'ICE PLANET ZERO' AT 45: PULSAR DESTRUCTION!

Doctor Ravashol's pulsar weapon is finally destroyed atop its mountain stronghold, its weak spots used against it to explosive effect by the Colonial heroes, and just in the nick of time, before the destruction of the Galactica...

The spectacular explosion captured outside the ILM premises in Van Nuys.

A spectacular model explosion filmed for the finale, likely handled by the pyrotechnics whizz Joe Viskocil, a veteran pyrotechnics expert who created a lot of the terrific explosions work for the first two Star Wars movies of 1977 and 1980.

'ICE PLANET ZERO' AT 45: VULPA'S MURDEROUS ATTACK!

Leda sacrifices her life to save Croft, watched by a helpless Apollo.

Arrived at the cannon pumping station, Vulpa attacks the Colonial Demolitions trio, with Leda, protecting  Croft and taking a deadly blast meant for her husband. Starbuck arrives to finally destroy Vulpa, though it take several mighty efforts to take it down.

Starbuck takes down Vulpa.

'ICE PLANET ZERO' AT 45: THE ATTACKS BEGIN!

The time has come as the Colonial attacks on the garrison and the pulsar weapon begin simultaneously. Apollo, Croft and Leda take on the heavily guarded pump area of the weapon and destroy the Cylons. They soon begin priming their solenite explosive charges on vital points of the weapons control areas.

A fine action sequence, accompanied by great incidental music from Stu Phillips.

Apollo's aim hits true every time!

Leda and Apollo lay charges as Croft stands guard.

The many charges are placed...

'ICE PLANET ZERO' AT 45: INTO THE BLASTING ZONE!

It's another near miss for the Galactica and the rag-tag fleet as they are forced to move forward in grouped batches within the deadly spacial corridor of pulsar cannon fire consistently emanating from Arcta. And time is running out for the Colonial ground team to achieve their destructive aims...

'ICE PLANET ZERO' AT 45: THE PULSAR OF DEATH!

Supervised in its initiation by the presence of Centurion Vulpa, the Pulsar Cannon weapon begins firing at the system-approaching Galactica and its refugee fleet. 

The time for the destruction of humanity by the Cylons has begun...

Vulpa arrives at the pulsar station to inspect the weapon as it begins its new firing sequence.

Firing commences.

'ICE PLANET ZERO' AT 45: RAVASHOL HELPS THE COLONIALS!

Now allied with Apollo and his plans to destroy the pulsar weapon, Dr. Ravashol reveals the potential weak spots to the weapon, primarily one of the key energy pumps that must be sabotaged or destroyed.

 

No easy task to achieve, but a necessity...

'ICE PLANET ZERO' AT 45: CADET DESTRUCTION!

Cadets Cree and Shield close-in on the enemy weapon embedded in a mountain peak.

The brave but foolish young Viper pilot cadets try an attack on the enemy Pulsar cannon weapon firmly embedded in the side of an immense mountain of Arcta. Cadet Shields is killed instantly, whilst a Cylon Patrol enters the planetary atmosphere intent on capturing the remaining human pilot Cree for interrogation by their leader, Vulpa.

An interesting unused shot from the beginning of Gun, featuring raw optical animated effects placement overlay...

The final shot as seen in the opening episode.

'ICE PLANET ZERO' AT 45: THE PULSAR WEAPON!

An invention of peace for humanity and other life forms in communication turned into a devastating weapon by inhuman Cylons, the Ravashol Pulsar would be an important part of one of Battlestar Galactica's most famous and beloved adventures.

Concept design by artist unknown.

Another unknown artist's design showcasing the intricacies of the weapon, and how it fires its pulses.

The weapon under construction at the ILM facility at Van Nuys during mid 1978.

Apogee technician David Robman alongside the completed model.

'ICE PLANET ZERO' AT 45: TO KILL A VIPER!

Caught in the Cylon's targeting scanners.

Investigating a brilliant flare phenomenon on the planet Arcta's equator, Cadet Bow leaves his wingmen to investigate but soon finds himself in enemy sights and immediately destroyed by the pulsar weapon.

Cadet Bow flies to his death from the pulsar blast.

As Starbuck reports the shocking news of Bow's death back to the Galactica, the fleet goes on full alert, stopped in space, and the Blue Squadron vipers are readied for launch, supervised by Captain Apollo...

Early raw optical alignment test.

'ICE PLANET ZERO' AT 45: THE FIRING STATION!

The specialist Cylon Centurion technicians manning the Pulsar Cannon weapon, embedded within the highest mountain peak of the planet Arcta, prepare to discharge death to oncoming enemy human forces, starting with the death of Viper cadet Bow, who explores too closely the energy lens flare of the activated weapon. 

BEHIND THE SCENE: PULSAR PIONEERS!

The excellent model making talents of Lorne Peterson and Steve Gawley, both of whom would be veterans of the original Star Wars saga, are well showcased with the construction of the Ravashol Pulsar in this great behind the scenes image for The Gun on Ice Planet Zero. 

CLASSIC IMAGE: THE PULSAR WEAPON!

Now in Cylon hands, Dr. Ravashol's once creation for peace is now a true weapon for war in Cyborg hands, as seen in this moment from Gun on Ice Planet Zero Part One.

CLASSIC IMAGE: DEATH IN THE SKY!

Recklessly thinking they can take out the pulsar cannon on the ice world of Arcta, Cadet Cree sees his youthful colleague Shields and his viper turned to fiery destruction above the mountain-housed weapon, in a scene from the opening to Gun on Ice Planet Zero.

CLASSIC IMAGE: TARGETS ACQUIRED!

Manning the Ravashol Pulsar Cannon, the Cylons make plans to attack the approaching Colonial Fleet, in this scene from Gun on Ice Planet Zero.