Starship Smackdown!

[BLZBUB]

Yeah, I chose the Sovvie because ... well, because it has an Enterprise in its class.

[Sorripto]

I voted for the Galor because... well yeah. Also during the introduction of the Cardassians in TNG they talk about the stalemate they had reached with the federation. It is implied that despite their technical disadvantage Cardassian tactics and resilience made them a formidable force. The same happens later in DS9 when the Cardassians fight the klingons to a draw.

[Evshell]

(Scroll up or click here to get to poll)
Click Here to see the ongoing results...

Congrats to the Sovereign, which royally beat the crap out of the Galor 7-2.

That's it for Round 1 (queue applause). I'd like to thank everyone who has consistently participated to make this into a great ongoing competition!

The Sweet Sixteen now begins!
And oh is it a good one!! A battle between two titans and two epic series. This is a big one: Kirk vs Picard. TOS vs TNG. 23rd vs 24th. Constitution vs Galaxy!!!

It should also be noted that this is the first race between 2 Federation ships. Even though the competitions were generated in a completely random manner, it just so happened that there were no round 1 battles within the Federation.

So without further ado...

Federation Constitution

Specifications
The one that started it all!! Everyone should be familiar with this iconic ship from the 23rd century. Sporting heavy laser cannons and 4 photon torpedo tubes, it was the top-of-the-line ship at the time, such that only a dozen were in operation at any given time. As the flagship of the fleet, the Enterprise NCC-1701 became the most famous Constitution-class in Starfleet history.

Federation Galaxy

Specifications
Along with the Constitution-class, the Galaxy is one of the most famous and familiar starships in Federation history. The USS Enterprise NCC 1701-D made this ship so well-known as the Flagship of Starfleet. The 8-year run of the Enterprise-D, starting in 2363 and ending in its fateful destruction that saved the entire crew in 2371, showed the depth and capabilities of the Galaxy-class, not only in combat, but defense, diplomacy, and its ability to protect the civilian population on board with the saucer separation function. The impressive 42 decks were able to take on up to 15,000 people, which means it could evacuate entire civilian populations from any smaller planets that were nearing destruction. The armament was nothing to sneeze at either with 12 Type X phaser arrays and 2 Type III photon torpedo tubes (one fore, one aft).

[Jeff T]

Ugh... this is one of those competition/battles that I dread.

Nevertheless, here I go...

Despite the advancements of the Galaxy class (which I truly appreciate) I cannot vote against my beloved Constitution class vessel. The significance and impact that this vessel has had and has stayed with me since TOS originally aired nearly half a century ago is rather unbelievable.  That the images of this vessel alone can resonate within me after so much time has passed seems unlikely, yet it still does.

It was a ship of dreams and a divining rod of inspiration to me. It inspired me to delve into many aspects of science: from grade school and far beyond that of a Master's degree. From childhood, there has not been a year, let alone a decade, that has passed in which inspiration from that ship hasn't propelled me into some aspect of investigation, creativity or interaction as a result.  

To some this may seem rather absurd... and perhaps it is to a degree... nevertheless I'm just providing a brief explanation for my choice.  Conceivably to some degree, this may have happened with the Galaxy class to other members: if they grew up inspired by TNG and their Enterprise. Who knows...

It is also why I have been extremely disappointed with STO's placement of the Constitution class ship as a "beginner" vessel that needed to be abandoned as you ranked up. I always wanted to see it modified and refitted as my character advanced so that I could use it competitively at the highest possible rank. To me it is somewhat dishonorable to treat this significant vessel so dismissively. 

[Athos]

Honestly, this one is just going to come down to personal preference.

The Constitution IS iconic; it is the original starship Enterprise.  It kick-started the imaginations of thousands of people and started the franchise.

The Galaxy re-started the franchise and inspired tens of thousands more; this ship is also iconic and not only lasted for 7 seasons, but kick-started not 1, but 2 other shows in the 24th century that both lasted a full 7 seasons.  Not only that, but the Galaxy class was seen in both follow-on shows.  While the Galaxy is not the newest ship, it's like a Boeing 747...there's just something majestic and graceful about it.

While the Constitution was original, to me, it's klunky.  The Galaxy class is a complete re-invention of what a starship looks like; yes, it shares the same elements, but a much better design.  Everything from the flowing lines of the exterior, the phaser arrays, transporter emitters, lifeboat hatches, to the more realistic interiors...the bedrooms, engineering, the bridge, the chairs, the corridors.  The constitution always felt so... plastic...so fake.  The chairs didn't look comfortable at all.  The galaxy class actually felt livable; it felt like a working machine.

Maybe it has something to do with being born in the early 80s, but the Galaxy is just more realistic.  Yes, I know... the Constitution was far-out for the 1960s... well, a decade later, we advanced and get a new vision of the future; the Galaxy class.

What can I say...I'm a 24th century guy.  I'm certain the old farts of the fleet will vote Constitution, so c'mon TNG-lovers and younger peeps...let's make certain that the Galaxy wins.

[Kheren]

Funny how practically everything Athos says about the Galaxy is exactly how we "old farts" felt when the FIRST Enterprise appeared on screen in 1966. It felt so real in those days that some astronauts allegedly said that watching it gave them the feeling of being back in space again. It sure gave us planetbound people that feeling!

Yes it is always down to personal preference here. That's what makes it interesting, way beyond mere tactical considerations. I even recall the first time I saw images of the Ent-D in a magazine weeks before TNG first aired I said to myself; "what's this sh*t? A space mushroom? A frog squatting under one?"

Granted, once I truly saw it on the screen it looked and felt everything Athos said. And I really love it (although I never got past the dwarfish nacelles that makes the saucer section looks disproportionately bloated). Yet, the choice becomes simple when I consider that, without the Connie, there never would have been a Gal.

So here is to you, old girl.

[Niomo]

Galaxy. Anything else is just wrong.

[Sorripto]

I am a sucker for old school Star Trek, but the Galaxy would win hands down. Also on a related note, my vote just tied it at 4 apiece

[Storm Windfall]

Sorry people! I saw TNG before TOS and frankly, I like the more 'busy' and bigger ship specially with that really cool Captain!

[Niomo]

Sorry people! I saw TNG before TOS and frankly, I like the more 'busy' and bigger ship specially with that really cool Captain!

Yes! Let us not forget the eternal and incomparable Jean-Luc Picard! All hail the Galaxy!