Whats Lying on your Workbench MK IV

[SteveTheFish]

On 2/12/2026 at 12:25 AM, Thom said:

Eh... I've seen both of them, and I have to say I vastly prefer the original.  Ship aside, which I prefer more than the TOS Galactica ships...

I'm with you. TOS Galactica is dear to my heart, and as a little boy I wanted a brown suede jacket with all the buckles so badly, way more than Han Solo's vest. Corny as it may be, I appreciate it for its campiness. I tried giving nuGalactica a try, but it didn't sit well with me. They turned Starbucks into a sexy chick, they turned Boomer into a sexy Korean chick, the chrome Cylons were turned into Replicants, and all of Ralph McQuarrie's designs were trashed. The Cylon ships look like hood ornaments. "Oh but Steve, I mean Greg, the original TOS Cylons show up in the 4th season in one episode..." I DON'T CARE. I was hoping that the remake show would capture the look and feel of TOS, and they sort of revive the Viper as an "older model" that remains faithful to the original design, but pretty much everything about it was a disappointment. I have to say that the best design from the reboot show is the Pegasus, as Ted mentioned. Fantastic.

I started my TOS Galactica model kit several years ago, but as I was trying to figure out the timer chips to create the runway chase lights for the hangars, I couldn't get them to work right and I shelved it years ago. I really need to get back into doing electronics...

[Big s]

4 hours ago, SteveTheFish said:

m with you. TOS Galactica is dear to my heart, and as a little boy I wanted a brown suede jacket with all the buckles so badly, way more than Han Solo's vest. Corny as it may be, I appreciate it for its campiness. I tried giving nuGalactica a try, but it didn't sit well with me. They turned Starbucks into a sexy chick, they turned Boomer into a sexy Korean chick, the chrome Cylons were turned into Replicants, and all of Ralph McQuarrie's designs were trashed. The Cylon ships look like hood ornaments. "Oh but Steve, I mean Greg, the original TOS Cylons show up in the 4th season in one episode..." I DON'T CARE. I was hoping that the remake show would capture the look and feel of TOS, and they sort of revive the Viper as an "older model" that remains faithful to the original design, but pretty much everything about it was a disappointment. I have to say that the best design from the reboot show is the Pegasus, as Ted mentioned. Fantastic.

Yeah, I totally agree. I really did not like the new version of the show at all. Kinda killed the adventurous feel of the original for a bunch of odd paranoia and goofy changes. The original characters and designs and music were so much more memorable that I can easily forgive a few slices of cheese along the way.

[derex3592]

Next up in the backlog from like two years ago of kits that aren't finished yet... I'll be finishing up the 1/35 Tamiya Bradley M2A2! 

Edited February 13 by derex3592

[Big s]

3 hours ago, derex3592 said:

Next up in the backlog from like two years ago of kits that aren't finished yet... I'll be finishing up the 1/35 Tamiya Bradley M2A2! 

Nice, I’m totally sick of seeing world war 2 armor kits everywhere. I love the designs and all, but almost nobody posts things anywhere of anything beyond that era of armored vehicles 

[Thom]

9 hours ago, SteveTheFish said:

I'm with you....

My head-canon is a mix of both series, dumping most of the Nu story and going with most of the original intent, using the newer ships and with a mix of TOS and Nu series characters. Though I did turn Apollo into a hot chick played my Lucy Lawless...

This is my reworked Galactica, build from two Pegasus kits.

Edited February 13 by Thom

[Papa Rat]

Wow. Everyone is on the BSG train. Love seeing everyone’s builds. ♥️

[tekering]

2 hours ago, Thom said:

This is my reworked Galactica, build from two Pegasus kits.

That is glorious, dude. 😍

3 hours ago, Big s said:

I really did not like the new version of the show at all.

8 hours ago, SteveTheFish said:

I'm with you.

