Work Bee Systems & Equipment

[Bill Morris]

I've gathered up what info and images I could find for this on the Web, including Andy Probert's painting on EAS. There's still much to be done on the image.

There's also a leg-level monitor forward of the underside viewport I haven't drawn in or labeled yet.

 

[GodThingFormerly]

I think you misjudged the scale (bottom two images), and the presence of thigh and foot restraints for the Work Bee operator suggests - at least to me - that it may be a mistake to ascribe an artificial gravity system to this particular class of dockyard vehicle.

TGT

 

[Bill Morris]

I think you're right. And the length of 3.2 meters suggested on Ex Astris Scientia, must be wrong, too. How about like this but still keeping the operator in an environmental suit?

 

[Crazy Eddie]

More to the point: what does a glorified space pod need with artificial gravity in the first place? You might as well install a gravity generator in the foot pads of a space suit.

 

[GodThingFormerly]

How about like this but still keeping the operator in an environmental suit?

I'm rather certain that Probert specifically intended the craft to provide its occupant with a shirtsleeve environment.

TGT

 

[Bill Morris]

How about like this but still keeping the operator in an environmental suit?

I'm rather certain that Probert specifically intended the craft to provide its occupant with a shirtsleeve environment.

TGT

Oh, that's a really great reference, very helpful. Thanks!

 

[JNG]

DS9 TM suggests it has artificial gravity but that it is often turned off by operators to minimize disorientation.

The size at EAS is, I believe, chosen as a compromise between the large size given in that book and the small size from the blueprints that came out around the time of TMP.

There is a matte painting where I feel like they look a little bit bigger than in the blueprints, but not as big as in DS9 TM. So it's really a take it or leave it thing. I do think to err on the side of making it bigger is permissible when we remember that the thing is not only designed for the use of humans. Maybe those giant Betelgeusean guys want to ride in 'em also.

ALSO STARFLEET REALIZED THEY SHOULD ADD TYPE-XIV PHASERS TO ALL WORK BEES BECAUSE OF THE DOMINION AND BORG

 

[FalTorPan]

It's as large as Probert designed it to be.

 

[B.J.]

Actually, EAS (Bernd) got his measurement from me. I, with help from the other Flare guys, did a bit of an analysis of the length in the thread here:
http://flare.solareclipse.net/ultimatebb.php/topic/6/2582.html
I came up with a 3.0 meter length based mostly on the original TMP blueprints as well as Probert's painting. I think Bernd took it up to 3.2 just to give a little more elbow room.

 

[Johnnymuffintop]

I've been throwing around the idea of making a Workbee styled car. Just a little one seater, kinda like the Sparrow: http://www.jdlh.palo-alto.ca.us/pr/sparrow_for_sale2005/thumbnails/HPIM0619med.gif

 

[Mysterion]

I've been throwing around the idea of making a Workbee styled car. Just a little one seater, kinda like the Sparrow: http://www.jdlh.palo-alto.ca.us/pr/sparrow_for_sale2005/thumbnails/HPIM0619med.gif

Take a look at one of those Smart cars. almost the right shape as-is.

 

[Bill Morris]

The two links TGT posted are a big help. I'll adjust the seat and operator like that.

I think the grav generators should stay, after Worf and others have complained about zero-g. If an operator doesn't want to use them, they can be turned off.

 

[Lieut. Arex]

How about like this but still keeping the operator in an environmental suit?

I'm rather certain that Probert specifically intended the craft to provide its occupant with a shirtsleeve environment.

TGT

And in case of a environmental systems failure, the pilot can wear a good ol' life support belt as a life jacket of sorts. Far less bulky and more comfortable than a full pressure suit, the LSB is the best option for the pilot's survival in the short time it should take to effect a rescue.

 

[Bill Morris]

How about shirtsleeve operation but with an EV suit stowed close at hand for emergencies or as required occasionally by the task at hand to correct some problem?

 

[Lieut. Arex]

The bee's so small, especially as originally designed, there's not room to stow a suit or put it on. And an EV suit would take some time, possibly a couple of minutes, to put on. In an emergency, the LSB's on at the push of a button. For a short, unexpected EVA, it should suffice. For a planned one, the pilot would start with a suit on. In that case, you'd probably take the forward window/hatch off as well.

Considering that in TMP, clothes are supposed to be beamed on and off, it's possible there could be an emergency EV suit stored in a single-use clothes transporter, solving the whole problem.

 

[Bill Morris]

Okay. Not drawing it in is easy.

 

[GodThingFormerly]

I think the grav generators should stay, after Worf and others have complained about zero-g. If an operator doesn't want to use them, they can be turned off.

According to this page of a Probert interview from Starlog (March, 1980), the Work Bee was designed without artificial gravity for its TMP-era incarnation. The DS9-era is, of course, absolutely none of my concern.

TGT

 

[Johnnymuffintop]

Hmm... a Scion Xa reworked to resemble a Workbee, that be sweet.

 

[Bill Morris]

Here it is with some corrections roughed out. Much do and fix yet, I guess. And okay, I can lose the gravity generators, although it might not be good for labor relations.

 

[Bill Morris]

Now, what are these two rolls of coins on the underside??