Viper Mark III

Viper Mk. III
[show/hide spoilers] Spoilers hidden in infobox by default only.
Race:	Colonial
Type:	Military
FTL:	No
Propulsion:	* 3x sublight boosters * RCS thrusters
Crew:	1x pilot
Capacity:
CO:	{{{co}}}
XO:	{{{xo}}}
Role:	Space superiority fighter / ground air support
Weapons:	{{{weapons}}}
Armaments:	* 2x 30mm Cannons * Missile hardpoints
Defenses:	{{{def}}}
Aircraft:	{{{aircraft}}}
Aviation facilities:	{{{facilities}}}
Fate:	Retired from military service
Emblem:	[[File:{{{patch}}}|175px|Ship's patch]]
Other Images:	Gallery
Dimensions
Length:	{{{length}}}
Width:	{{{width}}}
Height:	{{{height}}}
Weight:	{{{weight}}}
Wingspan:	{{{wingspan}}}
Other:	{{{otherdi}}}
Game Information
Cost:	{{{construction}}}
Construction Time:	{{{construction}}}
Hull Size:	{{{hull size}}}
Hull:	{{{hull}}}
Mobility
FTL Cooldown:	{{{ftl cooldown}}} turns
Speed:	{{{speed}}} m/s
Turn Rate:	{{{turn rate}}}°/turn
Armor Sum
Armor Total:	{{{armor total}}}
Armor Left:	{{{armor left}}}
Armor Right:	{{{armor right}}}
Armor Front:	{{{armor front}}}
Armor Rear:	{{{armor rear}}}
Armor Top:	{{{armor top}}}
Armor Bottom:	{{{armor bottom}}}
Armament
DRADIS Range:	{{{dradis range}}} m
Processing Power:	{{{processing power}}}
Munition Slots:	{{{munitions}}}
Munition Cooldown Period:	{{{munition cooldown}}} turns
Squadron Slots:	{{{squadrons}}}
Squadron Size:	{{{squadron size}}}
Special Abilities:	{{{special abilities}}}
Additional Information

The Viper Mark III is a fighter craft used by the Colonial Fleet in the latter part of the Cylon War, circa 42 BCH (58YR). 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 ^{(TRS: "Blood and Chrome" and "Miniseries, Night 1")}.

Design

The Mark III retains the same shape and layout as the Mark II, however is slightly larger than the predecessor. 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.

According to the pre-production script for Blood and Chrome, the Mark III Vipers were specifically designed for special operations missions and were "sleeker planes with bigger wings" compared to standard models. The enhanced wing design was intended for both space combat and ground air support missions, making them suitable for the diverse operational requirements of the Ghost Fleet Offensive and similar special operations.

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
• enhanced wing design for ground air support capabilities

Operational History

Ghost Fleet Operations

The Viper Mark III saw significant service during the secret Ghost Fleet Offensive near the end of the First Cylon War. According to the pre-production script for Blood and Chrome, Mark III Vipers were specifically assigned to special operations units operating from Orion-class stealth ships like Osiris.

These fighters were described as being "loaded for bear" and prepared for atmospheric insertion missions, demonstrating their versatility in both space and planetary environments. The script indicates that approximately ten Mark III Vipers were typically assigned to each special operations mission, suggesting they operated in larger squadrons than the smaller complements seen on regular battlestars.

Battle of Djerba

Mark III Vipers participated in the Battle of Djerba, where their atmospheric capabilities were put to the test against Cylon Raiders that had been modified with adaptive flight systems. The script describes how these Vipers were launched from forward-facing tubes on Orion-class ships, allowing for rapid deployment during combat operations.

During atmospheric combat, the Mark III's enhanced wing design proved crucial for maintaining maneuverability against Cylon forces that had developed their own atmospheric adaptation capabilities. However, the battle also demonstrated the limitations of even advanced Colonial fighters when facing overwhelming numerical odds and adaptive enemy technology.

Script Version Details

Jim Kirby's Viper in Osiris' hangar bay ^{(TRS: "Blood and Chrome")}.

The pre-production script for Blood and Chrome provides additional technical and operational details about the Mark III that were not included in the final production. The script emphasizes that these fighters were specifically chosen for special operations due to their enhanced capabilities over standard Mark II Vipers.

The Mark III's role in special operations included support for covert missions deep in Cylon-controlled territory, where their atmospheric flight capabilities were essential for planetary operations. The script suggests that the Mark III represented a significant advancement in Colonial fighter technology, bridging the gap between the wartime Mark II and the post-war developments that would lead to the Mark VII.

The fighters were also noted for their integration with the cramped hangar facilities of Orion-class ships, where space constraints required more efficient operations than those possible on full-sized battlestars. This operational requirement influenced both the design and deployment strategies for Mark III squadrons.

Notes

The wildable cockpit being used for Blood and Chrome as the Viper Mark III cockpit, the last known time this cockpit was used in the Re-imagined Series canon.

• The Viper Mark III's control stick appears to be a Logitech Wingman; it should be noted that the cockpit is a reuse of the "wildable cockpit" built for the Re-imagined Series, as no full-size mockup was physically built. The Viper Mark III is entirely a CGI constructwildable cockpit.
• 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.
• The script version of Blood and Chrome provides much more detail about the Mark III's special operations role and atmospheric capabilities than appears in the final production.

Gallery

• 
  Mk. III Vipers in a hotstack on Galactica.
• 
  Mk. III in atmospheric flight.
• 
  Mk. III in flight.