How did I miss this thread. Seems there remains an unanswered question. I think I know the answer (if I've guessed the question right). Gary Kerr made a pass at drawing the Ent B. He had some astounding detail on the greebles. But his drawing of the hull had numerous errors. Not surprising since he did it without access to the model. Someone took photos of his plans and they got into the hands of someone who posted them online. I've spoken to Gary about them and he knows the plans are close but not accurate. One reason he didn't want them out there.
Bill George had nothing to do with the detailing of the model back in 1984 for Star Trek III. That was Steve Gawley and his team and ILM. As far as I know, they put things on that looked good and it is up to us to guess what they parts are. From the way the model was used and the FX shots that were made, the ship has 4 torpedo launchers. 2 forward on the sides of the secondary hull and two aft under the fantail. Like Enterprise, the model has phasers on the upper and lower sides of the saucer and the bottom of the secondary hull, but nowhere else.
What exactly those items in the neck recesses are is anyone's guess. Science paylods is the most likely. Probe launchers or mega phasers would also make sense. When compared to the Reliant model, those tips without holes match the mega phasers on the roll bar. For Excelsior that would mean a limited field of fire.... unless the saucer separated and then it is a full field of fire. So that is my guess. Mega phasers. Four forward and two aft (to the outside of the aft photon torpedo launchers).
But there really is no secret inside information. That is just rumor.
Bill George had nothing to do with the detailing of the model back in 1984 for Star Trek III. That was Steve Gawley and his team and ILM. As far as I know, they put things on that looked good and it is up to us to guess what they parts are. From the way the model was used and the FX shots that were made, the ship has 4 torpedo launchers. 2 forward on the sides of the secondary hull and two aft under the fantail. Like Enterprise, the model has phasers on the upper and lower sides of the saucer and the bottom of the secondary hull, but nowhere else.
What exactly those items in the neck recesses are is anyone's guess. Science paylods is the most likely. Probe launchers or mega phasers would also make sense. When compared to the Reliant model, those tips without holes match the mega phasers on the roll bar. For Excelsior that would mean a limited field of fire.... unless the saucer separated and then it is a full field of fire. So that is my guess. Mega phasers. Four forward and two aft (to the outside of the aft photon torpedo launchers).
But there really is no secret inside information. That is just rumor.
