Why is the Runabout so hated?

[FaxModem1]

I don't understand what's wrong with the design, so could someone fill me in on why its hated by this board.

[CmdrWilkens]

I don't understand what's wrong with the design, so could someone fill me in on why its hated by this board.

Its a box with poor control design, no manueverability and it takes up entirely too much space. Plus they have the annoying habit of magically respawning a la Everquest.

[FaxModem1]

I don't understand what you mean by respawning. Please go into more detail.

[Alyeska]

The Runabout is a fine utility vehicle. It can be configured as a light transport of either people or equipment. It is modular in nature. Big enough for room, small enough that it doesn't take up to much space.

Its combat capability isn't great, but its better then most other ships of its size. Having 8 phaser arrays does that.

[Master of Ossus]

Its combat capability isn't great, but its better then most other ships of its size. Having 8 phaser arrays does that.

Wait, so the runabout's firepower is only 20% lower than the Delta Flier's?

[Alyeska]

Its combat capability isn't great, but its better then most other ships of its size. Having 8 phaser arrays does that.

Wait, so the runabout's firepower is only 20% lower than the Delta Flier's?

No, the Delta Flyer uses newer and larger phaser arrays. I would have to say that the Runabout is only half the power of a Delta Flyer (phaser comparison alone).

[Antediluvian]

I like the runabout, but it does poorly in combat.

Against a real fighter, it would probably be toast.

[Master of Ossus]

No, the Delta Flyer uses newer and larger phaser arrays. I would have to say that the Runabout is only half the power of a Delta Flyer (phaser comparison alone).

Does it also have the micro-torpedoes? Those are clearly the runabout's most powerful ship-to-ship weapons.

[FaxModem1]

I know the Delta Flyer has micro-torpedos, if thats what you mean.

[Alyeska]

No, the Delta Flyer uses newer and larger phaser arrays. I would have to say that the Runabout is only half the power of a Delta Flyer (phaser comparison alone).

Does it also have the micro-torpedoes? Those are clearly the runabout's most powerful ship-to-ship weapons.

Well, Micro-Torpedoes existed when Voyager got lost, so they are likely on the ships building scheduel. Infact we have seen Voyager shuttles fire "torpedoes" but given their size are likely Micro-Torpedoes. Yet the Delta Flyer was built with Photonic Missiles IIRC. A home brew of Federation and Borg technology. It seems to be capable of firing them slightly more rapid fire then Runabouts. So the DF probably has all of its weapons being at least twice the firepower of the Runabout. The Trump Card the Runabout has is its ability to be armed with a full sized torpedo launcher, though those would be most useful against capital ships rather then fighters.

[Uraniun235]

I really doubt that the Runabouts were intended as starfighters... more like long range shuttlecraft. Though IIRC they are considered extremely light starships by Starfleet; they're given registry numbers.

[Jadeite]

Though IIRC they are considered extremely light starships by Starfleet; they're given registry numbers.

Another sign of how pitiful Starfleet is, considering long range shuttles as full starships.

[Grand Admiral Thrawn]

They have neither the speed of a fighter nor the power of a gunship.

[Darth Wong]

The Runabout is a U-Haul with guns.

[Alyeska]

Though IIRC they are considered extremely light starships by Starfleet; they're given registry numbers.

Another sign of how pitiful Starfleet is, considering long range shuttles as full starships.

You are only making an assumption. All we know is that Runabouts are large enough and active enough they are transferred from place to place rather then being stationed like Shuttlecraft. There is nothing pitiful by giving registry to such craft.

[Anarchist Bunny]

Jadite, did you take that off my title or did you find it on your own?

[Moonshadow]

Runabouts are ok in combat but are definately not Fighters. They did fairly well against Maquis ships.

[Typhonis 1]

ah yes Maquis rebuilt 20 year old fighters..re torpedo boats

[Alyeska]

ah yes Maquis rebuilt 20 year old fighters..re torpedo boats

You are thinking of just one of the three classes of fighter type craft used by the Maquis. They had the Peregrine (ships used by Edington), the Tac-Fighter (ships featured by the Federation), and some other type of design. The Tac-Fighters themselves are resonably powerful and it took three Runabouts to threaten two Tac-Fighters, even then the Tac-Fighters almost won.

[Knife]

I don't understand what's wrong with the design, so could someone fill me in on why its hated by this board.

I actualy rather like the design. The problem comes when (and this is rampant in trek) those in charge, choose vessels (and equipment, let's face it ) that are not up to or designed for the mission that they want to use it for.

[Alyeska]

I don't understand what's wrong with the design, so could someone fill me in on why its hated by this board.

I actualy rather like the design. The problem comes when (and this is rampant in trek) those in charge, choose vessels (and equipment, let's face it ) that are not up to or designed for the mission that they want to use it for.

Agreed. We should have seen a combat version of the Runabout in which they stripped the 4 inner modules and put torpedo storage for a "rollbar" launcher on the top. It would have made a nice assault craft. They could also have had other versions or modifications they could have used for different missions.

[Knife]

I don't understand what's wrong with the design, so could someone fill me in on why its hated by this board.

