Editing Viper (TOS)

{{disline|This article discusses the Viper fighter seen in the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|Original Series]]. For information on the Vipers used in the [[Battlestar Galactica (TRS)|Re-imagined Series]], see [[Viper (TRS)]]. Note: for the single appearance of an [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|Original Series]] Viper in the [[Battlestar Galactica (TRS)|Re-imagined Series]], see the bottom of this article.}}
{{Ship Data
| image= Classic Viper side view.jpg
| series=TOS
| title= Viper
| race= Colonial
| type= Military
| ftl= No
| propol= three sublight aft-mounted engines
| crew= 1 pilot
| role= Space superiority fighter
| weapons= 2 forward-firing laser-torpedo guns
| length= (approx) {{Meters2Feet|8.7}}
| width= (approx) {{Meters2Feet|3.8}}
| sepcon=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-pilot craft with two-forward mounted laser-torpedo guns as standard.

The Viper is capable of rapid acceleration in the form of a "turbo boost" feature, which results in greater fuel usage {{OS|The Living Legend, Part I}}. Vipers are also able to abruptly stop forward acceleration by using their reverse thrusters and braking flaps {{OS|Saga of a Star World}}.<ref>Captain [[Apollo (TOS)|Apollo]] describes to Lieutenant [[Zac]] on how to allow the Cylons to overshoot them, so they can dispatch the pursuing {{TOS|Raider}}s. 
:'''Apollo''': When I hit three, you hit your reverse thrusters and maximum braking flaps.</ref>

Vipers are equipped with an onboard computer which contains a [[warbook]], an electronic reference of ships which, in conjunction with scanners, can give the pilot information on a ship {{OS|Saga of a Star World}} and identify whether or not there are life forms onboard the said ship {{OS|The Living Legend, Part I}}. 

In addition, Vipers' computer is capable of recording messages, which can be played back by Warriors or other persons who happen across an unoccupied Viper {{OS|Experiment in Terra}}.

==Design and Construction==

The standard Viper features the distinctive pointed nose design that has become synonymous with Colonial fighter craft. The cockpit is domed and designed to accommodate a single pilot, though it can occasionally fit a wedged-in observer in addition to the primary pilot.<ref name="STG56">{{cite book|last=Larson|first=Glen A.|coauthors=[[Robert Thurston|Thurston, Robert]]|authorlink=Glen A. Larson|title=[[Surrender the Galactica!]]|publisher=Ace Books|month=January|year=1988|pages=56}}</ref>

The pilot's seat in a standard Viper is characteristically rock-hard, which fighter pilots consider appropriate for their profession and consistent with the spartian design philosophy of these combat vehicles.<ref name="STG56" />

==Launch Operations==

Vipers are launched from battlestars through specialized launch tubes, with pilots experiencing dramatic acceleration as their fighters "plunge down launch tubes."<ref name="STG213">{{cite book|last=Larson|first=Glen A.|coauthors=[[Robert Thurston|Thurston, Robert]]|authorlink=Glen A. Larson|title=[[Surrender the Galactica!]]|publisher=Ace Books|month=January|year=1988|pages=213}}</ref> The launch process involves extensive preflight checks conducted by launch personnel, including Chief Warrant Officers who work closely with pilots during preparation phases. Launch CWOs are known to engage in traditional pre-flight rituals with pilots, such as tossing flight helmets to them before boarding their fighters.<ref name="STG56" />

Experienced pilots often develop signature moves during pre-flight preparation, such as Lieutenant [[Starbuck (TOS)|Starbuck]]'s famous "into-the-cockpit jump," a distinctive maneuver he performs when boarding his Viper.<ref name="STG56" />

Landing operations utilize specialized landing beams that guide the returning fighters safely back to their parent ship's landing bays.<ref name="STG32">{{cite book|last=Larson|first=Glen A.|coauthors=[[Robert Thurston|Thurston, Robert]]|authorlink=Glen A. Larson|title=[[Surrender the Galactica!]]|publisher=Ace Books|month=January|year=1988|pages=32}}</ref>

