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[[Image:Blackbird FotP.JPG|thumb|left|"Blackbird Commissioning" ([[Flight of the Phoenix]]) (c) Universal]]
The '''Blackbird''' is a short-lived, prototype [[The Twelve Colonies of Kobol|Colonial]] stealth fighter designed by [[Galen Tyrol]] and built by many [[deckhand]]s and officers on ''{{RDM|Galactica}}''.
The '''Blackbird''' is a prototype [[Colonial]] stealth fighter craft constructed by Chief Petty Officer [[Galen Tyrol]], his deck crews, and other members of ''[[Galactica]]''. This craft was meant to supplement the [[Viper]], given the issues in maintaining the remaining craft aboard the [[battlestar]].  Chief Tyrol had originally intended just to build a standard Viper, but ended up building a ship that was of more value to ''Galactica'' than if he had built another Viper.
{{Ship Data
| image= Blackbird FotP.JPG
| title= Blackbird
| race= Colonial
| type= Military
| ftl= Yes
| crew= 1 pilot
| role= Stealth recon
| arm= Missile hardpoints
| status= Destroyed, [[Battle of the Resurrection Ship]], Circa YR02 (2 ACH)
}}


== Design and Technology ==
== Overview ==  


The Blackbird is designed to use the Viper [[Launch tubes|launch tube]]s, and therefore shares the same general shape. It is built more for speed than for maneuverability. If it is armed, it likely fires the same ammunition as typical Vipers, though this has not yet been demonstrated.
Frustrated at the dwindling number of available {{RDM|Viper}}s due to loss and wear-and-tear, [[Galen Tyrol]] begins to build a new fighter from scratch.<ref>Unlike [[Pegasus (RDM)|newer battlestars]], ''Galactica'' is not equipped with Viper construction facilities.</ref>. The fighter design evolves due to supply shortages as well as improvisation and the imagination of participating crew members. The new fighter becomes more a reconnaissance vehicle than an actual fighter craft.


It does not use metal for its skin since this metal was reserved for Viper repairs. Instead, on [[Karl Agathon]]'s suggestion, the Blackbird uses a carbon composite material, which makes it largely invisible to [[DRADIS]] scanning.  
[[File:Black bird constr..jpg|thumb|left|The Blackbird under construction.]]
The Blackbird is designed to use the Viper [[Launch tubes (RDM)|launch tube]]s, and therefore shares the same general shape. Unlike the Viper, it is built more for speed than for maneuverability and is not equipped with guns<ref>See [[Bradley Thompson]]'s [[Battlestar Wiki:Official Communiques/Archive5#Blackbird:_Efficient_Construction_Crew?|answer to a video effects gaff]] in "Flight of the Phoenix" where the Blackbird is mistakeningly shown flying about the [[Great Cylon Turkey Shoot]]. Thompson confirms that the Blackbird has no guns and its poor maneuverability makes it unsuitable as a dogfighter.</ref> but is later fitted with a missile launcher {{TRS|Resurrection Ship, Part II}}. Upon the suggestion of [[Karl Agathon]], the Blackbird uses black-colored carbon composite materials that make it largely undetectable by [[DRADIS]] and unaided visual viewing. This was a practical consideration in light of all metal being reserved for Viper repairs.


Along with the usual [[RCS]] mechanisms for directional control, the Blackbird is powered by obsolete [[DDG-62]] engines (designed by [[Laird]], a civilian aeronautical engineer) that came from the flight deck of a Colonial fleet ship named ''[[Baah Pakal]]''. One must speculate that since a typical Viper's engines are vulnerable to heat-seeking missiles ([[Mini-Series]]), these must be as well. This would compromise its stealth features during powered flight. (This is less of a disadvantage in space than in atmospheric flight; a spacecraft's inertia is not affected by gravity, friction, and other factors an atmospheric-bound craft would be, and thus can fly indefinitely without firing its engines.)
Along with the usual [[RCS]] mechanisms for directional control, the Blackbird is powered by four obsolete [[DDG-62]] engines that came from the flight deck of the ''[[Baah Pakal]]''. Further, unlike other ships of its size, the Blackbird is [[FTL]]-capable.


