The definitive WC carriers chronology thread

[Vympel]

All I know about Wing Commander I know from just the games.

The low-down

Wing Commander 1:

Bengal-class Carrier

Wing Commander 2:

Confederation-class Dreadnought

Wing Commander 3:

Ranger-class Carrier: presumed to be older than both the Bengal and Confederation-class

Wing Commander 4:

Concordia-class Carrier: Visually identical to the very old Ranger-class. No discernible difference in capability or weaponry. WC material asserts it is a refit of the Confederation-class. Odd.

Vesuvius-class Super Carrier

Wing Commander Prophecy:

Midway-class Mega Carrier
Cerebus-class Strike Carrier

So, the question is, what does the Confederate fleet actually consist of? Is its most numerous class the Concordia-class which is really just a glorified Ranger-class? What happened to the Bengal? What is the difference between the big ass Vesuvius and the big ass Midway?

[TC]

Don't make me go stupidly deatailed on your ass... Perhaps tommorow I'll pull out the building schedule that LOAF and I worked up that shows what carrier production should have looked like throughout the war. I'll need to find the IRC log, though.

[Vympel]

Yes, stupidly detailed is exactly what I need

[Alyeska]

Concordia-class Carrier: Visually identical to the very old Ranger-class. No discernible difference in capability or weaponry. WC material asserts it is a refit of the Confederation-class. Odd.

Two things. First, the Concordia-class Carrier is not a Confederation class refit ship, it is an older design that was built near the same time as the Ranger-class. Second, the Concordia class is larger then the Ranger. One was built as a fleet carrier, the other was built as a small escort carrier.

[Bob McDob]

Yeah, if anything the Confederations are descended from the Concordias.

Wing Commander Bite-Sized coming soon.

[TC]

Eh, I have to get this worked out a bit, so here, go read the ship list while I do that:

http://www.wcnews.com/articles/art22.shtml

This list was asked for by people at Origin for use in the production of Secret Ops , and the classes of unknown ships were assigned through rules given by them. The convention of a name ship for each class was also confirmed by them.

[TC]

OK... here we are... let's see how this goes.

First, a history of fleet carriers from Wing Commander II onwards.

--------------------------------
WING COMMANDER II


Confed has *SIXTEEN* Fleet Carriers

#1 - TCS Concordia
#2 - TCS Trafalgar
#3 - TCS Winterrowd
#4 - TCS Ark Royal
#5 - TCS Lexington
#6 - TCS Saratoga
#7 - TCS Gettysburg
#8 - TCS Centurion
#9 - TCS Confederation (destroyed)
#10 - TCS Agincourt (destroyed)
#11 - (destroyed)
#12 - (destroyed)
#13 - TCS Freedom (destroyed)
#14 - TCS Viking (destroyed)
#15 - TCS Viper (destroyed)
#16 - TCS Washington (destroyed)
* 8 carriers are destroyed. (End Run)

END RUN

Confed has *EIGHT* Fleet Carriers

#1 - TCS Concordia
#2 - TCS Trafalgar (destroyed)
#3 - TCS Winterrowd
#4 - TCS Ark Royal
#5 - TCS Centurion
#6 - TCS Wolfhound (destroyed)
#7 - TCS Gettysburg (crippled)
#8 - (destroyed)

EIGHT MORE CARRIERS PRODUCED

FLEET ACTION

Confed has *SIXTEEN* Fleet Carriers (plus TCS Gettysburg)

#1 - TCS Concordia
#2 - TCS Winterrowd
#3 - TCS Ark Royal (destroyed)
#4 - (new) TCS Lexington (crippled)
#5 - TCS Centurion
#6 - (new) TCS Leyte Gulf (destroyed)
#7 - (new) TCS Moskva (destroyed)
#8 - (new) TCS Verdun (destroyed)
#9 - (new) TCS Saratoga
#10 - (new)
#11 - (new)
#12 - (new)
#13 - (new)
#14 - (new)
#15 - (new) (destroyed)
#16 - (new) (destroyed)
#17 - TCS Gettysburg (destroyed)

*AFTER FLEET ACTION: 8 carriers in service, 4 more entering service soon*

WC3 STARTS - 12 carriers in service (plus Lexington)

Confed has *THIRTEEN* Fleet Carriers

#1 - TCS Concordia (destroyed)
#2 - TCS Winterrowd (destroyed)
#3 - TCS Lexington (crippled)
#4 - TCS Saratoga
#5 - TCS Invincible
#6 - TCS Hermes
#7 - TCS Petrov
#8 - TCS Bradshaw
#9 - TCS Kennedy
#10 - TCS Lincoln
#11 - TCS Armageddon
#12 - TCS Liberty (scrapped)
#13 - TCS Valiant (destroyed)
#14 - TCS Centurion (?)

IMMEDIATELY POST WAR BUILT
TCS Euralius
TCS Princeton
TCS Kalamazoo
TCS Kinney (destroyed)

------------------------------

Next, here's a list of the probable construction schedule of the Concordia class:

Concordia

2634: +2
2637: +6 more
2639: +2 more
2642: +6 more
2644: +2 more
2647: +6 more
2649: +2 more
2652: +6 more (Construction begins on new yard.)
2654: +2 more (Construction begins on new yard.)
2657: +6 more
2659: +2 more
2662: +6 more
2664: +2 more
2667: +11 more (5 from new yard begun 2652)
2668: All 8 construction slips on moon destroyed
2669 +5 more (From yard begun 2654)
2672: (3 to 5 ships)

[TC]

Oh yeah, Bengals...

