By Michael J Dentzer

THE ARENA:

The year 2104. The asteroid belt colonies have declared independence from Earth, who's world government refuses to relinquish control over them. The belt colonies begin pirate raids on Earth/Jupiter/Saturn system freight convoys to force Earth Gov to negotiate as well as to gain much needed resources that Earth has been withholding to force belt compliance. Earth responds by building warships to escort and defend the convoys. The largest and most powerful ships launched are the Leviathan class Battleships, such as the U. E. S. (United Earth Ship) Typhon.

THE SHIP:

Named for the Greek god of whirlwinds and destructive storms, the Typhon and 5 sister ships also have the task of hunting down rebel belt forces who have built bases hidden deep within asteroids. To accomplish this, the Leviathan class is armed with the most powerful weapon yet devised - the anti-matter bomb. This large single missile is capable of vaporizing any asteroid in the system, (or laying waste to planet sized bodies). Also armed with a cluster of six 400 megaton nuclear missiles, forward and side mounted tactical nuclear missile launchers, and point defensive missile launchers deploying conventional explosive charges, two on forward turrets, two on the midsection (port /starboard) and one rear mounted. This class also carries an array of high-powered energy weapons for both offensive and defensive purposes. Two 5 terrawatt proton cannons turret-mounted fore and aft provide the primary punch, and are supplemented by 3 twin laser turrets, two flanking the forward proton cannon and one mounted bottom aft, each of 500 megawatt power capacity. Also for point defense are six turreted pulse lasers, 4 on the midsection (2 port, 2 starboard) and two aft just forward the rear proton cannon. The ship also carries a squadron of 6 Cobra attack craft.

THE MODEL:

Basically an assemblage of parts and bits from the parts box, and a few scratch-built sections. The main assembly went together over a weekend, and detailing added here and there over subsequent weeks. I used some photoetched brass for the antennae array and fuel tank connecting girders. All the guns are from Star Wars (AT-AT & AT-ST) micromachines, as is the nose-mounted anti-matter bomb. Paint job of various grays, white, and steel. The model measures 18 3/4"in length.

Image: Underneath

Image: Top

Image: Center section

Image: Center section, perspective view

Image: Rear perspective