[[image:Flight_of_the_Phoenix-Laura.jpg|thumb|A close-up of the cursive on the side of the Blackbird. (C. Universal Studios)]]
{{clear}}
== The "Laura" ==


The first prototype was dubbed "''Laura''", in honor of President [[Laura Roslin]].  It was piloted for the first time by [[Kara Thrace]].
== ''Laura'' and her flight history ==
[[File:Flight_of_the_Phoenix-Laura.jpg|thumb|A close-up of the cursive on the side of the Blackbird.]]
The Blackbird is dubbed ''"Laura"'' in honor of President [[Laura Roslin]].  [[Kara Thrace]] pilots the maiden test flight, where, after some initial difficulties with handling the ungainly craft, she demonstrates the stealth capabilities, eluding chase pilot [[Lee Adama]] and ''Galactica''{{'|s}} DRADIS.


Here is a breakdown of the people who aided CPO [[Galen Tyrol]] in its construction:
The following individuals aid [[Galen Tyrol]] in ''Laura's'' construction:


* [[Anastasia Dualla]], troubleshooting of communication systems
* [[Karl Agathon]] suggests the use of carbon composite materials for the Blackbird's skin.
* [[Cally]]
* [[Brendan Costanza|Brendan "Hot Dog" Costanza]]
* [[Jammer]]
* [[Anastasia Dualla]] improves communication systems.
* [[Seelix]]
* [[Anthony Figurski]]
* [[Karl Agathon]], suggested the use of carbon composite materials for the Blackbird's skin
* [[Cally Henderson Tyrol|Cally Henderson]]
* [[Saul Tigh]], offered the [[DDG-62]] engines
* [[James Lyman|James "Jammer" Lyman]]
* [[Lee Adama]]
* [[Diana Seelix]]
* [[Saul Tigh]] offers the [[DDG-62]] engines.
* [[Kara Thrace]] aids in a few design principles and tests the craft.


Colonel Tigh's was originally vocal in his belief that the project was a waste of time, but later provided assistance in procuring the DDG-62 engines.  Others among Tyrol's own deck crew also at first believed the project to be a waste of time, which was mostly noted through their initial reactions to Tyrol's proposal. However, Commander [[William Adama]] believed that the project offered hope and purpose, therefore permitting it to continue despite the crisis with the [[Cylon]] [[logic bomb]] that infected the ''Galactica'''s systems ([[Flight of the Phoenix]]).
Colonel Tigh originally denounces the project as frivolous, but later provides assistance in procuring the DDG-62 engines.  Others among Tyrol's own deck crew also at first consider the project a waste of time, as noted through their initial reactions to Tyrol's proposal. However, Commander [[William Adama|Adama]] believes that the endeavor offers hope and purpose, and therefore permits it to continue despite the crisis with the Cylon [[logic bomb]] that has infected ''Galactica'''s systems {{TRS|Flight of the Phoenix}}.
 
When commissioning a reconnaissance on the Cylon fleet (containing a [[Resurrection Ship|mysterious ship]]) ''Pegasus's'' [[CAG]] [[Cole Taylor]], although knowing of the Blackbird, chooses to use Raptors for his mission despite Thrace's protests. Before his plan can be put into action Thrace, with assistance from Lee Adama, absconds with the Blackbird, claiming she is running a test flight for Admiral Cain. In reality, she undertakes the mission single-handedly without being detected, taking several close-range pictures.
 
[[File:Blackbird destroyed.jpg|thumb|The destruction of ''Laura'' during the [[Battle of the Resurrection Ship]].]]
 
The sudden, unexpected return of this Colonial craft causes it to be mistaken for a Cylon craft, bringing an end to the [[Standoff Between Galactica and Pegasus|standoff between Galactica and Pegasus]]. Thrace transmits the images, and appeals over the comm that she is not a Cylon vessel. From discussing these photos with [[Gina Inviere]], [[Gaius Baltar]] eventually details the name and purpose of the [[Resurrection Ship]] {{TRS|Resurrection Ship, Part I}}.
 