We figure they made a Bengal a year from 2619 on until whenever they decided to discontinue it. The yards at Jupiter were never hit, so it's actually rather probable that they continued construction of Bengals throughout the war.

[Bob McDob]

62 Concordias produced total in 30 years between 2634-69, if the yards hadn't been destroyed.

50 Bengals produced in 50 years, between 2619-69

There are also an unknown amount of fighter-carrying destroyers, cruisers, and corvettes.

In other words ...

[quote=TC, edited by Me]
WING COMMANDER II (2666-67)

Confed has *SIXTEEN* Fleet Carriers

TCS Concordia -Confederation Class
TCS Trafalgar - Confederation Class
TCS Winterrowd - Bengal Class
TCS Ark Royal - Concordia Class
TCS Lexington -Concordia Class
TCS Saratoga - Concordia Clas
TCS Gettysburg - Waterloo Class
TCS Centurion -Waterloo Class
TCS Confederation (destroyed) - Confederation Class
TCS Agincourt (destroyed) - Waterloo Class
(destroyed)
(destroyed)
TCS Freedom (destroyed) - Concordia Class
TCS Viking (destroyed) - Waterloo Class
TCS Viper (destroyed)
TCS Washington (destroyed)

END RUN (2668)

Confed has *EIGHT* Fleet Carriers

TCS Concordia - Confederation Class
TCS Trafalgar (destroyed) - Concordia Class
TCS Winterrowd - Bengal Class
TCS Ark Royal - Concordia Class
TCS Centurion - Waterloo Class
TCS Wolfhound (destroyed) - Bengal Class
TCS Gettysburg (destroyed) -Waterloo Class
TCS ???? (destroyed)

FLEET ACTION (2668)

Confed has *SIXTEEN* Fleet Carriers

TCS Concordia - Concordia Class
TCS Winterrowd - Bengal Class
TCS Ark Royal (destroyed) - Concordia Class
(new) TCS Lexington (crippled) - Concordia Class
TCS Centurion - Waterloo Class
(new) TCS Leyte Gulf (destroyed) - Concordia Class
(new) TCS Moskva (destroyed) - Waterloo Class
(new) TCS Verdun (destroyed) - Waterloo
(new) TCS Saratoga - Concordia Class
(new)
(new)
(new)
(new)
(new)
(new) (destroyed)
(new) (destroyed)

WC3 STARTS (2668) - 12 carriers in service

Confed has *THIRTEEN* Fleet Carriers

TCS Concordia (destroyed) - Concordia Class
TCS Winterrowd (destroyed) - Bengal Class
TCS Saratoga - Concordia Class
TCS Invincible
TCS Hermes
TCS Petrov
TCS Bradshaw
TCS Kennedy
TCS Lincoln
TCS Armageddon
TCS Liberty (scrapped) - Concordia Class [We know this is not new, because she's seventeen years old as of 2669)
TCS Valiant (destroyed)
TCS Centurion (?)
TCS Euralius
TCS Princeton - Concordia Class
TCS Kalamazoo
TCS Kinney (destroyed) [/quote]

[Alyeska]

So would the Confederation class Dreadnaught/Carriers be the last of the Fleet carriers prior to the Vesuvius and Midway designs?

[Bob McDob]

Yeah, that's right.

[Alyeska]

So the Confed had various Carrier designs that they used as their primary fighter carriers. Concordias, Bengals, Confederations, etc... Some were pure carriers, others were combination design ships. It seems that the Confederation class became somewhat of a Fleet Carrier rather then dreadnaught when the PTC was either removed from service or restricted in use. Given its size and fighter compliment, its a fair design.

[TC]

We think there may only have been 5 Confederation class ships.

[Alyeska]

We think there may only have been 5 Confederation class ships.

They were probably bloody expensive to build. Eight anti-matter guns, 120 fighters, and a PTC.

[TC]

Oh, it's more likely that they decided it was stupid to build a ship that had a large gun as it's keel when the gun had a tendancy to explode. Once you take out that core piece of it's design, you probably have a rather large number of problems.

Bob: I have a shitload of homework, find me tommorow. I'll reply to your message then, too...

[Bob McDob]

Terminology:

Fleet Carriers are the core of the fleet. They perform fighter screening, scouting, and assault missions. StandardConFleet procedure places fleet carriers towards the rear of any engagement shielded by BARCAP and destroyer screens, while fighter and bomber squadrons take the offensive.

Heavy Fleet Carriers, like the Vesuvius and Midway, are larger, upgraded fleet carriers. They feature stronger defenses and a larger fighter complement. Most are over one kilometer and 300,000 metric tonnes.

The term Light Carrier refers to the Ranger-class, the first modern carrier design. Though they were first produced in 2579, the Ranger class served throughout the war. Eventually they were downgraded to light carrier status.

The designation Strike Carrier is unique to the Bengal-class, a design intended for long-term raids behind enemy lines. The ships are heavily armed with conventional weapons in addition to their fighter complement. They were sometimes considered heavy fleet carriers before the inception of the Vesuvius class.

Escort carriers, or CVEs, are converted transport hulls. They were used as decoys or raiders on enemy supply lines. The biggest advantage of the CVE was its versatility, producability and expendability - the last point crew members were constantly aware of during their tours.

Dreadnoughts were Confederation-class vessels, heavily armed and carrying the massive Phase Transit Cannon, capable of annihilating any Kilrathi warship of its time in a single shot. In addition they carried twelve squadrons of fighters onboard. Dreadnought production ceased in 2665, and those that were produced invariably served as flagships for command personel.

Quick Strike Cruisers, like the Hades-class, are not carriers in the strictist sense of the word. They generally perform scouting patrols and harassment duties, similar to a combination of the Strike and Escort Carrier roles. Although they carry heavy guns, their fighter complement is comparitively light, even compared to fleet escorts like destroyers.

