Viper Pilot Helmet Light Bars, WHY?

[Centurion Draco]

So, obviously they'd just interfere with your vision, and make for annoying reflections in the glass of the canopy against the black of space, so what purpose do they serve?
I think the best bet is a force field generator of some description, but what kind, and serving what purpose?
Anyone else ever wondered about this?

[Darrell Lawrence]

I think the force field you mentioned is what they were for, ala the shielding on the nuBG helmets.

FX at the time couldn't create the "invisable" shield though. So imagination was needed.

[Fragmentary]

Holographic Heads Up Display?

[gmd3d]

I think it was the force field idea and the HUDs idea is cool too, A gold plated fumarllo case is awarded to Fragmentary for nice thinking.

While we are thinking along these lines ...what was the device straped to the pilots legs and is not the laser.

[TopGun]

The Force Field idea is cool

[BRG]

I would also bet on a force field. :)

I have a question. What would happen to a Viper pilot if he had to eject, or if the canopy was shattered? I assume the force field we are talking about would protect his face the same way a full face visor would(like the new BSG), and they wear that skin tight pressure suit under the uniform. But the hands & neck are exposed bare skin. Surely this would be fatal in the vacuum of space?(BRG is guessing, anybody know for sure?)
BRG

[gmd3d]

But the hands & neck are exposed bare skin. Surely this would be fatal in the vacuum of space?(BRG is guessing, anybody know for sure?)

As far as I know it would be fatal . the blood in the hand would freeze I would say .
intresting to find out for sure.

We could experment on the newer members ???? :D

[jewels]

So, obviously they'd just interfere with your vision, and make for annoying reflections in the glass of the canopy against the black of space, so what purpose do they serve?
I think the best bet is a force field generator of some description, but what kind, and serving what purpose?
Anyone else ever wondered about this?I think that's how the novelizations described them and it is also how it's described in Richard's novels. In his novels it also had a "head's up" display function too, if I recall.

[jewels]

I think it was the force field idea and the HUDs idea is cool too, A gold plated fumarllo case is awarded to Fragmentary for nice thinking.

While we are thinking along these lines ...what was the device straped to the pilots legs and is not the laser.
I think it's either a computron (hand held computer) or a languatron (translation device).

[Fragmentary]

As far as I know it would be fatal . the blood in the hand would freeze I would say .
intresting to find out for sure.

We could experment on the newer members ???? :D
This may be gruesome, but here goes…
Assuming that the skin tight pressure suit worn under the uniform functions effectively and that the forcefield on the helmet also maintains a renewable atmosphere within the helmet, then I suspect that the Colonial Warrior could potentially stay alive for several minutes. However, the real flaw is that the neck is exposed to the vacuum without the pressure suit. So I would assume that the windpipe would constrict and since of course there is no place for the air in the lungs to go and the result would be suffocation.

The lethal thing about space is no air. The cold and the vacuum (don’t hold your breath!) would eventually kill you, but most people would have long since gone unconscious and suffocated by then.

[Darrell Lawrence]

TOS Colonial uniforms... the only uniform you'll ever need when flying a Viper. Or shuttle. Or anything in space. :D

[gmd3d]

I think it's either a computron (hand held computer) or a languatron (translation device).


the Computron works for me .... could it also be a pilot sensor reading there life signs etc?

[Lara]

I always assumed the light up bars were the visual indication of some sort of force field, but also indicated the helmet was powered up and therfore now connected to communications as well .

The best pic of the computron/ langutron is probably the publicity shots of Maren Jensen wearing it taken on a ramp near a sound satge.
I suspect like the ammo on the belts it was an item with ill defined meaning..

Lots of aspects of the uniform were inconsistent: there is plenty of times that a warrior would be half dressed or release his tunic and there was no sign of the pressure suit below, but it is hard to understand how the uniform could function wiithout one in combat or for planetfall.
Sloppy continuity or just keeping the actors cooler?


Cheers,
Lara

[Centurion Draco]

there is plenty of times that a warrior would be half dressed or release his tunic and there was no sign of the pressure suit below, but it is hard to understand how the uniform could function wiithout one in combat or for planetfall.


LOL!
I'ts funny how many times I've watched those scenes and not realised that error!

