "close" fight: the much greater proportional length simply makes it easier to disable/damage, relatively speaking. >shrugs

[@analysisofscifi6051]

really i never notice miranda parts wow cool nice show

[@chrisgurney2467]

It would not surprise me if they took Excelsiors that were too damaged in the secondary hull and refit them into Centaurs during the Dominion War

[@jankjason]

In STO they only added this ship as a skin for the Miranda.

[@anthonylowder6687]

Could you do a segment on the Anton Class?

[@Pooptydoopoop]

This ship looks like it could be a uss shenzou walker class refit.

[@Mechataur]

14:45 instead of a Sovereign style saucer what about the Intrepid style one. We've already seen it's kitbashs for the Dominion War why not try that figuration with the Centaur style under slung nacelles.

[@simonupton-millard]

This ship is still showing up, was in prodagy

[@ebenezer1690]

It makes me sad captain foley that you don't like the Excelsior class

[@terrypalmore7314]

+ebenezer1690 It's the taste.Too sweet for him.

[@wargodsix]

Using a excelsior class saucer it’s most likely the bigger size

[@donaldhill3823]

If the saucer is from the Excelsior then it would have to match the larger version. The smaller versions saucer does not even match the Constitution's Saucer size.

[@MRMOGAVERO]

They have other ships based on the Centaur class

[@Trekyardswebseries]

Well yes. Obviously. Lol.

[@kronosaur417]

isn't the Centaur class an other "skin" for the Miranda class in Star Trek online?

[@bsdandrum27]

My first STO ship, I plan on buying a fleet one soon, but also want the Prometheus class with vectore assualt. Anyone know how to unlock the borg tech for your vessels?

[@DelcoRanz93]

+bsdandrum27 Omega Reputation stuff.

[@Dreadtothink]

it appears to be lacking a deflector

[@godofawesum223]

+Ricardo Warner A lot of ships in Startrek "appear" to be lacking a deflector. Fereng, ships, Jem'hadar ships, and practically all Starfleet shuttle craft don't appear to have a deflector dish.

[@Dreadtothink]

+godofawesum223 I know, but it would be nice to know what alternative means the vessel has to perform the same function.

[@scytheseven9173]

lcarsgfx.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/centaur3.png As you can see from this Master Systems Display, it's just hidden beneath the nose of the saucer section, like on a modern fighter jet. That was somewhat common for Star Trek designs.

[@tomseery791]

Love the Centaur

[@Alpha_Digamma]

I liked it in Star Trek Resurgence.

[@nadohawk]

The theory that it was constructed for the Dominion War doesn't match its low NCC number of 42043 which sets its commission on or before 2349.

[@NovaScotiaNewfie]

Marines are not canon. We have seen ground troops in DS9 but they were Starfleet Naval personal. I think There should be a Marine Corps in Trek as dedicated combat troops. I know that's not George's view of the future but during war you need infantry. You will have to hold or take over enemy controlled planets. I doubt it can be all space combat

[@Skyhawk1998]

Maybe we could call them Peacekeepers or Militamen instead? Something a little less foreboding, perhaps. More heavily armed, armored, and trained than the security guys, but not obviously full bore assault troopers.

[@NovaScotiaNewfie]

+GemCat I don't have any issue with Marines. i loke the idea. A dedicated combat unit that goes beyond what Starfleet Security can handle. Starfleet Infantry if you well. MACO's are canon. This would simply be the modern version. I'd love to see a show SFMC set in the 24th century. I think using the Dominion war as proving Marines were needed. But Gene's idea of the future was peace not War. But not all races may feel that way, such as the Dominion.

[@sirbobbyuk]

Apart from that it is a cool vessel

[@dantles]

I like this ship, shame STO dont have T5 or T6 version of it

[@davisdesigns9617]

Where is the ships deflector?

[@OpenMawProductions]

Where's the Grissoms? Where is the Miranda's? Not all deflectors are glowing circles or dishes.

[@hawkstringfellow]

thats why we need new ships for the fleet big flag ahips and carriers battleships and dreadknot war ships for star fleet

[@brandonsmith7561]

Another GREAT Excelsior kitbash.....Curry / Shelley Class PLEASE

[@Krypton853]

This has became more popular now because of discovery I think

[@davidpowell7945]

The isn't my favourite ship of all time, but for some reason I'm drawn to it

[@tburrows357]

I agree with your annoyance on lore and the excelsior class being so prominently used in the TNG and DS9 during the dominion war. Especially when there was the Ambassador Class (personally my favourite ship and enterprise) that was developed between the Original series and movies and TNG and should have seen far more relevance than an excelsior. But then again I hate the excelsior as well and view it’s the equivalent of the Ford Crown Victoria as a police vehicle. Yes stable and working design and living way past it’s intended run.

[@MalumZeth]

Is it just an excelsior without the 'body'?

[@mechlordomega]

This Episode made me wish I didn't get rid of it in Star Trek Online.

[@fearaday_5873]

The name is TART

[@GrabSomeSeat]

I would like the ship so much more if the nacelles were moved forward, it looks to unbalanced.

[@slighter]

Who else is here from Captn Foleys reuploaded Behind-the-scenes videos :D

[@SignoftheMagi]

Captain Foley is not a fan of the Excelsior. Foley, you and I can be friends. Neither am I.

[@kurumais]

i agree with jake

[@terrypalmore7314]

I am having a problem with Patreon. Last month I donated o.k. ($1/mo.) But I get paid on my disability card on the 5th of each month and Patreon tries to deduct on the first. Is there a way of deducting on the 5th?