VOY studio models

Real World article
(written from a Production point of view)

Chronological list of studio models first appearing on Star Trek: Voyager.

This list is of all new model designs that first appeared in Voyager. Information on models that represented a single-use design can be found in the articles linked below.
Information on models that were recycled or refurbished to represent different vessels or props from different species, exclusive to this and subsequent series will be listed herein.

Studio models

The Original Series • The Animated Series • Films • The Next Generation • Deep Space Nine • Voyager • Enterprise • Discovery • Short Treks • Picard • Lower Decks • Prodigy • Strange New Worlds

VOY Season 1

Intrepid-class

See main article: Intrepid-class model

Caretaker's array

The visual effects model of the array was later sold off by Christie's at the 40 Years of Star Trek: The Collection in (October 2006) as lot 354. It measures 36 × 19 × 19 inches. [1]

Kazon fighter

Studio model at Image G, as originally delivered

The Kazon fighter was a design by Dan Curry. At the time, the production team of Star Trek was spread thin as several productions were in various stages of development (Star Trek Generations, TNG: "All Good Things...", DS9: "The Jem'Hadar", and VOY: "Caretaker", as well as the documentary Journey's End: The Saga of Star Trek: The Next Generation). The regular design team for Voyager had their hands full hammering out the details for the USS Voyager and the Caretaker's array as was related in the book A Vision of the Future - Star Trek: Voyager. To ease the workload, Curry, whose regular function was that of Effects Producer, pitched in by tackling the Kazon ships, wanting to imbue the ships with that culture's "rough, low-tech retro" look. (Star Trek: Communicator issue 105, p. 59) For the same reason the build of the models, once the design was approved, was subcontracted out to an outside vendor, WonderWorks Inc., who delivered the models as per specification. [2] As one of the most junior employees at WonderWorks, Robert Bonchune was sent to deliver the miniature to the Star Trek motion control stage at Image G. There, he handed the model over to Curry, who wanted to make improvements to it. Curry therefore asked Bonchune to stay behind to help him distress the painting. Bonchune was thrilled to help paint the ship but figured he would likely have no more involvement with Star Trek, though fate intervened to prove him wrong. (Star Trek: The Official Starships Collection, issue 44, pp. 14-15)

Stipes performing modifications on the studio model

"About six weeks into motion control photography, the producers decided to change the Kazon Fighter design. I mocked up possible design modifications for producers to look at.", David Stipes recalled. [3] Stipes embellished the studio model with various cardboard add-ons, among others the aft and front fins for assessment. Once approved, the modifications were made permanent at Tony Meininger's Brazil-Fabrication & Design. The modifications meant that the footage of the model, shot until that time, had to be re-shot in late October/early November 1994. (Star Trek: Communicator issue 105, p. 59) Part of the modification was the decision to have the model, which was originally conceived as a fighter craft only, to double as the as larger conceived Kazon raider as well. This was achieved by fabricating a cockpit module and a bridge module which were interchangeable on the model, confirmed by Rick Sternbach in private correspondence with Ex Astris Scientia, "I recall the model only vaguely. It was a Dan Curry design and I don't have any details, but essentially you're correct, the model was modified to be either one."

The late decision to have the model design modified was reflected in the release of Galoob's Micro Machines (Set 66128), which showed the fighter in the configuration of the studio model as originally delivered by WonderWorks.

Indeterminate Kazon ship class filmed at Image G

When "Caretaker" was being filmed, neither module was used, either because they were not constructed yet or because they were not yet conceived. Instead, a smooth feature was applied to the area of the model where the bridge or cockpit were supposed to be in later episodes. As such, it can not be ascertained with absolute certainty what class of vessels the Kazon ships were intended to be in the episode, though the visual of Maje Jabin on his bridge suggested the larger class. In this configuration, the model is featured at Image G in the VOY Season 1 DVD special feature, "Red Alert: Visual Effects Season One", in which Curry discusses the filming of the models. [4]^(X)

As the role of the Kazon as main antagonists was played out early on in the series, no CGI version of the design was ever produced, the few later appearances being either stock footage or LCARS displays.

The physical model, with the cockpit module and measuring 30 × 7 × 14 inches, known as Lot 353, and estimated at US$3,000–$5,000, was sold on 6 October 2006 in the 40 Years of Star Trek: The Collection auction, with a winning bid of US$5,000 ($6,000 including buyer's premium).

External link

Kazon Ship Sizes at Ex Astris Scientia

Predator class

See main article: Predator-class

Type 8 shuttlecraft

See main article: Type 8 shuttlecraft

VOY Season 2

Reptohumanoid vessel

This CGI model and its various modifications made a total of five appearances on Star Trek: Voyager and one in Star Trek: Enterprise. The "Reptile Alien Ship" was designed by Rick Sternbach in July 1995. Constructed at Amblin Imaging, the ship was Voyager's first CGI-only starship design.