''Laura'' is later piloted by then-Lieutenant [[Lee Adama]] in the [[Battle of the Resurrection Ship|battle]] to disable the Resurrection Ship's FTL drive, preventing her escape so that Vipers can destroy it. While Adama is successful, a collision with a disabled [[Raptor]] destroys the Blackbird and Adama is forced to eject {{TRS|Resurrection Ship, Part II}}.
{{clear}}


==Notes==
==Notes==
* The Blackbird may be capable of making [[FTL]] Jumps. While this has not been demonstrated as yet in the ship's debut episodes, the possibility is likely as Kara Thrace "acquired" the Blackbird to do her own recon of a mysterious Cylon fleet while Lee Adama and the ''Pegasus'' [[CAG]] flew a [[Raptor]], the only small Colonial military vessel known to have FTL ability,  to scout for the Cylon fleet ("[[Pegasus]]"). Since an attack would be very likely if the Cylon fleet were in sublight range, only an FTL-capable craft could make the trip. Else, the Blackbird is very fast and fuel-conservative, and could make the trip (albeit in a longer time) without the need for FTL engines. If the Blackbird is FTL-capable, there may have been enough room to add an unused FTL drive from a scrapped Raptor, perhaps the one from the destroyed Raptor that crash-landed on [[Kobol]] from "[[Kobol's Last Gleaming, Part I]]."
* Since the Blackbird was designed for speed over maneuverability and possessed stealth characteristics, it is logical that an FTL drive was added for reconnaissance capability. An FTL drive might have been salvaged from a scrapped Raptor, such as [[Raptor 305]].
*[[Wikipedia:Reinforced carbon-carbon|Carbon composites]] are a family of materials used in lightweight or high-temperature-resistant construction, of which a type is used in the nose and leading edges of the wings of [[Wikipedia:NASA|NASA]]'s [[Wikipedia:Space Transportation System|Space Shuttle Orbiter]]. Carbon composites are somewhat fragile, so impacts (even one from a champagne bottle, which Laura Roslin jokingly attempted to do as she christened the ship) may cause the material to splinter or break. It was damage to this material that caused the destruction of Space Shuttle ''Columbia'' on [[Wikipedia:STS-107|STS-107]].  
* The Blackbird's ungainly handling characteristics are quite evident during Thrace's first test flight, as she spends the first several seconds out of the launch tube attempting to gain control over the craft {{TRS|Flight of the Phoenix}}.
*Executive Producer [[David Eick]] stated in his video blog that the Blackbird is "not a Viper", so it is not classed as a modified Viper model ("Viper Mark VIII", etc), but is an entirely distinct craft.
* Instability actually adds to a vehicle's maneuverability in an atmosphere; an extremely stable aircraft resists any maneuvering. Modern real-world fighters are deliberately designed to be unstable with the flight surfaces constantly adjusted by the flight control system. The Blackbird's controls might have been initially uncalibrated for the plane's configuration (e.g. center of mass), and spent more fuel maintaining a desired attitude.
*The fighter's nickname creates a curious comparison with her namesake, Laura Roslin. The frail, but influential President Roslin and her rapid, secretive actions in her quest for Earth's location (including diverting Lt. Thrace from her original mission to destroy the Kobol basestar) as well as her savvy political work in "[[Colonial Day]]", are humorously similar in perspective to the abilities of "Laura", a structually weak, but highly agile and initially underestimated stealth fighter. Like President Roslin (the only known surviving official of the pre-holocaust Colonial [[government]]), the Blackbird is a unique commodity.
*[[w:Reinforced carbon-carbon|Carbon composites]] are a family of materials used in lightweight or high-temperature-resistant construction, of which a type is used in the nose and leading edges of the wings of [[w:NASA|NASA]]'s [[w:Space Transportation System|Space Shuttle Orbiter]]. Carbon composites are somewhat fragile, so impacts (even one from a champagne bottle, which Laura Roslin jokingly attempts to do as she christens the ship) may cause the material to splinter or break. It was damage to this material that caused the destruction of [[w:Space Shuttle Columbia|Space Shuttle ''Columbia'']] on [[w:STS-107|STS-107]].  
*Executive Producer [[David Eick]] stated in his video blog that the Blackbird is "not a Viper," so it is not classed as a modified Viper model ("Viper Mark VIII," etc), but is an entirely distinct craft.
*The fighter's nickname creates a curious comparison with Laura Roslin, the person for whom it was named. The ailing but influential President Roslin and her rapid, secretive actions in her quest for Earth's location (including diverting Lt. Thrace from her original mission to destroy the Kobol basestar) as well as her savvy political work in "[[Colonial Day]]," are humorously similar in perspective to the abilities of "Laura," a structurally weak, but highly agile and initially underestimated stealth fighter.
*From a behind-the-scenes perspective, the Blackbird is most likely named after the [[w:Lockheed SR-71|SR-71 Blackbird]], an actual high-speed reconnaissance aircraft. The SR-71 not only shares the principle but also many design features. These include the engines pointing forward from the wings and also the swept long nose smoothing out on the sides.
 
