Ever since it’s first appearance in TSFS, the Bird of Prey has made an indelable impression on Trek tech heads, and fandom in general.
Enterprise’s early version of the infamous Bird of Prey, first seen in “The Search For Spock”. Restyled by John, and built by Koji, the ENT BOP is a rough and ready addition to the Klingon fleet. It has a paired down feel to it like a muscular dune buggy, it’s aggressive trademark stance is what has made this concept so enduring.
3/4 midline
3/4 Low
Side
Top
Bottom
Front
Back
Screen caps coutesy Jörg.
It’s always nice to see an old concept re-purposed to great effect. Nice work all around, though it would have been nice to see Koji’s D4 along size a couple of these.
Another superb Klingon design.
I love the styling cues that serve as a homage to the original. If I’m not mistaken, those belly guns are the same as the ones on the original BoP!
Umm, I don’t ever remember belly guns on the BoP. They might have been on a couple of the concept sketches in TSFS, but never the model IIRC.
It doesn’t really look any less advanced than the 23rd-century version, I don’t think, but is a successful repurposing of the familiar elements on its own merits.
We never got to see the wings pivot, if they do.
Neither do I, but designs do evolve, over time.
I like the big tubes. Looks like a fast way to get to an escape pod (oh, wait…Klingons don’t have escape pods), or a fast way to dump a subordinate who wants to take over.
Dump the insubordinate crew right into the reactor system…without shielding. *evil laugh*
Another great Klingon ship from Enterprise! Didn’t Mr. Eaves design a ship for DS9 that had some of the elements of this BoP? I seem to remember that a huge warship was needed for some episode but they ended up going with the Negh’var.
Doug , I was hoping you would post a pictorial on this ship. I do not remember by seeing Enterprise, but like Nilos wonderful design back in ‘84 with the first … I should say later BOP(STIII) does this early precursors’s wings move? Does it too have landing capability? as in wings up? Was that ever discussed or potentially planned as part of a show?
Rick Sternbach wrote…
“I like the big tubes. Looks like a fast way to get to an escape pod (oh, wait…Klingons don’t have escape pods), or a fast way to dump a subordinate who wants to take over.”
I think the tubes help to suck body odor out of the air supply. Klingons hate to bathe…
Rick, that was a nice chuckle to start the day! Thanks!!
Love how it looks like the BoP, but yet not. Wonder what the 25th century version would look like?
Mariner: Umm, I don’t ever remember belly guns on the BoP. They might have been on a couple of the concept sketches in TSFS, but never the model IIRC
I meant the belly guns on this early version appear to be the same design as the wingtip guns on the TSFS version.
Maybe it’s just me, but I’m seeing what look like windows in the detailing on the head—only they’d make this a lot bigger than a traditional BOP (or probably even the scaled-up one that showed up on DS9)…
Is it huge, or am I crazy? (It’s quite possible I do need a straitjacket.
)
The original BoP is a classic, but I actually prefer this version – there’s something about the chunkier, more utilitarian look of it that really appeals. Thanks for posting these!
One question, does this version have movable wings like the 23rd century design? I don’t ever recall seeing them in a different position on the show, but the orthos appear to show a pivot point.
I really like the design of this little bee-oh-pee.
That said, I was a little sad the Raptor didn’t get used as the 22nd century equivalent, since it already existed and I was so fond of the idea that the Klingons came up with the bird of prey post-Romulan alliance.
Oh well.
At first I wasn’t happy that this BOP was so close to the original BOP from STFS, but it grew on me. It looks bigger than it’s later counterpart, what was the size considered for this one?
And a great build by Koji, I must add.
PPL,
deg
Mmmmm, yummy Eaves-y K-BOP goodness, eh.
As always, thanks guys!
LLP,
deg
Huh, how did my second post end up before my first post? Now that’s just CRAZY! and makes me look cRaZy to, boot. Like I need any help in that dept., eh. Hey, where’d my banana go? Ooot…?
This darn In-tra-web thingy… That’s the one with email, right?
Bemused,
deg
No question — John Eaves nailed it on this one. Absolute perfection. Love the tubes.
Yet another great Klingon design, I like the way it has some of the same stylings as the Raptor Class, Again it looks like a 24th century Klingon Warship and would have been wonderful to have been used in the big Fleet shots during the Dominion war.
Thank’s again Santas Doug and John.
Rick Sternbach
June 17, 2009 at 8:44 am
I like the big tubes. Looks like a fast way to get to an escape pod (oh, wait…Klingons don’t have escape pods), or a fast way to dump a subordinate who wants to take over.