Cruisers such as the Waterloo class are not technically carriers either, but they are included in fleet carrier counts. The Waterloo was a unique design in that it traded anti-ship weapondry for fighter complement. The result was essentially a smaller fleet carrier with above average weapondry.



CONFLEET

Ranger-Class (2579)

Class Light Carrier
Length 720 meters
Mass 28,000 metric tonnes
Max Velocity 120 kps
Acceleration 10 k/s^2
Max Y/P/R 5/5/5 deg/s
Guns Laser Turrets (11), Capship Missile Launcher, Classified
Shields 3000 cm
Shield Recharge 300 cm/sec
Front Armor 1000 cm
Rear Armor 1000 cm
Right/Left Armor 1000 cm
Fighter Complement 40
Jump Capable Yes

CV-40 TCS Victory (2635)

The TCS Victory was launched in 2635, the first of the wartime carriers, and was immedietly assigned to the Venice Offensive, the first major Confederation assault of the war.

...

In 2669, the Victory performed rearguard actions to stall the advance of the Kilrathi fleet. She was flagship to the fleet defending the TCS Behemoth planetkiller dreadnought. Despite the best efforts of the Victory crew, the Behemoth destroyed by an agressive Kilrathi fleet under the command of Prince Thrakath nar Kiranka.

The Victory was used as a testing bed for the experimental Temblor Bomb project. After the failure of the Behemoth, the decision was used to use the Temblor to destroy Kilrah. Under the command of Colonal Christopher Blair, an element of fighters from the Victory penetrated Kilrathi space and deployed the temblor bomb. The ensuing violence and earthquaks annihilated all life on Kilrah.

The Treaty of Torgo, the formal Kilrathi surrender, was signed onboard the Victory on 2670.??? [Source: WCIII, False Colors]

Bengal-Class Strike Carrier (2619)

The Bengal-class Strike Carrier was conceived of in 2619 as a heavy torpedo battlecarrier that could operate independent of fleets. She carried and was the most produced carrier class following the Concordia Fleet Carriers. A redesign put an emphasis on multiple point-defence turrets and added 65 meters of length. It also replaced the single landing deck of previous carrier designs with a unique system of multiple launch tubes. The first of this class, the TCS Tiger's Claw, was produced in 2644. [Source: Claw Marks, Terran Confederation Handbook]


Frontal shot of a Bengal landing bay.

Length: 700 Meters
Mass: 80,000 tonnes
Maximum Velocity: 130 kps
Cruise Velocity: 100 kps
Acceleration: Poor
Maximum Yaw: 1 dps
Maximum Pitch: 1 dps
Maximum Roll: 1 dps
Ship's Weapons: Dual Laser Turrets (8)
Ship's Armor: Fore Shield: 21 cm equivalent;
Aft Shield: 21 cm equivalent.
Front: 24 cm; Right: 25 cm; Left: 25 cm; Rear: 20 cm.
Fighter Complement: 104.

CV-06 TCS Tiger's Claw
The first of the new Bengal-class was produced in 2644. She was immedietly sent into combat, where the ship and crew performed beyond expectations. Her next major action was in 2649 when she participated in the Battle of Custer's Carnival, as a rear guard for an element of Confederation marines.

Terran ground forces launch an attack on a fortified Kilrathi colony, only to be routed by unexpected Kilrathi fighter-craft support. The Terrans quickly reform and turn back, their lightly armed transports chased by heavy Kilrathi warships. The TCS Tiger’s Claw is detached from its previous station and assigned to intercept the pursuing ships in a delaying action eventually referred to as Custer’s Carnival.
Though swarmed and badly damaged by Kilrathi fighters, the carrier distracts Kilrathi forces long enough to allow the Terran fleet to reach safety. The Claw makes it back into Terran space, even with three-quarters of its engines destroyed and half its pilots listed as casualties.

For ten years, from 2644-54 the Tiger's Claw was assigned to the Vega Sector, where she played a major role in the hotly contested warzone. In 2654, the last Kilrathi planet fell, along with the Imperial forward command post.

The Tiger's Claw was the first carrier to respond to the tragedy at Goddard Colony. In a deep space raid known as ?Operation Thor's Hammer, she hunted down and destroyed the Kilrathi fleet responsible. Her next action was as part of the 2655 Kilrathi Sivar-Eshrad religious ceremony in Firekka.

The Tiger's Claw was then assigned to assualt the next major Kilrathi command station at K'thtrak Mang. Unfortunately, she was ambushed and destroyed by Kilrathi stealh fighter prototypes before she could land. Survivors included Major Michael "Iceman" Casey, Captain Ian "Hunter" St. John, Lt. Commander Christopher "Maverick" Blair, and the ship bartender named Shotglass. [Source: WC, SO1-2, WCII, VOW, Fleet Action, WCP]

Wolfhound: Flagship of Admiral Wayne Banbridge, commander 3rd Fleet, during the Battle of Vukar Tag in 2667.

Trafalger: Flagship of Admiral. Destroyed during Kilrathi ambush in 2654. [Source: WCA - Chain of Command]

Other Carriers
Kipling
Bengal
Beacontree
Eagle's Talon
Exeter
Kyoto

Concordia-Class Fleet Carrier (2634)
The most widely produced Confed fleet carrier, with 60 produced.



