THIS IS AN OLDER, RATHER DATED FANSHIP DESIGN I PUT TOGETHER BACK IN 1992, for a campaign with my highschool best friend, Kris Long.  Given the developments in the Star Trek universe since 1992, much of the backstory I wrote for this class seems a little silly.  Obviously I was trying to make the V-33 fit into the FASA conception of the Star Trek universe, and one wonders how there could continue to be Romulan incursions into Federation territory when an early TNG episode makes it clear that the Romulans break off contact with the Federation not long after the events of Star Trek VI.  Still, I put a lot of work into this design back in '92 and after debating at length whether to include this class in the OLD&A, I said to myself, what the Hell.  I've also added a Type 3, Type 4, and Type 5 so as to give this ship some longevity and fighting power against more modern ships.  As this class is a contemporary of the Excelsior, I wanted it to have a useful lifespan about as long as that class, with similar battle numbers.  Art-wise, this was one of the last fanships I ever drew by hand, borrowing much from the bird aesthetic which typified both FASA and canon Romulan design.

     — BRT

FANSHIP DESIGN & STATS: Brad R. Torgersen, 1992
V-33 'Thunder Bird' Class XI Cruiser
Known sphere of operation: Empire wide use, especially the Triangle and Romulan/Federation Neutral Zone.
Data Reliability: C 
Major Data source: Romulan Sector Intelligence
     The V-33 is a design that integrates features from both the V-7 and the V-30 type ships, but it outstrips both cruisers in terms of speed and weaponry.  It was introduced around Stardate 2/2200 in response to the rising performance of many Federation and Klingon ships, and also as a natural continuation of the Romulan design teams' desire for bigger and better warships.
     There are currently two types of this ship.  The first type utilizes six disruptors, covering all firing arcs, and an impressive six photon torpedo bays that cover the forward, port, and starboard arcs. Though the photon torpedo is relatively new to the Romulan Star Nvy, and also under-powered when compared to the Klingon and Federation torpedoes, they are rapidly gaining popularity among crew, officers, and designers.  The V-33 type 1 mounts four of its six torpedoes forward, and can deliver massive blows with this missile-boat style configuration.  In fact, the torpedoes were designed specifically as the V-33's primary offensive and defensive weapon system; the small number of disruptors being secondary in their role aboard this craft.
     Type 2 replaces the powerful and popular torpedoes with more traditional Plasma-type weapons.  The change in striking power is almost nonexistent and whether or not the torpedo armed ships or plasma armed ships are superior to each other, has come down to individual commanding officer preference.  The Type 2 does offer a little more strength in the superstructure, but this has been overlooked by the many Romulan commanders who favor the original torpedo-armed V-33s.
     The V-33s have seen extensive use—along with their V-27 and V-30 brethren—across the Neutral Zone, and in the Triangle, especially since the formation of the Grand Alliance between the Federation and the Klingon Empire.  The problem of renegade Klingons escaping their new government has kept most V-33s busy.  However, the Romulans have also found time to exercise the V-33s in offensive roles as well.  Many V-33s have been involved in strike missions against Gorn space, and into Federation territory when the circumstances have been right.  Both Gorn and Federation ships each found the V-33 to be a formidable and deadly opponent, even against the largest craft like the Constitution (refit) class cruiser, Excelsior class battleship, and the Gorn BH-2B battleship.  At the same time, Romulan crews have been overjoyed with the performance of the V-33 under battle conditions, and during exploration cruises.  Positions aboard these ships are much sought after by new members of the Imperial Star Navy.
     The V-33 also has a Cloaking Device which increases its abilities during covert operations.
     Aesthetically, the V-33 follows in the familiar Romulan design tradition of great birds. The wings are large and forward swept, with feathers etched into the hull plating to emphasize the avian motif. The main body is oblong in shape, yet not very rotund.  A "tail" is mounted at the rear of the main hull, also with etched feathers on its plating, but the purpose of this structure is not very clear.  Some in Starfleet speculate it is merely for decorative purposes, yet others say it may house cargo or recreation quarters. Close scans have revealed that the tail may simply be an armored cowling to protect the vulnerable impulse decks.  Whatever the reasons, the tail goes a long way towards putting across the image of the bird.
     The final and most crucial part of the ship—the command section—is mounted forward in the "head". This "head" can detach and maneuver on thrusters if an emergency separation is deemed necessary to save crew and officers.  And one of the most popular features among the V-33 crews happens to be one of the ship's most visible aspects.  High on the "head" of the ship, a mammoth wraparound "eye" structure can be seen.  This "eye" is actually a gargantuan, meters-thick, single-piece construction of transparent aluminum that is two to three decks high at its largest point. This huge viewport is located directly on the bridge, and serves as a forward bulkhead for command officers' quarters, as well as the officers' and crew lounge.  It serves as both a pleasing window on the universe, and as a tactical aide that offers can instantly visually access in nearly every direction.  The bridge does have a main viewscreen which can be deployed from a recessed position in the bridge deck, but during most exploration and peacetime duties the viewer is collapsed and turned off—commanders preferring a clear view of space.
     The crew accommodations and other facilities are purposely roomy and plush, so as to eliminate crew and officer fatigue and stress on long missions of deep space exploration.
     All in all, the V-33 is both popular and well accepted among the Romulan fleet, and also feared and respected by other navies abroad.
     V-33s have been known to operate alone, in pairs, and even trios when missions require such force.  And they also serve in standard capitol roles alongside destroyers and escorts.
     Of the 50 ships built thus far, one has been destroyed and one scrapped due to battle damage in the Triangle.  All others remain in service, and an estimated one hundred and thirty more of these impressive cruisers are slated for construction in the next quarter century.
     The class is named from a large, omnivorous, bird-like creature native to Remus (and that has also been adapted to many Romulan colony worlds).  Its Romulan name is generally unpronounceable to most non-Romulans, but when translated, it literally means "bird of thunder". This name was given to the large creature because of its fondness for rain and electrical storms, and its many sightings at all major meteorological events on Remus. (Very similar to the patterns and behavior of the kalabam, or "bird of storms", another avian creature of Remus with a liking for storms, which gave its name to the V-11.)