This communicator is right now in separate pieces, loosely assembled here for the photo shoot.  It is seen famously disassembled atop a wooden barrel in Patterns of Force.  The only other time it showed up for certain was in Spock's Brain as the left-most of the three comms in the tabletop close-up (it was not picked up and opened by the actors in that sequence).  It is possible that an impeded hinge swing led to its not being used in regular action but rather stood in only for parts and static shots.

We've learned that its current owner Greg Jein disassembled it.  He has the mic grill, screws and Velcro separate.  Because of its relatively good availability (he has been very gracious in allowing access to various individuals to aid in making more accurate replicas), most copies are heavily influenced by its specific shape, size, and features.  We are no different in basing some of our blueprints upon it.

A very surprising feature are the jewel and jewel bezels.  The two outer hubs are an older Vibrator (Type "B") style that have just a tiny bump on the back that does not grant rhinestones a large enough place to be glued upon.  The center is even more odd.  Its jewel, a smaller-than-usual 12cc Hyacinth, is actually recessed into the hub, which has been drilled out.  Also, the top shell, over where the right knob sits, has a small rectangular hole cut in that has been theorized by some to be where Wah intended to install a switch for an internal light.  The recessed jewel feature supports that conjecture.  Also most curiously, the jewel hubs do not seem to have ever been glued in - while fitting tight in their holes, they can be removed (which would likely explain why no hubs are seen poking inside the shell as it sits disassembled on a barrel in Patterns of Force.)

The moiré pattern, cut from Page 9 of The Science of Moire Patterns book,  is also an unusual pick.  Its concentric circles are so tightly packed and slender that from barely more than a foot away the pattern blurs into a uniform 50% gray that never had any chance of being seen on a TV screen.  And how curious that Wah did not place the cutting compass in the dead center of the circles.  Since the moiré bezel ring is now loose, and without any detailed photographs available prior to the disassembly, its original orientation is unknown.

Two other items of note:  the control panel is from a particularly thin piece of aluminum, thinner than seen in either Alpha or Epsilon.  Also, the hinge axle fits very tightly through the holes of the antenna hinge wheels.  Sliding it back an forth was very difficult; it is not known why it does not move more freely.  Suffice it to say that when assembled, this comm's antenna would not freely swing open with the flip of the wrist.

Thanks to Mr. Jein, who provided these above pictures (except for the last) for our site.

<<<  And see Zeta here as well next to Alpha and Epsilon.

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