The '''Viper''' is the Colonial space fighter used throughout the ''Battlestar Galactica'' sagas:
{{DisambigTab
|tab1=Original Series
== Canonical ==
|subtab1_1=Viper (TOS)
|subtab1_2=Starchaser
* For the fighter in the [[Battlestar Galactica (TOS)|Original Series]], see: [[Viper (TOS)]].
|subtab1_3=sixth-millennium starfighter
* For a summary of the two Viper models seen in the Re-imagined Series, see: [[Viper (RDM)]].
|tab2=Galactica 1980
** For the [[Cylon War]]-era Viper, see: [[Viper Mark II]].
|subtab2_1=Viper (1980)
** For the newest Viper in use during the [[Fall of the Colonies]], see: [[Viper Mark VII]].
|tab3=Re-imagined Series
|subtab3_1=Viper (RDM)
== Separate Continuities ==
|subtab3_2=Viper Mark II
|subtab3_3=Viper Mark III
* For the various classes of the Viper fighter depicted in [[Richard Hatch]]'s novels, see: [[Viper (RH)]].
|subtab3_4=Viper Mark VII
* For the updated Viper design seen in Richard Hatch's ''[[Battlestar Galactica: The Second Coming]]'' trailer, see: [[Scarlet Viper]].
|subtab3_5=List of Vipers
* For information on the Viper used in the [[2003 Video Game|2003 ''Battlestar Galactica'' Video Game]], see: [[Viper (2003 Video Game)]].
|tab4=Separate Continuity
|subtab4_1=Viper (RH)
{{disambig}}
|subtab4_2=Scarlet Viper
|subtab4_3=Viper (TOS alternate)
|subtab4_4=Temporal Viper
|subtab4_5=Viper Gunship
|subtab4_6=Stealth Viper
|subtab4_7=Viper (2003 Video Game)
|subtab4_8=Viper (1880)
}}
[[de:Viper]]
[[de:Viper]]
[[fr:Viper]]
Latest revision as of 22:55, 18 February 2024
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The Colonial Viper is the primary space superiority fighter and attack craft deployed by the 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 (TOS: "The Living Legend, Part I"). Vipers are also able to abruptly stop forward acceleration by using their reverse thrusters and braking flaps (TOS: "Saga of a Star World").[1]
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 (TOS: "Saga of a Star World") and identify whether or not there are life forms onboard the said ship (TOS: "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 (TOS: "Experiment in Terra").
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 Madagon star cluster and prevented pilots from being hurt by the incredible heat and light in the region (TOS: "Saga of a Star World").
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, basestar and landram appear in the Re-imagined Series with updated weaponry. Given their real world status as the original Vipers, the known design of the Mark III and their more 'primitive' design; this model is perhaps erroneously[2] assumed to be the Viper Mark I.
In the separate continuity
The content in this section is considered separate from the primary continuity (often called "canon"). Be sure that your contributions to this section reflect events specific to the separate continuityexclusively.
These craft are prevalent and are relied on for the defense of the Fleet through the various and divergent continuities offered, starting from Marvel's comics through to the present-day Dynamite Entertainment comic book adaptations.
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).
A 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 Adama is flown to Caprica in 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 this SFX-mockup overlap.
References
↑Captain Apollo describes to Lieutenant Zac on how to allow the Cylons to overshoot them, so they can dispatch the pursuing Raiders.
Apollo: When I hit three, you hit your reverse thrusters and maximum braking flaps.
Starchaser is the name given to Recon Viper 1, a variant of the Colonial Viper.
Amongst its modifications are the Computer, Oral Response Activated system, which is capable of piloting the ship without the need for a human pilot. It is fitted with a second set of pulse generators, thus doubling the speed of the craft, and is able to "outrun anything in the galaxy".
However, these modifications come at a cost: Starchaser has no teeth, as its laser generators had to be removed in order to make room for the pulse generators. As it retains the shape, weight, and size of the regular Viper, Starchaser can continue to make use of the launch tubes.
