'It was the dawn of the third age of mankind', in the middle of the twenty-third century. Humans are not alone.

Babylon 5 is the story of the last of the Babylon stations, the result of a project intended to find peaceful ways of resolving conflicts between the various races. Unlike most television series, Babylon 5 is a single story, completely planned out from day one with a beginning, middle, and end. Each episode is enjoyable on its own, but is also a piece of a larger whole, a chapter in a five year long novel for television. The setting of the show is affected by events in each episode -- the status quo isn't neatly restored at the end of the hour. Characters die, are reassigned, or are forever changed by their actions and those of the people around them.

Babylon 5 broke a lot of SF TV conventions, and not just because of the way all shows were interconnected in a 5 year arc. Humans and aliens were depicted in a more gritty, realistic way. Poverty, war, prejudice and disease haven't been eliminated - and beings of all races can be stupid, bigoted and greedy as well as altruistic and enlightened. The show also was one one of the few to pay close attention to the laws of physics as we know them - no swooping, Battle-of-Britain style dogfights here. Other, older races may have cracked the code on artificial gravity, but humans are still using spin and centripetal force to mimic it.

Images:
(Top) © PTEN 1996;
Bottom via TNT, © WB 1997

Starships and space-going craft are a big part of the show, and were just as different and ground-breaking in their own right. From the deadly elegance of the Minbari to the pure evil of the Shadows to the ugly functionality of the Earth Alliance, unique designs reflected the character of the races that operated them. This is probably best illustrated by the Earth Alliance Starfury fighter. A lot of thought went into the design, not only considering how to make it agile and powerful, but how to make it possible for real people to fly it.

The sections below are divided up by ship type and grouped by alliance. All renders are courtesy of 'Friends of the Alliance'; cockpit photographs are courtesy of Mark Dickson. These images may not be reproduced or redistributed/reposted by any means . so don't even ask.

Earth Alliance Hyperion: Craig Clark was kind enough to send us his detailed renders, based on the wireframe he built. [perspective] [five view]

IMAGES:
Image 1: Side view. (95 kb)
Image 2: Top View. (76 kb)
Image 3: Bottom View. (70 kb)
Image 4: Front View. (227 kb)
Image 5: Rear View. (87 kb)
Image 6: Hull texture (grey areas).
Image 7: Hull texture (blue areas).
Image 8: Solar panel texture map.
Image 9: Front oblique. (103 kb)
Image 10: Front oblique. (89 kb)
Image 11: Rear Oblique. (87 kb)
Image 12: Rear oblique (2). (93 kb)
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Babylon 5 Station. Babylon 5 is the last of the Babylon stations, and the only one to become operational. The Babylon Project was conceived shortly after the end of the disastrous Earth-Minbari War as a means to enable different races to work out their problems without resorting to violence. Something of an 'United Nations' in space, it's a meeting place for diplomats, a trading center and port of call, and a magnet for hustlers, entrepreneurs, wanderers . and the dispossessed.

The station itself is one of the hugest construction projects ever undertaken. It's fully 5 miles long and home to 250,000 beings. It is divided into separate, discrete sections that rotate at differing speeds to provide different gravities. Patterned physically after the work of scientist Gerard O'Neill, the absolute center of the station is hollow, with fields and hydroponic gardens along the 360-degree circular section. A transport tube runs along the long axis in the dead center. The inhabited areas are divided into 5 different 'sectors', each with a different function. The station is protected by an automated defense grid, comprised mainly of turreted energy weapons, and four squadrons of Starfury fighters.

IMAGES:
Image 1: Side view. (44 kb)
Image 2: Oblique View. (101 kb)
Image 3: Side View, with Minbari. (68 kb)

Babylon 4 Station. Unlike it's three immediate predecessors, Babylon 4 survived construction and became operational (though not for its original purpose). It mysteriously vanished, necessitating the construction of the smaller Babylon 5 - and reappeared two years after B5 went on-line. Its construction crew was rescued by Commader Sinclair shortly before it disappeared for good, yanked back in time more than a thousand years to become a base of operations in the previous great war against the Shadows.

Omega-class Destroyer - Originally the code name for the 'Advanced Tactical Destroyer' project, the class name reflected the prevailing opinion that, as Earth's ultimate ship design, this would be the last warship class Earth Force would ever need. The Omega class synthesized the best features of the previous Hyperion and Nova classes. They are also the first combat ships to provide simulated gravity, through the use of a rotating center section. Though this allows greater crew efficiency and mission duration, the design imposes it's own unique problems in combat.

