Curiously, Star TrekThe Klingons and Romulans in the film have Bird of Prey starships. First seen in Star Trek: The Original Series season 1, episode 8, “Balance of Terror”, the T'Liss-class Romulan bird of prey is so named because of the predatory bird painted on its hull. Later, in Star Trek: The Original Series season 3, episode 2, “The Enterprise Incident”, a Romulan ship looks like the D7-class Klingon battlecruiser in Terms of Service season 3, episode 13, “Elaan of Troyius.” Rather than being a Romulan ship, the iconic D7 would become the basis for nearly every Klingon ship in existence. Star Trek show.
The name Bird of Prey that was originally given to Romulan ships became associated almost exclusively with Klingon ships later in the Star Trek timeline. With a saucer section and side nacelles, the T'Liss class looked more like a Starfleet ship than later Romulan ships. Star Trek: The Original Series production designer Matt Jeffries gave the Klingon D7 a distinctive shape that was easily interpreted as an enemy ship. Jeffries' manta ray-inspired design looked more like a real bird in flight than the Romulan shipbut that wasn't the only reason the Klingons kept the name Bird of Prey.
Why Klingons and Romulans Have Birds of Prey Starships in Star Trek
TOS's limited budget led to the development of stories for the Klingons and Romulans
Klingons and Romulans have Bird of Prey starships due to a behind-the-scenes decision during the production of Star Trek: The Original Series season 3, episode 2, “The Enterprise Incident.” The original Romulan Bird of Prey model from “Balance of Terror” was no longer available, but Terms of Service Season 3, episode 13, “Elaan of Troyius”, had already been produced, and using the Klingon D7 model was cheaper than designing another new Romulan ship. Star Trek The producers also hoped that displaying the Klingon D7 battlecruiser whenever possible would help recoup costs from model kit sales, so everyone won.
The exchange of ships between Romulans and Klingons in Star Trek: The Original Series' “The Business Incident” is explained with a single line of dialogue, in which Commander Spock (Leonard Nimoy) simply reports that the Romulans are now using Klingon-style ships. The in-universe reason for the behind-the-scenes solution had the added benefit of making the Star Trek more interconnected universe at a time when this was rare. This brief alliance created the later consequences that led to continued animosity between Klingons and Romulans, and explains why the Klingons have cloaking technology even after they stopped using the same starship designs.
Klingons kept the bird of prey and Star Trek: TNG Romulans have the Warbird
The Klingon bird of prey and the Romulan warbird are iconic Star Trek ships
Star TrekThe Klingons kept the Bird of Prey design after Star Trek: The Original Serieswhile the Romulans reinvented the Romulan Warbird to become one of the deadliest starships in the world. Star Trek. Originally, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock would feature a Romulan bird of prey commanded by Klingons. The script changed, but the name remained on the updated Klingon ship. THE Star Trek films made the Klingon Bird of Prey much more popularespecially after Admiral James T. Kirk (William Shatner) captured Kruge's (Christopher Lloyd) B'rel-class bird of prey in Star Trek III and took me back in time Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home.
|
Active years |
Crew Complement |
Length |
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
D7 Battlecruiser |
2250s to 2270s |
430 |
228 meters |
|
K't'inga-class battlecruiser |
2273–2375 |
800 |
350 meters |
|
B'rel class bird of prey |
23rd century |
12 to 40* |
60 to 139 meters* |
|
K'Vort-class bird of prey |
23rd century |
300 |
320 meters |
|
Class 5 Bird of Prey |
2380s |
6–12 |
*Exact B'rel class measurements vary with different sources.
Without the budgetary concerns that guided many choices in Star Trek: The Original Series, the Klingon and Romulan ships in Star Trek: The Next GenerationThe 24th century could be more distinct. The Class 5 Klingon Bird of Prey in TNG and most subsequent Klingon ship designs were variations on the iconic appearance. The Romulan Warbird was a sleek, stealthy update to the design shared with the Klingonswith a lowered nose and curved wings, not to mention an impressive array of weapons. With the development of the Warbird, the Romulans abandoned the Bird of Prey, leaving the name – and design – to Star TrekThey are Klingons.