Its first pilot is Lieutenant Starbuck, who volunteers to use the new variant primarily so that he can dine in the re-opened lounge on Rising Star with Cassiopeia. Believing the mission to be fairly standard, Starbuck does not realize that the first patrol outside the Cyrannus galaxy leads him into discovering a lost Colonial penal asteroid and ambrosa that is nearly a millennium old (TOS: "The Long Patrol").
Notes
The craft is only used once and is apparently never seen, or referenced to, in future episodes.
Further, it is the only Viper that is ever given a proper name.
Croad forcing Starbuck's shuttle down using a sixth millennium fighter.
Although apparently 1,000 yahrens older, the design of the sixth-millennium starfighter is extremely similar to that of the Colonial Viper. The sixth-millennium starfighter fuselage is much more squat and has two engines rather than three. It, like the Viper, is armed with a pair of laser cannons.
The Colonial Viper is the primary space superiority fighter and attack craft deployed by the 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 (1980: "Galactica Discovers Earth, Part I").
An on board compartment accessible through the cockpit contains space suits, which can be used when extra-vehicular activity is necessary (1980: "Spaceball").
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.
The Viper is the primary attack/interceptor vehicle in use on the Twelve Colonies with a wide range of both atmospheric and space capable craft dating back to before the First Cylon War.
The history of the Viper can be traced back to before the Cylon war, where propeller powered, and later, jet engine powered Vipers were utilized by colony based air force organizations, prior to the unification of the Colonies.
After the outbreak of the Cylon War, and the unification of the Colonies, the Viper Mk. II became the colony-wide service plane of choice, serving with distinction throughout that conflict. By the end of the war, the Mk. II was being phased out in favor of the Mk. III, however the Mk. II still continued to see action, even up until the Armistice. The Mk. II is later chosen for preservation in the Battlestar Galactica Cylon War Museum, following its decommissioning nearly 40 years since the end of hostilities (TRS: "Miniseries").
Post-Cylon War
A Viper Mk. II and a Mk. VII on patrol (TRS: "33").
By the time of the Fall of the Twelve Colonies, the Viper Mark VII has taken up the mantle of the Mark II. However, due to its advanced construction and computer system, the standard Mark VII is vulnerable to the Cyloncomputer virus. Most of these are destroyed by the Cylons, who break in, and shut the Viper's computers off. A few remain with the fleeing Colonials, only after having their computer systems purged of the offending software (TRS: "Miniseries").
Flight Regimes
The Viper is designed to operate in both space and atmospheric conditions.
In space flight, the Viper is highly maneuverable, dangerously so in inexperienced hands. Reaction control system (RCS) thrusters for rapid and flexible attitude control, a cluster of 3 main thrusters for high acceleration, and retractable reverse thrusters housed in both port and starboard cowlings for some degree of deceleration can subject the pilot to punishing g-forces. Its retractable landing struts can be magnetized to secure the Viper on metal decks and surfaces in zero gravity.
In atmospheric flight, Vipers consume more Tylium fuel than in the vacuum of space. Once in an atmosphere, the engines must run continuously to maintain sufficient airflow over the wing lifting surfaces. Depending on the composition of the atmosphere itself, this can place severe strain on the Viper's engines (TRS: "You Can't Go Home Again"). In addition to greater fuel consumption, the high wing load (i.e. small wing area relative to weight) may compromise the Viper's overall maneuverability. Because the smaller wing surfaces generate less lift, higher speeds are needed to stay aloft. The fighter's RCS thrusters might partially compensate for this.
Life Support
Viper cockpits are pressurized and heated, and pilots wear flight suits which, along with a breathing pack housed within the back, provide full life support should ejection be required (TRS: "You Can't Go Home Again)". In atmospheric ejections, the seat jettisons automatically once clear of the Viper, exposing a parachute which is deployed at a safe altitude (TRS: "Act of Contrition", "Razor").