Starfury Mk1. By the mid-twentythird century, the Mitchell-Hyundyne SA-23E Starfury forms the backbone of the Earth Alliance fighter strength. In service for more than a decade, the Starfury has proven itself in combat from one end of the galaxy to the other, from the Earth-Minbari War through the Shadow War and the liberation of Earth. These fighters are carried on all Earth Alliance capital ships, such as the Hyperion-, Nova, and Omega-classes, and are the primary defensive protection for space installations such as the Babylon 5 station.

IMAGES:
Image 1: Side view. (99 kb)
Image 2: Top View. (94 kb)
Image 3: Bottom View. (86 kb)
Image 4: Front View. (80 kb)
Image 5: Rear View. (103 kb)
Image 6: Underside iso view. (104 kb)
Image 7: Cockpit: Interior details. (130 kb)
Image 8: Cockpit: Port sSide, looking up and in. (167 kb)
Image 9: Cockpit: Front View, looking up. (130 kb)
Image 10: Cockpit: Port Side, canopy frame in place. (132 kb)

Image 11: Mark in the pilot's seat. Registration code antares ilok. Note that side panels are removable for filming. (147 kb)
Image 12: Engine detail, front. (58 kb)
Image 13: Engine detail, side. (62 kb)
Image 14: Engine detail, top. (122 kb)
Image 15: Close-up, front view (84 kb)
Image 16: Close-up, side view. (87 kb)
Image 17: Close-up, top details. (61 kb)
Image 18: Close-up, wing details. (22 kb)
Image 19: Canopy frame texture map. (25 kb)
Image 20: Engine detail map. (11 kb)

Image 21: Generic wing detail (34 kb)
Image 22: Ion suppression tine. (18 kb)
Image 23: Inner wing details. (64 kb)
Image 24: Engine exhaust detail. (19 kb)

Thunderbolt Mk2. The Thunderbolt is the newest fighter in the Earth Alliance arsenal, a replacement for the venerable Starfuries. Like it's predecessor, it's agile and heavily armed. Four engines mounted on the 'wings' provide power and maneuverability (through 16 thruster nozzles). Unlike the Starfury, it carries a crew of two in a more conventional fuselage. It is also capable of operating inside an atmosphere, though maneuverability is greatly reduced.

IMAGES:
Image 1: Side view. (45 kb)
Image 2: Top View. (87 kb)
Image 3: Bottom View. (84 kb)
Image 4: Front View. (31 kb)
Image 5: Rear View. (32 kb)
Image 6: Cockpit (starboard). (92 kb)
Image 7: Rear position. (83 kb)
Image 8: Front position. (82 kb)
Image 9: Rear position (port). (90 kb)
Image 10: Side view. (53 kb)

Image 11: Top View. (82 kb)
Image 12: Bottom View. (82 kb)
Image 13: Front View. (38 kb)
Image 14: Rear View. (39 kb)
Image 15: Close-up, 'Eagle' markings. (33 kb)
Image 16: Iso View: starboard side. (60 kb)
Image 17: Iso View: port side. (63 kb)
Image 18: Iso View: top left side. (96 kb)
Image 19: Iso View: bottom left side. (93 kb)
Image 20: Iso View: top left (rear). (119 kb)

Image 21: Iso View: bottom left (rear). (87 kb)
Image 22: Iso View: front underside. (66 kb)
Image 23: Iso View: front topside. (91 kb)
Image 24: Iso View: rear underside. (75 kb)

IMAGES:
Image 1: Side view. (29 kb)
Image 2: Top View. (51 kb)
Image 3: Bottom View. (55 kb)
Image 4: Front View. (38 kb)
Image 5: Rear View. (38 kb)
Image 6: Same view as thumbnail above, but at 800x600 pixels - perfect for a PC's wallpaper. (75 kb)

The Whitestar-class ships were a secret project initiated by the Minbari religious caste with an eye to the coming Shadow War. A meld of Vorlon and Minbari technology, they are heavily armed, armored and equipped for vessels of their comparatively small size - even including the capability to form their own jump points. The lead ship became operational in 2259, and saw extensive service in the opening salvos of the war, until lost with Captain Sheridan at Zha'ha'dum later that year. By that time, however, hundreds of Whitestars were in service, forming the backbone of the Army of Light's armada, a role they would continue to play during the beginning of the Interstellar Alliance.

