|
CLASS NAME: Chandley |
Port |
|
Dorsal view |
|
Bow view |
|
CLICK BELOW TO SEE LARGER VIEWS!
Port view
Dorsal view
Bow view
BRAD'S COMMENTS:
Of all the non-canon ships that were created for the original STSTCS, the
Chandley is far and away the most beloved. Over the years I have seen more
positive comments about the Chandley, from more fans, than just about any other
non-canon ship in the entire game. People just love this ship, and rightly
so. The Chandley is a complete
package: aesthetically gorgeous, statistically formidable, a well-designed vessel that even non-gamer fans have heard of;
which is a testament to how nicely this ship fits into the TMP-era mythos of the
Trek franchise. Fan fiction aplenty has been written around this class,
and it has been adopted by not just a few fan "starship" clubs. What else
can be said? This class is well known and adored by gamers and non-gamers
alike, and just once before I die I'd love to see somebody involved with the
movies or TV shows make some official mention of the Chandley.
That way it could truly attain its proper place in the Trek canon.
In game terms, there are few ships
from the Kirk-era STSTCS that can match the Chandley one-on-one. It can
beat just about any other frigate, friendly or enemy, and bests all but the
largest cruisers and battleships. Possessing powerful multiple torpedoes
both fore and aft, plus heavy phasers, and power to energize them, the Chandley can
cripple all but the largest enemy vessels with only a few well-placed
shots. When playing the Klingons or Romulans versus a Chandley I have only
ever been able to beat the Chandley by using a
Romulan V-30 or a
Klingon D-10,
both of which are heavy cruisers. Otherwise, it comes down to overwhelming
the Chandley's strong offensive and defensive capability with multiple ships.
The backstory is lengthy but well
written. The reference to the fictional Admiral Chandley who blockades the
Soviets in 2003 is amusing considering real-world modern history.
Back in the 1980's few of us in America could conceive of the idea that the
Soviet Union would fall apart before the turn of the century. Certainly we
never imagined that Russia would wind up as a democratic ally at the start of
the new millennium.
CLICK BELOW TO SEE
LARGER VIEWS OF A STYLISH TOS-ERA RE-INTERPRETATION OF THE CHANDLEY!
(many thanks to 3D artist & message board member
majorracal!)
UPDATE, 2005: Having
recently finished a re-screening of ST:DS9 in its entirety, I was reminded that
the Miranda/Reliant class(es) have an unusually long
operational lifespan; longer than the Constitution/Enterprise, longer even than the
Excelsior. We see them individually appear several times in
ST:TNG,
and whole squadrons of them appear during several of the major battles between
the Dominion and the combined Alpha Quadrant forces, towards the tail end of the
Dominion War. Many fans have already wondered if some of the Miranda/Reliant's
contemporaries did not have similarly lengthy lifespans, and that got me to
thinking about the beloved Chandley in particular. Of all the non-canon
ships from the STSTCS, the Chandley is the one I think of most when I think of
venerable designs that ought to be serving beyond the time of Kirk, well into
the 24th century and partaking in the defense of the Federation, even if in an
auxiliary role to the bigger, more advanced designs like the
Akira or the Galaxy classes.
This, of course, necessitated a revisiting of the class, both in terms of its
design and its stats.
The original artwork
for the Chandley has always been crowd-pleasing, but over the years I've grown
somewhat annoyed with the fact that the three views of the Chandley do not agree
with each other very well, nor do they agree with artistic renditions--like that
seen lower down on this same page--especially the port view, which omits the
ventral portion of the secondary hull and has a curious bump at the very apex of
the twin dorsal ridges. Combine that with the fact that I've never been
able to get a decent scan of the Chandley out of any of my books, and I decided
it was time to freshen the thing up and make some minor, if still significant,
changes: the impulse deck has been moved to the aft edge of the saucer section,
the pylon placement in the bow view has been moved inward to correctly match
up with the pylon placement on the dorsal view, the dorsal view of the saucer
has been given greater overall detail, and the port view has been
almost completely re-tooled to conform to both the dorsal and bow
perspectives; with a little bit of artistic license filling in the holes.
All in all, I think the retouched Chandley looks better, and certainly benefits
from an absolute removal of the "dot" shading
that so badly mars much of the rest of the MU&A graphics.
