The Constitution-class Heavy Cruiser
The Miranda-class Heavy Frigate
The Oberth-class Science Vessel/Surveyor
The Constellation class, which I believe commonly described as some sort of Explorer.
The Excelsior-class Heavy Cruiser/Battleship
The Soyuz-class Attack Frigate
Where in canon was it ever stated or seen that these were the designations for these ships? (other than the Heavy Cruiser designation for the Constitution class)
Okay, so I sort of went with Shipschematics.net designations for all of the above, which while not stated on-screen, seems to be pretty accurate speculation for the purposes that they seemed to have been designed for, except for maybe the Soyuz. It's hard to tell if those long things are actually weapons or sensor equipment, in which case the Soyuz could be a Reconnaissance/Surveillance or Science Frigate.
I'd have to say that the Soyuz is one of those iffy designs.
But the Miranda class is not only commonly called some sort of Frigate in non-canon, but when used in battle in the TNG-era battles, it seems to be used as some sort of support ship: some sort of Destroyer or Frigate. Frigate has been used most of the time. Another Fanon designation is Light Cruiser, which the Miranda might've been considered when state-of-the-art.
The Oberth has almost always been used for science missions, and has no apparent weapons like most any other canon Starfleet starship classes at the time. It isn't a major stretch to assume that they are Science Vessels.
The Constellation class, listed as a Galaxy Exploration (which I interpret as a Light or Medium Galaxy Exploration Cruiser) has never been shown in any major battles, even though her weapons layout is decent (at least 6 twin phaser banks and 4 torpedo launchers). Her type designation is mostly speculation, as we don't have much in canon to go by. It is commonly speculated that her four nacelles must mean that she and her descendent: the Cheyenne class, are specialized for something. True, there is no canon class designation for the Constellation class, so I just go with non-canon designations, until such time that a canon designation does come up.
It isn't much stretch of the imagination to list the Excelsior class as either a Heavy Cruiser, due to eventually becoming a successful replacement for the Constitution class, or a Battleship, due to her heavy armament and larger size, as well as being listed as such in FASA, though I don't remember if FASA still had an official license at the time, so that designation is somewhat iffy.
Until official designations are mentioned or shown on-screen, I'll just continue to refer to those starship classes as such, because I think that they are good enough, and it is the franchises own fault for not coming up with their own designations.
QUOTE]Ditto for the Saladin-class Destroyer and Hermes sub-class Scout, the schematics of which were definitely displayed on screen (or at least one of them).
I think that the same thing also goes for the Ptolemy-class Transport/Tug.
The schematics for the Saladin, Hermes and Ptolemy classes from FJ's Tech Manual were used as background displays; however there was no sight or mention of their class names or types.
Does there really need to be a sight or mention of the names to make those canon too? Can't we just stretch things a bit? I already have, and until Paramount says that they definitely aren't canon, or call them something else, then that is what I'll consider them to be.
Franz Joseph's designs were published under licensed, and mentioned, shown, or otherwise hinted on screen or in dialogue, and that should be good enough to make them canon, and fill in Starfleet's ranks rather nicely.
I believe that FASA's Larson and Loknar class were also published under license, but I get the feeling you don't want me to go there.