==Combat Operations==

Vipers serve as the primary interceptor and escort fighters for the Colonial Fleet. They are organized into squadrons, including the elite [[Red Squadron]], and are deployed to engage [[Cylon Raiders (TOS)|Cylon Raiders]] and other enemy threats.<ref name="STG213" /> During combat operations, seasoned pilots demonstrate superior survival rates compared to inexperienced cadet pilots, who are particularly vulnerable during their initial engagements with Cylon forces.<ref name="STG211">{{cite book|last=Larson|first=Glen A.|coauthors=[[Robert Thurston|Thurston, Robert]]|authorlink=Glen A. Larson|title=[[Surrender the Galactica!]]|publisher=Ace Books|month=January|year=1988|pages=211}}</ref>

The fighters are equipped with laser cannons capable of destroying enemy spacecraft with precise targeting. Experienced pilots like [[Captain]] [[Apollo (TOS)|Apollo]] demonstrate exceptional skill, with Apollo destroying three Cylon Raiders before other pilots could claim their first victory.<ref name="STG115">{{cite book|last=Larson|first=Glen A.|coauthors=[[Robert Thurston|Thurston, Robert]]|authorlink=Glen A. Larson|title=[[Surrender the Galactica!]]|publisher=Ace Books|month=January|year=1988|pages=115}}</ref>

=== Variants and Modifications ===
* A [[Starchaser|"Recon Viper" variant]] has been developed, possessing greater (i.e. 2 x) speed and range than a typical Viper, but lacking any armament due to the removal of the [[laser pump]]s. It also possesses an [[CORA|advanced voice interface]]. [[Starbuck (TOS)|Starbuck]] is the only [[warrior]] known to have flown this variant {{OS|The Long Patrol}}.
* On missions where Vipers must endure extreme heat or other environments that could endanger the pilot, specially designed shielding can be applied to the cockpit canopy. This extra layer of protection was used in the [[Straits of Madagon|Madagon star cluster]] and prevented pilots from being hurt by the incredible heat and light in the region {{OS|Saga of a Star World}}.

=== Tie-in Material Information ===
* ''According to ''[[Encyclopedia Galactica]]'' (a non-canonical piece of merchandise published in 1979):''
: The Colonial Viper is the fastest spacecraft in the known Universe. Its maneuverability, too, is unmatched, enabling a skilled pilot to loop around enemy fire and attack from the blind side. High-energy [[Turbolaser|turbo-lasers]] are the main Viper weapon. One hit can destroy a [[Raider (TOS)|Cylon Raider]], and a full payload correctly targeted can inflict severe damage on a [[Baseship (TOS)|Baseship]].

: The Viper's [[ultra-light drive]] puts severe stress on the pilots, and in the event of pilot blackout, the Viper can be fully controlled by its on-board [[Scanner]] Computer System.

: The details of Viper squadron tactics are classified. Their goal, however, is mutual defense. The precision coordination of the best human squadrons is so great that Vipers have commonly taken on Cylon Raiders at four-to-one-odds and emerged victorious. <ref>{{cite_book|last=Kraus|first=Bruce|authorlink=|authorlinkurl=|coauthors=|year=1979|title=[[Encyclopedia Galactica]]|publisher=|location=|id=|pages=56-57}}</ref>

==Re-imagined Series Crossover==
This Viper model is briefly seen in the [[Galactica Museum|''Galactica'' Museum]] exhibition in the [[Miniseries]] and later in "[[Daybreak, Part II]]." 

As the Original Series Viper uses weaponry and features not seen in the Re-imagined Series, its appearance in the museum is more a homage to the Original Series itself than to suggest that these specific Vipers (and their technical abilities) existed in the Re-imagined continuity. However, the Original Series [[Raider (TOS)|Raider]], [[Basestar (TOS)|basestar]] and [[landram]] appear in the Re-imagined Series with updated [[Weapons in the Re-imagined Series|weaponry]]. Given their real world status as the original Vipers, the known design of the [[Viper Mark III|Mark III]] and their more 'primitive' design; this model is perhaps erroneously<ref>''[[Caprica (series)|Caprica]]'' demonstrates that the "Viper" terminology extends into pure aircraft, namely the [[Vintage Viper]] and the [[Air Force Viper]].</ref> assumed to be the Viper Mark I.

== In the separate continuity ==

{{separate continuity|type=line|universe=TOS}}

[[File:Marvel - Viper.png|thumb|A {{alt|Viper|TOS}} fleeing the {{alt|Cylons|TOS}} after uncovering the numerous phalanxes of {{alt|Raider|TOS}}s in waiting, precipitating the {{alt|Battle of Cimtar}} {{comics|marvel|1}}.]]