I'm not going to disparage anyone's opinions, but there are a couple misconceptions that need to be addressed:

8 hours ago, SteveTheFish said:

They turned Starbucks into a sexy chick, they turned Boomer into a sexy Korean chick

While it's possible you found Katee Sackoff or Grace Park attractive, there's nothing sexy about Kara "Starbuck" Thrace or Sharon "Boomer" Valerii, either as written on the page, portrayed by the actors, or photographed by the production.  In fact, series showrunner Ronald D. Moore deliberately avoided objectifying either woman (nor any human characters on the show), wanting to emphasize stark realism and gritty drama.  The only character overtly sexualized is Number Six, a Cylon.

The original series, on the other hand, is full of sex appeal, with Maren Jensen (Athena), Laurette Spang (Cassiopeia), Anne Lockhart (Sheba), and Jane Seymour (Serina) often appearing in flowing off-the-shoulder gowns with plunging necklines.

The 1978 original was definitely sexier. 😋

Heck, even the guys showed more skin! 😆

11 hours ago, SteveTheFish said:

I was hoping that the remake show would capture the look and feel of TOS

In the 21st century?  That was never gonna happen. 😅

7 hours ago, Big s said:

The original characters and designs and music were so much more memorable

You're right about that.  By trying to be more realistic, NuBSG featured much more understated costume and production design, and Bear McCreary's music has none of the soaring, operatic grandeur of the classic score.

7 hours ago, Big s said:

Kinda killed the adventurous feel of the original for a bunch of odd paranoia and goofy changes.

"Adventurous" and "goofy" are the complete antithesis of the Galactica concept, even as originally conceived by Glen A. Larson.  The miniseries was outlined as a desperate war for survival, and only became an "adventure of the week" after ABC suddenly expanded it into a full season of television.  Executive meddling resulted in a tonally-inconsistent, goofy mess that was even worse after the network retooled the series and slashed the budget for its second season:

Will any of you try to defend Galactica 1980? 😝

[Big s]

40 minutes ago, tekering said:

Will any of you try to defend Galactica 1980? 😝

Nobody counts that one. Sorta like how most people try to forget Star Wars sequels or Alien 3

[mechaninac]

2 hours ago, tekering said:

Will any of you try to defend Galactica 1980? 😝

It did have 1 memorable episode worthy of consideration as a true classic:  The Return of Starbuck.

[505thAirborne]

BATTLESTAR PROMETHEUS reporting in, once the guns/cannons arrive, she'll be complete. 

 

[Papa Rat]

50 minutes ago, 505thAirborne said:

BATTLESTAR PROMETHEUS reporting in, once the guns/cannons arrive, she'll be complete. 

 

She’s a beauty! Did you ever crack it open and work on that lighting?

[Big s]

1 hour ago, 505thAirborne said:

BATTLESTAR PROMETHEUS reporting in, once the guns/cannons arrive, she'll be complete. 

 

Looks really great

[Chas]

That is a really beautiful looking model.

I was looking to pick one of these kits up last summer, after rewatching the original series on Pluto TV. Think I'll start searching again. 

Thanks a lot 505th! Just what I needed another kit to add to the stash.🙄

and I gotta agree with everyone else @Papa Rat that Q-Rau looks fantastic!

 

 

[Bolt]

6 hours ago, tekering said:

That is glorious, dude. 😍

I'm not going to disparage anyone's opinions, but there are a couple misconceptions that need to be addressed:

While it's possible you found Katee Sackoff or Grace Park attractive, there's nothing sexy about Kara "Starbuck" Thrace or Sharon "Boomer" Valerii, either as written on the page, portrayed by the actors, or photographed by the production.  In fact, series showrunner Ronald D. Moore deliberately avoided objectifying either woman (nor any human characters on the show), wanting to emphasize stark realism and gritty drama.  The only character overtly sexualized is Number Six, a Cylon.

The original series, on the other hand, is full of sex appeal, with Maren Jensen (Athena), Laurette Spang (Cassiopeia), Anne Lockhart (Sheba), and Jane Seymour (Serina) often appearing in flowing off-the-shoulder gowns with plunging necklines.