Class Fleet Carrier
Length 800 meters
Max Velocity 150 k/s
Cruise Velocity 100 k/s
Max Y/P/R 1/1/1 deg/s
Guns Dual-Mount Laser Batteries (11)
Front/Rear/Right/Left Shield 800 cm
Shield Recharge 800 cm/sec
Front/Rear/Right/Left Armor 300 cm
Core Strength 6000 cm
Fighter Complement 96
Jump Capable Yes

TCS Concordia
The nameship of the Concordia class, the TCS Concordia was commisioned shortly before the start of the Terran-Kilrathi War. Stationed at McAulliffe Naval Base, she bore the brunt of the Kilrathi offensive. Sustaining multiple torpedo hits, Concordia was scuttled to prevent her capture. [Action Stations]

TCS Ark Royal
Ark Royal was commanded in 2634 by Admiral Dayan, who co-coordinated the defence of McAulliffe. [Action Stations]

CV-44 TCS Lexington
A veteran of the Confederation fleet, the Lexington was in a state of advanced disrepair at the time of the Battle of Sol and was used as a decoy to draw fire from the major offensive. The badly scorched remains were salvaged and used to rebuild the carrier almost from the keel up.

The newly refurbished Lexington was commanded by Captain William Eisen, decorated commander of the TCS Victory. The carrier sustained a near-torpedo hit by Border Worlds forces and was temporarily abandoned. [Source: Fleet Action, WCIV game, novel]

She's the Lady Lex, the Grey Ghost, the eleventh ship to bear the honorable name. Treat her right and she'll always bring you home.

Other Carriers
Armageddon
Bradshaw
Freedom
Hermes
Invincible
Kalamazoo (produced postwar)
Kennedy
Kinney (produced postwar)
Kursk
Leyte Gulf
Lincoln
Liberty (commisioned 2654)
Moskva (lost at Sirius, 2668)
Petrov
Princeton (produced postwar)
Saratoga
Verdun (lost at Sirius, 2668)
Viking
Viper
Washington
Winterrowd

Confederation-Class Dreadnought (2657? 2661?)
The Confederation-class Dreadnought was a significant redesign of the Concordia class, designed specifically to carry the new Phase Transit Cannon salvaged from the Kilrathi Sivar dreadnought. The design featured two launch catapults and a complement of 120 fighters, as well as anti-capship and fighter armament putting many pre-war dreadnoughts to shame. Her primary failing was shielding and armor comparable to that of a Kilrathi destroyer. That, in addition to the PTC's unreliability under battle conditions led to a halt in production in 2665.


A rare shot of the Concordia.

Class Dreadnought
Length 983.7 meters
Mass 73,000 metric tonnes
Max Velocity 100 kps
Cruise Velocity 50 kps
Acceleration Bad
Max Y/P/R 1/1/1 deg/s
Guns Flak Cannons (3), Anti-Matter Guns (8), Phase Transit Cannon (1)
Front Shield Phase Shields
Rear Shield Phase Shields
Front Armor 500 cm
Rear Armor 500 cm
Right/Left Armor 400 cm
Figher Complement 120
Jump Capable Yes

CVS-65 TCS Concordia (2661)

The second ship of the Confederation-class, and the third ship to bear the name Concordia was launched in 2661. She acted as flagship of the Confederation 14th Fleet under Rear Admiral Sir Geoffrey Tolwyn.

In 2666 the Concordia led a successful assault on the Kilrathi starbase K'Ththrak Mang, crippling Kilrathi operations in the Enigma sector. In 2667 she fought at the Battle of Vukar Tag, destroying eight Kilrathi fleet carriers at the loss of four Confederation ships. She acted as command ship during Operation Red Three in 2668. Following the false truce she led the defense at Sirius, commanding the fighting withdrawl against the Kilrathi supercarriers, and the final stand at Mars in Sol.

The Concordia was destroyed during a rearguard action in early 2669 as Confederation forces collapsed on all fronts. [Source: WCII, End Run, Fleet Action, Voices of War, WCIII]

Tarawa-type Escort Carrier (2667)


"Beauty shot" of an anonymous CVE.

Crete
Enigma
Gallipoli
Iwo Jima
CVE-06 Normandy
Khorsan
CVE-04 Sevastopol
Wake.

CVE-08 TCS Tarawa

TCS Tarawa was part of a three-ship task force that penetrated Kilrathi lines in 2667, commanded initially by Captain O' Brian and later taken control of by Jason "Bear" Bondarevsky, best known previously for the Gettysburg Mutiny. She was aided by more than four hundred marines who sacrificed themselves to destroy eight carrier shipyards. Badly damaged during the battle, she survived by hiding in the atmosphere of a gas giant. She later barely escaped, following a contemplated kamikaze run that would have devastated Kilrah. Badly maimed, she underwent a full overhall following the carrier's accord at being "First To Kilrah" (a blockbuster movie was immedietly made of the events.

In 2668, the Tarawa played a crucial role in striking deep at Kilrathi supply lines in Operation Red Three, directly under Rear Admiral Sir Geoffrey Tolwyn. She was purchaced by the Free Republic of the Landreich following the Kilrathi cease-fire, and used for intelligence-gathering missions to root out a secret fleet of Kilrathi supercarriers. Fighters from the Tarawa would assist in destroying a Kilrathi fleet of cruisers carrying thermonuclear missiles at the Battle of Earth. [Source: End Run, Fleet Action]

Based on End Run we can determine some specs:

Cru. Speed: 100 kps
Max. Speed: 247 kps (the Tarawa carries Gilgamesh-class engines)

(1) Quad-Mount Heavy Neutron Battery
(2) Single-Mount Particle Cannon
(3) Single-Mount IR Missile Tube
(4) Single-Mount Medium Mass Driver Turret
(6) Single-Mount Light Mass Driver Turret (TCS Tarawa only)

I'm assuming those were the ones that were welded on... Those guns only existed for a few days and were quickly taken out. I doubt they'd be replaced when the ship was rebuilt. Anything you use these stats for should, therefore, take that into account.
45 fighters

Vesuvius Class Heavy Fleet Carrier ("Supercarrier")(2673)

The Vesuvius-class supercarrier was conceived of as a counter to the Kilrathi "Hakaga"-class supercarriers sent against Earth in 2668 with devastating effect. These included multiple heavy anti-matter emplacements, near-impenetrable shielding and armor, a complement of over four hundred strike craft. [Source: WCIV game, novel]


A Vesuvius-class carrier cruises in formation with its support fleet.

