August Challenge - Captain Robert April

Here's the planned but never completed post-WNMHGB phaser rifle...

 

I really want to be polite here, but that just looks silly to me.

 

Okay, but not much sillier than the "ray gun with radar dish" that ended up being used.

 

^^^
Maybe, but a least that looked like it should be what it was, and like it was all one piece.

 

Compared to the TNG's uninspired "blocks of wood" carbine phaser, this is a Da Vinci work-of-art.

I like it.

 

This is based on the announced design intent for the later phaser rifle, as well as taking hints from Matt Jefferies original design sketch (there's a notation for a small notch at the back for the attachment of "unit #4", presumably the rifle stock) and taking the approach that they did on the show, i.e., reuse as much as possible and keep it cheap.

So, since the premise is supposed to be something that the Phaser II would snap into and increase both power and range, it makes sense that a part of the design would incorporate additional power packs and a beefier emitter.

I've shown this to Bjo Trimble and Mike Okuda, and both said that this is probably spot-on to what Jefferies would've cooked up. I think it also helps that it's reminiscent of the Special U.N.C.L.E. gun, especially if you stick another power pack to the pistol grip, which would've been a definite plus for merchandising.

 

Ya know- my first thought was: WTF? But I looked at it longer. I've always been sure that there was a lot of modular type technology in Starfleet. It makes sense for ease of use.

In this case- the added power packs needed for range and strength. The longer emitter for focusing that extra power.

It's already a 2 part PHASER. Why not all or at least some that have this modular capability?

As for the size, I like it being still smallish to reflect the technology.

Anyway- I like it.

 

Since it's related, this is what I came up with back in 2004.

 

^ it's odd- I don't like it. I get the idea behind it, and the styling is consistent with the pistol...

It would probably grow on me. I do like the simplicity of it.

I wouldn't say that it's in any way similar to CRA's though. His is a modular device, while yours is a stand alone unit. Nothing wrong with either ideas.

 

I'm also thinking this could be fairly easily accomplished with a couple of add-ons to whatever phaser replica you have on hand.

 

only similar in that we're talking about phaser rifles never seen.

just a regular phaser mesh I pushed and pulled vertices on.

I don't care for the way the front stock turned out though.
But I had a difficult time figuring a way to make it look better.

I'm digging your concept cpt april

 

I will admit I'm not totally satisfied with the butt, but it'll work for now.

 

Both Versions of a TOS Phaser Rifle Mark 2 here look awesome to me

 

Am I the only one who's come up with something for this month's contest?

 

I'm sketching out an idea, but it is taking much longer than I would like. I hope to have it posted soon. I just need to finish it enough that I feel confident that it will convey my idea, so that I can get opinions, use what ever advice I can get, and hopefully finish it in Illlustrator.

 

Still plenty of days left in the month!

 

Here's a very quick and dirty sketch of an idea I had for a TOS Phaser III.



The stock and "barrel" would slide apart at the frame member there and then, once phaser II is inserted into the stock the barrel is slid into place, locking over the emitter nozzle of the pistol unit.

The stock would contain a bigger power supply then just the handle pack and the barrel would allow a much greater range and higher power settings.

I hope I don't derail CRA's thread. I don't intend to finish this off enough for an entry this month. I just thought I'd throw out my idea and see what people think.

--Alex

 

Looks similar to some of the ideas I'd played around with for a few years.

Then I started thinking about what was most likely to show up on the show, and I hit on the idea of using stuff they already had on hand, like the phaser power packs. Just cannibalize a couple of broken phasers, stick the emitter on a tube, get the butt stock from an U.N.C.L.E. gun from the local toy store, and voila, new prop.

 

Here's where we really start treading on Napoleon Solo's territory...



Maybe really up the ante by sticking one of those old gooseneck viewers on top as a sighting device...

 

awesome Phaser Rifle