Well ... I solved the problem. Something someone said got me thinking. But it took awhile of changing VehicleSize.txt by taking out extra ships; then shortening ship names - no joy.
Then I re-read this thread.
Hmmm. My current race was originally entitled United Federation. I changed this to Antaran Federation. For awhile - both races shared ship designs until I left off updating UF.
Tonite, on a hunch, I zipped up UF; started up a game and edited Antaran Federation.
Now all the ships show in the Design Screen and list.
Du'oh! I had made the Antaran Federation race from my original UF
but the empire file was pointing to the UF folder because I didn't change it when I changed the race name and other things.
So ... there's abug alright -- buzzing around in my cranium!
I ... gasp ... need a ... vacation ... or more beer ... or ........
