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Some forty years later, some Cylon War-era Raiders are still in active service. A contingent of Raiders is present aboard a lone Cylon War-era [[Guardian basestar|basestar]] which houses the [[First Hybrid]]. When the battlestar ''[[Pegasus (RDM)|Pegasus]]'' inadvertently discovers this "Guardian basestar," a squadron of Raiders engages with the battlestar as well as its defending force of [[Viper Mark VII]]s {{TRS|Razor}}. A small number of original Raiders also appears at the [[The Colony|Cylon Colony]], shortly before its destruction by ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'' {{TRS|Islanded in a Stream of Stars|Daybreak, Part II}}. | Some forty years later, some Cylon War-era Raiders are still in active service. A contingent of Raiders is present aboard a lone Cylon War-era [[Guardian basestar|basestar]] which houses the [[First Hybrid]]. When the battlestar ''[[Pegasus (RDM)|Pegasus]]'' inadvertently discovers this "Guardian basestar," a squadron of Raiders engages with the battlestar as well as its defending force of [[Viper Mark VII]]s {{TRS|Razor}}. A small number of original Raiders also appears at the [[The Colony|Cylon Colony]], shortly before its destruction by ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'' {{TRS|Islanded in a Stream of Stars|Daybreak, Part II}}. | ||
The Cylon War-era Raider is based heavily on the [[Raider (TOS)|Original Series Raider]]. However, it is not identical as the TRS design has enlarged engines and wings that protrude forward from the main hull.<ref group="production" name=" | The Cylon War-era Raider is based heavily on the [[Raider (TOS)|Original Series Raider]]. However, it is not identical as the TRS design has enlarged engines and wings that protrude forward from the main hull.<ref group="production" name="bassom_companion_original_raider_influence">{{cite book |author=[[David Bassom]] |title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]] |pages=141}}</ref> | ||
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It is armed with conventional and nuclear missiles carried in internal wing bays and two pairs of [[Weapons in the Re-imagined Series#Viper and Cylon Raider|kinetic energy weapon]]s of different calibers mounted under the leading edge of the wings. Curiously, the only times the Raiders have been seen using their missiles are during the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies]] and the [[Battle of The Colony]]. This may indicate that Raiders are not normally armed with missiles. | It is armed with conventional and nuclear missiles carried in internal wing bays and two pairs of [[Weapons in the Re-imagined Series#Viper and Cylon Raider|kinetic energy weapon]]s of different calibers mounted under the leading edge of the wings. Curiously, the only times the Raiders have been seen using their missiles are during the [[Fall of the Twelve Colonies]] and the [[Battle of The Colony]]. This may indicate that Raiders are not normally armed with missiles. | ||
Like its counterpart, the Colonial [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]], the Raider is capable of atmospheric operations, and retains an aerodynamic shape {{TRS|You Can't Go Home Again}}. In lieu of landing skids, its wings supports its bulk when landed; for manual conveyance of unpowered Raiders, a wheeled rig or suspension via crane are used, particularly by ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]''{{'|s}} [[Deckhand|deckhands]] {{TRS|Act of Contrition|You Can't Go Home Again|Hero}}. | Like its counterpart, the Colonial [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]], the Raider is capable of atmospheric operations, and retains an aerodynamic shape {{TRS|You Can't Go Home Again}}. In lieu of landing skids, its wings supports its bulk when landed; for manual conveyance of unpowered Raiders, a wheeled rig or suspension via crane are used, particularly by ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]''{{'|s}} [[Deckhand|deckhands]] {{TRS|Act of Contrition|You Can't Go Home Again|Hero}}. | ||
=== Modifications === | === Modifications === | ||
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=== Exterior Design Challenges === | === Exterior Design Challenges === | ||
Designing the Cylon Raider proved to be equally challenging for visual effects supervisor [[Gary Hutzel]] and production illustrator [[Eric Chu]], who had to produce a vessel that was cryptically described as a "squashed Cylon" at the start of the project.<ref group="development" name=" | Designing the Cylon Raider proved to be equally challenging for visual effects supervisor [[Gary Hutzel]] and production illustrator [[Eric Chu]], who had to produce a vessel that was cryptically described as a "squashed Cylon" at the start of the project.<ref group="development" name="bassom_companion_hutzel_chu_raider_description">{{cite book |author=[[David Bassom]] |title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]] |pages=141}}</ref> When they originally discussed the Raider, the production team wasn't sure where the producers wanted them to go with it, even wondering if they wanted a gigantic Cylon with feet and arms in space. [[David Eick]] then explained that they wanted to include the Cylon head in the design of the ship. | ||
According to Chu, all of his initial designs maintained the same basic elements: a central fuselage (required by an earlier version of the [[miniseries]]' script), a face, and a general disc shape kept from the original Raider.<ref group="development" name=" | According to Chu, all of his initial designs maintained the same basic elements: a central fuselage (required by an earlier version of the [[miniseries]]' script), a face, and a general disc shape kept from the original Raider.<ref group="development" name="bassom_companion_chu_raider_design_elements">{{cite book |author=[[David Bassom]] |title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]] |pages=141}}</ref> The distinctive scimitar shape didn't come into existence until [[Charles Ratteray]] at [[Zoic Studios]] took a crack at the design. Chu liked the basic shape and did a final pass to smooth the lines and give it a more organic feeling, which tied it in with the rest of the Cylon designs. | ||