Fan and gamer Neale Davidson also did a re-touch on
this class, but his approach was quite different. Rather than square port
view to the bow view by adding the missing lower half of the secondary hull, he
instead squared the bow view to the port, removing the lower secondary hull
entirely. He also cut a notch out of the saucer for placement of torpedo
bays, and accentuated the sharp forward pitch of the upper secondary hull
"hangar" structures in the port view. Altogether a different
interpretation than my own, but still very eye-pleasing and better than the
original, I think. Thanks so much for letting me use this, Neale!
Statistically, I dipped into my TNG-era toolkit and
beefed up the weapons, shields, engines, and superstructure. The Chandley
is still outmatched by most TNG-contemporary vessels of the same type, but is
significantly more formidable than it was in its Kirk-era incarnation, and,
massed in squadrons, can do significant damage to even the bigger Dominion and
Romulan designs.
From the FASA Star Trek FEDERATION SHIP RECOGNITION MANUAL, circa 1985
Chandley Class XI Frigate
NOTES: After the conclusion of the Four Years War, Star Fleet Command initiated the Strategic Forces Survey to evaluate every major operation of the war, from its conception to its final outcome.
All aspects of these operations, starting with the initial planning stages, to the deployment of forces, their use during the operation, and the after-action requirements of those forces, were
evaluated. The results of this survey have directly influenced plans made by Star Fleet Command ever since.
One of the weaknesses identified by the survey was that Star Fleet needed combat vessels carrying boarding parties or prize crews so that it could follow up a successful
campaign with rapid and decisive blows against a retreating or routed enemy.
Star Fleet warships did not carry marine assault teams, and, therefore, they were unable to board and capture enemy vessels or outposts.
In many operations, Star Fleet vessels were held back so that their combined boarding groups could take control of disabled enemy vessels or
outposts; this caused lengthy delays in follow-up operations and allowed the enemy to recover.
To take enemy outposts, assault ships were called in, frequently a poor choice because they were slow, vulnerable, and usually carried too many troops for small operations.
To solve this problem, Star Fleet began developing the frigate class of ships to carry marines trained to board hostile vessels and complexes.
Of the several different ships with this design, the most impressive is the Chandley
Class frigate.
On Stardate 2/1612, the USS Chandley, the first of this prestigious line of vessels, was commissioned.
The Chandley not only met the requirements of being a deep-space fighting vessel but also could beam its 250 marines in less than four minutes.
With this vessel, Star Fleet had the ability to follow up combat more efficiently.
The Chandley's large, wing-like assembly houses the company of marines, their equipment, training areas, shuttlebay, and the combat transporters needed.
The marines are billeted by platoons, with each platoon having its own spacious training, mess, dormitory, and recreation areas.
The training areas, located in the central core of the wing structures, are made up of modules that may be positioned to resemble the interior of enemy ships and installations, allowing assault teams to familiarize themselves with their intended operation area; this training technique is largely responsible for the high success rate in boarding actions.
The training areas are also used for physical training and firing ranges. Each platoon has a recreation area
containing a swimming pool, gymnasium, gravball chamber, and complete health facilities; these facilities are largely responsible for the notable successes enjoyed by marine sports teams.
Since its inception, the Chandley Class frigate has used the older FWC-1 warp drive system, an engine proven to be highly reliable.
Though many ship designers have wanted to put newer, more powerful warp systems on the Chandleys, each time the power systems have been upgraded, it has been through improvements to the impulse drive system.
Warp drives larger than the FWC-1 are more costly to run and maintain, an important factor that must be considered because of the relatively great expense required to keep a company of marines aboard.
The Chandley Mk II design merely increased the size of the marines' storage cargo bays, but the Mk III changed the computer system, cargo bays, impulse drive system, and photon torpedo launchers.
The computer was altered to the experimental M-6A for improved fire control, as the standard M-6 would not efficiently handle the increased capabilities of the FP-5 photon torpedo; the Chandley is the only class of ship in Star Fleet to possess this computer, as it has not been needed in other designs.
The Mk IV design improved the shields; the earlier FSO shield generator was changed to the more efficient FSP.
With this change, the Chandley Class frigate is one of the most powerful ships in known space.
In all its modifications, it has gained a high level of respect from Romulan, Klingon, and Gorn commanders.
