'GALACTICA 1980': EARTH EXPLORATIONS!

The skies of Earth are now penetrated by a different kind of flying vehicle than the norm - the Colonial Vipers of the Battlestar Galactica, newly arrived to carefully check out the human civilisation and assess its technological strength, in a nice effects composite shot from Galactica 1980.

CLASSIC ART: STRANGE NEW WORLDS!

Another of the iconic Ralph McQuarrie's gorgeous and evocative production painting for Galactica's pilot episode, featuring a lone patrol Viper landed on Carillon. I love the purple sky and the use of the alien moon.

CLASSIC ART: FRIENDS AND WARRIORS!

There have been many great pairings in film and TV science fiction over the years, but the relationship between the serious Apollo and the fun loving but daring pilot Starbuck was easily one of the best, despite the series all too brief existence, and captured well in this fine art by genre great Matt Busch.

CLASSIC ART: 'LAUNCH FIGHTERS!"

A superb early storyboard for Galactica's pilot episode showing a vast array of Colonial Fighters launched from the mighty Battlestar against the oncoming surprise attack by the Cylons. In the final version of the episode we got a looking down side shot of only three vipers launching outwards.

CLASSIC IMAGE: SPACE WARFARE!

I don't think any fan of Classic Galactica ever got fed up with seeing the sleek Colonial Viper craft in epic space conflict with the deadly Cylon Raiders, and this great T-shirt image composition (I assume from 1978/79) certainly kicks-in the nostalgia in all the right ways!

BEHIND THE SCENES: VIPER TRAIL!

Making the most of all the effects filmmaking talent at their disposal, refining their past work seen with Star Wars, and creating all new ideas and techniques, the Apogee team would bring Galactica to spectacular life for the small (and big) screen, as seen here with the unique Colonial Vipers fuel blasting into action and battle.

'MISSION' AT 45: THAT 'OTHER' BATTLESTAR!

The Pegasus is unleashed on the Cylons!

"I really think you should take a look at the other Battlestar!"

The Cylon Raider pilot's words seemingly fall on Baltar's deaf ears for a few centons. He's too busy watching what he thinks is the last Battlestar, Galactica's, destruction. Now, unbelievably, and certainly no optical illusion, a second Battlestar, of unknown name and origin so far, is heading his way at ramming speed, of which Baltar's Raider only just escapes the keen sights of its weaponry crosshairs.

"Turn you fool, turn!"

Baltar's Raider narrowly escapes...

With new Vipers sounding the battle charge!

And with fully fuelled Viper fighter wings charging towards them also, Baltar knows that his planned 'rout' and 'humiliation' of the enemy is over as he sounds the retreat for his once overwhelming forces...

 

'MISSION' AT 45: CAIN DESTROYS THE CYLON TANKERS!

Cain attacks and destroys the first Cylon Tanker.

Intercepting the transport route of several Cylon Tankers, the integrated Blue and Silver Spar Vipers are soon caught up in battle against an escort raider squadron. Amidst this chaos of battle, Commander Cain, a surprise addition to the team, makes the most of the situation and sneakily destroys the two tankers and their vitally need fuel, their explosive fate watched by Sheba. 

A determined Cain is ready to destroy the tankers.

A new effects shot used in the theatrical movie.

Cain's view from the Viper.

Cain swiftly destroys the second tanker before the arrival of Apollo and Starbuck, who soon query the disappearance.

Now, Adama will surely have no choice but to initiate Cain's prior bold plan to raid Gamoray for its alternate fuel source...

CLASSIC ART: BATTLING VIPERS!

The greatest defense for humanity against the ongoing Cylon armada onslaught, the brave Colonial Warrior pilots go once more into battle from within their Vipers, in another great piece of fan art. 

If anyone knows the artists's name, please get in touch. 

CLASSIC IMAGE: KEEPING TIGHT!

Raising the bar on special effects work for television, John Dykstra and his Apogee team delivered many memorable shots for Galactica's big-budget opening episodes, including this tight shot of assembled Colonial Vipers before they peel off in varying directions.

'GALACTICA 1980': COLONIAL ROADSTER...

Strangers in a strange land, indeed, as Troy prepares to join his long time friend and fellow Colonial Warrior Dillion in exploring the mysterious realms of America, in a scene from the original launch adventure, Galactica Discovers Earth.

