JonathanDunbar
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- Jan 18, 2009
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Well from time to time I build rockets. Recently, SSS (sssrocketry.org) just finished our 4th and final regional for the year.
One of our events was Sci-Fi (Concept Scale). For this event, I decided to build and fly something close to my heart; Battlestar Galactica Viper.
Our cable provider has a channel named, Retro TV (RTV). On Saturday night, after Airwolf and Buck Rogers, Battlestar Galactica comes on at 9pm Ariona time. This has to be one of the greatest Sci-Fi TV shows ever created; third only to the Outer Limits and the original Star Trek.
When Patrick McKnee of Avengers fame, and the BG chartacter, Count Iblis the Cylon Imperious Leader!!!, starts into his dialogue...
"There are those who believe that life here began out there, far across the universe, with tribes of humans who may have been the forefathers of the Egyptians, or the Toltecs, or the Mayans. That they may have been the architects of the great pyramids, or the lost civilizations of Lemuria or Atlantis. Some believe that there may yet be brothers of man who even now fight to survive somewhere beyond the heavens... (the theatrical version of the pilot ends with this phrase: "...far far away amongst the stars...")"
I get all warm and fuzy and wish to join the 13th lost tribe of man in his quest to survive. This show had it ALL until some IDIOT decided it would be a good idea to find Earth ... the show went into the toilet after that.
The Viper is lets just all agree, short of super-awesome. It is fast, manuverable, and packs a punch. It is the PERFECT craft to model for Concept Scale.
I decided to scale it up from the Estes kit, to use BT-60 tubes. My next build will be from balsa and light ply and give it a TRUE scale contour. Using cylinders just doesn't do the craft the justice as it deserves.
I used Verna's Rockets page for inspiration and ideas: https://www.vernarockets.com/id26.html
It flew for a first place at last Saturday's regional. I built it with 24mm main mount and 3 13mm mounts that air-start to simulate 'TURBO!'; a F32 for main with 3 A10 for TURBO.
Enjoy the pictures and during the year (after NARAM) I will start in on a refined larger version.
Here I have just finished clear coating of the Viper.
Next here I am with my Viper on the Raindbow Valley 'Launch Bay Alpha' range:
Next photo is of Boomer streaking skyward after we received an alert that Luke AFB was coming under attack by Cylon forces. Boomer was able to down a Cylon and took damage (laser cannon was lost) in the lauch. Boomer was able to eject and float down with no further damage under a 45" inch nylon chute. I will get his cannon replaced and ready him for future combat sorties!
Hope you enjoyed my Battlestar Galactica fantasy as mush as I did!
Jonathan
Fleeing from the Cylon tyranny, the last Battlestar, Galactica, leads a rag-tag fugitive fleet on a lonely quest -- a shining planet, known as Earth.
One of our events was Sci-Fi (Concept Scale). For this event, I decided to build and fly something close to my heart; Battlestar Galactica Viper.
Our cable provider has a channel named, Retro TV (RTV). On Saturday night, after Airwolf and Buck Rogers, Battlestar Galactica comes on at 9pm Ariona time. This has to be one of the greatest Sci-Fi TV shows ever created; third only to the Outer Limits and the original Star Trek.
When Patrick McKnee of Avengers fame, and the BG chartacter, Count Iblis the Cylon Imperious Leader!!!, starts into his dialogue...
"There are those who believe that life here began out there, far across the universe, with tribes of humans who may have been the forefathers of the Egyptians, or the Toltecs, or the Mayans. That they may have been the architects of the great pyramids, or the lost civilizations of Lemuria or Atlantis. Some believe that there may yet be brothers of man who even now fight to survive somewhere beyond the heavens... (the theatrical version of the pilot ends with this phrase: "...far far away amongst the stars...")"
I get all warm and fuzy and wish to join the 13th lost tribe of man in his quest to survive. This show had it ALL until some IDIOT decided it would be a good idea to find Earth ... the show went into the toilet after that.
The Viper is lets just all agree, short of super-awesome. It is fast, manuverable, and packs a punch. It is the PERFECT craft to model for Concept Scale.
I decided to scale it up from the Estes kit, to use BT-60 tubes. My next build will be from balsa and light ply and give it a TRUE scale contour. Using cylinders just doesn't do the craft the justice as it deserves.
I used Verna's Rockets page for inspiration and ideas: https://www.vernarockets.com/id26.html
It flew for a first place at last Saturday's regional. I built it with 24mm main mount and 3 13mm mounts that air-start to simulate 'TURBO!'; a F32 for main with 3 A10 for TURBO.
Enjoy the pictures and during the year (after NARAM) I will start in on a refined larger version.
Here I have just finished clear coating of the Viper.
Next here I am with my Viper on the Raindbow Valley 'Launch Bay Alpha' range:
Next photo is of Boomer streaking skyward after we received an alert that Luke AFB was coming under attack by Cylon forces. Boomer was able to down a Cylon and took damage (laser cannon was lost) in the lauch. Boomer was able to eject and float down with no further damage under a 45" inch nylon chute. I will get his cannon replaced and ready him for future combat sorties!
Hope you enjoyed my Battlestar Galactica fantasy as mush as I did!
Jonathan
Fleeing from the Cylon tyranny, the last Battlestar, Galactica, leads a rag-tag fugitive fleet on a lonely quest -- a shining planet, known as Earth.
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We enjoyed the monologue too. 