IMAGES:
Image 1: Side view. (55 kb)
Image 2: Top View. (75 kb)
Image 3: Bottom View. (75 kb)
Image 4: Front View. (129 kb)
Image 5: Rear View. (119 kb)

Vorlon Cruiser. The Vorlons are among the oldest races still living in our galaxy, members of the fabled 'First Ones' who came to life at the dawn of time. Their ships, which look like crosses between garlic cloves and particularly fearsome beetles, are based on organic technology far in advance of anything the younger races possess. The Vorlon Cruiser is a formidable battlewagon and almost as large as Babylon 5. Fleets of these ships were seen in 2259 when the Vorlons joined in the war against the Shadows.

IMAGES:
Image 1: Side view. (87 kb)
Image 2: Front View. (158 kb)
Image 3: Rear View. (162 kb)
Image 4: Oblique View. (98 kb)

Vorlon Transport. Probably the most often seen ships of the secretive Vorlons, the transport appears to be more of a courier ship/diplomatic shuttle/ personal 'yacht' (for lack of a better term) than a cargo vessel. These ships are grown/built for specific individuals (or small groups), to whom they become closely attached. Like all Vorlon ships, they have a degree of awareness and sentience; should their 'masters' die, they will suicide rather than live without them (cf. 'Interludes and Examinations').

IMAGES:
Image 1: Side view. (53 kb)
Image 2: Top View. (56 kb)
Image 4: Front View. (113 kb)
Image 5: Rear View. (103 kb)

Vorlon Fighter. The existence of Vorlon fighter craft was not known until the Vorlons began openly attacking Shadow forces (2259 - 'Interludes and Examinations'). Larger than other races' fighters, but more maneuverable and heavily armed, their primary armament appears to be the same powerful energy weapons as the larger Vorlon Cruisers (though putting out significantly less energy, presumably).

IMAGES:
Image 1: Side view. (55 kb)
Image 2: Top View. (65 kb)
Image 3: Bottom View. (67 kb)
Image 4: Front View. (30 kb)
Image 5: Rear View. (31 kb)

Shadow Cruiser. Like the Vorlons, the Shadows are the oldest races still living in our galaxy. Even more secretive than the Vorlons, their agenda remained hidden until late 2259. Champions of evolution, they move behind the scenes, promoting chaos as the best means of advancing the younger races they manipulate.

The Shadow cruiser, or 'Battlecrab', is one of the most feared weapons in their arsenal. Crewed by a single being who acts as a central nervous system for the ship, they are nearly invincible. The 'crew' is also their single vulnerability, being susceptible to telepathic interference. This ship was first seen as early as 2257 ('Signs & Portents').

IMAGES:
Image 1: Side view. (64 kb)
Image 2: Bottom View. (89 kb)
Image 3: Top View. (90 kb)
Image 4: Front View. (77 kb)
Image 5: Rear View. (75 kb)

Ebw auto stik jr manuals. Shadow Scoutsihip. The Shadow Scoutship was their answer to the Whitestars - a medium-sized vessel with great speed, maneuverability, and a healthy punch. It was first seen in late 2259 in the Army of Light's first successful battle against the Shadows ('Shadow Dancing').

IMAGES:
Image 1: Side view. (40 kb)
Image 2: Top View. (84 kb)
Image 3: Bottom View. (84 kb)
Image 4: Front View. (76 kb)
Image 5: Rear View. (67 kb)

Shadow Fighter. These small ships are carried by Battlecrabs and 'spit out' in swarms when needed. They appear to be at least an even match for most races' fighter craft. Probably unmanned, it is unclear whether they are guided by the mother ship or an on-board computer/intelligence.

Babylon 5 characters, names, and all related indicia are trademarks of Time Warner Entertainment Co., LP. ©1998 Time Warner Entertainment Co., LP. All Rights Reserved. This page is not an authorized publication of Warner Brothers and does not intend to infringe on any of their copyrights, trademarks, or publication rights. ANY COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL APPEARING ON THIS SITE COMPLIES WITH FAIR OR ACCEPTABLE USE PRINCIPLES ESTABLISHED IN U.S. AND INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHT LAW FOR THE PURPOSES OF REVIEW, STUDY, CRITICISM, OR NEWS REPORTING. This page is best viewed by a system carrying the 'Haettenschweiler' font. Please direct comments, questions, corrections, and picked nits to the Starship Modeler staff.