[BRG]

It's also funny that the pressure suits are usually only shown on hot female pilots! ;)
BRG

[Spike The Cylon]

I agree with everyone that the idea of the lights being a forcefield/HUD for the pilot is right. But , then waht about the space helmets Troy and dillion had to use in that one episode of G80? (IF we really want to count that an cannon :D )

:colonial: :cylon: :viper:

[TopGun]

Haven't seen C80 for a very long time, what did they look like?

[justjackrandom]

The force field aspect must be correct. As to purpose, I see it as having several; the most important being it protects the face. In SSW, and again in TYL (which I think used stock footage), we see hot sparks shooting upward INTO Starbuck’s face, yet he never flinches. They must be stopped by the field.

Additionally, the field acts as part of the pilot’s personal environment unit.

Here’s my take on what the well-dressed Colonial Warrior wears, and why:

1) G/Pressure Suit. This is supposed to be worn under the uniform by all pilots when they are scheduled to fly (yes, I know we only see them on female pilots…). Viper pilots often leave them off when flying in shuttles or when not on flight status, as they are somewhat uncomfortable. The suit integrates with the flight control systems for gravimagnetic manipulation. This includes a gravimagnetic restraint system in the Viper cockpit. The suit also contains support vapor feed from the environmental support unit.
2) Colonial Warrior uniform. The uniform is constructed of carbon nanotube fibers. This gives the uniform a number of interesting properties including incredible toughness and controllable light and electron propagation. This latter both assists in thermal management and helps protect against certain forms of EM radiation.
3) Uniform Jacket. It just looks cool… :D ;)
4) Environmental Support Unit. This is the “leg computer”. I used to think it was a computron as well, until I noticed that in “Fire in Space”, Starbuck and Apollo are both wearing one on their EVA suits. It has a slave panel over the top of it to facilitate use by gloved hands. This unit powers a thin energy barrier that surrounds the Warrior’s body. This barrier maintains a thin layer of thermally controlled air next to the skin in the event of direct exposure to vacuum. The helmet seals at the neck using the same field technology as the face field. The support vapors are generated by chemical reaction, much like oxygen is generated for airplane decompression masks today, and are fed into the helmet through the connections in the G suit. If not externally powered, the leg unit by itself will support the pilot in a vacuum for 8 – 12 hours.


My 2 p

:salute:

[gmd3d]

4) Environmental Support Unit. This is the “leg computer”. I used to think it was a computron as well, until I noticed that in “Fire in Space”, Starbuck and Apollo are both wearing one on their EVA suits. It has a slave panel over the top of it to facilitate use by gloved hands. This unit powers a thin energy barrier that surrounds the Warrior’s body. This barrier maintains a thin layer of thermally controlled air next to the skin in the event of direct exposure to vacuum. The helmet seals at the neck using the same field technology as the face field. The support vapors are generated by chemical reaction, much like oxygen is generated for airplane decompression masks today, and are fed into the helmet through the connections in the G suit. If not externally powered, the leg unit by itself will support the pilot in a vacuum for 8 – 12 hours.

I like that , do you mind if I us that in my fanfic

[Centurion Draco]

The force field aspect must be correct. As to purpose, I see it as having several; the most important being it protects the face. In SSW, and again in TYL (which I think used stock footage), we see hot sparks shooting upward INTO Starbuck’s face, yet he never flinches. They must be stopped by the field.

Additionally, the field acts as part of the pilot’s personal environment unit.

Here’s my take on what the well-dressed Colonial Warrior wears, and why:

