I would like to suggest shipsets based on the Superior Models "Starfleet Wars" line of miniatures. These were produced from the late 70's/early 80's until about 2000, and are now in production again under a new name:
Galactic Knights
Basically there are five fleets with distinctive designs (ok, one of the fleets shows heavy Star Wars Imperial entanglements) for ships ranging from fighters up through superdreadnoughts - even "tactical missiles" that would make dandy drones. I own examples of most of them and could supply digital photos to the enterprising modeller...
The old Starfire miniatures line might also make a suitable base for such a project, if anybody has a set (I don't).