Vesuvius class Heavy Carrier
Length: 1,600 m
Mass: 250,000 tonnes
Y/P/S: 6/6/6 dps
Max. Speed: 150 kps
Cru. Speed: 100 kps
Weapons -
(14) Anti-Matter Gun
(16) Single Mass-Driver Turret
(24) Dual-Laser Turret
(2) Torpedo Tube
Crew: 7,800
Jump Capable: Yes
Fighter Compliment: 400 (4 wings)
Shields: Phase
Armor: 4,000 cm each

CV-03 McKinley
CV-04 Fuji
CV-05 Kilauea
CV-06 Rainier

CV-70 TCS Vesuvius (2673)
The TCS Vesuvius was commisioned in 2673 as the newest of the Confederation post-war fleet. She was assigned to the Border Worlds frontier during the hostilities in that area, where she was destroyed by Union forces. Recently declassified documents suggest the Vesuvius may have been harbor to elements of the infamous "Black Lance" paramilitary renegade sect of Confed. [Source: WCIV]

CV-02 (CV-71) TCS Mt. St. Helens
The Mt. St. Helens, second ship in the Vesuvius class, was hijacked by UBW sympathisers while still under construction. In combat she engaged and damaged the TCS Vesuvius. She was later returned to shipyard to complete outfitting, commisioned in late 2673-early 2674(?). The Mt. St. Helens was destroyed in combat against the Nephilim enemy. [Source: WCIV game, novel WCSO]

"They look ... Kilrathi," he said.
"We have incorporated the latest Kilrathi technology", Tolwyn admitted grudginly, "which might account for their superficially Cat appearence. We borrowed some ideas from the super carriers they launched against Earth."

CV-07 TCS Eisen
The TCS Eisen, eighth ship of the Vesuvius-class line, was named after the legendary Captain William Eisen, the late commander of the ship that launched the assault on Kilrah. During the Nephilim invasion in 2681 she supported the TCS Midway in her attacks on the invading forces. [Source: WCP]

The TCS Eisen was a Vesuvious class carrier.

We never decided whether it was a newly constucted ship, or an existing (still fairly new) Vesuvious class CV that had been renamed in honor of the recently deceased confederation hero.

I could almost swear you got to see the Eisen in WCP at some point.. but its been soo long, I could be wrong.

-Johnny [Lead Designer on Secret Ops]

We *do* know that the TCS Eisen carried more than one wing of fighters -- because immediately after transferring the Wolfpack to the Midway, she jumped *ahead* of us, into enemy held territory. This isn't the sort of maneuver you undertake after offloading your entire fighter complement. - Baron von LOAF

Midway-Class Heavy Fleet Carrier ("Megacarrier) (2681)
The megacarrier project was conceived by Commodore Christopher Blair in 2676 as a lighter, less expensive alternative to the heavy carrier project being used to replenish fleet strength. She carried a complement of mariens and science personel, and otherwise starbase.

The lead ship of the Midway class, the TCS Midway, was launched in 2681. During her shakedown cruise she encountered elements of the invading Nephilim fleet and played a major role in repulsing them.

An unexpected addition to the Midway was the jury-rigged addition of a plasma fleet-killer weapon salvaged from a Nephilim dreadnought. This weapon could annihilate an entire fleet, but was only used once, as its constant usage threatened the destruction of the Midway. [Source: ICIS, WCP]


An overhead view of the Midway, showing off the awesome Plasma "Fleet-Killer" weapon.

Class Heavy Fleet Carrier "MegaCarrier"
Length 1830 meters
Mass 200,000 metric tonnes
Max Velocity 80 kps
Acceleration 45 kps^2
Y/P/R 5/5/5 deg/s
Rotational Acceleration 3 deg/s^2
Guns Laser Turrets (25)
Missiles 6x1 IR, Capship Missile Launcher
Turret Strength 800 cm
Decoys N/A
Front Shield Phase Shields
Rear Shield Phase Shields
Bridge Armor 2000 cm
Left/Right Engine Armor 2000 cm
Left/Right Hangar Armor 2000 cm
Left/Right Launcher Armor 2000 cm
Plasma Cannon Armor 2000 cm
Fighter Complement 252
Jump Capable Yes

CVX-02 Mistral Sea
CVX-03 Tafanda Bay
CVX-04 Coral Sea
CVX-05 Jutland
CVX-06 Ptoloman's Rift
CVX-07 Enyo III
CVX-08Bataan
CVX-09 Triploi
CVX-10 Port Broughton


Hades-Class Quick Strike Cruiser (2681)
The Hades-class Quick Strike Cruiser was intended as a complement to the Plunkett-class Artillary Cruisers, Murphy-class Anti-strikecraft Destroyers, and Heavy Fleet Carriers forming the core of the ConFleet. The Hades was specifically designed to operate for long periods deep inside enemy lines, similar to the Bengal-class Strike Carriers. The Hades are well armed with heavy plasma weapons and carry thirty onboard fighters. [Source: Secret Ops Fiction]


A publicity shot of the Cerberus.

