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The appearance of the 22nd century Bird-of-Prey, at face value, constitutes an apparent visual continuity violation as well. In that [[Stiles (Lieutenant)|Lt. Stiles]] mentioned in the same episode that during the [[Earth-Romulan War]], Romulan ships of the time were painted like giant birds of prey (hence the name). Some fans have speculated that the 22nd century Birds-of-Prey with their cloaking devices and overall pseudo-24th century appearance are the result of the [[Temporal Cold War]]. We can also assume that other classes of Romulan ships during the 22nd century were painted like giant birds, especially smaller, more easily manufactured cruisers. Making a majority of their unseen fleet possibly able to validate the comments of Stiles.
 
The appearance of the 22nd century Bird-of-Prey, at face value, constitutes an apparent visual continuity violation as well. In that [[Stiles (Lieutenant)|Lt. Stiles]] mentioned in the same episode that during the [[Earth-Romulan War]], Romulan ships of the time were painted like giant birds of prey (hence the name). Some fans have speculated that the 22nd century Birds-of-Prey with their cloaking devices and overall pseudo-24th century appearance are the result of the [[Temporal Cold War]]. We can also assume that other classes of Romulan ships during the 22nd century were painted like giant birds, especially smaller, more easily manufactured cruisers. Making a majority of their unseen fleet possibly able to validate the comments of Stiles.
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[[Category:Romulan starship classes]]
   
 
[[de:Romulanischer Bird of Prey]]
 
[[de:Romulanischer Bird of Prey]]
[[Category:Starship classes]]
 

Revision as of 09:32, 27 February 2006

Romulan bird-of-prey, ENT-forward

Forward view of a Bird-of-Prey.

Romulan bird-of-prey, ENT-aft, duet

Aft view of a two pursuing Bird-of-Prey's.

In the 22nd century, the Romulan Star Empire fielded a warship known as a "Bird-of-Prey", so named for its distinctive bird-like hull form and for the bold pattern of an alien bird painted on its ventral hull. (TOS: "Balance of Terror") The ships were equipped with advanced weaponry, as well as a cloaking device.

The Bird-of-Prey was first encountered by Humans in mid-2152, when Enterprise accidentally entered a minefield surrounding a planet claimed by the Romulan Empire. Two ships of this type were present in the system and confronted the Enterprise, forcing it to leave. (ENT: "Minefield")

Background

The fact that the Birds-of-Prey in the 2150s were equipped with cloaking devices constitutes an apparent continuity violation, because Spock's comment gives the impression that cloaks were apparently unheard of before "Balance of Terror". However, this is Spock's own personal notion based on what he knows, and does not necessarily reflect the totality of the Federation's expertise on Romulan equipment. Alternatively, the fault could be said to lie with previous episodes, because "Minefield" was not the first time a cloaking device was seen on Enterprise. See also Earth-Romulan War.

Romulan bird-of-prey, ENT-aft, cloaking

Bird-of-Prey cloaking

Another possibility is that the cloaking device used in "Minefield" was of a different design than the cloaking devices seen in the 23rd century. This would be consistent with Kirk's line about it being their "new cloaking device" in the episode "The Enterprise Incident", which could (if you use your imagination) imply that there have been other cloaking devices in the past. Of course one could still argue and say that Kirk's line about it being their "new cloaking device" was referring to the fact that the previous Romulan cloaking device that was in "Balance of Terror" couldn't sheild the ship from sensors, but this new one can. Even with that kind of arguement, there's still no reason to believe that there weren't cloaking devices before "Balance of Terror." Because, as was already mentioned, Spock might be a regular library of information, but still, even Spock doesn't know everything about the history of space travel. After all, Spock didn't even know Row, Row, Row Your Boat.

The appearance of the 22nd century Bird-of-Prey, at face value, constitutes an apparent visual continuity violation as well. In that Lt. Stiles mentioned in the same episode that during the Earth-Romulan War, Romulan ships of the time were painted like giant birds of prey (hence the name). Some fans have speculated that the 22nd century Birds-of-Prey with their cloaking devices and overall pseudo-24th century appearance are the result of the Temporal Cold War. We can also assume that other classes of Romulan ships during the 22nd century were painted like giant birds, especially smaller, more easily manufactured cruisers. Making a majority of their unseen fleet possibly able to validate the comments of Stiles.