Tycho Case Study: Project Excalibur

Construction Log: Custom commissioned and designed 1/350 scale starship Excalibur. This was conceived as a late (2270) TOS refit of the original Constitution-class ship following the events of the M5 encounter in "The Ultimate Computer." Includes highlights of the construction process, both original digital concept work and finished physical miniature.

[@Silvernis77]

Tbh I'm ambivalent about Trek's saucer-on-a-stick style of ship design, but I have to say this one absolutely sells it. The shorter, thicker neck feels so much more structural and believable compared to the original Constitution's. It really brings the saucer and secondary hull together as a harmonious whole, especially when combined with the more graceful pylons and nacelles. Everything is so elegant and well-proportioned. Truly a gorgeous ship.

[@emorybmorris]

This is one of those creations that deserves a full set of deck plans!

[@WalterDWormack214]

Excuse me, for putting it so 'crudely' but, NO, SHIT!

[@anselford9565]

Agreed​@@WalterDWormack214

[@shawncarter5619]

I love the window boxes. It establishes the exact scale of the ship without having to guess.

[@TheWadetube]

I loved the cross over at 9:21 with R2D2 sitting in the lounge and a model of a tie fighter on the bench seat.

[@lewilsons]

As a person who likes all things star trek, I don't know how I've missed your channel. I've seen your work first hand at Wonderfest this year and I am in Awe of these ship designs you've brought to physical life.

[@RodimusPrime]

This feels more like Trek Phase II than actual Phase II. Has that futuristic 70s feel to it, awesome ship

[@georgemacgregor5437]

I just spent the past 20 min soaking up your fantastic design with my mouth wide open and my eyes in a fogged gaze. I have been model building for over 50 years and never seen anyone do what you do so well. It seems so easy for you but I know it is not. You really inspired me to put more into my model building and as a new subscriber, I plan on sitting here getting inspired by more of your talent. Thank you Bill.

[@michaelpfister1283]

This is the "Federation Battlecruiser" the Klingons feared! Amazing design! I would love to have seen a couple of these side-by-side with the more common "Enterprise" class refits from the movies. It would also be easy to see how the Excelsior class descended from this line. And the details! Wow. I mean, you look in the windows and see INTERIOR! That's just amazing. Thank you for sharing this with us!

[@pwc7475]

I remember the Excalibur from the late 60's, "Kirk what are you doing". Said it before i'll say it again Gene was way ahead of his time. Love the model and graphics. Beautiful!

[@kborak]

I have found my ship and you good sir are a master of design!

[@Strangways]

The United Federation of Planets would be proud of your design. In all likelihood the most magnificent Federation Starship I’ve ever seen. Kudos ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.

[@luisferreira2787]

I agree, Beautiful design my friend, it's just plain Fantastic to look at !!!

[@RonHammers]

I want one without lights so I can zoom zoom around the room with it! Gorgeous!!

[@dethblud]

I was happy to see the "model builder's toothbrush" about two thirds of the way in. A surprising amount of tasks can benefit from a toothbrush.

[@TPJ300]

We need the Excalibur in a Trek show! Beautiful model. Love seeing the conception of it all.

[@marvinhall9462]

They should create a tv series around the new frontiers book series and use your designs in the show. Really well thought out and cohesive with the rest of your ships

[@grantmiller6570]

This is brilliant. TOS is my favorite era of ST & Star ship designs, this evokes great emotion to see what could have been if that path had been followed, a more modern version of those great looking ships. IMO this is a much more "Logical" design progression to keep what I think was great about Star Trek.

[@TychoYard]

Thank you very much!

[@Spanners_the_Monkey]

Im not sure i have the words to express just how incredible this ship is. I love your Sentinel build, but this .. well done, kind sir.

[@nathanduck849]

So amazing! This enthusiastic amateur is in awe! All hail the Admiral!

[@misterlyle.]

Amazing, incredible, fantastic. Your attention to even the smallest details is impressive. Thanks for sharing this video!

[@Joepacker]

I saw this ship at Wonderfest this year and it is an absolutely beautiful piece of workmanship. Great work, loved it. The Enterprise G was also wonderful. They both deserved to get Gold medals I don't know what was with the judges this year only giving these Silver awards.

[@TychoYard]

This is their way of telling me to stop participating.

[@Joepacker]

@@TychoYard Don't stop I love your work

[@boomshroom5118]

Absolutely love those aft photon torpedo tubes on the backside of the neck and how you split the forward tubes to merge so well with the engineering section. The whole neck is thicker and shorter too and looks amazing. *chefs kiss 🤌

[@berticusmaximus8381]

It's always amazing when fans put out better stuff than the Show or movie makers. This is the perfect example.

[@TychoYard]

Before you make me another example, you should know that I’ve also worked on the shows.

[@berticusmaximus8381]

@TychoYard oh. Well, there goes my post out the window. Nice "professional" job. 😆

[@TychoYard]

@@berticusmaximus8381 I’m also still a fan.

[@stardude2006]

Says in Scotty’s voice : She’s a beauty !

[@stephenjohnston7630]

Exquisitely judged design, executed to perfection.

