Star Trek: 10 Design Secrets Behind Iconic Ships

If you’re a Trek fan who thought that the Bird-of-Prey looked more than a little Romulan, you’re absolutely right.

Originally the antagonists for Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, where the Pird-of-Prey makes its debut, were intended to be Romulan. As the script evolved they were replaced by Klingons, but the spacecraft’s avian name and the feather-design beneath its wings remained.

That predatory theme extended into the ship’s exterior design. Director Leonard Nimoy wanted a ship that appeared swooping and frightening, much like an actual Bird-of-prey. It was also Nimoy who suggested that the ship should feature an extended ‘neck,’ again intended to resemble a raptor attacking prey.

The final look of the ship, however, came from odd inspiration. To assist him, designer Nilo Rodis handed prototype modeller Bill George a sketch of a muscleman. Though surprised by this choice of guideline, George was nevertheless inspired. The muscleman’s well-developed trapezius muscles influenced the vents on the aft hull, while his down-turned arms gave the Bird-of-Prey its signature aggressive posture in attack mode. George also thought that the muscleman resembled an American Football player, modelling the craft’s distinctive twin dorsal bulks on shoulder pads.

It proved a dramatic and influential design, inspiring both the de facto Klingon green, and years later, the design of the Starfleet Akira-class.