3788 Scale Lyran Mountain Lion (DND) CVN

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.

This was a unique ship resulting from an emergency situation. When a Kzinti counterattack caused serious concern, it became impossible to withdraw the Tiger-class heavy cruiser Golden Warrior from the front for conversion to a Lion-class dreadnought. The central section had already been built in preparation for this conversion. As no other Tiger heavy cruiser was available, it was decided to deploy the core-section as a separate ship by making minor internal modifications and adding two small wing sections with weapons. The resulting Golden Cub was used for local defense around the homeworld for several months, then was sent to the Kzinti front in during the middle of the General War, where it operated in various roles. The superb firing arcs made it an excellent escort for carriers and other ships. The Federation gave it the code name “Mountain Lion” to reflect its origins and stature. The Mountain Lion is easily the most powerful destroyer in the entire game system. However, it remained unique because Lion dreadnought center sections were too expensive and difficult to build in greater quantities, and every Mountain Lion deployed would cost the Lyrans a Lion dreadnought.

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.