At the center of the dramatic conflict that encapsulated the premiere season of the newest spin-off from the Final Frontier, Eaglemoss Collections releases the “Special Issue” part of its line of Star Trek Discovery Starships Collection
Unmatched in size and scope and now part of the continuing line of releases from Eaglemoss Collections the Klingon Sarcophagus Ship part of the Star Trek Discovery Official Starships Collection is appropriately the first “Special Issue” in the line of high quality models offered to avid fans. Intricately detailed and measuring 12” in length from stem to stern, the model is an impressive reflection of the warrior races might and dedication to tradition, and gives collectors an unparalleled glimpse into the vessel at the center of the first season of the hit show’s conflict.
Appearing to be centuries old, the Klingon vessel also known as “The Ship of the Dead” represented one of the mightiest houses within the Klingon Empire. Restored to its greatest by T’Kuvma, the enormous ship remained hidden from prying eyes as the self-styled leader of the reunification moment worked to bring the warring houses of the Klingon Empire together against what he perceived was their common enemy: Starfleet and the Federation. T’Kuvma fashioned the ship, which measured 2,550 meters in length, with cloaking technology, and honored its dead by attaching their tombs onto its hull as a ceremonious form or armor.
In the year 2256, the vessel would play a significant role in the Battle of the Binary Stars, when it encountered the Starfleet exploratory ship the USS Shenzou and served as the focal battle of a melee between the two enemy fleets that would result in the Klingon/Federation War of the 23rd Century. Although formidable, the Shenzou’s captain and first officer Michael Burnham (portrayed by Sonequa Martin-Green) bypassed the Sarcophagus Ship’s defenses, boarded the ship and engaged the Klingons, including T’Kuvma in hand-to-hand combat. There were many casualties in the battle and the vessel was eventually destroyed by the USS Discovery.
Ship Design
Keeping with the uniquely organic look established for the warrior race for the new Star Trek spin-off, the Klingon Sarcophagus Ship exhibits many of the traditional design specifications associated with the Federation’s longstanding enemies. Determined to enhance audience expectations, the ship’s designer Sam Michlap wanted this particular vessel to reflect the spiritual side of the alien race, as well as inspire awe. The ship was described as being “centuries old” so Michlap capitalized on the Klingon’s culture and spirituality to exploit a design unlike anything ever seen, which was far more refined, artistic and tribal.
The Klingon Ship that kicked off the events leading into the long theorized Klingon/Federation War of the 23rd Century is both beautiful and deadly in its appearance, awe-inspiring and frightening.
In the 16-page magazine accompanying the model from Eaglemoss, the designer contextualizes his approach. “From a design point of view they wanted to start with gothic architecture and the Middle Ages,” Michlap explains. “This was going to be as sculptural and tribal and as primary, as primitive and earthly as possible.” The designer explored and presented various silhouettes, before the production team settled on the final design, which still had plenty of references to the familiar “bird of prey” feel that has become long associated with the Klingons. The surface texture of the ship would become the biggest departure as he drew inspiration from Islamic architecture.
Working from the outside and then fashioning the interior sets, Michlap’s design gives the impression that the Klingon Sarcophagus Ship could have been crafted from stone or even bone, with stained glass window fixtures, giving it a formidable and still elegant, predatory appearance — a space-faring cathedral, both defiantly beautiful and deadly. The ship at the center of the Star Trek Discovery reintroduction of the Klingons, successfully altered fan expectation of the warrior race and broadened understanding of these characters that have long played a significant role in Star Trek continuity and lore.
Eaglemoss Collections | KLINGON SARCOPHAGUS SHIP Star Trek Discovery The Official Starships Collection is a “Special Issue” release and available through the Eaglemoss website here.