Battlestar Galactica Viper MkII - Part 6 Cockpit, Final details

The 3D model of cockpit for the Viper MkII is almost complete. All the main switches, dials, instruments and screens are in. This cockpit is based upon the second version of the Viper MkII cockpit in the TV series. The biggest difference between the first version and this one is the addition of a small screen in the lower right of the centre section of the forward panel. The third version removes the three centre engine dials near the centre joystick/yoke. 

 

The last item to add to the cockpit is an ejector seat. I'm going to use a mixture of a real ejector seat and the headrest section of the seat used in Battlestar Galactica. This is because the one used in Battlestar Galactica wouldn't fit a parachute behind the pilot and it looked like it needed to be comfortable for filming ;)

Battlestar Galactica Viper MkII - Part 5 Cockpit and External movie

Couple of movie clips showing the 3D models of the Colonial Viper MkII.

Battlestar Galactica Viper MkII - part 4 Cockpit

Yesterday's and today's lunch time was spent added a 3D model of the cockpit to the Viper MkII.

The first photos and images I had found on the internet gave more than enough to work with. I started the bear bones of the cockpit layout and then later that night, I settled down to watch a few BSG episodes. I then noticed that the centre panel was different from the prop photos I had from the Viper in the first series. After a little bit of digging on the internet, I found out that centre panel had changed a few times. Long and short of it, I'm sticking with the first version :)

I've also added detail to the centre engine as well. This is a best guess, as Zoic 3D model in the series, prop photos and drawings conflict with each other. So I've gone with the best guess approach. 

Battlestar Galactica Viper MkII - Part 3 Details

The basic 3D model is now complete for the Viper MkII and I've moved to the next phase of adding details to the model. I've added the refuel/Plasma details along the sides of the forward fuselage, started to and details on the aft engine sections, and added details to the side engines. I've also tweaked the main fuselage material to look better.

I was going to do the cockpit but the drawings I have don't match the production set cockpit. I'll come back tot he cockpit later and create it basic upon the production model

A good yet limited resource I have found is the drawing and photo on galactiguise.com. I wish I could get my hand on copies of the blueprints...

Just going off topic, I have 5 favourite fictional spacecraft, which I can't, and never will have an outright favourite. These are: 

• Viper MKII from the 2003 series.
• The original Viper from the original series.
• UD-4L Cheyenne dropship from Aliens.
• SA-23E Mitchell-Hyundyne Starfury from Bablyon 5.
• Eagle Transporter from Space: 1999.

Battlestar Galactica Viper MkII

Back in 2009 I started 3D modelling the Viper MkII (Mk2) from the Re-imagined TV series Battlestar Galactica. This is in my top ten of favourite space craft. Last weekend, I've dug it up from my archives, brushed off the virtual dust, then realised why I 'paused, this project. The wings and the rear underside I could never get to look right, even with high resolution orthographic projection views from Zoic Studios. Here is my attempt: