3788 Scale Lyran Refitted Leopard-M Minesweeper

The Lyrans are human-sized cats that bore a distinct similarity to Terran lynxes in both appearance and temperament. Bitter enemies of the Kzintis (tigermen eight feet tall), the Lyrans were staunch allies of the Klingons and enemies of the Hydrans as well. Like Kzintis, Lyrans were carnivores known to eat their captives on rare occasions. The Federation assigned each Lyran ship-type a "reporting name" to keep them separate. Lyrans were organized as a feudal society. Twenty-one counties each had a squadron of ships lead by a heavy cruiser; four dukes had dreadnoughts to lead the four fleets, while the king-emperor commanded from the capital.

Minefields were only practical around planets and bases because outer space is vast. The total number of mines laid in the entire Klingon Empire would not have formed a minefield between any two stars along the border. Most mines were laid by converted freighters but all minesweepers had a limited capability to lay a few mines. The Leopard-M Minesweepers were converted from Leopard-class destroyers, replacing the disruptors with minelaying and minesweeping equipment. Minesweepers were key ships for use in attacking bases and planets, and were equipped with heavy front shields and equipment to find, tractor beam, and destroy mines. The Aztek panels on the outer surfaces represent efforts to reduce the electronic signature of the refitted Leopard-M and match it to the original Leopard-M so the enemy could not tell the difference.  Known names (and the county affiliation) include Blaster (Pelt Hunter), Fortunes of War (Doom Star), Inferno (Homeworld), Infiltrator (Enemy¹s Blood), Shah Mat (Silver Moon), Silent Death (Foremost), Tenacious (Hidden Dagger), Thunderbolt (Golden Fang), Twilight Victory (Blood Star), and Uskut (Black Claw).

This 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.