1) G/Pressure Suit. This is supposed to be worn under the uniform by all pilots when they are scheduled to fly (yes, I know we only see them on female pilots…). Viper pilots often leave them off when flying in shuttles or when not on flight status, as they are somewhat uncomfortable. The suit integrates with the flight control systems for gravimagnetic manipulation. This includes a gravimagnetic restraint system in the Viper cockpit. The suit also contains support vapor feed from the environmental support unit.
2) Colonial Warrior uniform. The uniform is constructed of carbon nanotube fibers. This gives the uniform a number of interesting properties including incredible toughness and controllable light and electron propagation. This latter both assists in thermal management and helps protect against certain forms of EM radiation.
3) Uniform Jacket. It just looks cool… :D ;)
4) Environmental Support Unit. This is the “leg computer”. I used to think it was a computron as well, until I noticed that in “Fire in Space”, Starbuck and Apollo are both wearing one on their EVA suits. It has a slave panel over the top of it to facilitate use by gloved hands. This unit powers a thin energy barrier that surrounds the Warrior’s body. This barrier maintains a thin layer of thermally controlled air next to the skin in the event of direct exposure to vacuum. The helmet seals at the neck using the same field technology as the face field. The support vapors are generated by chemical reaction, much like oxygen is generated for airplane decompression masks today, and are fed into the helmet through the connections in the G suit. If not externally powered, the leg unit by itself will support the pilot in a vacuum for 8 – 12 hours.


My 2 p

:salute:

:cylon: Respect!

Isn't that just the best kind of technology?
Subtle and non-invasive! ;)

[Centurion Draco]

Haven't seen C80 for a very long time, what did they look like?

I can't remember either?
Were they as bad as the goldfish bowls with vacuum hoses in 'Fire In Space'?

[justjackrandom]

I like that , do you mind if I us that in my fanfic

Thanks. Don't mind a bit. :)

-JJR

[BRG]

The 'Evironmental Support Unit' is a great idea JJR! :thumbsup: really cool. :salute:

Has it been used in sci fi before? I've seen personal combat shields in a few things- Dune, the Borg from TNG, and the Star Wars:Knights of the Old Republic video game. But I can't recall a device used as life support for an ejecting astronaught before.

Again, excellent idea JJR! :)
BRG

[cranky1c]

And here I always thought it was a way to light up the actors face for filming shots in the cockpit. ;)

[gmd3d]

well :/: ..... um? :/: .....ah?! well you see it's ah.... well yes :D

http://re2.mm-c.yimg.com/image/553473455

[justjackrandom]

Has it been used in sci fi before? I've seen personal combat shields in a few things- Dune, the Borg from TNG, and the Star Wars:Knights of the Old Republic video game. But I can't recall a device used as life support for an ejecting astronaught before.


Thanks BRG. :) The animated Trek series used something like it as a way to place the characters in the vacuum of space without having the bulky EVA suits. The device was a belt unit, and was animated as a glowing field around the characters. As the animated series was not canonical in the Trek universe, the units disappeared when the movies kicked into production.

The most recent use of a personal shield that I'm aware of was on Stargate: Atlantis. The "ancient" device was a combat shield unit, but was described as having many of the properties I attribute to the Colonial unit.

The "support vapor" system for generating breathable air is also what I think the "life masks" use. One little canister contains the vapor generation chemicals, and the other is a CO2/H2O scrubber.

--JJR :salute:

[Spike The Cylon]

Haven't seen C80 for a very long time, what did they look like?
I'll try to find a pic.

[Spike The Cylon]

The 'Evironmental Support Unit' is a great idea JJR! :thumbsup: really cool. :salute:

Has it been used in sci fi before? I've seen personal combat shields in a few things- Dune, the Borg from TNG, and the Star Wars:Knights of the Old Republic video game. But I can't recall a device used as life support for an ejecting astronaught before.

Again, excellent idea JJR! :)
BRG
If i remember right, the Star Trek cartoon had the crew using forcefields like that.

[TopGun]

In the X-Wing PC Game, you ejected in space in just your Flightsuit and Helmet

[justjackrandom]

In the X-Wing PC Game, you ejected in space in just your Flightsuit and Helmet

Even with some sort of personal environmental support system, I would think that being ejected into space in such a fashion would truly be a last resort. I suggest that the first choice would be an “escape pod”. When looking at the Viper, there are panel lines that might designate the separation points for a cockpit ejection pod, much like that seen in the Bond film [I]Goldeneye[I]. The cockpit would then serve as a life boat, with support for several days, and might be able to handle some form of emergency re-entry into a planetary atmosphere.

FFT
- JJR :salute:

[BRG]

In Babylon 5 when a Starfury pilot has to eject, the cockpit section flies away from the main body of the fighter with the pilot still inside, much like you described JJR.

