I know why Vipers have "wings"

First of all because they're not wings. They're stabilizer fins.

Since it's almost a sure thing that Vipers would have to have some kind of anti-grav drive to provide lift from a planet's surface, it would not need full wings to provide lift.

But stabilizer fins could be useful when flying through an atmosphere, to help it fly straight.

[Centurion Draco]

Absolutely.
For Atmospheric flight. I always assumed that as they don't appear to have moveable control surfaces, that the tylium burners are set-up to provide 'control stick' adjustable 'push' for manuvering.

[_No_Name_]

Originally Posted by jjrakman

First of all because they're not wings. They're stabilizer fins.

Since it's almost a sure thing that Vipers would have to have some kind of anti-grav drive to provide lift from a planet's surface, it would not need full wings to provide lift.

But stabilizer fins could be useful when flying through an atmosphere, to help it fly straight.

...and we should not forget about thermodynamics. In space the only heat loss mechanism is good ole Stefan-Boltzman ($\sigma t^4$), which yields the total energy radiated in all wavelengths per unit surface area per unit time (for example, watts per m^2).

Since you cannot have 100% conversion efficiency, them vipers are producing heat that needs to be radiated away. Radiative heat loss is not very effective. Consider the following examples. If we assume the exterior of the viper is at 100 celsius and space is at 0 Kelvin (-273.15 celsius) then heat is being radiated at a rate no better than 1100 W/m^2. At 20 celsius the rate is only 420 W/m^2). Thus, you need surface area, which winglets would provide nicely.

[Damocles]

Originally Posted by jjrakman

First of all because they're not wings. They're stabilizer fins.

Since it's almost a sure thing that Vipers would have to have some kind of anti-grav drive to provide lift from a planet's surface, it would not need full wings to provide lift.

But stabilizer fins could be useful when flying through an atmosphere, to help it fly straight.

Heat radiators, those stub wings are HEAT RADIATORS. Surface area to leach heat.

For a rocket, or any kind of heat-generating device iin space, IT IS ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL to radiate away heat.

[spcglider]

Well, why do our aircraft have wings?

Or more specifically, what are the function of wings on our modern aircraft?

There are many:

1) lift

2)directional control and stabilization

3) fuel storage (in some models)

4) engine mount (in some models)

5) landing gear mount (in some models)

6) weapon mount (in some models)

Now, Vipers are a fantasy craft. They were designed to LOOK GOOD on screen and satisfy the requirements of a story. Beyond that we can assign whatever attributes we desire to explain its features. Especially if the function of those features has not been explained in canonical materials.

Here are some options:

I think the wings are there to store hot dogs and beer. You know, for those "Long Patrols".

Or maybe they were where Apollo managed to fit Commander Adama when he flew him down to Caprica after the holocaust. You know, legs in one side, torso in the other, head in the top fin. Cuz, frankly, I can't imagine where Adama would fit in otherwise.

Maybe they are anti-gravity generators.

Maybe that's where the tylium is stored.

Maybe they are housings for gyro-stabilizers to allow the ship to turn since it's basically three huge rockets and a nose-cone.

Maybe they are the effect of mass hypnosis and aren't really there at all... we just think they are.

Maybe they are made of cheese. Why? Because it would confuse the Cylons and allow a downed pilot to make fondue.

But seriously (like THAT's possible now), it is indicated that a Viper doesn't require wings to take off from a planet because Starbuck's little "baby pod" from ROS didn't have wings, yet managed to breach the atmosphere and make it back to the fleet. Considering that he didn't shoot it straight up, it must have some other sort of maneuvering system to guide it on a controlled incline through the lower atmosphere. that system had to exist in either the crashed Raider or the escape pod from Satrbuck's Viper. This, of course, is ignoring the scenes where the Vipers land in a grove of trees without thinking about how they'll take off again should they require a runway.

Gotta love opening a can of worms...

-Gordon

[peter noble]

Originally Posted by spcglider

Maybe they are the effect of mass hypnosis and aren't really there at all... we just think they are.

Vipers have wings?

[KamikazeAthena]

Remind me never to get into a war of words with Gordon! You rule dude.


I feel all blurry in my head.


Cheese???!!!! Please share that in which you partakeith.

The heat sink explanation is pretty good too.

[spcglider]

Yeah, tell me about it! Ever get hot cheese on your tongue??? Talk about HEAT TRENSFER!!!

YOWCH!!!


LOL!!

-Gordon

[spcglider]

Originally Posted by KamikazeAthena

Remind me never to get into a war of words with Gordon! You rule dude.


I feel all blurry in my head.


Cheese???!!!! Please share that in which you partakeith.

Mmmmm...the power of cheese.

I prefer a little smoked Gouda or some expensive aged Mimolette. But then there's Gjeitost... a very carmel-y cheese. Good with sweet wheat biscuits.

And let us not ignore the Provalone, sharp Cheddar, or goat's milk Mozzarela!

-G

[Damocles]

Originally Posted by spcglider

Well, why do our aircraft have wings?

Or more specifically, what are the function of wings on our modern aircraft?