==Sources==
{{reflist}}
 
{{Ships}}
 
[[Category:A to Z]]
[[Category:Colonial]]
[[Category:Colonial Craft]]
[[Category:Colonial Craft (RDM)]]
[[Category:Colonial Military]]
[[Category:Colonial Military (RDM)]]
[[Category:Ships]]
[[Category:Ships (RDM)]]
[[Category:RDM]]
 
[[de:Blackbird]]
 
{{quality candidate}}


[[Category: A to Z]] [[Category: Colonial Craft]] [[Category: RDM]]
* See Also
** props:Blackbird|Blackbird at Props Wiki
** Stealthstar|Stealthstar, a stealth craft
</pagesidebar>

Latest revision as of 22:16, 20 February 2024

The Blackbird is a short-lived, prototype Colonial stealth fighter designed by Galen Tyrol and built by many deckhands and officers on Galactica.

Blackbird
Blackbird
Race: Colonial
Type: Military
FTL: Yes
Propulsion:
Crew: 1 pilot
Capacity:
CO: {{{co}}}
XO: {{{xo}}}
Role: Stealth recon
Weapons: {{{weapons}}}
Armaments: Missile hardpoints
Defenses: {{{def}}}
Aircraft: {{{aircraft}}}
Aviation facilities: {{{facilities}}}
Fate: Destroyed, Battle of the Resurrection Ship, Circa YR02 (2 ACH)
Emblem: [[Image:{{{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


Overview

Frustrated at the dwindling number of available Vipers due to loss and wear-and-tear, Galen Tyrol begins to build a new fighter from scratch.[1]. The fighter design evolves due to supply shortages as well as improvisation and the imagination of participating crew members. The new fighter becomes more a reconnaissance vehicle than an actual fighter craft.

The Blackbird under construction.

The Blackbird is designed to use the Viper launch tubes, and therefore shares the same general shape. Unlike the Viper, it is built more for speed than for maneuverability and is not equipped with guns[2] but is later fitted with a missile launcher (TRS: "Resurrection Ship, Part II"). Upon the suggestion of Karl Agathon, the Blackbird uses black-colored carbon composite materials that make it largely undetectable by DRADIS and unaided visual viewing. This was a practical consideration in light of all metal being reserved for Viper repairs.

Along with the usual RCS mechanisms for directional control, the Blackbird is powered by four obsolete DDG-62 engines that came from the flight deck of the Baah Pakal. Further, unlike other ships of its size, the Blackbird is FTL-capable.


Laura and her flight history

A close-up of the cursive on the side of the Blackbird.

The Blackbird is dubbed "Laura" in honor of President Laura Roslin. Kara Thrace pilots the maiden test flight, where, after some initial difficulties with handling the ungainly craft, she demonstrates the stealth capabilities, eluding chase pilot Lee Adama and Galactica's DRADIS.

The following individuals aid Galen Tyrol in Laura's construction:

Colonel Tigh originally denounces the project as frivolous, but later provides assistance in procuring the DDG-62 engines. Others among Tyrol's own deck crew also at first consider the project a waste of time, as noted through their initial reactions to Tyrol's proposal. However, Commander Adama believes that the endeavor offers hope and purpose, and therefore permits it to continue despite the crisis with the Cylon logic bomb that has infected Galactica's systems (TRS: "Flight of the Phoenix").