Those tubes look like it’s for waste disposal, or as you say, to dump subordinates.
Seems klingon ship tech hadn’t evolved much at all, I mean think about it, they had cloaking technology already so what more did they need? Perhaps the addition of a cleaning crew on the bridge, A chef who could prepare some kick-ass Gagh, beds with a matress…the list goes on and on.
It’s a cute ship. I love the bird of prey. Why did they bring it back for Enterprise?
Doug man, my wife is going to put you on the x-mas card lists due to all these Klingon ship pictorials
She normally won’t come withing a kilometer of anything Trek-Tech related, but when saw these she’s was reading over my shoulder 
For my part: I like this BoP a lot more than I do the overly rescaled version used in TNG and DS9. Don’t get me wrong the original “Scout class vessel” from TSFS was great, I just think that– like the Miranda and the Excelsior– TNG and DS9 really over exposed it. This [Ent] looks like it could be at home in either era and has the “small and deadly” feel to it.
Another great post man. Sincere thanks.
You are welcome, Toby! A shout out to your family!
Hmm is it me or is the first batch of renders a bit off ? The model seems to lack turrets on the head and there is a gap between the central hull and wings … Other than that it’s absolutely perfect – it is on top of my personal favourites list, along with the D5 and the Raptor. John and Koji really pulled off the BoP with style – I’m not a great fan of the original … *runs*
Hey Doug, I been meaning to ask you this for a while, regarding these various ship pictorials, (other than the screen-caps of course), are theses shots ones you already had from the past, or are they fresh-baked renders by your own self, eh?
Thanks!
LLP,
deg
Hi deg, These are all shots in stock from my files. They are not newly baked.
[Cameron] Doug Drexler you’re my hero…[/Cameron]
Hi back Doug, and thanks Doug.
- hands Doug a nice ripe yellow banana in thanks -
Swingin’ the fun vine,
deg
Wow! John was really hitting on all cylinders when he did the Klingon designs! Of course, equally as great is the model itself. This looked great on screen and really gave that predecessor feel to the BoP’s we saw by the events of ST:III roll around.
Pssst…that’s “pared” down. To “pair” anything is to have two.
M
“Rick Sternbach
June 17, 2009 at 8:44 am
I like the big tubes. Looks like a fast way to get to an escape pod (oh, wait…Klingons don’t have escape pods), or a fast way to dump a subordinate who wants to take over.
”
Escape pods have no honor.
JNG – Pacal – Mark Gill – I don’t think those wings move you know… For a start I can’t identify a landing gear on the bottom view so there would be no justification for needing the wings to be raised up high like on ST:III/IV model. Also unlike the ST:III/IV model I fail to recall the wings on this ancestor-version ever moving into a ‘cruise’ position on any Enterprise episode.
Adam – Oh you run! Run quicker!!
deg – Are you feeling alright?
Gorgeous renders Doug! The Bird of Prey from ST:III/IV is arguably my favourite Klingon ship of all so seeing this one from all sides is a real hoot! Like the Raptor it’s details and colours are superb (well done John/Koji!) – Thanks for posting!!!
If deg wasn’t in chimpy mode, I’d be worried ’bout him!!
Rick Sternbach- “I like the big tubes. Looks like a fast way to get to an escape pod (oh, wait…Klingons don’t have escape pods), or a fast way to dump a subordinate who wants to take over.”
Only if your over an ice world with indigenous ice-lobsters! Remember the rulebook [We don't need no stinking rulebook!!!].
The DC
The DC – Didn’t you find the indigenous ice-lobsters funny? I found it hilarious! It made me think of this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWG1wCqix6U with Kirk playing the role of the bone obviously! In fact they should have dragged that scene out a bit with a half-dozen more ice-lobsters!
Doug,
Thanks for posting these!
Do you recall John’s smaller Bird-of-Prey, seen only twice in the “Affliction” episodes?
I’ve been trying to find blueprints, sketches or the original CGI for that ship going on a couple of years now!
Aside from a couple of vidcaps (like you’d find here: http://memory-alpha.org/en/wiki/Laneth’s_starship ), I can’t find a darned thing. Do you have anything about it?
Thanks!
Sean
Sean… I’ll see what I can turn up! Turnip?
Thanks a million, Doug. I appreciate it more than I can say — err, well, write!
Best,
Sean
These images really show the details that disappoint me. This is a ship that looks 99% Star Wars, and 1% Star Trek- and that’s because it has the overall shape of the BoP… Sorry. First impressions and all that.