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 ????

[jewels]

Originally Posted by Centurian 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?

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]

Originally Posted by Taranis

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]

Originally Posted by Taranis

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 ????

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.

[gmd3d]

Originally Posted by jewels

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]

Originally Posted by Lara

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 )

[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…
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

[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]

Originally Posted by 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…
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

Respect!

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

[Centurion Draco]

Originally Posted by TopGun

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]

Originally Posted by Taranis

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! really cool.

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

[justjackrandom]

Originally Posted by BRG

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

[Spike The Cylon]

Originally Posted by TopGun

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

I'll try to find a pic.

[Spike The Cylon]

Originally Posted by BRG

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

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]

Originally Posted by TopGun

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