[@MarvelX42]

So glad that you have the lights in the tips of the nacelles spinning in the correct direction! It really bothers me when people get it wrong!

[@TychoYard]

Yay for me!

[@jdway3542]

Merlin class. Wow! Now this is a starship on steroids! Kinda looks like all the weak areas have been beefed up immensely, most notably the warp nacelle pylons. It looks more threatening for sure. Sleek and highly maneuverable. This needs to be canon. Very outstanding work!

[@matthewharris3175]

As someone that noodles around in my basement with model kits I love this insight into the skills and techniques of a real master!

[@WarHammerWH]

Stunning! This ship may be even more beautiful than the refit Enterprise, and I can't believe I just wrote that...

[@JasonAguirre]

Easily superior imo, just for keeping the old style nacelles.

[@user-pj5fi8me2n]

Stunning. I’m almost speechless… which is practically unheard of.

[@dirus3142]

The design, and building of your ships are great. I like how you take TOS, and advance it a bit. It's like an in between TOS, and TMP design, or an alternative like the Phase 2 concept art.

[@Nex5Network]

The smiley inlets under the glowing domes are a great call back to WWII inlets

[@JonnyMonday]

Oh, she is lovely. Plenty of attitude without being aggressive. The best of the old and the new. Lots of smart ideas brilliantly realised. I simply can't say enough good things. Bravo!

[@christopherrobin4619]

Even the 2D drawings are beautiful

[@billgalactica2982]

I can't imagine how difficult it was painting the ship with all those illuminated windows with all the details you put in behind them! Fantastic job!

[@atlantianson515]

This is truly a work of extraordinary craftsmanship. So far above and beyond anything that I've ever seen. Absolutely Beautiful without a doubt. Thank you for sharing the New EXCALIBUR with us all!!!

[@junkyardzombie13]

When I first showed my brother you're pieces it was this guy. And I love SketchUp.

[@ronaldstraub8912]

I love this design. The craftmanship is awesome. I would love to learn how to build models like this.

[@NegdoshaManido]

What a beauty!! Amazing work that makes me long for the days before cgi. Well done!!

[@beejcarson]

The neck grilling is a wonderful design link between TOS Connie and the Excelsior.

[@BackwardGalaxy]

As stated elsewhere, this is my favorite thing you've done (of what I've seen). She's beautiful. She's different enough to be unique and her own thing but she would absolutely slide right in next to other ships of the era. She's lovely. She's absolutely lovely.

[@richardvinsen2385]

Gotta love R2-D2 in the Lower Deck Lounge at 9:21.

[@drivewaydave7528]

Just amazing and I feel like I wish I had one tenth the talent on display

[@pfa1981]

Magnificent! You have infinite patience and skills.

[@tonysimek]

Beautiful model!!! Nicely done!

[@leroystea8069]

Very awesome build. The idea of using film transparencies to showcase interior window views is amazing and adds to the realness of the model. Very well done for sure🤗

[@chrisworsley8836]

Another beautiful piece! A wonderful TOS-TMP intermediate design. Loved all the little details and photo backed windows.

[@robertisaac4357]

Looking more robust like a compact battlecruiser.............A true Beauty IMHO........

[@Ploskkky]

I am sure this thing can really take off into space.

[@martinevans9757]

Breathtaking. Possibly the greatest fanship ever conceived. In awe, Bill. Just in awe.

[@Praxics0815]

That is an amazing design and model. It "fixes" a lot of issues with the classic Constitution while keeping the design language intact. The shorter and much thicker and broader neck is substantially more structurally sound and believable. The same goes for the pylons which have a nice nod to the swept back design of the refit. Having the torpedo launcher embedded in the secondary hull solves all space issues attached to that and beefing up the impulse engines rounds it out. Some of the details are also very cool. Really love the intakes below the Bussard collectors and reverse naca vent structures that are reminiscent of aircrafts. Seeing beautiful designs by fans like this executed to such a level of perfection frustrates me when I look at current Trek shows and their frankly ugly designs of a dystopian future. Honestly I wish you were in charge of starships designs for Star Trek. Godspeed.

[@TychoYard]

Thanks for watching. You may not be aware but you will be disappointed in knowing that I have designed ships for Star Trek.

[@InkySquid17]

Amazing model. I'm insanely jealous.

[@escos0410]

Wow!!!!! absolutely 😳😳😳😳 This is just.. wow!!!!!! ❤❤❤ This is what the enterprise D onwards should have been or evolved into from TOS, TMP and generations with the B This model is just mind blowing

[@johnmauldon2603]

Oh my lord.....what a thing of absolute beauty, can't give you enough praise this should be the the best Starship in Starfleet on looks alone....you didn't get R2D2 past my eyes....call security we have a intruder alert!!!!

[@cwam1701e]

Absolutely stunning piece of work from conception right through to the final build which, to be fair, is not untypical of any of your work!

[@argo2520]

no words on just how amazing of a job you did

[@CAMgeek]

Awesome job. The slide at 9:20 is great!

[@spacedock873]

Unbelievable 😮 Absolutely stunning!

