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CLASS NAME: Pearl |
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Port
view |
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Dorsal view |
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Bow
view (travel mode and deployed mode) |
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CLASS NAME: Pearl |
|
Port
view |
|
|
Dorsal view |
|
|
Bow
view (travel mode and deployed mode) |
|
BRAD'S COMMENTS:
Very similar in shape and function to the S-8 'folding
box' MRF of the Klingon Empire, the Pearl is basically a modified "bird
cage" space dock outfitted with a warp nacelle. Think of the space
dock seen in Star Trek TMP, Star Trek II, or Star Trek:
Generations, and then picture that dock traveling with the fleet as it warps
around the galaxy. I took the liberty of cleaning up the schematics for
this class, just as I did with the S-8. In both cases, much of the empty
space between the spars of the MRF had been filled in (either by accident or by
intention) upon publication in the 80's, so I took all of that out.
Moreover, I discovered that if you tried to insert a Constitution-refit class
cruiser, scaled to the same size as the MRF, based on nacelle, the cruiser
would not fit! Solution? Re-size the nacelle on the MRF so that
the Constitution-refit could be accomodated. See the results in the
graphic below this text.
As I mentioned when I discussed the
Klingon ship, using these vessels in game play presents certain problems.
They are almost worthless as combat pieces, redundant as scenario plot devices
(freighters and auxiliaries work better), and it does not seem feasible that the
MRF can quickly repair a starship within the time frame of a ship-to-ship
melee--in spite of what the official FASA text states. Even minor damage
would realistically take days to fix, while major engine and structural damage
ought to take weeks, or even months. Therefore the Pearl and other vessels
like it are not meant to be instant rejuvenators, returning ships hale and whole
to the fight the moment such ships reach their nearest friendly MRF.
I used to play the MRF this way, and
soon lost my taste for it simply because it did seem too unrealistic for an MRF
to repair anything during the compressed chaos of battle. It takes
time for an injured ship to slip into dock, moor up, then inspections have to be
made and damage repair plans are drawn up, to say nothing of doing the work
itself. Ultimately, the Pearl certainly cannot replace totaled equipment
on the fly. A Starfleet ship with its starboard warp nacelle severed is
not going to cruise into dock and have the Pearl magically fabricate an entirely
new nacelle for it. So I suggest gamers use a lot of caution when playing
MRFs. It is tempting to turn them into magic wands, with a steady stream
of damaged ships limping in to "tag up" with the MRFs, before
streaming away again to the battle.
Yes, Star Trek era technology is
certain to be advanced, mechanized, and rapid. But let's keep our feet on
the ground, shall we?
From the FASA Star Trek FEDERATION SHIP RECOGNITION MANUAL, circa 1985
Pearl Class VII Mobile Repair Facility
Notes: The first Pearl Class mobile repair facility was commissioned on Stardate 2/1212 to replace the Newport News Class facility, which was not capable of rapid deployment or
housing larger ships. Unlike the older facility, the Pearl facility was designed to travel under its own power at Warp 6 and has enough internal bay capacity to hold no fewer than two of the Constitution Class cruisers.
This makes it an asset in forward military operations.
Pearl repair facilities are an integral part of all Star Fleets and accompany them at all times.
They are the lifeline of the fleet during combat, for they keep all ships operational.
This ability was used to advantage and was decisive in the Four Years War, in which Newport News facilities were towed close to the front.
Once in position there, they were able to keep the ships of Star Fleet in constant repair, whereas the Klingons possessed no such facility until after the war. Nevertheless, the Klingons actually launched the first truly mobile repair facility, the
S-8, on Stardate 2/1208; it was this model that inspired the Pearl Class.
The repair facility has the ability to actually manufacture almost all components needed to keep the warships in repair.
With limited onboard space, the repair facilities are always accompanied by several freighters carrying the spare parts needed.
When in operation, a Pearl Class facility is surrounded by its compliment of
worker bees and manned pods, giving it an appearance reminiscent of a Terran beehive.
Of the 140 mobile repair facilities built, 124 remain in active service, 2 are in reserve fleets, 4 are used by Star Fleet Training Command, 6 have been destroyed, 1 is listed as missing, 2 have been scrapped, and 1 has been sold to a commercial concern.
Pearl Class facilities generally are produced at Morena, though some actually have been built by other Pearl Class facilities.
The production rate for this facility is three per year.
| Construction Data: Model Numbers- Ship Class- Date Entering Service- Number Constructed |
MK I VII 2/1212 140 |
| Hull Data: Superstructure Points- Damage Chart- Size Length- Width- Height- Weight- Cargo Cargo Units- Cargo Capacity- Landing Capability- |
12 B 360 meters 200 meters 85 meters 79,445 tons 700 units 35,000 tons none |
| Equipment Data: Control Computer Type- Transporters- Standard 6-person- Emergency 22-person- cargo small - cargo large - |
L-14 2 2 2 2 |
| Other Data: Crew- Troops- Passengers/engineers- Shuttlecraft- |
220 none 140 18 |
| 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- |
16 3/1 FWD-1 1 10 K/F Warp 6 Warp 8 FIC-3 6 |
| Weapons and Firing Data: | none! |
| Shields Data: Deflector Shield Type- Shield Point Ratio- Maximum Shield Power- |
FSB 1/2 5 |
| Defense Factor- Weapon Damage Factor- |
40.2 none |
