Ptolemy Class Tug from the Franz Joseph Technical Manual

[dom5]

Hi all,

I'm new here, so please excuse me if this is the wrong place to ask this question. I have searched the forums but didn't find an answer, other than the availability of 3d printer files to make this class of ship...

So, I'm on old fan of Star Trek TOS, and I love the designs Franz Joseph came up with for the Technical Manual. I see that the Federation Class Dreadnought, Saladin Class Destroyer and Nelson (or Hermes) Class Scout are all available on the STSTCS list of ships, so the only one missing that appeared in the Technical Manual is the Ptolemy Class Tug.

I'm just starting out on a new campaign of the FASA ST:RPG and plan on using the STSTCS rules for ship combat. And my first scenario includes a Ptolemy Class tug, the USS Thales, being raided by Orion pirates, so I was hoping to get some reliable stats for this great design.

If anyone knows where I could find such stats, I'd be very grateful. Lovely to see so much data available to keep this fabulous game alive  

Thanks!

[trynda1701]

Welcome onboard dom5

While the database associated with this forum by Brad Torgersen doesn't have the Ptolemy class, have a look here on Bryan Jeckos' site...

fasaststcs.com/index.php/thefleets/united-federation-of-planets/star-fleet/ptolemy-class-ix-transport/

I've also created a version, but FASA cargo limits are arbitrary, so go with what you want. My version, using the cargo containers at 40mx200m gives huge cargo capacity with one SCU at 50mt!

[dom5]

That's brilliant, thanks very much Exactly what I was looking for, and so much more information on Bryan's site too!

Would you be happy to post your version - the cargo containers sound fascinating

[trynda1701]

Oct 5, 2021 10:28:03 GMT -7 dom5 said:

That's brilliant, thanks very much Exactly what I was looking for, and so much more information on Bryan's site too!

Would you be happy to post your version - the cargo containers sound fascinating

I'm away from my ship folders, but might be able to post my version in a few days.

Note, the FASA SCU (1.5m x 1.5m x 3m) rates as a MAXIMUM weight of 50mt. For an equivalent volume of water, it's only 6.75mt. So that allows for various types of cargo materials. My version will rate at that maximum 50mt/SCU.

[dom5]

That would be great - looking forward to seeing what you've come up with

[JAFisher44]

Here's my take on the Ptolemy Tug

Ptolemy Class Transport Tug	Mk I	Mk II	Mk III
Date Entering Service	2241	2256	2272
Number Constructed	856	872	1042
Ship Class
Unloaded	V	IX	IX
Loaded	XV	XVI	XVI
Superstructure	11	12	18
Computer Type	L-12	M-2	M-4
Crew	129	154	152
Total Power	24	30	68
Movement Ratio
Unloaded	2/1	3/1	4/1
Loaded	8/1	7/1	6/1
Engine Type	FWB-1	FWD-1	FWG-1
Number	2	2	2
Power Units	9 ea.	12 ea.	26 ea.
Stress Charts	M/O	L/G	D/F
Cruising Speed
Unloaded	7	7	8
Loaded	2	4	6
Max Speed
Unloaded	8	9	10
Loaded	3	5	8
Impulse Engine Type	FIB-3	FIB-3	FIF-2
Number	1	1	1
Power Units	6	6	16
Beam Weapon Type	FL-2	FH-2	FH-9
Number	4	4	4
Firing Arcs	2 f, 1 p/a, 1 s/a	2 f, 1 p/a, 1 s/a	2 f, 1 p/a, 1 s/a
Firing Chart	F	H	X
Max Power	2	3	6
Damage Modifiers
+2			(1-12)
+1		(1-10)	(13-22)
Shields	FSC	FSE	FSL
Shield Point Ratio	1/1	1/1	1/3
Max Shields	9	11	15

[dom5]

Nice, thanks for adding that

Is the Mark III an upgraded model in looks as well as performance, like the Enterprise in the movies?

[JAFisher44]

Yes, the Mk III would be a refit style Ptolemy.

[trynda1701]

Nice added graphics, JAFisher44. Where are those from? Are they your 3D models?

[JAFisher44]

Yes, I rendered some views to throw up with the stats.

[dom5]

Lovely views of the ship, thanks for adding those

Forgive my ignorance in the area of graphics, but is that the kind of 3D model where you can easily change details such as the ship's name and NCC number, or are those details fixed? I'm basically trying to learn how I might go about creating (or paying some one else to create) imagery of the ships that appear in my ST:RPG campaign.

[cowboy40]

I love the fact that this ship was easily converted to an auxiliary cruiser to use on the line in Four Years War scenarios, I have also used them buried inside convoys as Q-ships against Klinks that try to raid the convoys, and they have been some nice surprises to Orions during the years following the war.

In my Star Trek scenarios and so on. These ships make for a good way to have fast turn around at ports of call as well, drop your pod of cargo...take on a tanker pod...drop that off...take on a liner pod...well I think you get the picture...these are very good multi-role vessels. Though to be honest I still love the "Liberty" class freighters for moving bulk loads...but these multi-role transports give a good measure of usefulness...

