re: Phaser design, *looks at ceiling and whistles* Hehe.
Hope you don't mind that I used them for inspiration, (you may notice slight similarities in the details of the insets on the main hull too.)
As for the phaser size, I think it's more the phaser strips that are too large. The ones that I *ahem* borrowed are Pulse phasers, like the Defiant, only a little more interesting looking.
The shield grid, yeah, I've never been able to get that right, I will probably rebuild the whole thing.
Windows, yes, there will be more, and more hull surface detail (lights etc.) , I needed a break from the modelling so had a play with the main hull texturing.
The idea behind the ship is that it is based on one of the aborted Defiant Class Prototypes, designed specifically for combat. Once the Dominion threat was discovered, the design was finalised and pushed into Special Forces service.
@Tobian : I know you're busy with Pluto Station, but could you possibly show an example of what you mean with the hull plating you mentioned? I think I know what you mean, just need a little clarification
Thanks
TheMightySpud