10 Times Star Trek Reused Ships And Hoped You Wouldn’t Notice

The Groumall freighter was one of John Eaves' first designs upon working for Star Trek. Being a Cardassian design, he took initial inspiration from Rick Sternbach's Galor class warships, beginning with a similar forward section. However, the producers weren't too keen on this idea - they wanted the freighter to have a more industrial look.

Eaves flipped the design, softening the 'wings' from the Galor class, and dipped them. The distinctive Cardassian fork was now at the front of the ship, with huge cargo boxes making up the bulk of the core. The bridge was moved to the back of the ship, taking inspiration from real-world oil tankers.

The studio model was then built, first appearing in the episode Return To Grace. It would return, repainted, in the Voyager episode Fair Trade. Later, Sons And Daughters saw it adapt a final time to become Klingon in nature. It was given another new paint job, with new warp engines added to the aft wings. The effects manager for the episode, David Stipes, wasn't too keen on the reuse, adapted as it was by Tony Meininger. He rationalised the use of the design as though the Klingons had captured these Cardassian freighters as trophies of war.