As the new, powerful Constellation class starships were becoming more common, the old Daedalus class ships were given the more mundane guard missions. The USS Robinson (NCC-174) was reassigned to the MACO unit as a Quick Reaction Vessel. The MACOs refitted their new vessel with upgraded sensor suites, an upgraded navigation deflector, and thickened nacelle pylons (to prevent nacelle shearing in combat), then rechristened it the USS Tripoli (NCC-174) in honor of their old Marine traditions. Later, two one-man fighters were assigned for armed shuttle escorts for any type of planetary assaults. The Tripoli served with distinction until the MACOs were finally absorbed by Starfleet.

This was my first completely scratchbuilt model. I wanted to fill the gap I had between my NX-01 and the TOS Enterprise, but couldn't find a Daedalus that was economically friendly. The primary hull is a simple 4" styrofoam ball from Hobby Lobby, covered in plaster and sanded smooth. The Warp Nacelles are wooden dowels cut to length with wooden bowls and push-pins for the tips. The engineering hull is a paper-towel roll covered with sheet styrene. The sensor suite was made from 2 halves of the Polar Lights Enterprise nacelles with various antennas and other extras glues on. The whole thing was shot with primer gray and sealed with Future.

Image: Bow on

Image: Aft starboard quarter high

Image: Aft port quarter low

Image: Dorsal view