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 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: RAIDER SPOTTING!

One of the Universal Heartland's talented crew members looks towards the impressive Cylon Hangar bay model set and its housed Raiders, during effects filming for the excellent series finale, The Hand of God.

BEHIND THE SCENES: A CYLON ARMADA!

Another great, sadly unused effects shot image from Saga of a Star World, this time showcasing an armada of Cylon Raiders coming in for the kill on Colonial targets. Interestingly, bar one model on a Blue Screen support pole, the other craft images are all seemingly cut out images assembled together on a glass sheet backing. I would love to have seen this shot completed!

'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: THE CYLON ATTACK CONTINUES!

With the firepower of three Basestar compliments of fighters at his command, Baltar launches his most devastating Cylon Raider attack yet on the Galactica, bringing destructive carnage in its wake, deliberately targeting its bridge and the landing bays. 

Baltar relishes the last Battlestar's destruction...

Attacking the Gemini freighter.

Colonial Vipers speed in to attack the Raiders.

The Raiders continue their fleet attacks.

The fleet's food supplies are threatened, as the Agro Ships come under fire.

Fires spread out across the Galactica bridge. How much longer can they hold out?

The Vipers are overwhelmed but valiantly fight on against the Raiders, as the enemy conflicts spreads out across the Colonial Rag-Tag fleet, a deliberate action by Baltar so as to drain their colonial battle thruster fuel supplies further.

'MISSION' AT 45: THE FIRST CYLON ATTACK!

Just as tensions between the Commanders and warriors of the two Battlestars reach near breaking point with the removal of Cain's command by an angry Adama, an incredible wave of Cylon fighters, led from the front by a blood thirsty Baltar, attacks the Galactica and the fleet, bringing epic destruction and damage in their wake. Can the newly command re-instated Cain and the Pegasus, located beyond scanning range at the far side of the fleet, be able to help their comrades in time?

CLASSIC IMAGE: CONVERGED TO ATTACK!

The newly-arrived Cylon Raider force from Borallus now assembles to seemingly surprise attack the lone Galactica with all the destructive might at its disposal, in a memorable effects shot from Saga of a Star World.

CLASSIC MERCHANDISE: FLY YOUR OWN RAIDER!

The Cylon Raiders' powerful and threatening frame, impressively designed by Joe Johnston and Ralph McQuarrie. made it perfect for toy vehicle merchandising in ways that all young American series fans wanted, of which this Mattel radio control vehicle form was surely a must-have back in the day. 

Was this ever released beyond the US territory? If so, please get in touch.

CLASSIC ART: CAPRICA ATTACK!

The destructive Cylon bombardment of the Colonial home worlds begins, as seen in this superb production painting artwork by Ralph McQuarrie for Saga of a Star World in 1978.

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.

CLASSIC ART: COLONIAL AMBUSH!

One of my all-time favourite Ralph McQuarrie concept/production paintings for Galactica, as the Cylon sneak attack begins on the Colonial Fleet. It feels like a realistic scene of war, full of depth, detail and incident. I wish this evocative painting could have been filmed for real in the pilot episode, Saga of a Star World.

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? 

CLASSIC IMAGE: THE RAIDERS ARE LAUNCHED!

The Cylon starforce previously waiting for the Galactica and the Rag-Tag fleet at the Borallus system have now made the journey to Carillon, ready and launching their massed killer force of Raider craft for what they they think will be the final, final annihilation of the lifeform known as man, in a great effects shot from Saga of a Star World.

'ICE PLANET ZERO' AT 45: THE CYLON SPACE ATTACK!

The time is now as the Cylon space force that has been prior pushing the Galactica and its human survivors fleet into the Arcta quadrant, in liaison with Cylon Centurion Vulpa, begin the final herding attack into the targeting sights of the Ravashol pulsar...

'ICE PLANET ZERO' AT 45: ATTACK FROM THE AIR!

As the Snowram exits the shuttle to take on the landing party, it soon comes under attack from a lone Cylon raider. As Starbuck mans the gun to destroy it (poorly represented with stock footage of the Cylon Basestar being destroyed on Carillon from Saga of a Star World!), he soon gets a surprise with the appearance of Boxey to congratulate him with his victory!

'ICE PLANET ZERO' AT 45: KILLER FROM THE CLOUDS!

Having disappeared into the planet's cloud cover after the late Lt. Killian's Viper attack, a lone Cylon Raider now attacks the Colonial Shuttle, its accurate lasers soon penetrating its hull, causing chaos and injury inside and soon sending the human vehicle hurtling to the surface and a soon crash-landing on Arcta.

A hit!

The rear decompression begins!

The shuttle is violently hit - inside, the Colonial support team is soon injured as the vehicle begins plummeting from the clouds.

Oxygen masks are on as the Boomer and Starbuck try to control the approaching crash-landing.

"We're going down!"

The shuttle, now heading at speed to the surface.

'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: 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.

'ICE PLANET ZERO' AT 45: CREE'S UNFRIENDLY ESCORTS!

 

"Invader, release control of your craft..."

Now emerged from orbit to penetrate the Arcta cloud cover, a Cylon patrol is swiftly to intimidate Cadet Cree's Viper with heavy pulsar fire, soon forcing the inexperienced pilot to crash-land on the hostile world...

Unused effects shot of Cylon Raiders above Cree's ship, trying to force him down.