CLASSIC IMAGE: ESCAPING THE ENEMY!

Brothers in Colonial arms, Apollo and Zac have discovered the Cylons' treacherous plot and race back to warn the fleet. But the enemy's Raider vehicles pursuing them have other ideas, as seen in this rarely used effects shot originally conceived for Saga of a Star World.

BEHIND THE SCENES: THE FANTASY LEGACY!

We've come a long way since the days of blue screen filming and optical compositing of our popular classic series models. So far, in fact, that CGI/animation effects can be created at home showcasing the iconic Vipers, Cylons and Battlestars at a heaper price than ever before. Fan films celebrating the ever-cool series have become more popular than ever as they take advantage of such advances. Take, for instance, the below labour of fan love called Perseverance. Enjoy! 

CLASSIC ART: WHEN 'MEDIASCENE' PREVIEWED 'GALACTICA'!

Soon an influential title in the realms of mainstream and cult movies and TV, comic book artist and graphic design talent Jim Steranko's Mediascene Prevue magazine was a must-have title, and one that not only had great journalistic content but always looked particularly exciting in the way it showcased science fiction, soon given a new lease by the commercial success of the original Star Wars. Battlestar Galactica was soon equally well represented by 1978 (issue 29 Jan/Feb), as seen with this fine advance publicity salvo with its exclusive use of the Ralph McQuarrie classic conceptual art of a Viper pursued by Cylon Raiders - presumably the first time that this image had been used in the production's highly successful marketing campaign? 

'GALACTICA 1980': THE FUTURE IS HERE!

That long lost shiny planet of Earth has been found and now the next generation of Galacticans must engage in its culture, as the Cylon menace returns to threaten all humanity. A nice promo card apparently used by ABC TV to promote the short lived Galactica 1980 series, promising much with its diverse mixture of old and new.

It's a shame that the exciting card was actually more interesting and intriguing than the actual show itself, in many ways!

CLASSIC ART: OUT IN THE UNKNOWN!

An unknown Viper pilot (possibly an early version of Apollo) keeps tabs on his wingman during their deep space patrol, in this great storyboard concept art linked to Saga of a Star World, by storyboard artist Carl Ardana.

'ICE PLANET ZERO' AT 45: KILLIAN ATTACKS THE CYLON PATROL!

As the demolition team's shuttle dives for the cloud cover protection of Arcta, bold and experienced Viper pilot Lt. Killian holds off the attacking Cylon Patrol that has discovered their presence, ultimately destroying one of them before he himself is wiped out by the surprise firepower of the enemy pulsar cannon.

With skilled piloting, Killian (Richard Milholland) destroys a Cylon Raider.

And tears through the two survivors, before ultimately being destroyed by the pulsar weapon.

'ICE PLANET ZERO' AT 45: THE MISSION BEGINS...

A lone Viper with an experienced warrior gets ready to launch.

Not wanting to attract unnecessary attention whilst entering the quadrant ahead, a single Viper is chosen to escort the now-launched Shuttle housing the demolitions team, piloted by the respected and battle-experienced Lt. Killian.

Ready for launch - Colonial Warrior Lt. Killian (Richard Milholland).

Lt. Killian's viper tears out of the launch tube.

Apollo's shuttle departs the hangar bay.

'ICE PLANET ZERO' AT 45: RETURNING TO GALACTICA!

The Colonial Viper, forty-five years on, remains one of the coolest spacecraft design/models ever created for US sci-fi TV, as seen here in the model filming set within one of the Galactica's landing bays, for Saga of a Star World back in 1978, and reused with an additional Viper optical element for Starbuck and Boomer's return to the vessel from Arcta in Gun on Ice Planet Zero.

'ICE PLANET ZERO' AT 45: VIPER CRASHLAND!

"Starbuck, they're forcing me down!"

Amidst brutal weather conditions around him, and Starbuck and Boomer's Vipers nowhere near close enough to come to his aid, Cadet Cree has no choice but to crash-land on the ice planet Arcta as the Cylon Raiders fly overhead and lock in on his position...

A terrific sequence handled by John Dykstra's Apogee team in Summer 1978.