Class Quick Strike Cruiser
Length 777 meters
Max Velocity 350 kps
Acceleration 55 kps^2
Y/P/R 5/5/5 deg/s
Rotational Acceleration 2.5 deg/s^2
Guns Dual Tachyon Cannon Turrets (10), Laser Turrets (4), Mark IV Heavy Plasma Cannon (1)
Turret Strength 800 cm
Missiles 2x2 IR, 1x6 Torpedo
Decoys N/A
Front Shield Phase Shields
Rear Shield Phase Shields
Bridge Armor 2800 cm
Left/Right Engine Armor 2000 cm
Launcher Armor 2000 cm
Hangar Armor 2000 cm
Crew 150
Fighter Complement 30
Shuttle Complement 4
Marine LC Complement 2
Jump Capable Yes

TCS Cerberus
The first ship of the Hades Class.

The Hades never entered full service. It was mainly a testbed for technolgies that would be used in later ships, yet it was in fact the first ship in the class.

-Johnny

BORDER WORLDS COLONIAL MILITIA

Intrepid Class (Modified Durango-class Heavy Destroyer) (2673)
The TCS Delphi was part of the many obsolete warships decommisioned by Confed and destined for the scrap heap. The Delphi escaped the fate of many of her comrades by being purchaced by the Border Worlds Militias part of their rearmament program. Most of the centerline armament was removed, to be replaced by a makeshift carrier bay. The torpedo armament was retained.

The Intrepid was under the command of Captain Raoul Dominguez until she was attacked by the Confederation Ajax-class heavy cruisers Agamemnon and Dornier. The Agamemnon was destroyed in the ensuing battle. Captain William Eisen of the TCS Lexington assumed command, followed by Colonal Christopher Blair and Vice Admiral Wilford. The Intrepid was attacked by the TCS Vesuvius while heading to a meeting with the Confederation Senate on Earth. In the ensuing battle, the Vesuvius was destroyed and the Intrepid was heavily damaged.

Following the revelations of Admiral Tolwyn the Border Worlds Militia was absorbed into the Confederation auxillary forces(?). The Intrepid currently serves as a training carrier for new Militia recruits. [Source: WCIV Game, Novel]

Durango-class image pending.

Class Light Carrier
Length ??? meters
Max Velocity ??? k/s
Max Y/P/R ??? deg/s
Guns ???
Front/Rear/Right/Left Shield ??? cm/sec
Shield Recharge ??? cm
Front/Rear/Right/Left Armor ??? cm
Core Strength ??? cm
Fighter Complement Light
Jump Capable Yes

FREE REPUBLIC LANDREICH NAVY

FRLS Independence
The Independence is the TCS Tarawa, repurchaced by the Landreich after the postwar ConFleet RIF. She currently serves as the flagship of the Landreich Navy. [Source: False Colors]

Stats: Same as Tarawa.

FRLS Mjolnir
The Mjolnir is something of an oddity, even among the Landreich fleet, in that it is built from the salvaged hull of a Kilrathi Bhantkara class carrier. This ship, under the command of Admiral Geoffrey Tolwyn, was used to attack the Kilrathi dreadnought Vorg'hath, under the command of a rogue Kilrathi warlord. [Source: Fleet Action]


Stock image of the Bhantkara class.

Class Carrier
Length 920 meters
Mass 100,000 metric tonnes
Max Velocity 100 kps
Acceleration 10 k/s^2
Max Y/P/R 5/5/5 deg/s
Guns Laser Turrets (8)
Turret Strength 480 cm
Shields 2000 cm
Shield Recharge 200 cm/sec
Front Armor 1000 cm
Rear Armor 1000 cm
Right/Left Armor 1000 cm
Core Strength 30,000 cm
Fighter Complement Full
Jump Capable Yes

[Vympel]

Argh dead red xs of death on some pics

Can you post stuff on destroyers and cruisers?

[MKSheppard]

Where's the Wing Commander 1/2 Polygonal remakes?!?

I WANT THEM!!!!!

[Vympel]

Where's the Wing Commander 1/2 Polygonal remakes?!?

I WANT THEM!!!!!

Remake of the free Secret Ops pack that was released based on the Wing Commander Prophecy engine.

Personally I'd rather that they just remake the entire four games with new graphics, but these lovely ships look fine for now.

[Bob McDob]

Terminology:

Strike Craft: Typically 10-40 meters in length, the maneuverability and firepower of strike craft makes them much in demand for capital ships.

Capship: Anything larger than a corvette is classified as a capital ship.

Dual Laser Turrets: An upgraded version of regular lasers, firing twice as fast with twice the damage.

Flak Cannons: Plasma(?) weapons set to burst and damage surrounding strike craft.

Anti-Matter Guns: Derived from neutron guns, these heavy weapons form the basis of most modern capship armament. Their unique nature means they can pass through most shields.

Phase Shields: The heavy, quickly-regenerating energy shields used on all capital ships. Nearly impervious to conventional assault, the only way to destroy a phase-shielded ship is to use AMGs or torpedoes, capable of locking on to the unique shield resonance of a particular ship. The other disadvantage is that the interference from shields makes completely accurate targeting nearly impossible.

Heavy Plasma Cannons:

CapShip Missiles (CSMs): 10-15 meters in length CapShip Missiles carry the largest warhead of any missile of its size. They are also unmaneuverable and easily shot down by point-defense.


