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CLASS NAME: V-8
"Bird of Prey" |
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Port |
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Dorsal view |
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Bow view |
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CLASS NAME: V-8
"Bird of Prey" |
|
Port |
|
|
Dorsal view |
|
|
Bow view |
|
BRAD'S COMMENTS:
Unlike the Constitution class, the
D-7 class, or the
Klingon "Bird of
Prey" designs, the Romulan "Bird of Prey" was to have a limited
impact on the design of future Romulan ships. Officially, the V-8
"Bird of Prey" was the only truly Romulan design ever seen in ST:TOS.
It would never appear in any of the later Trek films, and by the time the
Romulans returned in ST:TNG they did so in a craft utterly unlike the cruiser
that graced the 1960's television screen. The
D'daridex class
super-cruiser is not just bigger than the V-8 by several orders of magnitude, it
borrows almost nothing from its TOS-era ancestor. Indeed, if screen time
is any indicator, the D'daridex has done far more to define the Romulan design
aesthetic than the V-8. So in many senses the V-8 is a relic, not only in
FASA game terms but in official canon as well.
In game play the V-8 is a poor match
for its peers like the Mark II Constitution and the D-7M. Which does not
seem to do much justice to the bruising the V-8 gives the Constitution class USS
Enterprise during one of the only ST:TOS episodes in which the
"Bird of Prey" appears. Against even older and less well
armed cruisers the V-8 does okay, but I've got to be honest I say that I don't
particularly enjoy playing this class very much. Unless I am using it in
numbers against one or two enemy ships, the V-8 just doesn't stack up that well
against the foes that it should be able to fight nose to nose. The
V-6 is
actually a MUCH better match for the Constitution and D-7 ships, and I prefer
that similarly-designed craft over the V-8.
From the FASA Star Trek ROMULAN SHIP RECOGNITION MANUAL, circa 1985
V-8 (Bird of Prey) Class VI Cruiser
Known Sphere Of Operation: Triangle; Romulan interior
Data Reliability: A
Major Data Source: Combat reports; Triangle sector Intelligence
On Stardate 2/0710, a V-8 was encountered by a Star Fleet cruiser patrolling the Neutral Zone, the first such contact in over 100 years and the very first visual contact with a Romulan war vessel.
The incursion into Federation space obviously was intended to test UFP defenses, and the V-8 destroyed several listening posts and bases before being heavily damaged by the
Federation vessel and self-destructing to avoid capture. Because of this incident, and because these ships were encountered in increasing numbers afterward, this
vessel, more than any other, has been identified with Romulan military actions.
For many years, these vessels were believed to be the mainstay of the Romulan fleet, but improved intelligence reveals that this was a misconception.
The vessel was designed to carry the RPL-2 plasma weapon; because of its size and bulk, the Type 1
ships--136 meters long--actually were built around the 110-foot-Iong weapon.
The other major feature of the Type 1 was the use of new shielding technology.
The Type 4, with upgraded disruptors, was introduced to overcome the inadequate firepower of earlier models.
Of the approximately 100 ships built, about 40 are assigned to reserve fleets.
Six have been modified and sold to the civil sector, including two Type 1s, one each of Type 2 and Type 3, and two Type 4s, all of which operate in and out of the Triangle.
The class is named for the Romulan vas hatham
(bird of prey), in reference to a huge, flying predator reportedly native to Romulus, but so revered that they have been transplanted to several of the conquered worlds in the empire.
Living for nearly 100 years, these avians can reach nearly giant proportions, some
having wingspans as wide as 50 feet and weighing as much as 400 pounds.
| Construction Data: Model Numbers- Ship Class- Date Entering Service- Number Constructed |
Type 1 VI 2/00 21 |
Type 4 VI 2/08 73 |
| Hull Data: Superstructure Points- Damage Chart- Size Length- Width- Height- Weight- Cargo Cargo Units- Cargo Capacity- Landing Capability- |
15 B 136 meters 199 meters 47 meters 67,100 tons 48 units 2,400 tons none |
15 B 136 meters 199 meters 47 meters 68,000 tons 48 units 2,400 tons none |
| Equipment Data: Control Computer Type- Transporters- Standard 9-person- Emergency 20-person- cargo- Cloaking Device Type- Power Requirement- |
R4M 1 1 1 RCC 15 |
R4M 1 1 1 RCC 15 |
| Other Data: Crew- Troops- Passengers- Shuttlecraft- |
150 None None None |
150 None None None |
| 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- |
26 3/1 RWC-1 2 12 M/P Warp 4 Warp 6 RIB-1 2 |
28 3/1 RWC-1 2 12 M/P Warp 4 Warp 6 RIC-2 4 |
| Weapons and Firing Data: Beam Weapon Type- Number- Firing Arcs- Firing Chart- Maximum Power- Damage Modifiers +3 +2 +1 Plasma Weapon Type- Number- Firing Arcs- Firing Chart- Power to Arm- Damage- |
RB-4 1 p/f/s J 6 (1 - 2) (3 - 6) (7 - 10) RPL-2 1 F M 15 (see chart) |
RB-6 2 p/f/s T 6 (1 - 18) RPL-2 1 F M 15 (see chart) |
| Shields Data: Deflector Shield Type- Shield Point Ratio- Maximum Shield Power- |
RSE 1/2 8 |
RSH 1/2 11 |
| Defense Factor- Weapon Damage Factor- |
57.5 21.4 |
63.5 32.0 |
