The U.S.S. Upland is a Sioux class ship, a further developed result of its predecessor, the Saladin class scout vessel. The prototype which the class was named for was the U.S.S. Sioux, NCC-523. Even if it was a new ship class for the fleet and the Sioux was the prototype, the U.S.S. Sioux kept it's low registry-number. The newly commisioned ships of this class got new numbers or numbers that where not in use, like numbers from lost ships. The U.S.S. Sioux and the U.S.S. Upland were the first of this "new" class, which were put into service. Overall these ships served in the fleet for over 60 years and only three were destroyed. In the early 2340's decomission of the remaining 7 vessels began and until 2345 none of these ships were still in service.

One or two years ago, I added some mods to my computer game Starfleet Command. One of those mods was an upgraded 3D model of the Saladin-Class, which had already the design-additions of the refit Constitution-Class. It also had 2 warpnacelles directly attached to the neck and to each other. I like the Saladin and the other TOS-designs of course they never appeared on screen. So, this was an upgradet Saladin from the movie-era. I don't no why, but I loved the design, and so I decided to make my own.

I kitbashed this beauty as it's easy to see from an AMT/ERTL Enterprise-A kit which I purchased over ebay here in Germany.

I cut the pylons for the warp nacelles to fit in the neck and to outstand over the edge where the neck normaly fits in the secondary hull. The pylons are glued to the outstanding areas of the pylonsparts in the neck. I decided to put some mini-bulbs in this kit, which I had left from a blown-up "Enterprise Incident Fiber Optics Kit". So I put the wiring and the bulbs in the saucer and ran the cables through the neck between the two warpnacelles to the outside. Even if there are the pylonparts to which the nacelles are glued to, there is still enough place for the wires to put them carefully through.

I decided to add the model to a wooden plaque with wooden rods to hold the saucer. Then I created an "development plaque", which I printed on a HP Deskjet printer. I cut it in place and set it in a wooden pictureframe with glass in front of which I attached to the display with a brass rod. I think it looks nice. I had a small communicator pin left which I pressed in the display to the side of the model to make it look more interesting. I drilled a hole for the wires to put them through - when the ship is sitting correctly on the stand, you don't see anything - not the hole nor the cables.

I had an old power source for a wireless headphone left, which I use for my model now. I bought a switch which I integrated in the wiring, so that I can easily switch it on and off. The decals I used on this model are some from the original kit and some selfmade name- and registry-decals. The decal foil I had therefore is not realy usefull for modells and too thick. But on a white model it is okay - perhaps I will peel them of and order some new extra-decals for this ship in the near future. The name "U.S.S. Welles" is a greeting to my dear friend April Welles. She's often of help - I want to thank her therefore.

Image: Side view

Image: Lit saucer

Image: Lit ventral

Image: Lit dorsal

Image: Another lit view

Image: Side views

Image: In Company with the Enterprise

Image: Base emblem