3788 Scale Fed Classic New Light Cruiser Coll. WEM

This collection of ships based on the new light cruiser includes the two New Light Cruisers, a New Scout Cruiser, and a Light Command Cruiser. The fans asked for this smooth-saucer version as a classic look and for ease of adding decals.

As war loomed on the horizon, a new “medium-size ship for medium-size missions” was needed, a replacement for the destroyer and old light cruiser, preferably one that could approach the combat capabilities of the heavy cruiser. Several designs were tried, but the one that truly succeeded was the Kearsarge-class “new” light cruiser (NCL). Built using a modified destroyer saucer (and incorporating improvements planned for it), with an enlarged dorsal superstructure mounting two new efficient smaller engines, the NCL was tailored for fast construction and combat capability, dispensing with some of the research labs and habitability Federation ships were traditionally known for. They packed 90% of a heavy cruiser’s firepower into a compact hull that only cost 62% as much to build. Other empires built ships with similar fighting strength and production efficiencies, calling them “war cruisers.” A natural match for the Klingon D-5, the NCL completely superseded production of the single-engine destroyers and many dozens were built including variants (transport, fighter carrier, scout, commando, escort, etc).

The Federation, like other empires, began the war with small scout frigates which were expected only to track enemy fleets in the area and then stay out of direct combat. The need for electronic warfare (jamming and counter-jamming) in direct combat brought the scouts into the main battle area, where frigate-based scouts were too small to survive. The Federation had some destroyer-based scouts but not enough, and needed the shipyards to produce destroyers not support ships. They turned to the mass-production New Light Cruiser which had proved adaptable to a dozen support missions and created the New Scout Cruiser, which had the electrical power to produce massive amounts of jamming and the sensors to control and disrupt seeking weapons. It was also a large enough ship that it could not be destroyed in a single volley.

The Light Command Cruiser was intended as a substitute for command cruisers, but proving inadequate in that role, it was used as a command ship for New Light Cruiser squadrons. The sponson-like extensions on the upper superstructure spine create room for the flag bridge and command facilities, including communications and sensor masts. It also gained a couple of phasers and an extra drone port. Known names include 1580 Clausewitz, 1581 Sun Tzu, 1582 Jomini, 1583 Tacitus, 1584 Mahan, 1585 Clancy, 1586 Coyle, and 1587 Webber.

This sprue of ships 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.