Wednesday 30 July 2014

GALACTICA 1980: INTO BATTLE WITH DAGGIT SQUADRON!

Dennis Haysbert gets ready to launch his Viper in GALACTICA 1980.

Watching the series again after years away from it, my recent experience of the ten-episode  GALACTICA 1980 series has mildly changed - it doesn't feel as bad as it used to be, though I have trouble accepting it as any genuine kind of cannon in the BG universe- the loss of most of the original cast being particularly painful. Its final episode, The Return of Starbuck, remains its one genuine triumphant (which we've previously covered), but there's a few other elements from the series that I feel are worthy of mention on this site that we'll be posting in the coming months. First off, the episode Space Croppers shows us the next generation of Viper fighter pilots- the youthful, risk-taking, flight-deck aggravating Daggit Squadron, under the command of Captain Dante (played by Philip Levien). Seen only in this one episode, their primary task would be to continue to defend the Colonial Fleet and keep the Cylons attentions focused away from Earth via numerous risky diversionary missions and attacks. One of the pilots seen in the episode is future 24 star Dennis Haysbert, whose pilot nickname was "Creature". As well as GALACTICA 1980, that year 1979-1980 at UNIVERSAL would also see his making appearances in another popular sci-fi TV favourite of the time: BUCK ROGERS IN THE 25TH CENTURY (both seasons). Other Daggit pilots were likely played by actors John Dantona (Foley), Gordon Haight (Deacon), Stefan Hayes (Channon) and Lance Mugleston. If anyone can confirm this, or has any more info, please get in touch.

Here are images of the Daggit Squadron pilots, wearing interesting new variations on the classic fighter pilot helmets from the original series (Dillon and Troy also wear the headgear). Though, due to the very low budget nature of its successor, some of them are attired in different variations of Colonial Warrior costume than others.

Captain Dante (Philip Levien).
The pilot nick-named "Creature" (Dennis Haysbert). Note his wearing of one of the black combat outfits worn by Apollo and co. from The Living Legend.
Unknown Viper pilot 1.

Unknown Viper pilot number 2.

Unknown Viper pilot number 3 wearing Commander Cain's costume from The Living Legend.
Unknown Viper pilot number 4.
Unknown Viper pilot number 5. 





Saturday 26 July 2014

CLASSIC IMAGE: ARE WE DEFEATED?


A natural leader to the surviving colonists of the Cylon-attacked Caprica, former news reporter Serina asks the all-important questions about humanity's survival to Commander Adama, in this scene from Saga of a Star World.

Wednesday 23 July 2014

CLASSIC ART: RENDEZVOUS WITH DESTINY!


The mighty Battlestar Galactica, and the rest of the Colonial Fleet, gathers for a doom-laden rendezvous with the Cylon Empire, as seen in this defining conceptual art from Ralph McQuarrie, for Saga of a Star World.

Saturday 19 July 2014

CLASSIC MERCHANDISE: APOLLO - THE T-SHIRT!


A nice composite image of Richard Hatch as Captain Apollo- a classic TV hero forever- for a modern T-shirt range celebrating the Classic GALACTICA series.

Wednesday 16 July 2014

CLASSIC MERCHANDISE: DISCO INFERNO!


The mid-seventies was disco-time, and even sci-fi films and television series were cashing in on the act. First was STAR WARS, then came GALACTICA. I'd like to see some Cylons trying to boogie-on down the dance floor to this Stu Phillips re-arranged groove!

Saturday 12 July 2014

CLASSIC IMAGE: GOING DOWN...


Apollo and Starbuck go on a little investigation of the Ovion Casino's out of bounds lower levels, soon making a scary discovery, in this scene from Saga of a Star World.

Wednesday 9 July 2014

CLASSIC IMAGE: TRAVELLING WARRIORS!


In a still presumably from Gun on Ice Planet Zero, Colonel Tigh and Boomer get a chance to have a dramatic-looking photo taken near the distinctive solar system chart, located on the Galactica bridge.

Saturday 5 July 2014

CLASSIC ART: GALACTIC LADIES MAN!


That darn Starbuck, he always manages to get the girls - whichever galaxy they're from! - as depicted on this lovely DYNAMITE COMICS cover art from sci-fi and fantasy favourite Dave Dorman.

Wednesday 2 July 2014

CLASSIC MERCHANDISE: BIG G CEREAL CARDS (1978)

All-action effects scene card from the 1978 cereal set.

Another nostalgic piece of merchandise that I wish had made it further overseas beyond the US and Australia: a 16 piece set of 1978 cards/stickers for the BIG G General Mills cereals range. Information reveals at least four were create-a-scene cards, 2 or more were cards, 4 or more were stickers and the remainder being cut-outs.

Cylon and Ovion cut-out.

Starbuck and Boomer cut-out
Boxey and Muffey cut-out.
Apollo and Adama cut-out.

Cylon Raider sticker.

If anyone out there has more info or better scans that they can provide, please get in touch...