SCREENCAP ANALYSES
WOLF 359 SHIPS - CLOSE UP
Using my CGI models of these ships (based on model photos and with the fine schematics available at EAS), I placed them in identical positions (as best I could) to try and match them up, ship by ship. The results are quite interesting and I believe in some cases long standing questions have been answered, and some new ones posed....
KYUSHU
First off, the clearly defined and well familair New Orleans Class Kyushu, there can be no dispute there.
PRINCETON
Notice the newly discernable detail on the damaged Princeton? It's a lot better than the VHS captures we had before. You can make far more surface detail now, and even the impression of windows towards the outer rim of the elliptical saucer, not really visible before.
The angle it which the Princeton must be spinning is a little deceiving and was difficult to duplicate with the 3D model, and I still probably haven't got the angle quite right. The mesh's elliptical saucer is correct I believe, as can be seen here on the studio model. Also, the fact that this Niagara appears to have its third nacelle mounted in a dorsal position is in fact a visual deception. It is the starboard nacelle's pylon which has deformed and twisted due to damage inflicted in combat, and has been bent approximately 45 degrees upwards and round. You can also see that the port nacelle's bussard collector is clearly missing, that's apparent on the physical model as well.
BURAN
There seems to be some crazy things going on with the Buran. Secondary hull dimensions and detail are impossible to fathom from this angle, the whole ship looks like a twisted mess. The only available Buran studio model photo is of reasonable quality, but doesn't reveal a lot of useful detail in the secondary hull area, so as yet fully detailed and accurate schematics have not been possible. The image also suggested that the Challenger Class secondary hull is wider than previously thought - this is an illusion, again because of the angle. Because of the tilt we are seeing elements of both nacelles and the hull between them. On the still of the Buran taken from TBOBW there is an elongated white blurry area, which when seen next the cgi image (with the duplication of approximate lighting) tells us that this white area is in fact the upper nacelle pylon structure. Beneath it, on the still, you can just make out elliptical curve of the secondary hull curving in towards the saucer. This I think puts to rest any theory that this image was in fact of the underside of the Buran. I think we're definitely seeing it here from the top. Also, previously one had to wonder whether the saucer really was elliptical. Well it definitely is, it's just the angle at which it is viewed from that has created the illusion. And from the enhanced DVD cap you can now just make out the bridge module and dorsal phaser array.
BURAN 2
This is the other view of the Buran. Again the shape of the secondary hull is not clear, nor the configuration of the nacelles/pylons. It does look as though the upper nacelle has suffered some sort of collapse, or perhaps its even been severed, as the forward quarter seems to be resting on the secondary hull. It's also possible that the filmed version here is upside down, in which the visible top is in fact the ventral side of the ship.
FIREBRAND
Here I've spotted what appears to be impulse engines. The Freedom was never thought to have them (or they at least have never been spotted). This truncated structure hanging from the saucer does appear to resemble an Impulse Engine... Although one can't clearly identify this on the studio model photo. It's possible a basic impulse engine structure was added after the photo was taken.
CHEKOV
This is the one that has the most uncertainty surrounding it. Is it the Chekov, or is it one of the Excelsior study models....? ie this one:
I would have to say, after studying the top image alongside my Springfield model, that this mystery ship IS the Springfield Class Chekov, and not the Excelsior study model. My Springfield may not be one hundred percent accurate to the real physical studio model, of course, but there does appear to be a pod-like structure on the mystery ship - although mine is somewhat larger here than on the photographed model. You can also make out the reddish bands toward the front of the nacelles. I think this fact confirmed it for me, without a doubt. In my view I consider the Chekov officially identified.
AHWAHNEE
The two here are virtually identical. Also, like its sister class the Springfield, the red bands around the nacelles are just visible in this image. So with no doubt remaining, this is the Cheyenne Class Ahwahnee at Wolf 359.
Page One Screencaps - Qualor II 'Unification' | Page Two Screencaps - Ships of 'A Time To Stand'
Page Three Screencaps - Wolf 359 'The Best Of Both Worlds' | Wolf 359 Ships Close up | Page Four - First Contact Ships