Battleship: Ships larger than cruisers designed to operate independently without fighter escort were known as Battleships. They carried heavy plasma gun armament and phase shielding nearly impenetrable to lesser craft. Despite this, battleships were vulnerable to strike craft launched, shield-penetrating torpedoes. In the years following First McAulliffe, the pure battleship design would gradually fade away, to be replaced with carriers and battleship-carrier hybrids.

Supercruiser: The second class to bear the name Concordia was a Supercruiser design. These ships harkened back to the battlewagons of old, emphasizing heavy guns over fighter complement. In spite of this, the ships carried a light squadron of strike craft, a nod to their effectiveness in modern combat. Supercruisers never engaged enemy fleets without full destroyer and cruiser escort. One supercruiser, the TCS Concordia, served as flagship for Rear Admiral Sir Geoffrey Tolwyn's battlegroup.

Cruisers: Ships such as the Waterloo, Talahassee and Plunkett-classes are classified as cruisers. They vary in range from light to heavy artillary. Though their designs vary (the Tallahassees and Plunketts are heavy gun-armed cruisers, while the Waterloos trade heavy guns for fighter complement), they almost invariably exist as heavy carrier escorts, capable of defending their brethren while the destroyers duke it out mano-a-mano. All cruisers carry fighters.

Destroyers: Ships smaller than cruisers are known as destroyers. These include the Exeter, Gilgamesh, Sheffield, Paradigm, and Murphey. Wartime destroyer squadrons complemented the carrier and fighter battle groups, using their speed and heavy torpedo armament to break through enemy lines. The Murphey-class is relatively unique in that it was conceived as a anti-fighter carrier escort, with little anticapship weapondry. Regardless of their roles, the light, fast destroyer plays a key role in any modern battlefleet. Confederation cruisers destroyers are typically smaller than their Kilrathi counterparts.

Frigates: Despite being larger than cruisers, Frigates are less massive, less well protected and carry less armament. On the other hand, they carry a large amount of torpedoes, missiles and CSMs, and are nearly ubiquitous despite being phased out by ConFleet postwar. They are essentially destroyers from an earlier age.

CONFLEET

Battleships

North Carolina Class*
The name North Carolina is conjecture and should be used only in the context of this report.

The final class of prewar battlewagons were the North Carolinas. These were large, grand ships capable of taking and dishing out enormous amounts of punishment. Their phase shields were immensely strong, and they carried multiple batteries of plasma weapons. Anti-strike craft armament was comparitevely minimal. Most of the class was destroyed at McAulliffe, and the course of the Terran-Kilrathi War would move the emphasis away from battlewagons and towards strike craft.

Cruisers

Concordia-class Supercruiser


Another shot of the Concordia.

The first supercruisers were produced in 2645. They were conceived as light battleships that could hold their own against carrier squadrons, and were armed accordingly. This class formed the basis of the Confederation cruiser fleet during the 2640s-50s.

TCS Concordia
The TCS Concordia, under the command of Rear Admiral Geoffrey Tolwyn, served as the flagship of the Concordia Battlegroup during 2654.

Iowa: Destroyed at Pegasus Naval Station, 2654
Kobe: Destroyed at Pegasus Naval Station, 2654

Waterloo-class Cruiser

A Sabre fighter comes into the landing pattern of the TCS .

The Waterloo-class was one of the mainstays of ConFleet. Their biggest advantage to a carrier-starved ConFleet was their similarity to light carriers. That, combined with their antimatter gun batteries made the Waterloos one of the most popular designs of the war.

Class Cruiser
Length 503.9 meters
Mass 19,500 metric tonnes
Max Velocity 200 kps
Cruise Velocity 100 kps
Acceleration Poor
Max Y/P/R 1/1/1 deg/s
Guns Flak Cannons (3), Anti-Matter Guns (4)
Front Shield Phase Shields
Rear Shield Phase Shields
Front Armor 300 cm
Rear Armor 300 cm
Right/Left Armor 250 cm
Fighter Complement 40
Jump Capable Yes

Note: the TCS Austin, Rear Admiral Geoffrey Tolwyn's flagship in 2655 and which accomponied the Tiger's Claw during the assault on K'ththrak Mang in 2656, is refered to as a "Gettysburg-class". However, subsequant records have shown no trace of that design, and considering the Waterloo's visual similarity to the Exeter, which was used as a stand-in during Secret Missions, it seems possible that the Austin is, in fact, a Waterloo. Either way there is little to no information on this class, so it remains a mystery.

TCS Gettysburg
The TCS Gettysburg destroyed a Kilrathi civillian vessel. The crew mutineed and became pirates. Some of the remaining crew later returned to the Confederation. The Gettyburg was destroyed when her reactor core melted down.

Agincourt: Resupplied the TCS Concordia.
Austerlitz
Centurion

Talahassee Class Light Cruiser


A shot of a Talahasee, all alone in the night.

The Talahassee class cruisers carry the most dual laser batteries of any ship, and are a threat to any vessel of any size.

Talahassee: This ship escorted the TCS Victory during 2669.

Note: The comm officer of theTallahassee is played by Wing Commander creator Chris Roberts.

Plunkett Class Heavy Artillary Cruiser


Plunketts escort a Midway-class carrier.

Intended as long-range fire support, Plunketts rarely get involved in the close-up action. But when they do, their three heavy plasma turrets and twelve Tigershark fighters tear opponents to shreds.

Class Cruiser
Length 1,200 meters
Max Velocity 240 kps
Acceleration 55 kps^2
Y/P/R 5/5/5 deg/s
Rotational Acceleration ??? deg/s^2
Guns Dual Laser Turrets (22), Triple Heavy Particle Cannons (3), Triple Heavy Plasma Cannon (1)
Turret Strength 800 cm
Missiles N/A
Decoys N/A
Front Shield Phase Shields
Rear Shield Phase Shields
Bridge Armor 2800 cm
Engine Armor 3300 cm
Jump Capable Yes

Destroyers

Exeter-class Destroyer

Schematical view of an Exeter.

