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We have canon evidence that the Nebula class can fire under the saucer, but to this day I have yet to see a model or computer-mesh of the Ambassador-class with torpedo launchers.
The thing is that in a Star Trek magazine six months ago I saw a poster depicting "Yesterday's Enterprise", with the E-C in the foreground, the E-D covering it's back and three BoP's in pursuit. The poster was highly detailed and over the Ambassador's deflector-dish I could see two clearly defined holes, Constitution-style. This is also backed up by zoom-scenes in "YE" when you clearly see a yellow-glowing stripe over the def-dish.
So why has neither the SFA-artists nor any modelmakers work I've ever seen included the most important tactical system of ST-ships?
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I didn't buy it but the store it came from save their editions for a long time, so I'll check it out when I can, OK? I have some sort of throat-virus for the moment, with all the fever I can carry, so I won't be going anywhere for a while. (If only you knew how long it took me to spell that...) What I wonder is why the onscreen-evidence has been overlooked all this time...
------------------ Ready for the action now, Dangerboy Ready if I'm ready for you, Dangerboy Ready if I want it now, Dangerboy? How dare you, dare you, Dangerboy? How dare you, Dangerboy? I dare you, dare you, Dangerboy...
posted
I've looked at screengrabs from YE and pics of the studio model and there is indeed a forward torp launcher. The YE views probably confuse people because that yellow light looks like an ordinary lighted window or may look like it comes from the starboard nacelle. However I still don't know about aft launchers.
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posted
The forward torpedo launchers are indeed present on the studio model and can also be found on the Amt/Ertl model kit. Referring to the photos in Star Trek Mechanics, I can find no evidence of aft launchers. One might hypothesize that they could be placed just below the fantail, but there are no ports of any kind that would suggest torpedo launch tubes.
IP: Logged
posted
I believe it has been stated a couple of times that Rick Sternbach originally wanted the ship to have relatively easily distinguishable forward tubes plus a ventral transverse phaser strip on the secondary hull (see his sketch in "TNG:The Continuing Mission", with a torp launcher similar to that in the Andy Probert painting that apparently was also used as the basis of the inaccurate wall relief E-C in the Observation Lounge).
However, due to a mixup with the blueprints sent to the modelmakers, these details were basically omitted from the first version of the ship. Also, the stern contours were not what Rick really wanted.
When the ship was redressed into the "Yamagochi" configuration used in appearances following the "Yesterday's Enterprise" one, the stern contours were altered, and I believe the torp launcher thingy might have been "enhanced" at this time as well, along with other added detail (and as we know, for some reason the saucer and nacelles were relocated). The ventral phaser strip wasn't added, though. The modelmakers may have given up on it because it would be where the ventral motion-control rig attachment point is, and would have to be made of segments if one wanted to cover up the hole and do belly shots of the ship.
I must confess I can't really see the forward tubes in either the E-C or the Yamagochi versions, but I'll keep looking. As for aft tubes, see those faint round things flanking the impulse nozzle? Perhaps there could be hatch-covered torp launchers there. At least, this is the most practical aft-facing flat surface I can think of - the fantail is too curved, and too congested with the double shuttlebays.
So, is this like an Ambassador that you keep in your pocket and feed and stuff?
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Can't fault you for not finding the forward tubes, Timo, they are rather tiny. Screencaps aren't high resolution enough. I can only see them in photos of the Enterprise-C studio model. I can't find ANY tubes at all on the Yamaguchi.
Actually, the forward tubes on the Enterprise are more pronounced on the Amt/Ertl model than on the actual studio model. The model kit has two tiny nubs whereas the studio model seems to have only two tiny slits which when lit appear to be windows.
I dug through my files and found a couple photos of the Yamaguchi's impulse engines. The square details on either side do indeed look like they might be some kind of hatches, but from a logical point of view, I wouldn't want to launch guided warheads from a point so close to super-heated exhaust!
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I would put a hatch over the torpedo launchers. Imagine how much space debris would clutter up inside that hole!
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I was just going to trash them too for talking about such 20th century contraptions like retractable hatch-covers, hrumph!!!
But then I started thinking, it would be a pretty dramatic effect if, prior to the mandatory "Battle Stations"-line, the captain would say "ready torpedos!" and a close-up would show the torpedo-muzzles being "undone", like in "Crimson Tide". Kinda like DS), when readying weapons in the battle-ep's.
Good info there, Savar, about the model-differences.
I'm still in too bad shape to take a ride into town and check out that magazine, Fabrux, but I can tell you all I know about it. The picture I was talking about was on the cover and in the article, not a poster.
It was a very prominent article, about all the timeline-related episodes in Star Trek. All the mixing/travels of time-lines, like "City On The Edge Of Forever", "Trials And Tribbleations" and soforth...
"YE" had a big part in it. That give you a clue?
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posted
The issue referred to is #127 of Star Trek Communicator. I remembered this article too and searched through all my Star Trek The Magazine issues before I realized I was looking at the wrong publication.
The picture is a great illustration, but is not a production still. I have a large archive of starship images collected for model references, but I have yet to find a good, clear, detailed production still of any Ambassador-class ship.
The illustration seems to have used the AMT/Ertl model as a reference. It clearly shows the two nubs one the forward edge of the connecting dorsal just above the deflector dish exactly as is found on the model. However, this feature cannot be found one the physical model. There are only two tiny backlit slits on the real models. White light shines from behind them, which make them look like simple windows. From a modelling perspective, the nubs are inaccurate, looking more like old-style phaser ball-turrets. When I get around to working on the "C", I'll probably take these off and drill two tiny ports for the launch tubes.
I'm probably in the minority, but I have always liked the Ambassador Class design, more so than the Galaxy. I suppose because the Ambassador borrows so many design elements from the "classic" starship shape: The big ROUND saucer, the big glowing deflector, the classically shaped fantail... Don't like the re-designed Yamaguchi as much.
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