Viper cockpits are also hardened against radiation, including a canopy made of a radiation-resistant glass and is capable of protecting a pilot against radiation levels that would kill a healthy human in 30 seconds (TRS: "Blood and Chrome")
Because of the stamina required to operate Vipers, battlestars have a specialized weight room where the pilots maintain their physical condition.
The Viper Mark II is a single seat fighter aerospace craft used by the Colonial Fleet during the First Cylon War. The fighter served with distinction, proving to be a capable fighting vehicle and winning renown across the Twelve Colonies; the Mark II is regarded as instrumental in ensuring that the Colonials did not lose the original Cylon War [4]. Eventually, the Mark II was succeeded in service by the larger, and more advanced Viper Mark III (Blood & Chrome), in the later years of the War, however, the Mark II was still utilized by the military up to, and for at least two decades following[5], the Armistice(TRS: "Razor Flashbacks", "Miniseries, Night 1"). Owing to the iconic status that the Mark II achieved during its operational years, a squadron of 40 planes are chosen for preservation in the battlestar Galactica History Museum. These Vipers are later brought back online to defend Galactica, and later its civilian fleet, following the sudden Cylon attack on the Colonies (TRS: "Miniseries").
Overview
Fore, side, top and aft views of the Mark II
The Mark II is a long, sleek vehicle with specialized features for zero-g and atmospheric combat, and reconnaissance.
The fore section comprises the nose back to the cockpit. Located there are the forward RCS systems for maneuvering the craft; the forward landing gear; the main avionics and sensor packages and the single-seat cockpit.
The stern comprises the main engines, numerous RCS maneuvering jets, fuel tanks, wings and vertical stabilizer. The wings themselves contain the kinetic energy weapons, their munitions storage and feeds. Mounting points beneath the wings allow missiles, munitions pods and other items to be rack-mounted (TRS: "The Hand of God").
The wing's roots contain the main landing gear, retracted during flight. The Mark II's shape is distinctive because of the offset "intakes" mounted just behind the cockpit. The port / starboard "intakes" incorporate small but powerful reverse thrust engines that can quickly counter a Viper's forward momentum in an emergency (TRS: "The Hand of God").
The Mark II is equipped with a Milso Delta-G Intrepid guidance system. The quad mounted gyroscopic ACRS is hot-linked to the cockpit instrument package and all RCS ports for enhanced performance [6].
As part of its use in the Cylon War, the Mark II was initially designed to resist Cylon attempts at disabling or damaging its flight controls [7]. Given the number of analog gauges and controls, its likely that the Mark II was intended to be flown entirely without computer assistance in fear of compromise by an electronic attack. Nevertheless, a simple computer to manage the flight systems is present in the cockpit, assisting the pilot's Mark One Eyeball. Some gauges, such as the altimeter, are used only in atmospheric flight.
The Mark II is equipped with two 800 rd. Thraxon MEC-A6 30mm Mass Accelerator Cannons (MECS), as its primary weapon. These cannons are capable of firing 20 rounds per second and are augmented with orange tracers, which enable the pilot to see where the rounds are going, and adjust their aim accordingly[6].
These cannons are supplemented with a storage bay capable of holding up to eight Lightning Javelin missiles capable of carrying conventional or up to 50 megatons of nuclear tipped warheads[6].
Performance
The Mark II is as "nimble as a jackrabbit," and can rotate 180 degrees vertically in .35 seconds (TRS: "Act of Contrition"). It accelerates at six to seven G's, or 60 to 70 m/s² (TRS: "The Hand of God").
Following the decommissioning of the battlestar Galactica 40 years after the Cylon War ended, and its transformation into a museum, a squadron Mark IIs are chosen for preservation and display on the port flight deck. Following the sudden Cylon attacks, these Vipers are brought back to working order and used to defend the ship as it made its way to Ragnar Anchorage to refit. Eventually, these Vipers are used to defend the 50,000 survivors of the attacks as they flee the Colonies into deep space (TRS: "Miniseries").
