[Lynx]

Originally posted by psych

Kilrathi Light Cruiser

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This thread is being started to publically unveil the latest work of the WC Saga.

This next ship on the line is a Kilrathi warship that was cut from Wing Commander 3. I was able to find it in the “Making of WC3” CD-ROM that Origin released with its first official WC3 guide.



As mentioned in the artwork, this is a Kilrathi cruiser. But it’s very different from the notorious Fralthi II-class cruiser from WC3, so it’s assumed as a different ship class. The reasons we decided to classify this warship as a light cruiser is because not only does it fills in the gaps for a light cruiser (the Fralthi II is a heavy cruiser), the existance of a Kilrathi light cruiser is also confirmed through Page 49 of the Wing Commander 3 novel.











Approximate length is 500 meters and tonnage is around 17,000 tons. Fighter complement is eight fighters, a single squadron. This cruiser’s weaponry has to be balanced so that its less then the heavy cruiser (4 Anti-Matter Turret, 11 lasers) but more then the heavy destroyer (3 tachyon turret, 10 lasers). After much thought, we are making this cruiser’s weaponry to be 5 tachyon turrets and 10 laser turrets, as well as a cruise missile/torpedo launcher.

There is no official classname to this, and until one can be confirmed, ConFleet Intel has codenamed this the Fralath-class, as the name (like all the other Kilrathi cruiser names) is a derivative of the original term Fralthi.

Credits are as follows: concept art and blueprints by Origin Systems, modeling by Lars (it’s a long story), and textures by Starman.

Team Note: This warship shouldn't be underestimated just because it's a light cruiser. Its main battery (five of those happy corvette rear turrets that we all know and love) will rip you to shreds if you are not careful. It's easy to evade the Anti-Matter bolts from the Kilrathi heavy cruiser, but considerably harder to evade the tachyons on this guy. You have been warned.

[Silent Warrior]

It r teh nasty! Worship!

[Bobboau]

not bad, could use more pollys though

[JC Denton]

Seems like that underside fin/spar/spike/whatever it is doesn't hang down far enough.  On the concept, it's clearly visible below the main hull, but in the render at the approximate same angle, I barely can see it.

[Lynx]

Originally posted by Bobboau
not bad, could use more pollys though

It's supposed to be edgy and spikey, check out the concept art. For the detail, most details are rather small, like carvings for windows and variations in the surface.

[Bobboau]

more polys == more posable edges and spikes

also adding extreemly sutble curves to the strait parts has an effect on perception makeing it look more real with the observer haveing no idea why, the human mind likes to compress things and strait lines are easily compressed. not to mention that more verts ==  better lighting quality.

[bmcage]

You write: "Fighter complement is eight fighters", but where is the launch bay of these fighters? Or am I missing something?

[gevatter Lars]

The lunchbay for this ship is in the back...in the pics above nearly invisible...in the first pic you can see the lower "claw" hangs over the hull...over this claw is the hangarbay.

[Starman01]

Here is a view from the back, there you can where the hangar
is. Above the claw, embedded in that "tunnel" the shipshull makes.

[bmcage]

Nice, I mist it, but now it's clear.
I must say, from a military perspective, I would put an extra turret at the end of the claw to protect the hangar.
I know that in WC it has no use to attack specifically the hangar bay (although the cats do that, and its a very important plot structure as then the bridge can say: "you're on your own mate"), but it is realistic to do that IMHO.
Or do the other turrets already cover this area (don't think so, but you guys probably could already blow this princess to pieces for the sake of testing)?

[gevatter Lars]

There are two turrets that cover the hangar...they are mounted at the enginepart...visible at the first pic of the underside.
If you try to make a torpedorun at the hangar you will surly get shot from these two turrets.

[Tolwyn]

this tachyon turrets will rip you to pieces

[Moonsword]

*shudders*

That's way too many of those (blanked out by user) corvette turrets for anyone's good.

[gevatter Lars]

There aren't so many Tachyon turrets...just 3 or so..most turrets are the normal laser turrets, but still these ship is build to give other caps cover from enemy fighters...so these Tachyon guns are a good choice.

[Moonsword]

If you guys are going by the specs on Psych's site, aren't there five turrets like that?

EDIT: Just checked.  According to him, there are five turrets like that.

[Tolwyn]

there ar five tachyon turrets... unless somebody has modified ships tbl to live longer

[Setekh]

Wow dudes, I missed this before, but this is some brilliant work. The faithfulness to the original is really stunning.

[MonDoCool]

Wow thats a nice war ship but I think there should b 10 tachyon turrents! call me mad but thats the way i think it...

[gevatter Lars]

Belive me with 5 its allready enough...10 would kill you and everyone around you...so let keep the 5 for gamebalance ^_^

@Setekh
Thanks...was a lot of work..for me modeling it and a lot more work for Starman to texture it.

Oh and if you like this design check the Dubav light carrier..also Kilrathi design made after a small pic of Origin.