When commissioning a reconnaissance on the Cylon fleet (containing a mysterious ship) Pegasus's CAG Cole Taylor, although knowing of the Blackbird, chooses to use Raptors for his mission despite Thrace's protests. Before his plan can be put into action Thrace, with assistance from Lee Adama, absconds with the Blackbird, claiming she is running a test flight for Admiral Cain. In reality, she undertakes the mission single-handedly without being detected, taking several close-range pictures.

The destruction of Laura during the Battle of the Resurrection Ship.

The sudden, unexpected return of this Colonial craft causes it to be mistaken for a Cylon craft, bringing an end to the standoff between Galactica and Pegasus. Thrace transmits the images, and appeals over the comm that she is not a Cylon vessel. From discussing these photos with Gina Inviere, Gaius Baltar eventually details the name and purpose of the Resurrection Ship (TRS: "Resurrection Ship, Part I").

Laura is later piloted by then-Lieutenant Lee Adama in the battle to disable the Resurrection Ship's FTL drive, preventing her escape so that Vipers can destroy it. While Adama is successful, a collision with a disabled Raptor destroys the Blackbird and Adama is forced to eject (TRS: "Resurrection Ship, Part II").


Notes

  • Since the Blackbird was designed for speed over maneuverability and possessed stealth characteristics, it is logical that an FTL drive was added for reconnaissance capability. An FTL drive might have been salvaged from a scrapped Raptor, such as Raptor 305.
  • The Blackbird's ungainly handling characteristics are quite evident during Thrace's first test flight, as she spends the first several seconds out of the launch tube attempting to gain control over the craft (TRS: "Flight of the Phoenix").
  • Instability actually adds to a vehicle's maneuverability in an atmosphere; an extremely stable aircraft resists any maneuvering. Modern real-world fighters are deliberately designed to be unstable with the flight surfaces constantly adjusted by the flight control system. The Blackbird's controls might have been initially uncalibrated for the plane's configuration (e.g. center of mass), and spent more fuel maintaining a desired attitude.
  • Carbon composites are a family of materials used in lightweight or high-temperature-resistant construction, of which a type is used in the nose and leading edges of the wings of NASA's Space Shuttle Orbiter. Carbon composites are somewhat fragile, so impacts (even one from a champagne bottle, which Laura Roslin jokingly attempts to do as she christens the ship) may cause the material to splinter or break. It was damage to this material that caused the destruction of Space Shuttle Columbia on STS-107.
  • Executive Producer David Eick stated in his video blog that the Blackbird is "not a Viper," so it is not classed as a modified Viper model ("Viper Mark VIII," etc), but is an entirely distinct craft.
  • The fighter's nickname creates a curious comparison with Laura Roslin, the person for whom it was named. The ailing but influential President Roslin and her rapid, secretive actions in her quest for Earth's location (including diverting Lt. Thrace from her original mission to destroy the Kobol basestar) as well as her savvy political work in "Colonial Day," are humorously similar in perspective to the abilities of "Laura," a structurally weak, but highly agile and initially underestimated stealth fighter.
  • From a behind-the-scenes perspective, the Blackbird is most likely named after the SR-71 Blackbird, an actual high-speed reconnaissance aircraft. The SR-71 not only shares the principle but also many design features. These include the engines pointing forward from the wings and also the swept long nose smoothing out on the sides.

Sources

  1. Unlike newer battlestars, Galactica is not equipped with Viper construction facilities.
  2. See Bradley Thompson's answer to a video effects gaff in "Flight of the Phoenix" where the Blackbird is mistakeningly shown flying about the Great Cylon Turkey Shoot. Thompson confirms that the Blackbird has no guns and its poor maneuverability makes it unsuitable as a dogfighter.



  • See Also
    • props:Blackbird|Blackbird at Props Wiki
    • Stealthstar|Stealthstar, a stealth craft

</pagesidebar>