Colonial Fighters Collection

[Tinman]

I thought all of you might like to see a little project I am working on. I have been playing around with some art work for fighter designs in the BSG World.

The basic work started out with a great piece of artwork done by B.J. Olejink - without which none of mine would be possible. If you haven't seen his site, check it out on the web.

OK... lets get on with it. Click on icon for full sized image.

VIPER MK.II
This is just basicly Mr. Olejink's Viper artwork with new markings applied by me for the 62nd FS "TRIDENT'S OWN"
and a emblem on the tail for BATTLESTAR TRIDENT's insignia (my Battlestar assignment in the CDF).


SCORPION MK.II HEAVY FIGHTER
This is basicly a modified Viper with the third engine and intake lowered down partially behind the cockpit along the lines of the TNS Mk.II Viper.
The fighter also has a third blaster cannon mounted in the verticle tail firing over the cockpit.


PYTHON MK.I EW / ECM FIGHTER
This fighter has the same engine configuration as the Scorpion. The Python is stretched out for a second cockpit seat for the "Wizo" to operate
all the newly installed electronic equipment. The EW/ECM equipment is carried in pods on the wingtips and verticle tail as well as having antennas
placed in specific positions on the wings and fuselage.


ASP MK.IV STRIKE FIGHTER
This 2 man fighter has an "X" configuration set of wings as well as dispensing with the single verticle tail of the Viper for smaller twin tails.
It has a standard armament of 4x Turbo-Lasers which can be augmented with missiles (Mk.22 "Can-Opener" Anti-Ship missiles shown) or free-fall
Solonite weapons on hardpoints under the wings. This model of the Asp is used for Tactical Strikes on enemy ships as well as ground targets
and has a limited capability as a Point Defense Interceptor.


<S>!

[Tinman]

This one is based on the SCARLET VIPER from the Richard Hatch BSG Novels. This great, improved (along BSG2 lines I would presume
to make it akin to the Viper Mk.VII) concept and original art is by BAGERA3005.
I toned down the colors some to get rid of the "Neon" effect and changed some minor things. Added details to the engines and the
wingtip lasers as in the original Hatch SV design and markings for a fighter aboard a ship in the RPG game I am involved in.


SCARLET VIPER MK.II
The original Scarlet Viper was built to be the "Ultimate" Space Superiority Fighter with the limited resources and production facilities available to the
surviving Colonial Forces. The design incorporates parts from the Viper fighter along with newly designed components. It has highly uprated powerplants
and improved attatude & control surfaces making it faster and more manuverable than any Cylon craft know to exist.
For it's size - it has a devestating armament package - 5x Turboblasters - (2x mounted in the usual positions plus 3x more added at the forward tips
of the wings and verticle stabilizer) as well as optional Solonite missiles on hardpoints under the wings.
While the craft is superior to the Viper and the Cylon Raider - It's main weakness is due to the the lack of materials on the Colonists part not many of
them can be fielded against the numbers of Raiders the Cylons can field.
This Scarlet Viper belongs to the CAG of the ESCORTSTAR CHIRON and is attached to the 201st F.S. "RED DEVILS."


<S>!

[Reaper]

fighters are looking good. I see they all have rcs thrusters, based on the Moore BSG. We're pure classic here, but I do like the variations on the Painting of the TOS Viper.

[Tinman]

rcs thrusters? Have to excuse me I fly the "other kind" for a living.

Understand about you guys being strictly TOS - just put it up to show the work, no matter which side you root for you can still apreciate the work of either.

<S>!

[Reaper]

like I said, the work is good RCS stands for Reaction Control System. It's the thruster exhaust holes that Moore had installed on the front of the Viper and on all the control surfaces.

In real terms, it's what makes the ship change direction. Babylon 5 used it for the Earth Ships. Star Wars and The original BSG used a different system to control the ships, similar to the Anti Gravity systems in the capital ships. It would push the ship in the direction the pilot wanted to go. And makes the space ships look like it was flying in air lol

[monolith21]

I actually think a lot of the design work on the RDM show is pretty decent. I dig the Mk II Viper but I really dislike the fancier version. The uniforms are pretty cool as well, though they just don't make me think Battlestar Galactica.

It was the story elements that turned me off from that show. So I can totally appreciate your design! Viper design preferences are really varied around here. You should check out the thread about which Viper would you fly if you could. The responses crack me up!

You can always count on Ed holding the Scarlet Viper head and shoulders above the rest! lol

[Tinman]

RCS, Geeze I know what that stood for. Sorry for coming across so dim.

I have to agree with Monolith - the RCS on the fighters and the way they flew and fought in outer space was one of the things that really blew me away when I first saw TNS. (Then the "Skinjobs" came along and blew the whole series for me. ) Anyway, it just seems right to have it on there even though it is a TOS design Viper.

I also agree the TNS MK.II Viper was one of the best looking designs they ever came up with. Even better than TOS Viper. (yea I know sacrilege) The Mk.VII is just FRAKING ugly - don't know who came up with that one.

Anyway, that is my $.02 - for what it's worth. ;D

<S>!

[Reaper]

DOn't get me wrong, I do like the MkII with the removal of the RCS thrusters lol I do think that this is the Ship they should have used for the Main Viper. But they got stupid with the MkVII. (my opinion of course lol) This is why I included the MK II in that Viper thread lol. And I intend to eventually get a model of one in scale with the 1/72 scale Mk I I have. (Definately going to try to convert a Mk I to a Scarlet Class, it won't be perfect, but I'm gonna try lol)

If I could find a Mk IV in scale then I'd be in heaven lol.

Oh and for the record, I prefer the MK II to the Mk IV lol Sorry Monolith.

As for the RCS thrusters, I just think that in a civiliaztion that has developed FTL travel, and Artificial Gravity, that the ships would have developed a steering system better then RCS.

Now that said, RCS does allow for some amazing manuvers. I tink Babylon 5 handled this best. Since when you flipped end over end, they changed the direction of the thrust one the wing mounted engines. the Starfuries actually flew backwards.

And Tinman, everyone is encouraged to give their $.02 worth on everything

[Reaper]

If you don't mind my interupting, here are a few more designs I've seen over the Yahrens lol


The 6th Milenia Fighter, I've seen it called the Scarrab or the Scorpion Fighter as well, although both are not canon.
Designed and used early in the war, The ship was sublight and only had 2 engines.


The Colonial Asp. Or at least the first ship I had seen with this name. I first came across it back in the days of the Battlestar Excaliber. Probably 10 years ago or more. It's a 2 seater, side by side, like the F-111 or A-6. The lasers look to be larger bore (maybe a bigger punch) The original write up I saw for it was the first mention of missles being armed on Vipers or any Colonial ship other then a battlestar. I like this design as an attack ship, ground pounding and finishing off Cylon patrol ships. No Offense Tinman



Finally we have the Momba. Pure Overkill. And I do love me some overkill.

I would say the duties of the 2 pilots would be very different. The foreward, or bottom cockpit would be the pilot. And the rear upper statiojn would be Weapons and Navigation. This most definately is a LONG range Bomber and recon ship. Probably not assigned to a Battlestar since the battlestar has no KNOWN launch rails for the ship. I can see it launched from planetary or SpaceStation positions in the Colonial system. Doing the job of the WWII PBYs. Only thos one has 4 lasers providing a punch.