There are many:

1) lift

2)directional control and stabilization

3) fuel storage (in some models)

4) engine mount (in some models)

5) landing gear mount (in some models)

6) weapon mount (in some models)

You forgot one!

7 Trim-or mass balancing the vector forces on the airframe!

Originally Posted by specglider

Now, Vipers are a fantasy craft. They were designed to LOOK GOOD on screen and satisfy the requirements of a story. Beyond that we can assign whatever attributes we desire to explain its features. Especially if the function of those features has not been explained in canonical materials.

But it is so much fun to speculate as to why did the art director design it that way?

Tim Earls had this thing about fish............

Originally Posted by spcglider

Here are some options:

Reviewing same.

Originally Posted by spcglider

I think the wings are there to store hot dogs and beer. You know, for those "Long Patrols".

Why not? On a rocket you want to use every square centimeter of space inside the frame.

Originally Posted by spcglider

Or maybe they were where Apollo managed to fit Commander Adama when he flew him down to Caprica after the holocaust. You know, legs in one side, torso in the other, head in the top fin. Cuz, frankly, I can't imagine where Adama would fit in otherwise.

Actually, that is where I would stuff Baltar.

Originally Posted by spcglider

Maybe they are anti-gravity generators.

Plausible based on the evidence you supply below.

Originally Posted by spcglider

Maybe that's where the tylium is stored.

Why not? We use the F-16's wings to store jet fuel.

Originally Posted by spcglider

Maybe they are housings for gyro-stabilizers to allow the ship to turn since it's basically three huge rockets and a nose-cone.

Not likely. You put that where you can affect the ability to POINT-basically either nose or tail. Where you can exert the most PUSH>.

Originally Posted by spcglider

Maybe they are the effect of mass hypnosis and aren't really there at all... we just think they are.

You are feeling very sleepy..........

Originally Posted by spcglider

Maybe they are made of cheese. Why? Because it would confuse the Cylons and allow a downed pilot to make fondue.

Or be turned into fondue.

Originally Posted by spcglider

But seriously (like THAT's possible now), it is indicated that a Viper doesn't require wings to take off from a planet because Starbuck's little "baby pod" from ROS didn't have wings, yet managed to breach the atmosphere and make it back to the fleet. Considering that he didn't shoot it straight up, it must have some other sort of maneuvering system to guide it on a controlled incline through the lower atmosphere. that system had to exist in either the crashed Raider or the escape pod from Satrbuck's Viper. This, of course, is ignoring the scenes where the Vipers land in a grove of trees without thinking about how they'll take off again should they require a runway.

GOOGLE;"gravity keel" and "slingshot effect."

Originally Posted by spcglider

Gotta love opening a can of worms...

I did say that Tim Earls had a thing for fish?

(Runs and ducks as the rotten fruit comes sailing his way.)

Just a little humor, Gordon!

Frank

[bsg1fan1975]

Originally Posted by Damocles

Actually, that is where I would stuff Baltar.

now that I can see! he would be twisted every way like a mega sized pretzel!

[Tabitha]

The wings are just large glove boxes for storing the cheerleading magazines and digital watches, after all, cant have the Cylons getting those now can we!

Tabbi

[KamikazeAthena]

Originally Posted by Tabitha

The wings are just large glove boxes for storing the cheerleading magazines and digital watches, after all, cant have the Cylons getting those now can we!

Tabbi

Don't forget the lipstick and eyeliner.

[spcglider]

Originally Posted by KamikazeAthena

Don't forget the lipstick and eyeliner.

Cylons in lipstick and eyeliner.... now THAT I'd pay to see.

Unless, of course, you're taking a cue from Eddie Izzard and suggesting the Colonials establish a Transvestite Brigade?

-Gordon

[KamikazeAthena]

Originally Posted by spcglider

Cylons in lipstick and eyeliner.... now THAT I'd pay to see.

Unless, of course, you're taking a cue from Eddie Izzard and suggesting the Colonials establish a Transvestite Brigade?

-Gordon

Here is an interesting crossover idea; BSG meets Rocky Horror! Just imagine Dr. Frank n' Furter in a viper! Riff as the Imperious Leader? Hmmmmm........ It boggles the mind.

Don't dream it. Be it.

[Damocles]

Originally Posted by KamikazeAthena

Here is an interesting crossover idea; BSG meets Rocky Horror! Just imagine Dr. Frank n' Furter in a viper! Riff as the Imperious Leader? Hmmmmm........ It boggles the mind.

Don't dream it. Be it.

Not a bad idea. I'm not crazy about crossovers myself, but that is not a bad idea. As long as you include a dance number of Cylon Centurions dressed up as the Rockettes and doing a high kick chorus line number, and Brad and Janet doing a Burns and Allen routine on why Baltar wears pumps, you can do a Rocky Horror version of LPotG.

I'm game.

[bsg1fan1975]

oh Lord the nuts have been let loose!

[KamikazeAthena]

Originally Posted by bsg1fan1975

oh Lord the nuts have been let loose!

Thanks for the compliment.