They served with distinction up until the end of the Fleet's journey, however not without losses. The few remaining Mark IIs are eventually destroyed after Galactica is flown into a star following the Colonial's settlement of a new world (TRS: "Daybreak, Part II").
Related Imagery
The rear of a pristine Mk II.
Viper Mark II with visible battle damage.
Burning up in an atmosphere (Act of Contrition)
Viper in atmospheric flight (Razor)
Destroying a Cylon guard tower
Viper in perfect condition (Miniseries)
Viper in launch tube (Miniseries)
Viper in maintenance
A pair of Mk. IIs fly CAP
A squadron of Mk. IIs fly in formation during the Battle for the Tylium Asteroid
A pilot in a Mk. II Viper stares down an enemy Raider
A Mk. II fires its main 30mm guns
A Mk. II flies in the upper atmosphere of a gas giant
↑ 2.02.12.2Dimensions provided by Lee Stringer, one of the VFX Animators of the miniseries. These are for the CGI models, which are based on but not identical to the fullsize props. Source: Starshipbuilder.com forums
↑In flight, without landing gear. Landing gear adds approximately (0.5m)
↑Its iconic status is not unlike that of the real world Supermarine Spitfire, which is held in great esteem in the countries where it served - particularly Great Britain. Many Spitfires are preserved today as museum pieces, just as the Mk. II Vipers were aboard Galactica.
The Viper Mark III is a fighter craft used by the Colonial Fleet in the latter part of the Cylon War. It is the successor of the Viper Mark II and a precursor to fighters used by the Fleet following the war, including the Viper Mark VII ("Blood & Chrome").
Design
The Mark III retains the same shape and layout as the Mark II, however is slightly larger than the predecessor.[1] It featured a drab grey paint scheme with red accents along the wings and nose, and identification numbers printed along the front side and along the vertical stabilizer.[2]
The Viper Mark III features:
an angular forward fuselage cross section
a revised cockpit canopy featuring rounder edges
more angular side intakes with intake ramps
narrower thrust nozzles
deletion of structures housing the rear undercarriage and reduction of the ventral fairing; all three landing struts retract directly into the main fuselage
two internal missile launchers on the underside
control surfaces for maneuverability in atmosphere
Notes
The Viper Mark III's control stick appears to be a Logitech Wingman.
The Mark III is similar to an early design for the Mark II Viper made during pre-production of the 2003 Miniseries, which was simplified into the final version to ease the construction of the full-size prop.[3]
Gallery
Mk. III Vipers in a hotstack on Galactica.
Mk. III in atmospheric flight.
Mk. III in flight.
References
↑The exact size is never stated in canon, however, modeler Pierre Drolet lists 10.6 meters long, 6.77 meters wide, and 3.85 meters tall (presumed to include landing gear). These sizes would be too large to fit in series established launch tubes without the tubes themselves being larger as well. The launch tubes are not directly seen in the production, but considering the enlarged hangar bay, it is quite possible that they were, creating yet another series continuity error.
↑In yet another production error, each Viper was a clone of a single model, featuring the same squad and tail numbers - 407, and SF/10 579011, respectively.
↑Based on production stills and research from Galactiguise Source 1Source 2
3 x forward-firing kinetic energy weapons (KEW), 2 mounted towards the outboard sections of the wings, 1 x mounted in the vertical stabilizer, Weapon hard-points for mounting missiles / munitions pods, etc. under the wings.[2]
Capable of atmospheric flight, the Mark VII is the front-line variant of the Viper design, retaining the Mark II's general layout but adding fully integrated avionics that provide superior battle management and flight information for the pilot.
