Colonial Viper

Thanks for the kind words for my previous post. The next modeling odyssey I'll be embarking on was actually started when I was a young teenager. I had built this Colonial Viper model when the TV show 'Battlestar Galactica' got its original airing in the late seventies.


The cockpit windows were originally black stickers and it came with a pretty lame stand (no landing gear). My paint job was pretty crappy and I was never really happy with the finished result.

I have always loved the Ralph McQuarrie concept art for the original series and this painting below has always captivated me.


So I thought I might try and recreate this scene.

I'll be scratchbuilding the viper's landing gear as well as detailing the interior of the cockpit.


I had to very carefully cut out the windows for the cockpit...a little bit of sanding left to go.



My landing aren't 100% accurate, but they're not completely off either. As long as they look close enough for the overall effect to work, I'm happy.



I'll think I might modify a suitable figure to be the viper pilot. Not sure what approach I'll be taking with that just yet. I bought some Milliput (a modeling compound), so I might attempt something with that.


I think this is going to be pretty tough challenge for me. I think it will also be a bit of fun.