The '''Viper''' is the primary space superiority fighter of the {{alt|Twelve Colonies of Man}}, often deployed by {{alt|battlestar|TOS}}s.

These craft are prevalent and are relied on for the defense of {{alt|the Fleet|TOS}} through the various and divergent continuities offered, starting from [[Marvel]]'s comics through to the present-day [[Dynamite Entertainment]] comic book adaptations. 

Variations of the Viper include:

* A variant outfitted with [[Stealth drive|stealth drives]], tested in a mission to [[Maytoria]] in {{Comics|vol1|1}}.
* A time travel variant created by Dr. {{Alt|Zee}} called the [[Temporal Viper]] in {{Comics|vol2|1}}.
* A newer model Viper variant known as the "Twister" has been developed by the [[foundry ship]]. This advanced fighter features a distinctive corkscrew design in its nose section, which gives the variant its nickname among pilots.<ref name="STG216">{{cite book|last=Larson|first=Glen A.|coauthors=[[Robert Thurston|Thurston, Robert]]|authorlink=Glen A. Larson|title=[[Surrender the Galactica!]]|publisher=Ace Books|month=January|year=1988|pages=216}}</ref>
* An single experimental [[SuperViper]] is also created.<ref name="STG39">{{cite book|last=Larson|first=Glen A.|last2=Thurston|first2=Robert|title=[[Surrender the Galactica!]]|publisher=Ace Books|year=1988|page=39}}</ref>

===Notes===

Often the [[Dynamite Entertainment]] comics will often swap the visualizations of the Original Series' Viper with the [[Re-imagined Series]]' [[Mark II Viper]], either in full or in part, including the colorization of the striping (the Re-imagined Series' red versus the Original Series' orange).

{{clear}}

==Related images==

<gallery mode="slideshow">
Image:ViperCanopy.jpg|A Viper with specially fitted heat shield as it is launched from [[Galactica (TOS)| ''Galactica'']] in "[[Saga of a Star World]]".
File:LL1 - Viper Technical Readout.png|A scan of a Viper, by another Viper, from "[[The Living Legend, Part I]]".
Image:Vipertos.jpg|A lone Original Series-style Viper on display next to [[Viper Mark II]]s in the [[Miniseries]].
File:Viper (TOS) stick goof.jpg|A goof seen in "[[Saga of a Star World]]" where the main stick is actually a video camera command stick....
File:Viper (TOS) original stick.jpg|...compared to the correct prop stick seen a few seconds earlier.
</gallery>

==Concepts==

A variety of concepts were created by [[Ralph McQuarrie]] for the Viper, some of which ended up in [[Glen A. Larson]] and [[Leslie Stevens]]' ''[[Buck Rogers in the 25th Century]]''.

<gallery mode="slideshow">
BSG Viper - McQuarrie - 1.jpg
BSG Viper - McQuarrie - 2.jpg
</gallery>

==Blueprints==

Blueprints for the construction of the "full-size" mockups:

<gallery mode="slideshow">
Battlestar Galactica - Classic Viper Blueprints - 1.jpg
Battlestar Galactica - Classic Viper Blueprints - 2.jpg
Battlestar Galactica - Classic Viper Blueprints - 3.jpg
Battlestar Galactica - Classic Viper Blueprints - 4.jpg
Battlestar Galactica - Classic Viper Blueprints - 5.jpg
</gallery>

==Notes==

* In ''[[Galactica 1980]]'', some Vipers are outfitted with stealth technologies that render the Viper craft invisible to the eye ([[1980]]: "[[Galactica Discovers Earth, Part I]]").
*A [[Viper (1980)|two-seater version]] of the Viper is seen throughout ''Galactica 1980''. However, despite its appearances in this series, this variant may be hinted at as early on as "[[Saga of a Star World]]", when {{TOS|Adama}} is flown to [[Caprica (TOS)|Caprica]] in [[Apollo (TOS)|Apollo]]'s Viper after the destruction of the Colonies. However, this variant is never explicitly seen during the Original Series' run.
* There is a scale difference between the mock-up/model kit Viper and the actual on screen SFX Viper as can be seen in [http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v252/Almael/Viper-mono_sfx2.gif this SFX-mockup overlap].

==References==

{{reflist}}

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

[[de:Viper (TOS)]]