[JAFisher44]

[JAFisher44]

Oct 6, 2021 3:41:02 GMT -7 dom5 said:

Lovely views of the ship, thanks for adding those

Forgive my ignorance in the area of graphics, but is that the kind of 3D model where you can easily change details such as the ship's name and NCC number, or are those details fixed? I'm basically trying to learn how I might go about creating (or paying some one else to create) imagery of the ships that appear in my ST:RPG campaign.

No. I model the registry details onto each ship.

[dom5]

Lovely pic of the refit Ptolemy - I wasn't sure I'd like it, but it looks very cool

[trynda1701]

Oct 5, 2021 14:54:22 GMT -7 JAFisher44 said:

Here's my take on the Ptolemy Tug

Ptolemy Class Transport Tug	Mk I	Mk II	Mk III
Date Entering Service	2241	2256	2272
Number Constructed	856	872	1042
Ship Class
Unloaded	V	IX	IX
Loaded	XV	XVI	XVI
Superstructure	11	12	18
Computer Type	L-12	M-2	M-4
Crew	129	154	152
Total Power	24	30	68
Movement Ratio
Unloaded	2/1	3/1	4/1
Loaded	8/1	7/1	6/1
Engine Type	FWB-1	FWD-1	FWG-1
Number	2	2	2
Power Units	9 ea.	12 ea.	26 ea.
Stress Charts	M/O	L/G	D/F
Cruising Speed
Unloaded	7	7	8
Loaded	2	4	6
Max Speed
Unloaded	8	9	10
Loaded	3	5	8
Impulse Engine Type	FIB-3	FIB-3	FIF-2
Number	1	1	1
Power Units	6	6	16
Beam Weapon Type	FL-2	FH-2	FH-9
Number	4	4	4
Firing Arcs	2 f, 1 p/a, 1 s/a	2 f, 1 p/a, 1 s/a	2 f, 1 p/a, 1 s/a
Firing Chart	F	H	X
Max Power	2	3	6
Damage Modifiers
+2			(1-12)
+1		(1-10)	(13-22)
Shields	FSC	FSE	FSL
Shield Point Ratio	1/1	1/1	1/3
Max Shields	9	11	15

JAFisher44

How did you get the the versions of those stats to line up so neatly?

I've always had to post each variant one after another, making the post longer, and not so easy to instantly compare differences between each as they upgrade.

[JAFisher44]

I used a table.

[trynda1701]

Oct 7, 2021 11:08:26 GMT -7 JAFisher44 said:

I used a table.

Is It the function available on the forum? I thought that didn't work!

[JAFisher44]

I don't remember for sure how I originally created the table. I copied and pasted this one from another post I made a while ago and just modified the data in the cells. I'm pretty sure the button works, though it's kind of a pain in the ass. Your best option is probably an online table generator. Just google bbcode table generator.

[trynda1701]

Oct 7, 2021 13:24:46 GMT -7 JAFisher44 said:

I don't remember for sure how I originally created the table. I copied and pasted this one from another post I made a while ago and just modified the data in the cells. I'm pretty sure the button works, though it's kind of a pain in the ass. Your best option is probably an online table generator. Just google bbcode table generator.

I see what you mean about how the table button on the forum is awkward to use. I've added a table to test it in my House Rules thread on "Fighters in STSTCS".

ststcsolda.proboards.com/post/1722/thread

It looks OK, to be sure, but is fiddly as hell to enter the data into the code!

[JAFisher44]

When you are in the "create post" page at the bottom of the area where you type your post there are two tabs. By default it puts you in the BBCode tab but you can also click on the preview tab and modify the info in the cells there. Far less fiddly. Also lets you know what your final post will look like without having to go back and edit.

[trynda1701]

Oct 7, 2021 15:25:26 GMT -7 JAFisher44 said:

When you are in the "create post" page at the bottom of the area where you type your post there are two tabs. By default it puts you in the BBCode tab but you can also click on the preview tab and modify the info in the cells there. Far less fiddly. Also lets you know what your final post will look like without having to go back and edit.

Didn't realise that the Preview function would still allow editing. Odd that the table lines show up in the Preview, but not in the actual post.

Admittedly, I'd have liked that for those impulse engine tables, but prefer the no lines for ship stats! Ah well!

Thanks for the tip though, JAFisher44 !

[jeffwright]

I have this idea that most bulk transport craft are these sublight containers.

Let me explain.

Let’s say there is a colony 10 light years out.
I use this tug to pre-position 20 filled containers equidistant with each moving half light-speed.
That means the colony would receive a shipment every six months…even if something like the Burn killed all warp travel.
A true wagon train to the stars. From the unmanned container’s point of view…it takes 40 years round trip. But from the customer’s point of view…only six months have elapsed. For perishables, meds, emergency supplies—only then do you bother to warp a container directly to location.

Logistics. That’s what keeps the Federation alive…whole networks of these supply chains with no warp signatures. Pirates love them too!

Now, remember in THE MAKING OF STAR TREK, the earliest sketch was just a cylinder (general products)

That is what Musk’s Starship evolves into…and the pods their destination.

[JAFisher44]

The problem with this kind of resupply is that it cannot adjust to unexpected changes. And the first delivery won't arrive for 40 years so you'll still have to establish a more conventional resupply infrastructure anyway.