USS Khai Tam (fictitious vessel)

The USS Khai Tam is a fictitious vessel representing the Tallahassee, Florida chapter of Starfleet: The International Star Trek Fan Association, of the same name.

The Qapla' Project

When a fledgling chapter of Starfleet (known as a "shuttle") completes its requirements to become a full chapter (then known as a "ship"), its members must choose a ship class. For example, Kirk's Enterprise from the original Star Trek series was a Consitution-class ship while Picard's (Star Trek: The Next Generation) was a Galaxy-class, but the members of the Khai Tam didn't want to go with either those or any other established ships in the Star Trek universe.

Qapla' Project Logo

On the Khai Tam, as on many Starfleet ships, members adopted personas that they felt fit their personalities. Many members, nearly half in fact, had adopted a Klingon persona. There was much debate over whether they shouldn't just choose a Klingon class of ship.

During this point in time, Star Trek: The Next Generation was in its first run and the Klingons and Federation were at peace. The members reasoned that if the two races were no longer at war, then there would certainly be a sharing of technology between the two sides. It was finally agreed to design a new class of ship which would share Klingon and Federation technologies.

The concept was so outlandish that Starfleet's Department of Technical Services (DTS), which must approve a chapter's choice of class and assign it an NCC number, at first denied the request to be a Qapla'-class vessel (the name "Qapla'" means success in the Klingon language). It wasn't until a more fleshed-out set of specifications were submitted that they finally approved, but then only as an "Experimental Class," hence the NCC number assigned was a multiple of 1000 (the Excelsior in Star Trek III was an Experimental Class, NX-2000).

And that's where the Qapla'-class stayed for over a year: begrudgingly approved by Starfleet, but restricted for any other chapter to choose -- destined to be the first, and last, of her line. That is, until the Fall of 1993.

The second-class status which the Qapla'-class held with Starfleet had been gnawing at the Khai Tam Engineering department's pride for over a year, and they were determined to rectify the situation. DTS had claimed that the design was "not plausible" and "would never fly" -- and they knew that the only way to convince them otherwise was to fully document the "Treknology" behind the design. And that's what they set out to do.

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