3788 Scale Fed Classic Battle Frigate (FFB) WEM

The competition for the contract that led to the Federation War Destroyer included this design, which was a heavily modified frigate with some added systems and a third engine. (The war destroyer was an entirely new hull.) The battle frigate design was almost selected because it was easy to build from existing frigate components and even easier to convert existing frigates to this design. After a fly-off, however, it was decided that the battle frigate was at the maximum limit of what the frigate hull could do, and that it would be better to build a new design with growth potential. Even while losing the competition, the battle frigate lived on. Three more were ordered to compensate the shipyard for the cost of the design (this was part of the original contract) and these were used as frigate squadron leaders because they used the same spare parts. That would have been the end of the battle frigate, but the ease of conversion meant that every battle-damaged frigate that arrived in the repair yard left as a more powerful battle frigate. This allowed frigate variants (scout, commando, carrier, escort) to be upgraded to the more powerful design. While other empires saw their frigates becoming increasingly useless in the more intense combat of the late General War, the Federation could convert their frigates into something that was nearly a war destroyer and give them a new lease on life. The fans asked for this smooth-saucer version as a classic look and for ease of adding decals.

The ship is available in a variety of materials. Ships are unpainted, use standard flight stands available from many sources, and, while designed for gaming, make fine display pieces.