Editing Viper (1980)

{{disline|For the version of the Colonial fighter in the [[Original Series]], see: [[Viper (TOS)]].}}

__NOTOC__
{{Ship Data
| image= Twoseatviper.jpg
| title= Viper
| race= Colonial
| type= Military
| ftl= No
| propol= three sublight aft-mounted engines
| crew= 2
| role= Space superiority fighter
| img=Y
}}

The Colonial '''Viper''' is the primary space superiority fighter and attack craft deployed by the [[Colonial Fleet (TOS)|Colonial military]]. Capable of both atmospheric and long-range spacial flight, the Viper is a single-to-two-pilot craft with two-forward mounted laser-torpedo guns as standard.

The Viper is capable of rapid acceleration in the form of a rapid acceleration feature (called "turbos"), which results in greater fuel usage {{G80|Galactica Discovers Earth, Part I}}. 

Apparently in use as early as ten-[[yahren]] into the exodus from the [[The Twelve Colonies of Man|Twelve Colonies]] {{G80|The Return of Starbuck}}, the Vipers have a large storage compartment in the undercarriage in which a lone [[turbine]] can be stored {{G80|Galactica Discovers Earth, Part I}} as well as an [[energizer]] powerful enough to render the Viper [[invisibility field|invisible]] for 24 Earth hours {{G80|Galactica Discovers Earth, Part II}}.

Also, a device capable of time warping, the [[time warp synthesizer]], is outfitted in at least three Vipers: [[Dillon]]'s, [[Troy (1980)|Troy]]'s and one that [[Xaviar]] steals {{G80|Galactica Discovers Earth, Part II}}.

== Cockpit layout ==

While the ship can be piloted by one pilot, a second person in the back seat can run [[scanner]]s and other on board [[computron]] equipment. The first seat is typically the flight seat, although the second person can assume piloting duties as well, since a second set of flight controls is also available<ref>[[Jamie Hamilton]] indicates this when she asks what the "turbo" button does, when seated behind [[Dillon]] in "[[Galactica Discovers Earth, Part III]]".</ref> {{G80|Galactica Discovers Earth, Part III|Spaceball|The Night the Cylons Landed, Part I}}.

An on board compartment accessible through the cockpit contains [[Uniforms (1980)#Space suits|space suits]], which can be used when extra-vehicular activity is necessary {{G80|Spaceball}}.

The cockpit can jettison the forward half of its fuselage and back half of its engine housing, with the cockpit section becoming an escape pod. This cockpit also includes a parachute for use in atmosphere to slow the descent, as well as survival gear for the pilot, in addition to an active transmitter for rescue operators to home in on  {{G80|The Return of Starbuck}}.

== Related Imagery ==
<gallery mode="slideshow">
File:Almostinvisviper.jpg|A Viper in the process of becoming invisible {{G80|Galactica Discovers Earth, Part I}}.
File:Twoseatsfull.jpg|A Viper cockpit with both seats occupied {{G80|Galactica Discovers Earth, Part II}}.
File:Vipereva.jpg|An external view of the Viper in space, undergoing field repairs {{G80|Spaceball}}.
File:Viperpanel.jpg|The Viper panel being repaired {{G80|Spaceball}}.
File:Escapepod.jpg|A Viper escape pod, complete with deployed parachute ([[The Return of Starbuck]]).
File:G80 - TROS - Escape Pod and Supplies.jpg|{{1980|Starbuck}} retrieves a survival pack from the Viper escape pod {{G80|The Return of Starbuck}}.
</gallery>

== Notes ==

* None of the single-seat variants of this craft are seen in use, although they are in many of the special effects scenes in the series -- as these scenes are extensively reused from the Original Series. 

== References ==

{{reflist}}

[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Colonial]]
[[Category:Colonial Craft]]
[[Category:Colonial Military]]
[[Category:Ships]]
[[Category:Ships (1980)]]
{{indicator|1980}}[[Category:1980]]