Centauri's Hand Weapon: The Breakdown

[drusselmeyer]

With the release of Ron Cobb's designs from The Last Starfighter and a few photos (finally) from the film, this elusive prop can at last be reconstructed.

 

[drusselmeyer]

A little less magnification.

 

[drusselmeyer]

This was a working flashgun in the film as it can be seen in the Zandozan (Xandoxan?) shootout.

 

[drusselmeyer]

So, what are we looking at??

-I think I see some kind of 16mm camera lens outer shell for the barrel.

-The bottom clip looks like some kind of camera mount.

-The whole thing looks like a custom frame decorated with camera parts.

What do you see?

 

[drusselmeyer]

For reference: this is the Zandozan pistol. Notice the part above the handguard. I think this was reused on Centauri's weapon.

Identifying this part would narrow down the proportions a lot.

A little clearer:

 

[drusselmeyer]

A post on thingverse identifies a similar part as a Starwars greeble.

Anyone here know what this thing is??

 

[drusselmeyer]

The emitter looks like a combination of a 1/12 scale Lamborghini wheel and a zoom lens.

Any thoughts?

 

[drusselmeyer]

Can anyone identify the bracket used as a handguard on the Zandozan pistol?

 

[drusselmeyer]

I think I have enough to start and have already started ordering parts.

 

[yelahttam]

The hand weapon was used in "V: The Final Battle" as an injector device. Here is a link to the scene. Hope this helps! - mh

 

[drusselmeyer]

THANK YOU!

Hmm. I guess I will have to revise my guesses. I should have thought to look at other Lorimar productions to see if they had repurposed the props.

Good eye!

 

[drusselmeyer]

If this isn't it, it might be a stunt copy.

 

[drusselmeyer]

So, with this new information: What are we looking at? How much was fabricated and how much is found item art?

 

[drusselmeyer]

A scary note: This is a working flashgun. If it still had it's batteries and a charge left in it, it could have caused severe injury when used like this.

 

[drusselmeyer]

I have to say, this is a bit confusing. Considering the differences in appearance, these pictures make the blaster look both the same and different. The design looks exactly right, but the scale looks way off.

 

[joberg]

I have to say, this is a bit confusing. Considering the differences in appearance, these pictures make the blaster look both the same and different. The design looks exactly right, but the scale looks way off.

I think they reversed the design: the top of that Truth Serum prop is now the bottom of the gun...if that makes sense
So the trigger guard (near the upper part of his jaw, left) is now the "real" trigger guard on the gun...

 

[drusselmeyer]

The orientation looks right as the trigger ring is still near the index finger, but that would mean that Jane Badler's hands are tiny and Marc Singer's head is on the small side.

 

[drusselmeyer]

I'm wondering if this is a replica made by someone with access to the original.

 

[joberg]

The orientation looks right as the trigger ring is still near the index finger, but that would mean that Jane Badler's hands are tiny and Marc Singer's head is on the small side.

That's why our quest to replicate props from pics caps are, at best, a game of unknowns I have long hands, so it shouldn't be an exact measurement to gage the size of that prop. The actress is small in stature, therefore small hands.
The actor holding the gun has a gloved hand; which makes it "bigger" than a normal bare hand...

 

[drusselmeyer]

The only gloved hand is on the Zandozan weapon and not Centauri's. Robert Preston's hand is bare and he looks like he is squeezing his hand into it.