USS Khai Tam (fictitious vessel)

Template:Infobox Fictional Spacecraft The USS Khai Tam is a fictional starship in the Star Trek fandom universe.

History

Commissioned on July 15, 2374, Khai Tam was the first Federation starship of the Qapla'-class. Designed in response to the threat of the newly-discovered Borg threat, the initial order of four Qapla'-class ships, two to the Federation and two to the Klingons, was a hallmark of cooperation between the United Fedrations of Planets and the Klingon Empire.

In 2367, Starfleet was developing a new design to fight the Borg. Known as the Relentless Development project, the design was a massive heavy cruiser armed to the gunnels. At the same time, the Federation was in negotiations with the Kligons to work on a technology-sharing project in ship design. Learning of the Relentless project, the Klingons declared that the battle cruiser was the only current Starfleet project worthy of Klingon participation. After lengthy talks, the design project was re-started with Klingon paricipation and an amazing new battle cruiser was designed. When the Borg threat dimished , the Federation re-tooled their variants for more of a scientific mission, redsignating them as "Heavy Cruiser - Exploratory." The Klingons, of course, left their variants armed to the teeth.

Though the class-named IKV Qapla', a Klingon variant, was the first of the class to be launched, shake-out problems led to a delay in commissioning. This meant that the Federation-vairiant USS Khai Tam was the first of the class to be commissiioned. The other two initial orders were the IKV Targ and the USS Relentless.

Technology

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Subsequent developments

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Senior Officers

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Technical Manual

USS Khai Tam Technical Orientation Manual

The vessel (often referred to as "ship" or "starship") was envisioned and designed between the years of 1991 and 1994 by members of that chapter. In 1993, the members had the basic idea to write a technical manual for the Khai Tam as a way to "sell" the idea to STARFLEET to officially sanction this non-canon original design for a Trek-Universe starship. The problem was that no one had the time or resources to work on the project. In April of 1993, Kevin McNulty joined the Khai Tam and offered to help. A stay-at-home-dad at the time, McNulty had the time to work, coupled with writing and computer illustration experience. He, the Khai Tam's Chief Engineer, Colin Toenjes, and other club members began work on the book later that year.

First known concept art of the Qapla' class design, circa 1991, Jon Reddick

The 92-page USS Khai Tam Technical Orientation Manual was completed in six months. Being well satisified with their work, the ship thought that perhaps they may be able to sell it at Star Trek Conventions via established dealer channels. In early 1994, Kevin and Colin approached Mike Kott of Intergalactic Trading Company with a rough draft of the book. Not only was Kott interested in selling it, he offered to publish it! This was the crowning achievement of the design team, and a published, bound, and autographed copy was sent off to STARFLEET in June of 1994. Shortly thereafter, approval was given for other chapters to select the Qapla'-class starship for their own chapters.

Autographed copies of the book have been given to crew members, Trek stars, and Trek designer Michael Okuda. The book can still be purchased through Interglactic Trading and also through some auction and book sites. Googling the title produces several interesting links even to this day.

The game Khai Tam Clue was based largely on the designs in the book, using floor plans from the book for the game board.

Custom Model

A model of the Khai Tam was created in 19xx by then-member (now Captain) Richard Graham. Using art from the Khai Tam website and parts from several commercially available model sets, he produced a fairly faithful reproduction of what the ship's designers envisioned. The model travelled extensively with the club and was displayed with pride at many events. It was eventually auctioned at a ship fund raiser in 19XX where it was purchased by none other than long-time Khai Tam Captain, Jon Reddick.

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  Perspective

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  Top view

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  Bow view

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  Aft view

References

USS Khai Tam Technical Orientation Manual

External links

USS Khai Tam Club Site