And a Starfury pilot's flightsuit looks like it could cope with exposer to space much better than a Viper or X-Wing pilot's. It looks like a completely sealed spacesuit.
http://www.jumpnow.de/p/season1/101/101_074.jpg
So I reckon the escape pod theory is sound.
BRG

[Spike The Cylon]

Even with some sort of personal environmental support system, I would think that being ejected into space in such a fashion would truly be a last resort. I suggest that the first choice would be an “escape pod”. When looking at the Viper, there are panel lines that might designate the separation points for a cockpit ejection pod, much like that seen in the Bond film [I]Goldeneye[I]. The cockpit would then serve as a life boat, with support for several days, and might be able to handle some form of emergency re-entry into a planetary atmosphere.

FFT
- JJR :salute:
It's been a while since I've watched it, but, I'm pretty sure "The Return of Starbuck" shows that the cockpit can eject from the Viper.

[justjackrandom]

It's been a while since I've watched it, but, I'm pretty sure "The Return of Starbuck" shows that the cockpit can eject from the Viper.

Man, it has been awhile (G-80 isn't canon in my book, so I never watch it, even with that gem in the mix), but I think you may be right. I didn't remember that. Doesn't Starbuck fit pieces from the Raider to it to get it space-born again?

:salute:

JJR

[Spike The Cylon]

Man, it has been awhile (G-80 isn't canon in my book, so I never watch it, even with that gem in the mix), but I think you may be right. I didn't remember that. Doesn't Starbuck fit pieces from the Raider to it to get it space-born again?

:salute:

JJR

Does anyone consider G80 canon? :D

I'll try to find a few pics of Starbuck's homemade ship.

[Darrell Lawrence]

http://www.universalhartland.com/medium/galctc08.jpg

[Spike The Cylon]

http://www.universalhartland.com/medium/galctc08.jpg

Looks like Warrior beat me to it :D

:salute:

As you can seem it does show that the cockpit is seprate form the Viper, so, since G80 used the same Vipers as TOS BSG, that part might be canon.

Why do I feel like I'm teaching a class on flying Vipers? :D

[gmd3d]

I think your right Spike, and we should view the escape pod as the best idea for the Viper pilot .

[Spike The Cylon]

I think your right Spike, and we should view the escape pod as the best idea for the Viper pilot .

But I also like the idea of a force field. Maybe the ejection system is a combination of both?

[BRG]

But I also like the idea of a force field. Maybe the ejection system is a combination of both?

I think you would need a combination of both. The obvious reason that springs to mind is that the escape pod may be damaged by the enemy fire that forced the ejection( like the canopy being shattered). And I suppose that in some rare cases, a pilot may be forced to do an EVA. Say a pilot is on deep patrol and picks up a minor problem while out of contact with the fleet. He could come to a dead stop, and exit the Viper and repair it himself.
BRG

[justjackrandom]

I think you would need a combination of both. The obvious reason that springs to mind is that the escape pod may be damaged by the enemy fire that forced the ejection( like the canopy being shattered). And I suppose that in some rare cases, a pilot may be forced to do an EVA. Say a pilot is on deep patrol and picks up a minor problem while out of contact with the fleet. He could come to a dead stop, and exit the Viper and repair it himself.
BRG

Right. I was thinking both. Your chances of survival would be much better if you have an escape pod, with maybe 120 hours of support, and probably some sensor and long range communication capability. But you still don't want to risk having to bodily exit the ship and not being able to, and 8 hours is better than nothing if you need it. And if the canopy or cockpit were holed, the personal environmental field is what keeps you alive.

When I was designing the instruments for my cockpit, I wanted ejection controls that were easily optainable, looked "Galactica-esque", and didn't necessarily follow earthly conventions for such things (I didn't want yellow-striped handles). I came up with the big red plunger buttons (two, one on each side of the cockpit) that are most commonly seen in gas stations for "emergency shut-off". I figure they are recessed under sliding panels (why we never saw them in the series, and keeps them from being accidentally pushed), and pop out when triggered.