[@jimi1701a]

Truely beautiful work Sir. I have just returned to model making after 20 years and seeing something like this is awe inspiring.

[@cypherian2]

My inner Scotty says: "Aye, She's a Beauty!"

[@Vincent-396]

Very cool video. This ship is a thing of beauty. 👍🏻

[@ptaylor5014]

Stunning work as usual 👍👍, hope to see many more ships.

[@someadvids5655]

My god mate that is an absolute work of art from beginning to the end especially the finished product!! That was astonishing, if I could afford a big glass case/box id put it in and then put that in the middle of a big room with others I would buy one! That is just a fantastic work of art mate! I thoroughly enjoyed watching that from start to end! Just a beautiful looking ship! Take care and have a great day!

[@r3v3n63]

That is a seriously gorgeous ship design!

[@victorazielsmusicaldiary965]

This would of been perfect for JJ Enterprises, Star Trek Fans always seem to take more pride and reverence in ship creations compared to those just collecting a pay check.

[@danamagic1]

Your work is incredible, you make a physical model look like a render

[@caoimghgin]

Stunning! Lovely recreation. I don't think those nacelles will be sagging.

[@davidarmes2684]

Beautiful ship!

[@citomp1240]

Magnificent work of art.

[@boombasett6038]

Man loves his work. I don't have the patience for model building, unfortunately.

[@TychoYard]

This hobby isn't for everyone.

[@angurisneo]

Thanks for this view into your process! Seeing the armature on top of the profile print in particular really opened my eyes on how you do that aspect. Love the video

[@mattboardman8837]

Absolutely beautiful design and build, Bill! So great to be able to see your creative process through the documenting of the build!

[@Chris_Hg80]

Wow. Absolutely beautiful.

[@royvillanueva151]

That was incredible... the attention to detail. The lighting design... the best looking physical or digital star Ship I have ever seen. Great work... photo, lighting... everything. Amazing.

[@joshridderhoff2050]

Sorry, back in a sec... picking up my jaw from the floor. That's incredible; thanks for the tour of the build.

[@jrm4408]

That ship needs to be in SNW somehow to make it "canon" which it deserves. Amazing work, looks great from any angle! I'd love to see what you could do with a TOS inspired Miranda variant but modernized and upgraded along the lines of this one (unless you've done one already).

[@rogerlau4932]

Fabulous job! Thank you for the systematic presentation of each group of steps.

[@briankruse3584]

I absolutely love this. I wish I had the printer hardware and know how to make one of these.❤ fantastic

[@ismoyont]

Freaking beautiful. I like this design more than the constitution

[@MrMichelPM]

Nice to see that you posted a video on the whole Excalibur design and build, Bill. This was a great video to post, Bill! Super appreciated! Thank You! Michel PM ( from our small email group of fans! )

[@johnsteiner3417]

The black at 14:00 looks perfect.

[@BarrettL1970]

Im upset that I can only give one like! Wishing that Eaglemoss was still around cause I would pay for a replica of that ship man!

[@techguru74]

Gorgeous! Another beautiful ship!

[@terryemelio4795]

Absolutely amazing work!

[@bambootaco4901]

I don't know which ship I like better, this one or the Tian B/Enterprise G. I'd love to have a kit of this.

[@HylianFox3]

I can't get over the bits of transparent film to show the inside of each window. How many model makers would even take the time for such a tiny detail?

[@FigureFever]

Yes this is my favorite. Thank you Bill. 😎

[@johncoffman5536]

Thank you for sharing your process! Absolutely impeccable work!

[@mikehellert9099]

I would love to learn how to build ships like this. The k7 Excalibur and this one are amazing builds. I'm waiting for a Voyager model to be delivered. It will be my 1st polar lights project I'm building

[@cptcosmo]

When I finally retire in a few years, I plan on building several 1:350 refit series models - the 1701-A of course, a Reliant, a Belknap Med. Cruiser, and a Dakota Class Shuttle Carrier (or possibly a hospital ship variant of the Dakota class shuttle carrier). While I'm working I'm just accumulating all the materials, electronics, etc. I intend on using. Thank you for the inspiration! BTW, SketchUp is the shiznit. I use the Pro version all the time as an Architect.

[@TychoYard]

Boldly Go!

[@charlesballard5251]

Stunningly beautiful.

[@dcolb121]

Wow. Fantastic attention to detail. Even the music is perfectly matched.

[@jimsmalleimb7709]

Wow. This guy knows how to build.

[@ToddHofer]

Incredible. Absolutely incredible.

[@DelcoRanz93]

This is Spectacular, I'd love to learn how to do this kind of model work.

[@DarthRagnarok343]

Beautiful. That's a great design.

[@Chris.Davies2001]

Beautiful as always

[@JMcG888]

One of the most satisfying things I’ve ever seen on the Internet. Congrats on a beautiful creation. 🖖

[@gmon78]

Looks great man. Thats a cool ship! Love it😁

[@nathanwilkins3039]

I wasn't at Wonderfest, but watched videos and she really stood out. You should be proud of the work you did. Look forward to future builds of yours!

[@michaelaspeslet6577]

Very cool ship there Bubb