Nice progress here. I really like your idea for the phaser emplacements, but I have to agree that it seems the would need some ability to move along both the x- and y-axis to allow for adequate fire coverage. Doesn't necessarily mean we have to see a "ball turret" visible on the exterior of the ship, though, I think, so I'm sure it could work within the structure you've created. One thought regarding the torp launchers, if you're interested in trying something different: I've always thought there was no reason you couldn't have dual paired launchers stacked vertically on the "neck" instead of horizontally (though, I'm apparently one of the only people who actually likes the torp launchers on the TMP E.) Also, I doubt it's possible, but the only thing I have always thought should have been changed, even on the original (fair warning, sacrilege to follow), is that the "neck" should somehow be thicker. I know all the arguments about it not "needing" to be thicker, but I've just always thought it would be interesting to see what it would look like if the neck were even just a little bit thicker; not Ent-B thick, mind you, but a bit more structurally significant, if you will. In fact, that leads me to another thought I've long had ..., but I'll stop for now.
One of Matt Jefferies' early designs showed something like a observation deck at the base of the neck. Since you've moved the PT launcher, maybe some kind of crew lounge/observation deck/VIP reception area for this structure? You know, for those times when the E isn't making first contact with the phasers...
When I first saw TOS "Big E" firing her phasers I sort of got the impression that they were coming from either the lower dome or the the "ring" at its base. An since there was also a "ring" on the upper dome/bridge assembly I thought it was quite logical that they were the utlra moder weapons assemblies... Not unlike the phaser strips of later Trek ships. The TMP era "E" photorp launchers "interior sets" were something that I've always thought could have been done better...(the manual gratings et al) not as an advanced a system as TOS had described. Also having a docking port there didn't make much sense either...kind a like entering a WWII battle ship through one of the main turrets. The lower hull here looks a bit blimp-like, but before I complain too loudly I want to see how it details out...may not be an issue. Lastly, I too like the attempt to add elements from all eras of Trek it adds something I think that Chuch/Abrams completely missed the boat on. This is great stuff, go ahead on! -Chuck
As always, amazing work. The way those phasers are might reduce the firing arc a little bit (at least upward & backward, if they went that far as balls), but they do look better. You could try the PhaseII style torp launchers, the way they appeared in the first TMP ads. I always like this "version", but of course it was the first picture we ever saw at the time.
An idea has struck me - You can make the phasers like the overhead air conditioning nozzles on airliners, and stick them in those new housings ya got there. I tend to agree. The TMP E has a bit of cool stuff at the top of the neck to make it look more structurally anchored, and the torpedo deck serves the same visual purpose with the engineering hull. It looks to be just hardly attached now. A slight bit of beefing shouldn't do too much harm, should it?
Tons of interesting ideas, guys. About the phaser "turrets" There is a small ball in there, that I thought would be able to rotate slightly, and move up and down. I can probably make those a little bigger, so that they are more visible. I made the neck a little thicker than it was on either the original Enterprise, or the Refit version. I have placed the new torpedo deck on the front of the "sensor ring" above the main navigational deflector... But I am going to have to find something to place on the base of the neck. Maybe I'll just move the tubes back down there, but only have one tube...
Ok, not a whole lot for tonight, but something, anyway. I made those turret balls a little bigger, and I figured out what to do with the torpedo bays. Since I was using two Enterprise's for inspiration, why not throw in another? I looked at the front torpedo bay on the Ent-D, and thought something similar would work here. It doesn't mess up the lines of the original design, makes a reason to make the neck a little fatter, and doesn't draw us much attention to itself as the bays on the refit. What do ya'll think?
I'd be interested in seeing if you could blend the neck beneath the torpedo launcher more smoothly with the hull, and not have it join vertically. This would end up more TNG-like, but I think it would work well with what you're going for.
I did think of that, but I was trying to keep the neck similar to the original, though. It might look too much like the STXI Enterprise, then.
A couple updates.... I refined the neck, (the booleans I had done were horrible... I had to clean it up) the torpedo deck, added the deflector (it was inspired by a fourth Enterprise) and added 3 big round windows in the front of the Saucer. I always liked those on the original Enterprise, even though no one is sure what they are supposed to be. So, I thought that might be a good place to put the arboretum. That would be a fantastic view... walking along in the park, looking out in to space, with the stars flying by at warp. Kind of like 10-Forward, I guess.
Not much more, but it for today. Started detailing it up, built new pylons that are a little beefier in cross section, and tweaked the dish some more. Have fun, guys.
I love the unique phaser set up you have. Have you thought about alternate impulse lay-outs like some of the sketches that weren't used for the refit?
VERY Nice. You can park that baby in orbit around my Christmas tree this year if you don't mind, thanks!! Cheers, -CM-