--JJR

[Lara]

When I was designing the instruments for my cockpit, I wanted ejection controls that were easily optainable, looked "Galactica-esque", and didn't necessarily follow earthly conventions for such things (I didn't want yellow-striped handles). I came up with the big red plunger buttons (two, one on each side of the cockpit) that are most commonly seen in gas stations for "emergency shut-off". I figure they are recessed under sliding panels (why we never saw them in the series, and keeps them from being accidentally pushed), and pop out when triggered.

--JJR

Good fix,

It made me think about the rules for standard emergency stop buttons for industrial macinery applications. Like the gas stop buttons they have to be obvious and easily activated, but are at more risk of being activated by casual contact. Design rules solve this problem by allowing buttons on control panels to be large, but in a ring or side gaurd.

So I thought one step on from that, if it it especially important that they are proofed from accidental inactivation even from directly above, perhaps they would come with a punch through top. Sort of a like a old fashioned glass fire alarm (break glass for alarm activation..).The added benefit is they can be semi concealed.
An added safegard would be to require push and pull to activate. After all, you may want to get out of the cockpit quickly in a real emergecny, but you wouldn't want to do it unintentinally..

Cheers,
Lara

[Spike The Cylon]

Makes sence to me.

[TopGun]

I love the B5 Starfury Pilot Flightsuit

[gmd3d]

TopGun I love the B5 Starfury Pilot Flightsuit

Me too, they worked or look like they work :D

[TopGun]

Indeed. I like the Flightsuits from the Wing Commander games aswell

[gmd3d]

I can't remember the Wing Commander suit :/:

[TopGun]

I'll see if I can get some pics

[peter noble]

TOS Colonial uniforms... the only uniform you'll ever need when flying a Viper. Or shuttle. Or anything in space. :D

http://www.cylon.org/gallery/data/media/20/G80-SPACESUITSHELMS.jpg


:D

[gmd3d]

Nice image peter and warrior you are right about the uniform

[Senmut]

As far as I know it would be fatal . the blood in the hand would freeze I would say .
intresting to find out for sure.

We could experment on the newer members ???? :D



How about RDM? :D

[Senmut]

Man, it has been awhile (G-80 isn't canon in my book, so I never watch it, even with that gem in the mix), but I think you may be right. I didn't remember that. Doesn't Starbuck fit pieces from the Raider to it to get it space-born again?

:salute:

JJR

Yeah. Slapping a Cylon engine onto the escape pod from his Viper. It looks like the whole cockpit assembly is ejectable. I did it that way in a fic.

[justjackrandom]

Hey Peter! That is a great shot. But the question I have to ask is: Am I really seeing some form of flight suit?

I haven't seen G:80 since it's original air dates, and I remember very little about it.

Do they wear their jackets under them? Or just store them in the coat closet in the back?

The next question becomes...is it worth suffering through Dr. Zee and the space kids to see the cool stuff? :/:

I guess I'm going to have to buy G:80 now. ;)



--JJR :salute:

[peter noble]

Hey Peter! That is a great shot. But the question I have to ask is: Am I really seeing some form of flight suit?

That shot's from after Troy and Dillon have had to perform an EVA to fix their Viper in "Spaceball" which is undoubtedly the worst episode of Galactica 1980!

http://www.cylon.org/gallery/data/media/20/G80-VIPEREVA.jpg

http://www.cylon.org/gallery/data/media/20/G80-SPACEREPAIRS.jpg

[gmd3d]

thats a great picture and the scene is a classic . I remember that :thumbsup:

[TopGun]

Thanks for the pic

[peter noble]

http://www.cylon.org/gallery/data/media/20/G80FLIGHTHELMS.jpg

[SpyOne]

That shot's from after Troy and Dillon have had to perform an EVA to fix their Viper in "Spaceball" which is undoubtedly the worst episode of Galactica 1980!

Which is saying someything.
At 8 years old I became a die-hard Galactica fan. At 10 years old I couldn't hang with Galactica:1980 long enough to see the last episode. :mad:
Considering there were only 10 episodes counting the 3-part pilot as 3, that's impressive.
That final episode, The Return Of Starbuck, is widely held to be the best.
It was based (very closely) on a Galactica Second Season episode (remove pregnancy, put the woman in the escape pod, have Boomer show up in the end and you have it as-was), and Glen Larson has said it was almost worth doing 1980 just to get that episode made.