Colonial Viper 3.5x semi-upscale A look-a-like from Battlestar Galactica with improved aerodynamics for better stability and flyability... |
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After my previous Viper projects - the 2x on 2005 and squadron of 1.6x birds on 2006 - I took on a little bigger challenge early on 2007: To build a 3.5x semi-upscale capable of flying with motors to a baby J in power. Structurally closely related to my earlier 2x Viper but with the highly improved aerodynamics and better stability of the '2nd Generation' 1.6x design she is the current pinnacle in technology and flagship of the mostly unknown Colonial fleet red squadron based in west coast of Florida ;-) |
Since her structure is very closely based on previous well documented build threads, I'm not gonna bore you with more pix of yet another Viper in different stages of construction. Instead here's a chuckle: 'If you have a high power four engine cluster Colonial Viper sitting on a cinderblock - You might be a Redneck...' |
Now if ya'll 'do the time warp again' and hop four months ahead in time while I keep on priming and sanding, priming and sanding some more, then coating all my mistakes with Krylon Gloss White paint and catch up when the new and completely redesigned decals are fresh off my printer. Like the Viper itself, they look alike while actually being completely different. |
While the Rustoleum clear coat on decals was drying out, I did some rudimentary masking on that big ol' nose and gave her the first of her stripes. That nose stripe is the only one actually painted on, rest are on the decals and the stripes on wings and tail are red electrical tape... Yes, me lazy ! Cockpit windows, silver bands around nose and turbo intakes are aluminum foil duck tape... |
Here she is, all fresh off the clear coating with more Rustoleum spray plus a few runs here and there... Nose intake and all turbo intakes are Rustoleum aluminum enamel brushed on. Lasercannons are made of BT50 balsa nosecones I got from Andy @ ASP, some 1/8" basswood stringers and two lengths of 1/8" aluminum tubing for barrels... |
On the biz end she packs a cluster of 4: A central 38mm mount surrounded by three 29mm mmts for quite a wallop. 38 is retained by 'Kaplow Klips' and 29's by 'Roadkill Retainers' as someone came up on The Rocketry Forum. Before I come up with all the electronics, she'll be flying on center mount only using motor ejection. |
'Viper wants a belly rub' on left and close-up of the nose intake (aluminum window) screening... |