TOS Viper for FSX

[Rocket]

With my renewed interest in the original Battlestar Galactica, I decided to give the Viper model in FSX flight simulator another go. It is rather fun to fly in Earth's atmosphere in this powerful little craft but something was not quite right. The gentleman who created the flight model took some liberties with the appearance of the craft, no doubt due to worries about copyright infringement. The pilot's helmet crest is bizarre and the name of the pilot on the port side is "Capt. Starpig".

Luckily, the texture files for the craft were accessible and I was able to apply the correct Galactica crest to the helmet and erase the pilot's name from the fuselage. And then I thought, why not go one step further? A little work with photoshop and I had applied my own handle to the craft and replaced the pilot's face with my own! (Hence my profile avatar)

Now, if any of my new fellow pilots here would like to fly a Viper in FSX, you can go to FlightSim.com (need to be a registered member, it's free) and do a search in their file section for "FSX Battlestar Galactica TOS Two-Pack". This pack contains the flight model of the SF-MKII Viper and a Cylon Raider. AND I am more than willing to pass along my modified texture files. Heck, if you wish to send me a good face forward picture of your face, I will put you in the cockpit!

"Transferring control to probe craft. Launch when ready."

Rocket

[Colonel Bolter]

A freighter-full of awesome here. This'll work great for off-duty flight sims, without having to put up with pressure suits.

Great work Rocket.

Perhaps we can toast the legendary exploits of CPT Starpig at G4...?

[Rocket]

Maybe...my wife and I have started talking about the possibility of attending Galacticon next year...

[Colonel Bolter]

I haven't purchased my tickets quite yet (still finalizing separation settlement), so G4 will be a big 'victory lap' for me. Strongly considering arriving by Amtrak (from Milwaukee WI).

Thanks again for your cool work, downloading now.

[Rocket]

Aug 25, 2014 14:16:02 GMT -5 Colonel Bolter said:

Thanks again for your cool work, downloading now.

Thanks for the kind words! Please let me know when you have taken the Viper for a test drive and I will find a way to send you the modified bitmaps for your textures folder.

[Rocket]

Out of curiosity, is there an official logo for Blackstar Squadron that I might add to the outside of the Viper? If not, I was thinking that I may just change the colour of the stripes to black.

Any thoughts?

[Colonel Bolter]

Aug 25, 2014 21:26:23 GMT -5 Rocket said:

Out of curiosity, is there an official logo for Blackstar Squadron that I might add to the outside of the Viper? If not, I was thinking that I may just change the colour of the stripes to black.

Any thoughts?

Yes indeed there's the official patch available. Someone can post it up again (it's also behind the Vipers under the Forum title at top...).

[Colonel Bolter]

I'm new at this. I visted an old retired full-bird in DC last Spring (when I was at Inspector General school..) who's new passion was RC aircraft. It's like one of those 'retired active military'/old guy hobbies.

Anywho, he's assembled this entire flight-wing of 20something geeks and other retirees who have waaaaay too much money on their hands, showed me all their squadron shirts/patches, yada yada, and took me out flying.

I did the flight sim for an entire afternoon, then we went out to their makeshift flightline at dawn to this local schoolground, where I flew tandem.

It was kinda cool, but I'd be waaaay too nervous to actually invest in the hobby. Seeing 'em crash land after a surprise crosswind would only make me more nervous...

I'd have to take up smokin' or something..., just to settle the nerves.

[Rocket]

Here are a couple of screen caps showing my idea for placement of a Blackstar Squadron crest on the Viper. What do you think?

[Rocket]

Oh, did I forget to mention that there is a Galactica for FSX as well?

[Spectre]

The Blackstar emblem should go on the side of the top engine intake scoop like the Pegasus vipers., as we were the other Pegasus squadron

[Colonel Archon]

This raises two grounds of inquiry.
The first is about whether emblems are, have been, or will be approved for any flights.
(A corollary is, if so, which ones.)
The second is about whether the Blackstar emblem still belongs on our uniforms at all.

[Rocket]

Aug 27, 2014 16:26:20 GMT -5 Spectre said:

The Blackstar emblem should go on the side of the top engine intake scoop like the Pegasus vipers., as we were the other Pegasus squadron

That does sound like a good place for the crest. I'll try to give it a go after work tonight.

[Rocket]

OK, new location for the crest....Feel free to critique!



P.S. I am having way too much fun playing with these textures! I think I will try to clean up the outside and remove the weathering marks.

[Longshot]

I like it it stands out better.

[Spectre]

Aug 27, 2014 16:33:14 GMT -5 Colonel Archon said:

This raises two grounds of inquiry.
The first is about whether emblems are, have been, or will be approved for any flights.
(A corollary is, if so, which ones.)
The second is about whether the Blackstar emblem still belongs on our uniforms at all.

The Blackstar patch had been approved for uniforms as soon as they were sent out.

[Spectre]

Aug 28, 2014 1:29:55 GMT -5 Rocket said:

OK, new location for the crest....Feel free to critique!



P.S. I am having way too much fun playing with these textures! I think I will try to clean up the outside and remove the weathering marks.

PERFECT!!!!
And, thanks for all the great work.

[Rocket]

Thanks, Spectre!

Just one more small change and I will lock it in....I started watching the TOS BSG two-part episode with the Pegasus and I only saw a couple of shots where the Pegasus crest had been added just beneath the canopy on the side of the craft. So I have included it in my last revision. Next week I will probably spend some time removing all of the weathering marks, nothing quite like a brand new Viper!

[Rocket]

Question...Are there many members here who play with FSX or some other flight simulation? Just curious.

I have also had a look at the files for the TOS Galactica and if any one wishes, I can change the name on the ship if you would prefer practicing your touch-and-goes on the Pegasus (or whatever).

"Full turbos!"

[Colonel Bolter]

As mentioned previously, I've only flown WWII aircraft for an afternoon earlier this year, and I'm not counting the flight sims I used 20some years ago since I know they're way way too archaic by today's standards. I personally don't have any USB joysticks at the present time, so I may have to engage in this later this year after I purchase.

Great work (awesome textures..), Rocket.

[monolith21]

THAT IS RAD!!! I love seeing the logo on a viper. Awesome work!

[Rocket]

Still having some fun in FSX. Here is a short test video of a Cylon Raider being shot down. If there is any interest, I will try to produce a better video.

youtu.be/pb7H5uoGFqM

[Longshot]

That was a cool video I'd like to see more.

[Rocket]

Still playing with FSX and Fraps....