External link

Redresses of the Reptohumanoid Ship at Ex Astris Scientia

Bothan starship

No information yet

Cravic and Praylor starships

No information yet

Class 2 shuttle

See main article: Class 2 shuttle

Cardassian ATR-4107

See main article: Cardassian ATR-4107

Rakosan fighter

No information yet

Vidiian warship

See main article: Vidiian warship

VOY Season 3

Akritirian patrol ship

Model variations

Akritirian patrol ship (VOY: "The Chute")	Ba'Neth ship (VOY: "Riddles")	Antarian Trans-stellar Rally ship (VOY: "Drive") (closest to camera)

Lokirrim patrol ship (VOY: "Body and Soul")	Lokirrim warship (VOY: "Body and Soul")	Ledosian patrol ship (VOY: "Natural Law")

Unidentified ship (VOY: "Natural Law")	Krios Battlecruiser (ENT: "Precious Cargo")	Alien vessel (ENT: "Horizon")

Originally designed for use in Star Trek: Voyager, where it had several appearances as different ships, and was later used in Star Trek: Enterprise.

External link

Redresses of the Akritirian Patrol Ship at Ex Astris Scientia

Akritirian maximum security detention facility

See main article: Akritirian maximum security detention facility

Mislenite freighter

No information yet

Swarm species vessel

See main article: Swarm species vessel

Bahrat's space station

See main article: Bahrat's space station

Krenim warship

See main article: Krenim warship

Voth research vessel

This studio model was designed by Rick Sternbach.

VOY Season 4

Caatati vessel (small)

No information yet

Caatati vessel (large)

See main article: Caatati vessel

Kradin fighter

See main article: Kradin fighter

B'omar patrol ship

No information yet

Raven type

See main article: Raven-type

Srivani vessels

Srivani vessel
(VOY: "Scientific Method")

See main article: Srivani vessel

Krenim patrol ship

See main article: Krenim patrol ship

Krenim weapon ship

See main article: Krenim weapon ship

Mawasi cruiser

The Mawasi cruiser was designed by Brandon MacDougall at Foundation Imaging, where it was identified in its rendering as a "Mawasi attack vessel". According to MacDougall, this ship was one of two original designs required for (VOY: "Year of Hell, Part II"), the other being the Nihydron warship.

MacDougall explained: "The specifications of the ships were: [..] the Mawasi should be more linear in shape. Paramount faxed us a picture of an old ship that had appeared somewhere in the Trek "timeline" as the direction for the Mawasi. The faxed picture looked a lot like an X Wing Fighter, but I would do my best to change the look." (SciFi & Fantasy Models, issue 32, pp. 51. 54)

The model was later reused in Voyager's sixth season as a derelict in "Alice".

Nihydron warship

The Nihydron warship was designed by Brandon MacDougall at Foundation Imaging as one of two original designs required for (VOY: "Year of Hell, Part II"), the other being the Mawasi warship. According to MacDougall, the specifications were "the Nihydron should look organic." (SciFi & Fantasy Models, issue 32, pp. 51, 52, 54)

The model was later reused in Voyager's fifth season as a Species 10026 vessel in (VOY: "Dark Frontier").

Tau's ship

External link

Redresses of Tau's Pirate Fighter at Ex Astris Scientia

Prometheus-class

See main article: Prometheus-class

Hirogen ship

The look of the Hirogen ship's exterior, first introduced in this episode, was designed by senior illustrator Rick Sternbach and digitally modeled by Brandon MacDougall at Foundation Imaging. CGI Effects Director Ron Thornton influenced the design by suggesting that Sternbach's plan for the ship be flattened. [5]^(X)

Visual Effects Supervisor Mitch Suskin noted, "The Hirogen ship design that came from Rick Sternbach was neat, but I don't know if it really looked that good from every angle." (Cinefantastique, Vol. 30, No. 9/10, p. 98)

Steth's ship

No information yet

Benthan fighter ship

See: Benthan fighter ship

Daelen's ship

See: Daelen's ship

Allos' rescue ships

Allos' rescue ships were designed by Rick Sternbach, with one sketch dated February 1997. Some of the engine components were reused from a previous model "to save time." [6]

Ramuran vessel

Dauntless-class

See main article: Dauntless-class model

VOY Season 5

Night ship

See main article: Night Alien ship

Malon export vessel, eleventh gradient

See main article: Malon export vessel, eleventh gradient

Multi-spatial probe

This CGI model first appeared as the multi-spatial probe from "Extreme Risk", then was used as a class 5 probe in "Blink of an Eye", before being later modified to represent a Quarren space buoy in "Workforce".

Malon shuttle

See main article: Malon shuttle

Monean research vessel

The Monean research vessel, referred to in concept art as the "Monean subship", was designed by Rick Sternbach in (September 1998).