Ironically, it is this incorporation of new integrated systems that prevents the majority of Mark VIIs from being effective during the Cylon attack: as with the majority of Colonial Fleet, the Mark VIIs suffer fatal computer system failures on contact with Cylon forces. Thanks to a Cylon agent's relationship with Dr. Gaius Baltar, scientist and programmer of the navigation software project, the navigational software in use on board most Colonial Fleet vessels contains back-doors that allow the Cylons to infiltrate a vessel's computers by wireless signals and to disable its power systems. Though this problem can be overcome by removing the navigational upgrade compromised by the Cylons, the information is not discovered in time to benefit the surprised and hard-pressed Colonial forces.
Being a single-seat craft, it mounts three forward-facing kinetic energy weapons (KEW). In addition, it possesses hard-points beneath the wings for mounting missiles, munitions pods and other ordnance (TRS: "The Hand of God").
The Mark VII cockpit is almost totally computerized. There are far fewer analog gauges and more reliance is placed on a powerful central flight computer. This gives the Mark VII pilot far greater control of the fighter as well as, presumably, greater targeting control in a dogfight.
However, the latest and last software upgrade, the CNP upgrade, introduces a fatal flaw (inserted by a Cylon agent) in the Mark VII that leads to the virtual annihilation of most of these fighters in the opening wave of the Cylon attack.
The surviving Mark VII fighters on both Galactica and Pegasus are retrofitted to older avionics packages to replace the compromised CNP and eliminate further infiltration.
As of "Scar", Pegasus has begun to use her on board construction facilities to produce replacement Vipers. Materials mined in an asteroid field allow the production of two full squadrons. Additionally, since Pegasus joined the Fleet, Mark IIs have been steadily phased out in favor of retrofitted Mark VIIs.
The Mark VII's main weapons are three forward-facing cannons, two in the wings and one in the vertical stabilizer. Typically, it is only the wing-mounted cannons that are used.
Like the Mark II, it can also be armed with missiles.
Performance
While the Mark II can rotate 180 degrees vertically in .35 seconds (TRS: "Act of Contrition"), it is presumed that the Mark VII has an equal or better performance ratio.
Given that the Mark II is capable of holding its own even against superior numbers of modern Cylon Raiders, the more advanced Mark VII probably also has an equal or superior performance as Raiders in the hands of a capable pilot.
Other design features
The Viper Mark VII has primary and secondary hydraulics, the secondary system presumably acting as a redundant backup for mission-critical prime system. Damage to both systems does not significantly compromise the Viper's performance as a space combat craft, provided the pilot is sufficiently skilled to manage the changed flight characteristics (TRS: "Scar"). The consequences of the loss of both systems in atmospheric flight would undoubtedly be far more dire.
Since Galactica had only 40 Viper Mark IIs aboard as part of its museum, they needed as many fighters as possible. The remaining Mark VII's advanced computer systems were refitted to resist Cylon infiltration. However, since this is not how the Mark VII was designed to fly, the craft is increasingly more difficult to handle and can only be flown by the most experienced pilots such as Apollo and Starbuck. Galactica had roughly 6-8 Mark VIIs on board after the Cylon attack ("Scattered", "Flight of the Phoenix") [5]. Since the Vipers aboard Pegasus were predominantly Mark VIIs, these too were presumably retrofitted to less vulnerable avionics.
According to David Weddle during the "Scar" podcast the Mark VII cockpit design "was actually laid out based on, I think it's either the F-16 or the F-18." The side-mounted control stick more closely resembles that of the F-16, which is appropriate given the "Viper" nickname of the jet (that was initially the General Dynamics codename for the project, which was in turn named for the TOS Viper).
Also revealed in the podcast for "Scar" is that the full cockpit interior for the Viper Mark VII was built for this episode. "Flight of the Phoenix" had paved the way for the construction of the full cockpit when "the line producers and the production designers figure[d] out ways to move money around that basically bought us this cockpit because we had built the stealth fighter." The cockpit interior may have been constructed at the same time the Blackbird was being built.
Like the Original Series' Viper, the weapons fire of Vipers on the Re-Imagined Series is red, however, the button is on the center of the joystick for the Mark VII, and the left for the Mark II (TRS: "33").
