Colonial Scorpion

Smallworld · October 31st, 2006, 02:25 AM

Hi guys,
here is my latest project, a Scorpion fighter. Dont know too much about the history here. I found a small 3 view bitmap on Shipscematics, and there is a head on render(?) shot knocking around somewhere. The bibliography says:

Title:

Author(s):
Publication Date:
Battlestar Galactica
----- "The Long Patrol"
Glen A. Larson, Donald Bellisario, Paul Playdon & Chris Nyby
1978

There is a note that says it is canon. Anyway, I like the idea of an older, cruder type ship that might be seen with a Viper. Dont know if anybody has modelled one of these before, or if there are any better refs around. Thanks for looking, suggestions and crits welcome!

Smallworld · October 31st, 2006, 02:34 AM

Modelling is in the very early stages. I'm just blocking out the shapes really at this stage, to get to proportions I like before wading in with the details.

gmd3d · October 31st, 2006, 08:01 AM

look good ..look like the one in the episode "the long patrol" i will try to post a pic or two ..

Qeutzal · October 31st, 2006, 08:25 AM

the scorpion is looking good, can't wait to see more.

keep up the good work

gmd3d · October 31st, 2006, 09:54 AM

the best shot I could get ..

spcglider · October 31st, 2006, 12:17 PM

I've never heard it refered to as a scorpion fighter before, but they call it a "sixth millennium fighter" in the episode. It may be called a scorpion in the novelization.

Yeah, its a cool, kinda klunky variation on the standard viper body. The Heartland crew obviously needed something that was immediately identifiable as Colonial , but not just another shot of the standard viper, so they chopped one up, levelled out the wings and added a few geeblies where the upper engine used to be. That's a simplification of the work they did, but the essentials. It does a good job of looking the same, but different.

-Gordon

Smallworld · November 1st, 2006, 12:31 AM

Thanks guys! Those pics are great Taranis, I hadn't realised that the ship actually existed on the screen at all. I must have missed that episode when I was a kid! The wing ribs will definitly be going on.

SPC, interesting insight into the prop process. I have already used my Viper front end for the stellar probe I did and wnted to make this a bit different. I have made the body a bit squarer and pointier and am keeping things less rounded to make it look older in conception. I guess I'm probably making a "sixth millenium fighter Mk2"

I'm liking how its going so far, I'll post more as I have it,

Cheers,

Brian.

gmd3d · November 1st, 2006, 12:38 AM

No Problem Smallworld

Glad to help

here are two more ..

Smallworld · November 2nd, 2006, 07:15 AM

Here is hopefully a small update on the scorpion. I have the cockpit section done and some details around the engines. I think she is turning out prettier than than the "long patrol" craft, so I'm going to call it a Mk2!Scorpoin pic

gmd3d · November 2nd, 2006, 08:12 AM

Looks great Smallworld

the details are coming along nicely indeed

Smallworld · November 15th, 2006, 01:33 PM

This is as far as I'm going with modelling this baby. I have some landing gear roughly fitted. I think there is enough detail here at this stage. I have really grown attached to this craft as it has gone along. Its turned out a lot sleeker than planned

I decided on a sliding canopy and seperate windshield as an older solution than a Vipers hinged one-piece. This ship is quite a bit smaller than a Viper. I'm thinking that it would a compliment to the more powerful, newer Viper on smaller warships rather than an outright older generation type. Not as fast or as heavily armed, but usefull all the same. Like a Wildcat compared to a Hellcat. Any thoughts or comments welcome, thanks for looking!

gmd3d · November 15th, 2006, 02:07 PM

excellent WORK Nicely detailed

..you have included a pilot to .. are you going to texture it ?

Smallworld · November 15th, 2006, 02:15 PM

Thanks Taranis!
Yes indeed, a textured version will be on the way, although I love modelling more than texturing so there may be a wait! I always include a pilot when I am modelling, it gives you a sense of scale and keeps a project rooted in reality. I really enjoy doing the interior structure and working out what fits. I'm a designer in real life and always have an eye on ergonomics! With all of my BSG models so far I have started out with the same pilot and worked from there, so its very easy to get a scale reference between the various craft, just cut and paste and see how they look.
I have been working on a combat search and rescue shuttle the last couple of nights and have used the same approach to make the interior work.

Smallworld · November 15th, 2006, 02:25 PM

Here is a group shot of the four fighters, Viper, Python, Scorpion and Asp (the fighter configured "Stellar Probe" )

gmd3d · November 15th, 2006, 02:34 PM

awesome work

jewels · November 15th, 2006, 06:32 PM

Since, as far as I know they are fan-created and not pictured in TOS, which is the Asp and which is the Python?

Qeutzal · November 15th, 2006, 09:12 PM

the Scorpion is turning out great, can't wait to see it finished. Great job overall.

only one comment about this fighter, I don't think the Scorpion would be flying along side the Viper because in the episode "The long Patrol" it was refered to as a sixth millenium fighter. This birdie flew in the beginning of the war with the cylons and would be obsolite within the first hundred years of the war.

that is my two cubits.