I actualy rather like the design. The problem comes when (and this is rampant in trek) those in charge, choose vessels (and equipment, let's face it ) that are not up to or designed for the mission that they want to use it for.

Agreed. We should have seen a combat version of the Runabout in which they stripped the 4 inner modules and put torpedo storage for a "rollbar" launcher on the top. It would have made a nice assault craft. They could also have had other versions or modifications they could have used for different missions.

No, if they wanted a combat craft then they should have designed a combat craft. A group of lost Fed's in the Delta Quadrant did it, why can't the Fed's in the Alpha Quadrant.

The Runabout is just that, and runabout. It is a space version of a SUV, putting weapons and stuff on it won't make it a combat craft anymore than a T&E and a M2 mount on my Blazer will make it a LAV.

I still like the general design though, just use it as a runabout.

[Alyeska]

I actualy rather like the design. The problem comes when (and this is rampant in trek) those in charge, choose vessels (and equipment, let's face it ) that are not up to or designed for the mission that they want to use it for.

Agreed. We should have seen a combat version of the Runabout in which they stripped the 4 inner modules and put torpedo storage for a "rollbar" launcher on the top. It would have made a nice assault craft. They could also have had other versions or modifications they could have used for different missions.

No, if they wanted a combat craft then they should have designed a combat craft. A group of lost Fed's in the Delta Quadrant did it, why can't the Fed's in the Alpha Quadrant.

The Runabout is just that, and runabout. It is a space version of a SUV, putting weapons and stuff on it won't make it a combat craft anymore than a T&E and a M2 mount on my Blazer will make it a LAV.

I still like the general design though, just use it as a runabout.

Well the idea is to give it multi mission features making it more valuable for certain assets. When it comes to combat space combat against either strike craft or capital ships the Venture beats the Runabout.

And as to the DF. Its decent for what it is, but its not THAT powerful. It can't fire full sized torpedoes like the Venture can, though it does have some nice phaser arrays on it making it somewhat deadly at every angle.

[BenRG]

When I was plotting out a Star Trek fanfic a looong time ago, I came up with an idea on improving the runabouts. This is just a silly idea, and if I've missed something, please tell me.

Firstly, replace the passenger/crew cabin pod and replace it with a rotary weapons bay for up to 12 standard-sized torpedo-sized weapons (PhoTorps, QTorps and GravMines) and extra shield generators. Secondly (and I think this is what happens anyway), remove the long-range sensor kit from its' normal place under the nose and put it in the rollbar. This would increase the volume available for the mini-torp magazine. Then, modify the phaser emitters so that so that they have a dual mode pulse/beam effect.

Finally, and this is my personal little creation, add a device over the impulse engine vents that siphons deuterium into the exhaust. I'm not sure about the physics, but given what usually happens when deuterium leaks into space in 'Trek', I would assume that this would be a crude form of reheat/afterburner.

Now, on topic. The Runabout is, IMHO, the spiritual descendent of the Eagle-class utility vehicle in "Space: 1999". It is a 'go anywhere do anything' ship. It can probably work as a long-range shuttle, a cargo transport, a ground vehicle insertion carrier (a bit like the modified troopships that dropped the Republic proto-AT-ATs in Episode II), or even something exotic like a tanker. The modification above is my conception of a Federation 'motor torpedo boat'.

[Alyeska]

When I was plotting out a Star Trek fanfic a looong time ago, I came up with an idea on improving the runabouts. This is just a silly idea, and if I've missed something, please tell me.

Firstly, replace the passenger/crew cabin pod and replace it with a rotary weapons bay for up to 12 standard-sized torpedo-sized weapons (PhoTorps, QTorps and GravMines) and extra shield generators. Secondly (and I think this is what happens anyway), remove the long-range sensor kit from its' normal place under the nose and put it in the rollbar. This would increase the volume available for the mini-torp magazine. Then, modify the phaser emitters so that so that they have a dual mode pulse/beam effect.

Finally, and this is my personal little creation, add a device over the impulse engine vents that siphons deuterium into the exhaust. I'm not sure about the physics, but given what usually happens when deuterium leaks into space in 'Trek', I would assume that this would be a crude form of reheat/afterburner.

Now, on topic. The Runabout is, IMHO, the spiritual descendent of the Eagle-class utility vehicle in "Space: 1999". It is a 'go anywhere do anything' ship. It can probably work as a long-range shuttle, a cargo transport, a ground vehicle insertion carrier (a bit like the modified troopships that dropped the Republic proto-AT-ATs in Episode II), or even something exotic like a tanker. The modification above is my conception of a Federation 'motor torpedo boat'.

They don't even have to remove the rear section of the Runabout to do that. It has the 4 mission pods in the center that can be removed and you just install new mission pods with each pod carrying 3 or more torpedoes. Normally these mission pods hold cargo, bunks, or even the sonic showers. But the rear section is important for its food replicator and as room for the crew to sleep if they are moving a long distance. You could even have a crew of 8 with them rotating shifts.

As for bathrooms... They even used shuttles for VERY long flights yet I had not seen any room for a bathroom... It makes me wonder if they use transporters for that or something.