=== Bio-Mechanical Philosophy === | === Bio-Mechanical Philosophy === | ||
The Cylon designs were based on the concept that they were machines evolving to become increasingly organic.<ref group="development" name=" | The Cylon designs were based on the concept that they were machines evolving to become increasingly organic.<ref group="development" name="bassom_companion_chu_cylon_evolution_philosophy">{{cite book |author=[[David Bassom]] |title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]] |pages=141}}</ref> Chu thought it was appropriate to add organic elements into their designs, influenced by electron microscope images of plant and animal life. The goal was to create the impression that Cylon vessels were cold and mechanical up close, but appeared organic from a distance. | ||
=== Interior Design Approach === | === Interior Design Approach === | ||
Production designer [[Richard Hudolin]] was tasked with designing the interiors of both Raiders and Basestars during the first season.<ref group="production" name=" | Production designer [[Richard Hudolin]] was tasked with designing the interiors of both Raiders and Basestars during the first season.<ref group="production" name="bassom_companion_hudolin_raider_interior_assignment">{{cite book |author=[[David Bassom]] |title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]] |pages=142}}</ref> Hudolin attempted to ensure that these designs were consistent with everything previously revealed about the Cylon race. Knowing that some Cylons were more evolved than others, he felt the ships were somewhere between the mechanical Centurions and [[Number Six]], who is essentially organic. He figured the ships had evolved to a point where they were part-mechanical, part-organic units, integrating biomechanics with muscular skin and bone elements. | ||
The interior of the Cylon Raider was specifically designed to reflect its bio-mechanical nature, as documented in concept art by [[Ken Rabehl]].<ref group="production" name=" | The interior of the Cylon Raider was specifically designed to reflect its bio-mechanical nature, as documented in concept art by [[Ken Rabehl]].<ref group="production" name="bassom_companion_rabehl_raider_interior_concept">{{cite book |author=[[David Bassom]] |title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]] |pages=Concept art}}</ref> The inside of captured Raiders was custom designed to fit actors, particularly [[Katee Sackhoff]] in "[[You Can't Go Home Again]]," for filming scenes where characters interact with the bio-mechanical systems. | ||
== Notes == | == Notes == | ||
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*In an homage to the [[Raider (TOS)|Original Series Raider]], the weapons fire of the Re-imagined Series Cylon Raiders is blue-white. Given the use of conventional weaponry only in the series, these are muzzle flashes and tracer rounds, and not energy weapons like in the Original Series. | *In an homage to the [[Raider (TOS)|Original Series Raider]], the weapons fire of the Re-imagined Series Cylon Raiders is blue-white. Given the use of conventional weaponry only in the series, these are muzzle flashes and tracer rounds, and not energy weapons like in the Original Series. | ||
*The design of the Raider has seen modifications since its debut in the [[Miniseries]]. Of note, the fore grill is not present until as early as [[Season 1 (2004-05)|Season 1]]'s "[[Act of Contrition]]." | *The design of the Raider has seen modifications since its debut in the [[Miniseries]]. Of note, the fore grill is not present until as early as [[Season 1 (2004-05)|Season 1]]'s "[[Act of Contrition]]." | ||
*As of "[[Razor]]," a [[:Image:Raider retcon.jpg|new exterior design]] is being used for the modern Raider. This version displays a more reflective outer armor, and has a flatter face with a sharper jaw line. Overall, this affords the Raider a closer resemblance to the Centurion foot-soldier.<ref group="external" name=" | *As of "[[Razor]]," a [[:Image:Raider retcon.jpg|new exterior design]] is being used for the modern Raider. This version displays a more reflective outer armor, and has a flatter face with a sharper jaw line. Overall, this affords the Raider a closer resemblance to the Centurion foot-soldier.<ref group="external" name="modelermagic_raider_design">http://www.modelermagic.com/?p=219</ref> | ||
*A digital model of the Original Series Raider appears in [[Galactica Museum|''Galactica''<nowiki/>'s Museum]] during the [[Miniseries]] and, later, in "[[Daybreak, Part II]]." | *A digital model of the Original Series Raider appears in [[Galactica Museum|''Galactica''<nowiki/>'s Museum]] during the [[Miniseries]] and, later, in "[[Daybreak, Part II]]." | ||
*Visual effects supervisor [[Gary Hutzel]] was assigned the task of designing the exteriors of various ships, including the Cylon Raider, because production designer [[Richard Hudolin]] didn't have time to personally devise all the ship exteriors while also designing the production's sets.<ref group="production" name=" | *Visual effects supervisor [[Gary Hutzel]] was assigned the task of designing the exteriors of various ships, including the Cylon Raider, because production designer [[Richard Hudolin]] didn't have time to personally devise all the ship exteriors while also designing the production's sets.<ref group="production" name="bassom_companion_hudolin_hutzel_ship_design_division">{{cite book |author=[[David Bassom]] |title=[[Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion]] |pages=140}}</ref> | ||
=== Technical and In-Universe === | === Technical and In-Universe === | ||