As of "Maelstrom", a new exterior design for the Viper Mk VII is being used. It is characterized by angular air intakes - with three intakes on the ventral side as opposed to the original's single intake - and a compressed forward fuselage with chines extending only partway to the nose. Additionally, the new version possesses a drab gray hue that differs from the original's gunmetal-gray coloration. Due to the fact that all Mark VII fighters seen since "Maelstrom" display the later appearance, it was surmised that this was a retroactive update rather than a variant of an existing ship.
However, this shot taken from "Razor" displays both variants in action. Starbuck's Viper (in the foreground) is of the redesigned variant, while Showboat's Viper (in the back) is the original version - characterized by gunmetal-gray armoring and the sleek forward fuselage. Taking this visual into account, it may be alternatively concluded that these are two versions of Viper (with the newer design perhaps being a product of Pegasus's Viper production facilities). Accepting this conclusion would partly explain why the Mk VIIs present on Galactica's hangar deck bear the original appearance while those seen in action do not - there would no longer be a design conflict between the physical model and the CGI version of the craft. However, for sequences where an actor climbs into the physical model but is subsequently seen flying the new version (as it happens in "Crossroads, Part II" and "He That Believeth in Me" for example) the discrepancy is still present, although these shots show only the cockpit of the Vipers making this less obvious. In Razor and Season 4 both designs do appear onscreen although seldom together. However much of the confusion stems from all of the close up shots being of the Maelstorm design with the original design appearing in many the far out shots.
According to Doug Drexler, "The model was rebuilt by master modeler Pierre Drollet (sic) at Gary’s request. After all the episodes we had done, we learned all of the original models weaknesses, and built it to withstand greater scrutiny, and render more efficiently. Changes were fairly superficial, but improved the lines of the bird." [6]
Overall, between the new engine, cannon, and wing detailing, it can be surmised the update was intended to bring the plane closer to the details of the full-scale prop, which it resembles much more then the detailing in the original CGI model. Only the nose of the full-scale prop was built for the Miniseries, the rest of the plane was built later and very simplified in comparison to the CGI one.
Although nearly all Viper Mark VIIs seen, including those on Caprica before the war, have the same ####NC serial number pattern, in addition to his 48 kill markings, enough of Captain Cole "Stinger" Taylor's can be seen to show that it is marked with one ending in P, possibly intended to be for Pegasus.
Related Images
Zoic CGI model
Zoic CGI model
The belly of the Viper
Hiding in the shadows of an asteroid
Atmospheric flight
Joint patrol
Avionics
Control stick
References
↑Very segmented exhaust nozzle design suggest possible thrust-vectoring.
↑ 2.02.1Ammunition used was same as older Viper models; the Mark VII guns appear to have a higher rate of fire. Armaments listings and ejector seat details from David Bassom's Battlestar Galactica: The Official Companion.
↑Dimensions provided by Lee Stringer, one of the VFX Animators of the miniseries. These are for the CGI models, which are based on but not identical to the full size props. Source: Starshipbuilder.com forums
↑In flight, without landing gear. Landing gear adds approximately 0.5m.
↑Information previously available on the SciFi website.
This list was created to keep track of Galactica and Pegasus's Viper complement and includes those active and destroyed, as well as ones with unknown status.
Note that DRADIS designations and tail number designations differ, even if they denote the same Viper, and a DRADIS designation number may have been used on multiple Vipers. DRADIS designations are noted as "DRADIS" in parentheses next to the numeric designation.
Noted on the War Room chalkboard as being Marcia "Showboat" Case's Viper number. Assigned to Primus squadron. May be the tail number to her Mark VII Viper, however definitive confirmation of this is presently unavailable.
↑
Petty Officer Anastasia Dualla announces this Viper's number and several other Viper numbers as each performs a combat landing in the port flight pod as she attempts to verify all pilots that can return to Galactica are aboard before the battlestar escapes from Ragnar and the Cylon ambush.
