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Description

This series on the Durance class includes the following: Durance class transport (config 2) (2130) , Durance class transport (config 3) (2130) , Durance style cargo container , Durance class transport (config 4) (2130) , Aberdeen subclass escort cruiser (~2150s) , Rio Verde subclass (~2150s) , Manheim subclass (2150s) , Durance class transport (alt wartime fit) (~2156) , Redstone subclass transport (~2156) , Chryse subclass transport (~2158) .

Image provided by: Adrasil

Original impressions from: Todd Guenther (Starstation Aurora) and captshade

History from: Hobbyist's Guide to the UFP Starfleet, by Timo Saloniemi

Variant blueprints: Access via Adrasil's Download button

Featured in: Starship Recognition Manual #293

The Durance class first entered service with the United Earth Stellar Navy in 2130, transitioned to the UE Starfleet in 2133, and fully decommissioned in 2163, the second year of the Federation. Within the overall series, 92 hulls were procured, with 15 specifically of the Durance variation, the others within two later subclasses. These primary Durances were 98.7 meters in length, 57.5 meters on the beam, 27.9 meters high (24.7 meters without the removable DSS), and massed 42,100 metric tons. Three officers led the 37 enlisted crew, for a total of 40. The ships cruised at warp 2 and had a maximum speed of warp 2.2, with a deployment endurance of 4.5 years.

The Durance was armed with three 2-gigawatt plasma cannons, one on the forward dorsal hull, and one on the outboard sides of each nacelle. The ships were protected by an electromagnetic shield, polarizable armor (on the forward hull and sections of the aft), and twin navigational deflectors on the ventral forward hull. They had no laboratories, but could carry one heavy atmospheric shuttle or two cargo handling pods, when outfitted with the optional hanger bay (in lieu of the forward cargo container). Two grappling arms were installed on the forward side of the triangular dorsal support structure (located between the two cargo containers), assisting the work pods in maneuvering the containers or transferring fuel to receiving ships. Within the dorsal support structure were additional fuel tanks.

Prior to the Romulan War (2156-2160), the Durances were the primary means of support for colonies antispinward from Earth, operating between Lorillia and Bolarus. However, as the Rihannsu became more aggressive to the interlopers, UESS Chandeleur (FR-263) was the first of the class to fall. The ships never made too much of an impact on Earth herself, as they had been built in such relatively meager numbers. However, during the war, their perceived potential led to the production of plenty more, in two subclasses: Redstone and Chryse.

Note: this image is the first known variation of the Durance with more than the standard rear pod loaded. It provides a visual example of the versatility of the class.

Edit (2004.23): corrected continuity issues and incorrect tenses.

Would you like to learn more about this class of ship? Download the free Hobbyist's Guide to the UFP Starfleet , a three-volume, 1236-page history of space flight, by Timo Saloniemi.

For an extremely rich gallery of Star Trek starships and vessels from other universes, check out my partner, Adrasil , here on DeviantArts.

Description

This series on the Durance class includes the following: Durance class transport (config 2) (2130) , Durance class transport (config 3) (2130) , Durance style cargo container , Durance class transport (config 4) (2130) , Aberdeen subclass escort cruiser (~2150s) , Rio Verde subclass (~2150s) , Manheim subclass (2150s) , Durance class transport (alt wartime fit) (~2156) , Redstone subclass transport (~2156) , Chryse subclass transport (~2158) .

Image provided by: Adrasil

Original impressions from: Todd Guenther (Starstation Aurora) and captshade

History from: Hobbyist's Guide to the UFP Starfleet, by Timo Saloniemi

Variant blueprints: Access via Adrasil's Download button

Featured in: Starship Recognition Manual #293

The Durance class first entered service with the United Earth Stellar Navy in 2130, transitioned to the UE Starfleet in 2133, and fully decommissioned in 2163, the second year of the Federation. Within the overall series, 92 hulls were procured, with 15 specifically of the Durance variation, the others within two later subclasses. These primary Durances were 98.7 meters in length, 57.5 meters on the beam, 27.9 meters high (24.7 meters without the removable DSS), and massed 42,100 metric tons. Three officers led the 37 enlisted crew, for a total of 40. The ships cruised at warp 2 and had a maximum speed of warp 2.2, with a deployment endurance of 4.5 years.

The Durance was armed with three 2-gigawatt plasma cannons, one on the forward dorsal hull, and one on the outboard sides of each nacelle. The ships were protected by an electromagnetic shield, polarizable armor (on the forward hull and sections of the aft), and twin navigational deflectors on the ventral forward hull. They had no laboratories, but could carry one heavy atmospheric shuttle or two cargo handling pods, when outfitted with the optional hanger bay (in lieu of the forward cargo container). Two grappling arms were installed on the forward side of the triangular dorsal support structure (located between the two cargo containers), assisting the work pods in maneuvering the containers or transferring fuel to receiving ships. Within the dorsal support structure were additional fuel tanks.

Prior to the Romulan War (2156-2160), the Durances were the primary means of support for colonies antispinward from Earth, operating between Lorillia and Bolarus. However, as the Rihannsu became more aggressive to the interlopers, UESS Chandeleur (FR-263) was the first of the class to fall. The ships never made too much of an impact on Earth herself, as they had been built in such relatively meager numbers. However, during the war, their perceived potential led to the production of plenty more, in two subclasses: Redstone and Chryse.

Note: this image is the first known variation of the Durance with more than the standard rear pod loaded. It provides a visual example of the versatility of the class.

Edit (2004.23): corrected continuity issues and incorrect tenses.

Would you like to learn more about this class of ship? Download the free Hobbyist's Guide to the UFP Starfleet , a three-volume, 1236-page history of space flight, by Timo Saloniemi.

For an extremely rich gallery of Star Trek starships and vessels from other universes, check out my partner, Adrasil , here on DeviantArts.