The Exeter class was similar to the earlier Sheffield-types in that it utilized dual-role laser turrets as its primary armament. The design was a popular one that served througout the war. The ships also carried a heavy squadron of 18 fighters.

Class: Destroyer
Length: 360 Meters
Mass: 8,000 tonnes
Maximum Velocity: 150 kps
Cruise Velocity: 100 kps
Acceleration: Poor
Maximum Yaw: 2 dps
Maximum Pitch: 2 dps
Maximum Roll: 2 dps
Ship's Weapons: Classified
Ship's Armor:
Fore Shield: 25 cm equivalent;
Aft Shield: 25 cm equivalent.
Front: 22 cm; Right: 20 cm;
Left: 20 cm; Rear: 20 cm.

TCS Exeter[/i]
This ship was encountered by the TCS Tiger's Claw in 2654.

TCS Gweniyvar
The Gweynivar was a captured Exeter that received one of the first shipments of the new F-44A Rapier II class. This ship and her fighters were used by the Kilrathi to assault the TCS Tiger's Claw during Operation Thor's Hammer.

Sheffield-class Destroyer*



Note: the name Sheffield-class is unofficial and should rightly be referred to instead as Sheffield-type. However, for ease of use the name will remain.
The Sheffields were large, old fleet escorts that were of the same vintage as the Concordia-class fleet carriers. Their batteries of dual laser turrets served a dual role as anticapship and antifighter weapondry. This lack of specialization was one of the Sheffield's biggest weaknesses. They were due to be phased out after the war, but due to budget cuts a few were still being used among the Confederation's frontier areas as late at 2673.

TCS Sheffield
This ship was part of the TCS Victory escort fleet.

TCS Coventry
This ship was part of the TCS Victory escort fleet.

Note: Sheffield and Coventry[/i] are, of course, the names of the two British warships sunk by Argentinian Exocets during the Falklands War in 1983. The primary reason for this tribute seems to be that Chris Roberts grew up in England, and perhaps subsequently has a fondness for that country's navy.[/i]

Gilgamesh Class

Gilgameshes cruise with Concordia near Earth.

The Gilgameshs were one of the most popular destroyers of the 2660s. They were used for everything from fleet escort to assault missions.

Class Destroyer
Length 312.1 meters
Mass 10,000 metric tonnes
Max Velocity 250 kps
Cruise Velocity 150 kps
Acceleration Poor
Max Y/P/R 2/2/2 deg/s
Guns Flak Cannons (2), Anti-Matter Guns (2)
Front Shield Phase Shields
Rear Shield Phase Shields
Front Armor 250 cm
Rear Armor 250 cm
Right/Left Armor 200 cm
Jump Capable Yes

Hector: Engaged a Kilrathi cruiser with assistance from Concordia fighters.
Intrepid: (No relation to BWS Intrepid) Commanded by Captain Grierson, lost during Tarawa raid.
Rodger Young: Part of Commodore Mike Polowski's destroyer squadron, destroyed at Sol.
William Tell: Escorted the CVS-65 TCS Concordia in 2666. Destroyed at Tesla.

Paradigm Class


A Kilrathi fighter strafes a Paradigm.

The Paradigm class was one of the ConFleet's most advanced light destroyers. First produced in 2664, the Paradigm went on to serve on many fronts, including the Gemini Sector frontier. This ship formed the basis of Admiral Terrell's task force during the encounter with the Steltek Drone in 2669.

Class Destroyer
Max Velocity 200 kps
Acceleration Poor
Max Y/P/R Poor
Guns Meson Blasters (2), Tachyon Cannons (2), Ionic Pulse Cannon (1)
Turret Laser (1) [3], Mass Driver (1) [3]
Missile Hardpoints 10x1 DF, 2x1 IR, 1x1 HS
Front/Rear Shield ??? cm
Front Armor 80 cm
Rear Armor 50 cm
Right/Left Armor 65 cm
Jump Capable Yes

Murphey-class

A group of Murpheys escort the Midway.

The Murphey-class was the Confederation's premier anti-fighter escort in 2681. They were used extensively during the Nephilim campaigns of that year.

Named after Sean Murphey, ship designer for much of Wing Commander.

Class Destroyer
Length ??? meters
Max Velocity 240 kps
Acceleration 55 kps^2
Y/P/R 5/5/5 deg/s
Rotational Acceleration ??? deg/s^2
Guns Dual Laser Turrets (3), Laser Turrets (4)
Turret Strength 800 cm
Missiles 2x2 IR
Decoys N/A
Front Shield Phase Shields
Rear Shield Phase Shields
Bridge Armor 2500 cm
Left/Right Engine Armor 2500 cm
Fighter Complement Light
Jump Capable Yes

[Vympel]

Those dead link pics are extremely frustrating

Thanks though

[Bob McDob]

If you're willing to make a detour into SB territory, I do have a significantly better version with almost all links working online at http://kier.3dfrontier.com/forums/showt ... ost1059780

[Bob McDob]

Where's the Wing Commander 1/2 Polygonal remakes?!?

I WANT THEM!!!!!

http://www.tyedyeboy.net/wcue_full.exe
http://wcmdf.solsector.net/Ship_Databas ... ndex.shtml
http://www.wcnews.com/wc3d/mesh.shtml
and
http://www.geocities.com/bob_mcdob/waterloo.zip

I'm a bit surprised, actually; I had you pegged as a WCIII-IV type.