![]() Later upgradesĪ new model of the D7, called the IKS Gr’oth, was built by Greg Jein in 1996 for the Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode “Trials and Tribble-ations.” While referenced, but not seen, in the original version of the episode, the model features an amalgam of detail from both The Original Series model and the K’t’inga. Probert’s conceptualization of what lurked beneath the battle cruiser’s distinctive primary hull helped define the Klingon style for the rest of the Star Trek franchise. “Doug wanted something like the interior of a Japanese submarine,” Probert recalled “he wanted a bridge suspended between big shock-absorbing supports, with mechanically operating stations for the crewmen.” As Trumbull put it, the interior of the battle cruiser had to look like “an enemy submarine in World War II that’s been out at sea for too long.” Concept by Andrew Probert When Douglas Trumbull took over special effects on The Motion Picture, Probert was asked to contribute to the design of the Klingon cruiser’s bridge. Later it was decided the Klingons were to be the aggressors, attacking V’Ger as it moved through Klingon territory on its way to Earth. Initially the scene would have featured V’Ger bursting from the blackness of space, attacking the Klingons without any apparent provocation. These storyboards were published shortly before the release of The Motion Picture, when little was known about the plot. The Enterprise is smooth, monochromatic and cool while the Klingon ship is adorned, ostentatious and warm. It looks very regular and contrasts nicely with the Enterprise when they’re seen flying together. We added these golden etched brass epaulets, based on some of the helmet designs we’d seen. “It was one of the few models we could alter to look new for this show,” George told Cinefantastique 22.Īfter we did some research into military costuming, we came up with the concept that when these ships return victorious from battle, the Klingons build some sort of epaulet onto their wings. The model was updated again for Star Trek VI, when William George and Mark Moore of ILM added epaulets to the top of the hull. The Motion Picture model The Motion Picture publicity photo ( Trekcore) Star Trek VI miniature (John Eaves) ![]() It was a revision of the old Klingon symbol. Ron painted a giant Klingon symbol on the underbelly of the ship. I had an idea that was carried out beautifully by Ron Gress. I’ve always liked the idea of a black spaceship - which would have been impractical for this movie so we came up with a dark military green. “We attempted to stay as close to the TV series version as possible,” Andrew Probert recalled in an interview with Starlog 32 (March 1980, My Star Trek Scrapbook has the full interview), “but after running some camera tests we discovered that an additional level of detail was needed for widescreen photography.” More detail was added to the surface, so it looked more credible on the silver screen. The Star Trek: The Motion Picture upgrade, called the K’t’inga, was built by Magicam and measured 6 feet in length. “I’m assuming it’s still there,” Jefferies said, “along with the Enterprise.” Concept art by Matt Jefferies Movie upgrades The original model for what was called the D7 was given to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. It was then sent to American Model Toy Corporation, “and they returned a master tooling model which we used in the show.” The ship’s design was perfected by a sketch dated November 20, 1967. So I modeled it on a manta ray, both shape and color, and that’s why it looks as it does in The Original Series. It had to look threatening, even vicious. There had to be no way it could be mistaken for our guys. Since the Klingons were the enemy, I had to design a ship that would be instantly recognizable as an enemy ship, especially for a flash cut. ![]() “There was just too much going on at the studio from morning till night.” Jefferies told Herb and Yvonne Fern Solow for Star Trek Sketchbook that he designed the Klingon ship at home. It was updated for The Motion Picture, when it became the K’t’inga. Matt Jefferies designed the Klingon battle cruiser for the episode “Elaan of Troyius”, although it first appeared on screen as a Romulan battle cruiser in “The Enterprise Incident”. Matt Jefferies with the Klingon battle cruiser model
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