This article has a separate continuity. This article is in the Richard Hatch continuation separate continuity, which is related to the Original Series. Be sure that your contributions to this article reflect the characters and events specific to this continuity only.
The Colonial Viper is the primary space superiority fighter and attack craft deployed by the 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.
In the 18 yahrens since the exodus of Man from the Twelve Colonies of Man, Galactica's numbers varied. In 7342, Galactica carried a compliment of 75 Vipers, whose numbers depleted to less than forty around 7352. In the few yahrens that followed this decline, the Fleet discovers a planet rich in the material resources to not only repair (and retrofit) ships, but also the creation of two new Viper classes to restore Galactica's depleted ranks[1] (RH: Armageddon).
Azure-class Viper: A successor to the Viper seen in the Original Series, and built on Hephaestus. This version is a rebuild of the earlier model of Viper available to Galactica, featuring a new pulsar system with efficient tylium usage, thereby reducing solium leads. More than forty were constructed before resources were allocated to its successor, the Scarlet-class[1] (RH: Armageddon).
Scarlet-class Viper: A successor to the Azure-class, Galactica began building these class of Vipers 18 yahren after "The Hand of God", circa 7360. The first one is given to Lieutenant Commander Apollo, with a second one slated for Captain Starbuck, who stuck to his older Viper (RH: Armageddon).
A CGI artist, Steve Parady, met with Hatch, who was pleased by the conceptual drawing that Parady created. The design for the fighter was inspired by the X-29 test fighter's swept forward wings.
The design was seen in the completed mock trailer.
Book appearance
The Scarlet-class Viper, or simply Scarlet Viper, is introduced in Hatch's first novel, "Armageddon". It is said to be a successor to the Azure-class Viper, itself a successor of the original Viper seen in the Original Series.[1]
The difference between this and the original Viper include a scanner that creates a "laser-constructed three-dimensional image" of destinations[2], in addition to improved systems and weapons, and even energy shields.[3] However, these energy shields are incapable of handling a direct blast, at least without damaging the Viper, but can "shrug off" tangential blasts.[3]
One of the Scarlet's flight-modes is a hover mode, a feature not available to earlier Viper classes[4].
It also contains a computer that recognizes voice input[5], likely a successor to C.O.R.A..
In 7360, the first of this Viper class is furnished to Lieutenant Commander Apollo, with a second earmarked for Starbuck, who rejects the ship in favor of his older Viper[6]. At least four Scarlet Vipers are in the process of being completed[7] prior to a seditionist bombing derailing their completion[8] (RH: Armageddon).
The Colonial Viper is the primary space superiority fighter and attack craft deployed by the 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 (TOS: "The Living Legend, Part I"). Vipers are also able to abruptly stop forward acceleration by using their reverse thrusters and braking flaps (TOS: "Saga of a Star World").[1]
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 (TOS: "Saga of a Star World") and identify whether or not there are life forms onboard the said ship (TOS: "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 (TOS: "Experiment in Terra").
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 Madagon star cluster and prevented pilots from being hurt by the incredible heat and light in the region (TOS: "Saga of a Star World").
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, basestar and landram appear in the Re-imagined Series with updated weaponry. Given their real world status as the original Vipers, the known design of the Mark III and their more 'primitive' design; this model is perhaps erroneously[2] assumed to be the Viper Mark I.
In the separate continuity
The content in this section is considered separate from the primary continuity (often called "canon"). Be sure that your contributions to this section reflect events specific to the separate continuityexclusively.
These craft are prevalent and are relied on for the defense of the Fleet through the various and divergent continuities offered, starting from Marvel's comics through to the present-day Dynamite Entertainment comic book adaptations.
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).
A 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 Adama is flown to Caprica in 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 this SFX-mockup overlap.
References
↑Captain Apollo describes to Lieutenant Zac on how to allow the Cylons to overshoot them, so they can dispatch the pursuing Raiders.