Devore warship

As a new design, the Devore warship made its first appearance in "Counterpoint". The CGI model [7]^(X) was designed and built at Foundation Imaging by Brandon MacDougall, who commented "The Devore ship was one Mojo asked me to design and model for Voyager season 5 episode "Counterpoint". I made some quick pen and ink designs on paper, Dan C[urry] and David L[ivingston] liked the direction and the rest was history. It was hard to make up my mind what way it would fly and I not sure even Mojo did know. Some of the cool things you do not see is a shuttle bay with yellow internal lighting and hydraulics doors." ([8]^(X))

In later appearances, the model was scaled down to represent several smaller vessels of various alien races. It reappeared, otherwise unmodified, as a derelict in Abaddon's Repository of Lost Treasures in "Alice", as one of the contestants in the Antarian Trans-stellar Rally in "Drive", where, true to McDougall's comment, it flew backwards, as a stranded alien vessel in "The Void", as a visiting ship at the Ledosian spaceport in "Natural Law", and finally as a Sphere-Builder vessel, type 1 as part of the battle in ENT: "Azati Prime").

Intruder alien vessel

The intruder alien vessel was designed by Rick Sternbach. [9]

Qatai's vessel

Model variations

Qatai's vessel (VOY: "Bliss")	Ship component #2 (VOY: "Alice")	Salvage Aliens' vessel (VOY: "Imperfection")

Antarian Trans-stellar Rally ship (right center) (VOY: "Drive")	Unknown starship (VOY: "Natural Law")	Nocona's vessel (VOY: "Homestead")

Unknown starship (ENT: "Broken Bow")	Xantoras evacuation transport (ENT: "The Breach")	Yridian vessel (ENT: "Twilight")

Chaotic space hulk

Originally slated to make an appearance in "Vis à Vis" as a "ship of the week", the "Chaotic space hulk" was designed and built as a CGI model at Digital Muse. "They might say "We're looking for some design where we want to have tentacles, but we don't want it to look like an octopus," or things like that. (...) When the team are called on to help with a design, everyone gets a chance, It's actually a free-for-all. I think with "Vis à Vis" we had to come up with three ship designs, but we probably submitted 10 or 12", John Gross remembered. Initially however, the design was one of the rejected ones, but was utilized in the later episode "The Fight". As to why it was initially rejected Gross further elaborated, "We ended up using it as the derelict ship in "The Fight". It was very organic, and it was something that didn't fit into the Star Trek universe. The reason it was able to be used in "The Fight" was because of the refracting space; the ship was so broken up you really couldn't see it very clearly. But I know Peter Lauritson likes to avoid having ships that look too much like life forms; Star Trek has a very good reason for having that consistency." (Star Trek: The Magazine Volume 1, Issue 10, p. 71)

That reluctance was put aside later, as the model, slightly modified at Eden FX, made additional appearances as the Romulan drone ship in several episodes of Star Trek: Enterprise Season 4. The model was affectionately dubbed "The Flea" by the production team. ([10]^(X))

Hazari vessel

This CGI model was originally created for use in Star Trek: Voyager.

Hazari shuttle

This CGI model first appeared in Star Trek: Voyager.

This model bears some semblance to a similar design that later appeared as Goroth's starship in (ENT: "Bounty").

Think Tank vessel

Malon export vessel

See main article: Malon export vessel

Nova-class

See main article: Nova-class model

VOY Season 6

Ankari vessel

See main article: Ankari vessel

Markonian outpost

This CGI file was originally created for Star Trek: Voyager. It was recolored and modified for use as the Ledosian spaceport in (VOY: "Natural Law").

Hierarchy Assault-class

On the origin of the Hierarchy Assault-class Rick Sternbach commented, "I vaguely recall the script saying it was an "alien ship bristling with antennae," since the crew was engaged in massive surveillance operations of everything around them. The two sketches I turned in were pretty different from most other things we'd seen before, maybe the first one more than the second one. Where the design went after that was (...) between Brandon and our VFX guru Dan Curry." [11]^(X) Starting from some of the details of the two sketches Dan Curry (who remarked, "Brandon carried it further when he made his excellent CG version. He really understood the aesthetic I was after...", [12]^(X) and Brandon MacDougall refined the design further at Foundation Imaging into the final design as it finally appeared in "Tinker Tenor Doctor Spy" and "The Void" as a CGI model rendered in Lightwave.

For the seventh season appearance of the Hierarchy in "Renaissance Man", MacDougall altered the forward hull of the ship by cutting down the number and changing the shape of the portholes and elongating the forward hull for the ship to become the Hierarchy survey vessel. [13]^(X) The aft section remained largely unchanged. Out of courtesy, MacDougall re-rendered the original configuration for Doug Drexler's blog.

Sternbach's design sketches turned up at Propworx' "The official STAR TREK prop and costume auction" of 8 August 2010 as Lot 408, where they sold for US$180 (including buyers premium), having been estimated at US$100-$200.

Model variations

Assault-class (VOY: "Tinker Tenor Doctor Spy")	Abaddon's derelict (VOY: "Alice")	Hierarchy survey vessel (VOY: "The Void")	Hierarchy survey vessel (rerendered) (VOY: "Renaissance Man")