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The Viper Mark II was the second model of Viper introduced during the Cylon
War. It became the main fighter craft for the Colonial Fleet in the latter part
of the war, quickly replacing the Viper Mark I. It proved to be faster and more
manoeuvrable than the Mark I with a sleeker design and more powerful engines.
The Mark II gave the Colonial Fleet fighter supremacy, which eventually led to
the Colonial victory against the Cylons.
After the Cylon War, the Viper Mark II stayed in service until it was eventually
replaced by the Mark III. However, the Mark II is the most remembered fighter
craft of the Cylon War and holds the legendary status as the best fighter in the
Colonial history.
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Length: 8.4 meters (27.6 ft.) Width: 4.7 meters (15.5 ft.) Height: 2.7 meters (9 ft.) |
The making
Below are pictures of the scratch build process. The scale is 1:72 so the kit will measure 12 cm (4.7 inches) in length once completed - Please note that this kit is NOT the same as the one sold by Starship Modeler (from Black Sun Models).
The fuselage was basically sculpted from laminated sheets of styrene.
Detailing is done using small bites and pieces of styrene and some of photo-etched sets took from the aviation modeling. To give a sense of scale I have put Fine Molds 1:72 X-Wing fuselage and pilot aside my Viper.
So far in the project I can say that it's very accurate to the CGI references from the show, despite the relatively small scale (1:72) - More are available on the web site of the Viper's CGI creator, Gabriel C. Koerner.
Next is a close-up at the rear booster (VEN) pattern - The one in center will be slightly smaller than the two on each sides. Again, with Fine Molds X-Wing pilot aside for scale comparison.
The cockpit features a fully detailed interior using photo-etched parts for the instruments.
Next are most of the side engines assembly (replicated from a pattern).
Overview of the parts done so far.
You can see the finished canopy (vac-formed). I used silver-grey self-adhesive tape to make the frame and I dipped everything in Future Floor Wax to get a shiny look.
Upper engine assembly is put in place using an elastic. The engine cover was especially tricky to build.
Fuselage has detailed landing gear bays.
Here's a view at the main engine parts. More details like scribed lines and holes for the RCS thrusters are still to be added. I estimate the final kit to have over 30 parts including decals.
Speaking of decals, below are the first samples from JBOT that will be tested on the master pattern - Jim (Jimbo) did an awesome job on these and he told me that the final decals will be even better! Final decals won't have red stripes as it will be easier to paint them on this model...
The completed fuselage has been primed to make it easier to see minor defects that will be corrected a little later in the process (notice the Starship Modeler base).
Same angle with pilot and seat (front instruments panel is missing from this picture).
Rear fuselage with the final details between the nozzles.
I have made the upper nozzle shorter and a little smaller by removing 2 mm from the circumference.
Next picture reveal the front intake with the manoeuvring (RCS) thrusters - Click here for a look underneath the front fuselage.
Here's the first casting cleaned up! 29 resin parts in all (with the canopy form).
Close-up at some of the parts, with the front intake visible.
The following pictures shows a rapid test-fit of most of the engines assembly (without gluing anything together).
Exclusive shots at the test kit built by Alfred Wong!
My kit next to Alfred's 1:48 version.
Next is the kit assembled by the very talented Darren Bertrand.
Please see my trading page on how to order.
- 28 detailed resin parts
- Color decals
- Clear canopy, cockpit and pilot
- 1:72 scale (12 cm / 4.7 inches)
- Complete instructions