Apollo: When I hit three, you hit your reverse thrusters and maximum braking flaps.
This article has a separate continuity. This article is in the Dynamite Comics separate continuity, which is related to the Original Series. Be sure that your contributions to this article reflect the characters and events specific to this continuity only.
The Colonial Temporal Viper[1] is a modified primary space superiority fighter and attack craft designed by Zee, and deployed by a reluctantly exasperated Commander Adama as a last ditch effort to protect Galactica from a certain demise. Only two were ever modified due to the Fleet's resource scarcity.
As with a standard Viper, it is capable of both atmospheric and long-range spacial flight, capable of operation by a single-pilot, with two-forward mounted laser-torpedo guns as standard, in addition to a temporal weapons package in the form of the temporal warper. The temporal warper has a limitation of ten shots before it requires a recharge from a special temporal battery (Classic Battlestar Galactica Vol. 2 #1).
Aesthetically, the modified Viper is a dark gray featuring orange striping across its fuselage and wings, and the addition of a nose stabilizer fin on the fuselage (Classic Battlestar Galactica Vol. 2 #1). It is also capable of carrying two persons in tandem, although this is discomforting to pilots (Classic Battlestar Galactica Vol. 2 #3 & #5).
This article has a separate continuity. This article is in the Dynamite Comics separate continuity, which is related to the Re-imagined Series. Be sure that your contributions to this article reflect the characters and events specific to this continuity only.
A Viper Gunship.
The Viper Gunship is a two-seater variant of the Colonial Viper that is primarily designed to be a heavy gun platform.[1]
This article has a separate continuity. This article is in the Dynamite Comics separate continuity, which is related to the Re-imagined Series. Be sure that your contributions to this article reflect the characters and events specific to this continuity only.
A Stealth Viper in flight.
The Stealth Viper is a stealth attack craft in the Colonial Fleet during the last year of the Cylon War.
These craft are part of the Argus, a prototype battlestar with new stealth technology, and are assigned to undertake various secret missions into Cylon-occupied space.
Unlike other stealth craft depicted in the Re-imagined Series canon, these craft possess weapons and self-destruct mechanisms, the latter to be used to prevent the ship and its technology from falling into the wrong hands (Battlestar Galactica: Origins 5).
This article has a separate continuity. This article is in the 2003 Video Game separate continuity, which is related to the Original Series and the Re-imagined Series. Be sure that your contributions to this article reflect the characters and events specific to this continuity only.
Within the 2003 Battlestar Galactica video game, three variants of Viper are available: the Mark I, which is designed to be an earlier version of the original series Viper; the Mark II, which is largely based on the Original Series Viper, and the Mark III, which is described as "superior to the Mark II in every respect". The Mark III is distinctive because of its two-seat cockpit and the lack of the characteristic dorsal fin common to most Viper designs. The Mark III is also known as the Strike Viper. [citation needed]
Notes
The 2003 "Battlestar Galactica" video game has its own continuity that uses elements from both the Original Series and the Re-imagined Series. Despite the naming, these fighters should not be considered to be predecessors or successors to the Re-imagined Series' Mark II or Mark VII models.
The Mark III Strike Viper was originally known as the Scorpion Viper. [citation needed]
Related Imagery
Composite render of the Mark I.
Composite render of the Mark III.
Wireframe model of the Mark III.
This article has a separate continuity. This article is in the Dynamite Comics separate continuity, which is related to the Original Series. Be sure that your contributions to this article reflect the characters and events specific to this continuity only.
A Viper with specially fitted heat shield as it is launched from Galactica in "Saga of a Star World".
A scan of a Viper, by another Viper, from "The Living Legend, Part I".
A lone Original Series-style Viper on display next to Viper Mark IIs in the Miniseries.
A goof seen in "Saga of a Star World" where the main stick is actually a video camera command stick....
...compared to the correct prop stick seen a few seconds earlier.
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