Howdy Trekkies, let’s gear up for another much loved starfleet starship design. This one has a lot of similarities with the Galaxy class vessel, like the USS Enterprise D. This in fact can be called the sister ship to the Galaxy class. I am talking about the Nebula class starship. In particular this is the USS Honshu, as seen in an episode of Deep Space Nine.

The Nebula-class was a type of Federation starship that was in service in Starfleet during the second half of the 24th century. Construction of the Nebula-class was spearheaded under the authority of the Yoyodyne Division, and ranged in construction dates from as early as 2363 to as late as 2367. Vessels including the USS Phoenix and USS Prometheus and the USS Sutherland were constructed at this time at both the 40 Eridani A Starfleet Construction Yards (the first two ships) and the San Francisco Fleet Yards, orbiting Earth. (TNG: “The Wounded”, “Redemption II”; DS9: “Second Sight” dedication plaques).

The mission profile of the Nebula-class varied from performing various scientific and exploratory roles to conducting patrol and transport duties. (DS9: “Second Sight”, “Explorers”; TNG: “Brothers” set artwork; TNG: “Sarek”, “The Game”). The Nebula-class was present in several major Federation engagements against the Borg, including the Battle of Wolf 359 and the Battle of Sector 001. (DS9: “Emissary”; Star Trek: First Contact) They were also present in numerous Dominion War battles, including the Second Battle of Chin’toka and Battle of Cardassia. (DS9: “The Changing Face of Evil”, “What You Leave Behind”). A Nebula-class starship, the USS Farragut was one of three ships sent to transport the crew of the USS Enterprise off Veridian III after the saucer section crash-landed due to a battle with a Klingon vessel. (Star Trek Generations).

The Nebula-class shared a similar design lineage with its larger Galaxy-class counterpart, notably its primary and secondary hulls and nacelles. The Nebula-class was composed of two hull sections; the saucer-shaped primary hull mounted atop the secondary hull, with two warp nacelles mounted on either side of the secondary hull, directly below the primary hull. Atop the primary hull was a superstructure which could support a variety of modules, such as the inclusion of a triangular platform, fitted with torpedo launchers, an oval platform, or additional warp nacelles. By 2375, the Nebula-class was reconfigured slightly to include more of a Galaxy-class style secondary hull and deflector dish.

The Nebula-class was equipped with “a huge arsenal”, which included multiple phaser banks and torpedo launchers. The Nebula-class had a maximum effective weapons range slightly below 300,000 kilometers. The typical offensive arsenal of the Nebula-class included a torpedo launcher located on the secondary hull above the deflector dish, and on some variants, a torpedo launcher located on the superstructure located above the primary hull. Phaser positions included the forward-most part of the primary hull, and on the secondary hull, below the deflector dish.

Nebula-class starships were equipped with a variety of auxiliary craft, including the Type 6 and Type 7 shuttlecraft, as well as the smaller Type 15 shuttlepod, and other large shuttlecraft. The USS Honshu (NCC-60205) was a 24th century Federation Nebula-class starship operated by Starfleet. In 2374, the Honshu was responsible for transporting former Cardassian leader Dukat to stand trial for war crimes at Starbase 621. Captain Benjamin Sisko was also aboard and was scheduled to testify at the trial. At approximately 1030 hours on the second day of the three day voyage, the ship was intercepted and destroyed by a wing of Cardassian destroyers. At least three of the starship’s escape pods and a shuttlecraft managed to escape. The USS Defiant and the USS Constellation were assigned to retrieve survivors. The Defiant recovered at least fifteen survivors, including Sisko.

So that’s some information about the Nebula and the Honshu. I hope you like the various pics I have shot of the model. And here is the unboxing video as well. Enjoy.