The Chandley is the only ship in Star Fleet named after the company that designed and built the class vessel.
Actually, the company is owned by the descendants of Rear Admiral Thomas Chandley, one of the most-decorated naval heroes of Terran history.
Chandley, an admiral in the U.S. Navy, is well known for his brilliant blockade of Soviet ports
during the Aleutian Incident of 2003.
The first combat experience of any
Chandley Class vessel was considered a total success. While patrolling in the Gorn Sector, the
USS Hanson (NCC 2309), received a distress call from a commercial freighter stating it was under attack by unknown vessels.
Upon reaching the coordinates given by the freighter, the Hanson encountered two Gorn cruisers
involved in a boarding action against a Liberty Class freighter. When called upon to withdraw, the Gorn cruisers put up shields and opened fire.
The Hanson made short work of the Gorn vessels, but the marine boarding parties found their task difficult at best, for they encountered Gorn marines who refused to give ground easily.
Victory was won only after the Star Fleet marines gained access to the life support
systems and shut them down. When the bridges of the Gorn vessels were entered, it was discovered that the entire bridge crew had committed suicide.
Interrogation revealed that the ships had defected from the Gorn Alliance and were operating as renegades.
The Hanson's marines sustained only three deaths and 17 casualties during this spirited action; all units involved received Commendations of Valor.
This was the first time a Gorn ship had been boarded by Star Fleet personnel; much of the current knowledge about the Gorn Navy stems from this encounter.
In another incident, this one occurring Stardate 2/1910, the
USS Monson (NCC 2392), on a fact-finding mission within the Triangle, was overtaken by four Klingon K-23 Class
destroyers. At first, the Klingons merely scanned the Monson at a seemingly safe distance to its rear, but eventually two
closed with the frigate, declared it had entered Klingon Imperial space, and demanded it heave to and prepare to be boarded.
Finding himself well within the boundaries of the Triangle, and realizing that the Klingon demands were the prelude to an unprovoked attack, the
Monson's Captain immediately raised shields and warned the Klingons off.
The Klingons attacked immediately, and the Monson returned fire. The Monson's aft torpedoes hit the bridge of the lead K-23, causing it to veer off course and into the path of the other oncoming vessels, whose fire crippled their comrade.
Seeing this as an ill omen, the Klingons immediately departed the area, leaving the crippled ship behind.
The Monson approached the Klingon, accepted its surrender, and beamed aboard two marine platoons before the Klingon ship exploded, killing all aboard.
An after-action investigation revealed that an unidentified device in the engine room had been touched by an unsuspecting trooper, initiating a critical overload in the matter/anti-matter mix chamber.
The explosion was of low yield and caused no damage to the Monson. The device that caused it has never been seen or reported since, and it is suspected by Star Fleet Intelligence to have been a jury-rigged self-destruct unit.
Because of this incident, Star Fleet policy states that before marines board any enemy vessel, a complete scan will be made of the vessel to determine if the destruct
systems are in operation. Only if the scan results are negative will the boarding operation proceed.
If the scan is positive, the enemy will be given the chance to disarm any such
devices, and should they fail to do so promptly, the vessel is to be disabled and the crew subjected to intense phaser stun.
Only then will engineers and UXB personnel beam aboard to disarm the device.
On Stardate 2/2005, one of the most
decorated frigates in Star Fleet, the USS Blackheart (NCC 2327), was reported missing while patrolling the Rimward Sector.
A search was made, but all that was found was a communications buoy apparently discharged by the Blackheart.
This buoy had only the partial message "...small object paralleling our course...no response on hailing
freq..." The remainder of the tape was garbled, and portions had been intentionally erased.
Star Fleet has no more information on the fate of the ship or its crew. The Blackheart is most remembered for the large black hearts painted on each of its lower wing assemblies; such painting is typical of Chandley Class ships, making them easily distinguished on visual scan.
The practice is thought to keep the crew's pride in their vessel at a peak.
Of the 184 Chandleys built, 63 Mk Is, 64 Mk Ills, and 47 Mk IVs remain in active service.
Two Mk Is are used by Star Fleet Training Command; 4 Mk Is and 1 Mk IV have been destroyed; 1 Mk I is listed as missing; 1 Mk I has been
scrapped, and 1 Mk I has been sold to the private sector.
