Franz Joseph’s Constitution Blueprints

[Falconer]

I don’t know if we’ve talked about these much, but of course in addition to the SFTM, Franz Joseph (first) published a set of Blueprints for the U.S.S. Constitution (NCC-1700). These are really great, beautiful, and hand drawn in meticulous detail. I own a physical set which I got for a song on eBay, and they can still be gotten for a song. The scans on Cygnus-X1.Net really do not do it justice. I scanned about half of the sheets for my game which I am currently (of necessity) running online, and they came out real nice. I ran the scenario “Ghosts of Conscience” from FASA, but instead of using the FASA blueprints I used the FJ originals. I just think they’re so much nicer than the FASA versions. Luckily, the scenario played out just fine using the FJ blueprints. I haven’t double-checked them in too much detail, but clearly the FASA ones are based on the FJ ones.

Anyway, I seem to recall reading in some old school RPG material, either a book or article, I can’t remember, the idea that you could just pull out FJ’s blueprints and run a game on them, where you were exploring a derelict where something had gone wrong. Anyone recall this, and where they read it???w

[blackbat242]

Sounds interesting - I'll have to get a copy.

I have both the FASA Constitution-class and FASA D-7 deck plans box sets.

I also have a different set of D-7 deck plans made by an outfit calling itself Galactic Designs and Productions, copyrighted 1975 (the plans have a disclaimer that "no intention to infringe upon Paramount's rights is claimed or intended").

[Falconer]

Yeah, Michael McMaster, right? Pretty sure the FASA D7 is based on that, too. Also the original SFB mentions how they felt obligated to follow those.

[blackbat242]

There are distinct differences between the FASA and DG&P (NOT "DGP" of Traveller fame)D-7 plans. I'm out-of-state right now, so I can't give a summary of the differences... but there IS broad similarity in most areas if I remember correctly.

[c57d]

Slightly off topic, but I own both the 15mm/1" to 10' FASA Constitution class and D7 plans, and I remain unimpressed by the errors in both.
I still use them, and actually corrected the Constitution plans as much as I could, but wish they had done a better job on both!

[Falconer]

I’m running “In the Presence of My Enemies” this Friday. It’s a D7 blueprints crawl. Considering whether to use the GDP plans or the FASA ones.

[c57d]

I ran an "escape from the Brig and make your way through an obviously destroyed and devasted D7, to escape by shuttle" using the FASA plans. It may be the same scenario you are running? It was the first scenario for a new FASA STTRP campaign.
Interacting with random Klingon survivors (most very aggressive, but a few not wanting to "fight in a burning house"). Turbolifts out, areas of radiation, poison gas leaks, areas open to vaccuum and some sections behind locked doors just blown away.
In the end they esxaped by shuttle only to find it was all a training similation.
Happy memories of a game that really worked.

[Falconer]

The scenario I am running is from the FASA Star Trek core set. But I don’t think it’s supposed to be devastated or a simulation, as written. What you are describing sounds a lot like the WEG “Starfall” scenario for Star Wars, in which you escape a burning-up Star Destroyer. (Not to be confused with the Star Trek “Starfall” scenario from White Dwarf #64.) But I am by no means familiar with every Star Trek module, so, what you are describing could be something else.

Anyway, I pulled the trigger on a set of the GDP D7 plans. Looking through the scenario and comparing the (poor) scans I found online, they look like they will work just fine, and will raise the coolness factor. (I will make my own, higher-quality scans for my online game.)

[captainpike]

I have not compared the FASA and FJD (Franz Joseph Designs) plans since the 90s, but if I recall the main difference was the location of the Main Engineering deck. JFD had it forward of the Impulse Drive in the saucer section whereas the FASA design had it in the engineering hull in front of the shuttle bay. On rewatching TOS in the last decade, I think I agree with the FASA decision. Despite that, the FJD Constitution plans are one of my greatest treasures from my childhood.

[c57d]

Jul 13, 2020 1:15:52 GMT -5 captainpike said:

I have not compared the FASA and FJD (Franz Joseph Designs) plans since the 90s, but if I recall the main difference was the location of the Main Engineering deck. JFD had it forward of the Impulse Drive in the saucer section whereas the FASA design had it in the engineering hull in front of the shuttle bay. On rewatching TOS in the last decade, I think I agree with the FASA decision. Despite that, the FJD Constitution plans are one of my greatest treasures from my childhood.

Not wishing to be picky, but, the 15mm scale FASA plans have Engineering rooms both in front of the Impulse drive and in front of the Shuttle bay. The ones in the Saucer more closely follow the layout seen on screen, but neither is perfect, and neither is anywhere noted "Main Engineering". I personally use the Saucer room, since it is closer, although I have customised this, and many other areas of these plans, for verisimilitude during the game.

[Falconer]

In the FASA Trek 1e core set, there is a booklet containing three modules and a “Ship Recognition Handbook”. One of the modules, “Ghosts of Conscience,” is an adventure on a Constitution hull, and, it does clearly note the Engineering section in the secondary hull as Main Engineering. FWIW.

[c57d]

Live and learn then I guess?

[blackbat242]

That was where we always thought it was (from when we first saw the episodes in 1973-76) ... basically, where the warp nacelle pylons mounted to the engineering (secondary) hull! That always made the most sense, as that would be the easiest place to have the control equipment for the antimatter flows, the dilithium crystal energy-moderators, etc.

[c57d]

My understanding is that Matt Jeferies designed the warp nacelles (aka "antimatter pods") to be so dangerous/emit harmful radiation that they were held on struts away from the occupied portions of the ship. My assumption from that, is that the nacelles held everything needed for warp drive, which since the show never really discussed, we cannot (for TOS anyway) detail.
This being the case (imho),any engineering control in the occupied hulls would (for the warp engines) simply be remote controls and some sort of power distribution network. Therefore, for me main engineering could be anywhere in the occupied hulls, however if in the saucer, then a warp relay engineering would be needed in the secondary hull.

[starcruiser]

In the show - it's fairly clear from actual dialog that the antimatter reactors were mainly in the engine pods. There was an episode in which they refer to "reactor number 3" but, don't necessarily explain where that one is. I would guess:

M/AM Reactor #1 - Port engine nacelle
M/AM Reactor #2 - Starboard engine nacelle
M/AM Reactor #3 - engineering hull

There would -logically- be at least a few fusion reactors in the ship as well for reserve power, and for startup power for the M/AM reactors.

Matt Jefferies assumed that the engines would be dangerous and therefore had them mounted away from the ship for safety, and to allow for easy ejection if needed.