It's about time we gave these things a real shakedown.— Gordon Malloy regarding the Pterodon fighters[1]
The Pterodon (PT-197) was a one-person Fighter-class vessel in use by the Planetary Union in the early 25th century. The Pterodon was developed and implemented by the Union in the year 2421 as a response to the Kaylon conflict and the destructive Battle of Earth.
History[]
The vessel PT-197 was stored in the Shuttle Bay of the USS Orville and piloted by its helmsman, Gordon Malloy. It arrived around the year 2421, delivered by Gordon from the Union Dockyard. Isaac calibrated it after arrival. Gordon and Navigator Charly Burke then performed a flight test, which was monitored by Chief Engineering Officer John LaMarr. According to John, the Pterodon performed well. The arrival of the Pterodon was a complement to an overall refit of the vessel, which saw its specifications greatly upgraded.[2]
A fleet of Pterodon-class vessels, including the Orville's Pterodon, participated in the Battle of Draconis 427.[3]
Production[]
The Pterodon was a large, life-size model. Entry into its cockpit required the use of a ladder. Actor Scott Grimes (Gordon) loved flying the Pterodon and deciding what each button on the control panels would do.[4]
Trivia[]
- The name 'Pterodon' is probably from Greek πτερόν (pteron, "wing") and ὀδών (odon, "tooth"), meaning "winged tooth" or (less literally) "flying tooth."
- A full-sized model of the Pterodon was on display during the limited audience premiere of the episode "Electric Sheep" at the California Science Center on May 25, 2022.[5]