The Chandley Class frigate is produced at the shipyards of Sol IV, Sol VI, and Andor at a rate of 4 Mk Is, 10 Mk Ills, and 14 Mk
IVs per year.
Construction Data: Model Numbers- Ship Class- Date Entering Service- Number Constructed |
MK I XI 2/1612 84 |
MK III XI 2/1902 64 |
MK IV XI 2/1912 48 |
MK V * XI 2310 A.D. 76 |
MK VI * XI 2322 A.D. (refit only) |
Hull Data: Superstructure Points- Damage Chart- Size Length- Width- Height- Weight- Cargo Cargo Units- Cargo Capacity- Landing Capability- |
28 C 315 meters 262 meters 90 meters 173,300 tons 825 units 41,250 tons None |
28 C 315 meters 262 meters 90 meters 176,700 tons 850 units 42,500 tons None |
28 C 320 meters 264 meters 92 meters 177,500 tons 850 units 42,500 tons None |
40 C 322 meters 268 meters 97 meters 174,800 tons 850 units 42,500 tons None |
46 C 322 meters 268 meters 97 meters 179,900 tons 850 units 42,500 tons None |
Equipment Data: Control Computer Type- Transporters- Standard 6-person- Combat 20-person- Emergency 22-person- cargo- |
M-6 8 8 none 4 |
M-6A 8 8 none 4 |
M-6A 8 8 none 4 |
MBT-07 6 9 3 4 |
MBT-07 6 9 3 4 |
Other Data: Crew- Passengers- Troops- Shuttlecraft- |
363 10 250 12 |
370 10 250 12 |
370 10 250 12 |
342 16 270 12 |
334 16 270 12 |
Engines and Power Data: Total Power Units Available- Movement Point Ratio- Warp Engine Type- Number- Power Units Available- Stress Charts- Maximum Safe Cruising Speed- Emergency Speed- Impulse Engine Type- Power Units Available- |
48 3/1 FWC-1 2 16 O/M Warp 7 Warp 9 FIF-2 16 |
52 3/1 FWC-1 2 16 O/M Warp 7 Warp 9 FIF-3 20 |
56 3/1 FWC-1 2 16 O/M Warp 7 Warp 9 FIG-1 24 |
80 2/1 FNWD-2B 2 25 L/N Warp 8 Warp 9.9 FNIS-220 30 |
89 2/1 FNWD-2C 2 27 L/N Warp 8 Warp 9.9 FNIS-300 35 |
Weapons and Firing Data: Beam Weapon Type- Number- Firing Arcs- Firing Chart- Maximum Power- Damage Modifiers +3 +2 +1 Missile Weapon Type- Number- Firing Arcs- Firing Chart- Power To Arm- Damage- |
FH-11 6 in 3 banks 2f/p, 2f, 2f/s Y 10 (1 - 10) (11 - 17) (18 - 24) FP-6 4 in 2 bays 2f, 2a O 1 12 |
FH-11 6 in 3 banks 2f/p, 2f, 2f/s Y 10 (1 - 10) (11 - 17) (18 - 24) FP-5 4 in 2 bays 2f, 2a R 1 16 |
FH-11 6 in 3 banks 2f/p, 2f, 2f/s Y 10 (1 - 10) (11 - 17) (18 - 24) FP-5 4 in 2 bays 2f, 2a R 1 16 |
FAHW-22 8 in 4 banks 2f/p, 2f, 2f/s, 2a U 14 (1 - 7) (8 - 14) (15 - 20) FP-13 4 in 2 bays 2f, 2a V 3 23 |
FAHW-22 8 in 4 banks 2f/p, 2f, 2f/s, 2a U 14 (1 - 7) (8 - 14) (15 - 20) FP-17 5 in 2 bays 3f, 2a X 3 27 |
Shields Data: Deflector Shield Type- Shield Point Ratio- Maximum Shield Power- |
FSO 1/3 16 |
FSO 1/3 16 |
FSP 1/4 16 |
NGSS-F 1/3 21 |
NGSS-G 1/3 24 |
Defense Factor- Weapon Damage Factor- |
131.5 91 |
137.5 102.2 |
170 102.2 |
classified classified |
classified classified |
* Denotes completely hypothetical model number and stats, devised by Brad R. Torgersen.