The 1978 original was definitely sexier. 😋

Heck, even the guys showed more skin! 😆

In the 21st century?  That was never gonna happen. 😅

You're right about that.  By trying to be more realistic, NuBSG featured much more understated costume and production design, and Bear McCreary's music has none of the soaring, operatic grandeur of the classic score.

"Adventurous" and "goofy" are the complete antithesis of the Galactica concept, even as originally conceived by Glen A. Larson.  The miniseries was outlined as a desperate war for survival, and only became an "adventure of the week" after ABC suddenly expanded it into a full season of television.  Executive meddling resulted in a tonally-inconsistent, goofy mess that was even worse after the network retooled the series and slashed the budget for its second season:

Will any of you try to defend Galactica 1980? 😝

Grew up watching the original and loved it. And still do. But I'm with you Ted 

[Papa Rat]

@Chas hey thanks!

[Chas]

Working on Hasegawa's creator's works Minerva from Crusher Joe at the moment. Planning on a straight up out of box build with a small alteration in colour scheme. As I don't like pure white on model builds, I'm going with a slightly gray-white for the base. Gonna use the artists acrylics for this one, as the tests I did worked well over Mr. Surfacer 1000 as primer. 

They didn't hold very well over straight, unprimed plastic - just lifted right off,  but held firm over the Mr. Surfacer.

 

 

[Thom]

Thanks @tekering Here's another shot, low and from the stern. She has full size flight pods on the bottom as well as the top.

And at some point I'll get to finishing Pegasus...

But I don't know if I can forgive you for the reference to Gal80. That. NEVER. Happened!

(Well, except for the Return of Starbuck. That was good.)

Prometheus is looking great @505thAirborne! Hopefully the turrets should be there soon. Just have to slip passed the Cylon blockade...

 

[Big s]

All this battle Star Galactica talk had me rewatching the classic intro on YouTube. Man that theme really brought a lil tear to my eye. Great builds of the ships 

[electric indigo]

While the Nu Vipers were just ok in my book, I appreciated the concept of the Nu Raider as the robot being the craft (or even an ace in the "Scar" apisode). But the real hero is the Nu Galacatica, which I consider the most imaginative & tasteful departure from the classic design. And I'm glad we even got a decent kit out of this.

Nobody can take the experience from me enjoying the OG as a teen and then being blown away by how different Moore's approach was.

And then the intensity of the space battles – imaginative physics, handheld camera, all rendered in cinematic quality by an unknown FX shop on a shoestring budget, and Taiko Drums IN SPACE...

Those were the days.

[Thom]

For the most part, the visuals were great, but I hate shaky cam! Or the sudden, rapid zoom-in, as if I have telescopic vision. In comparison, that's not so bad, but just hold the dang camera steady!

[mechaninac]

1 hour ago, Thom said:

For the most part, the visuals were great, but I hate shaky cam! Or the sudden, rapid zoom-in, as if I have telescopic vision. In comparison, that's not so bad, but just hold the dang camera steady!

It would have been infinitely better if they had used the shaky cam and quick zoom-ins sparingly to emphasize very specific sequences in only a few episodes per season, to sell the dynamism and intense chaotic nature of certain engagements of high significance, instead of turning the techniques into overused gimmicks.  

[tekering]

13 hours ago, Thom said:

Here's another shot, low and from the stern.

Sweet! 👍

4 hours ago, electric indigo said:

the most imaginative & tasteful departure from the classic design

i thought the new Viper designs were an equally respectful homage. 

1 hour ago, Thom said:

I hate shaky cam! Or the sudden, rapid zoom-in, as if I have telescopic vision.

Again, I'm happy to validate your feelings, but you do understand the intention there, right?  Like every other aspect of the show, the cinéma-vérité realism extended to the space battles, applying the same documentary-style camerawork we've seen on the nightly news since the Vietnam war.  That's how real dogfights have to be shot -- panning and zooming to follow the action as it happens -- and applying that aesthetic to a science-fiction space opera was truly groundbreaking...

...if a little jarring to oldskool fans. 😝

32 minutes ago, mechaninac said:

It would have been infinitely better if they had used the shaky cam and quick zoom-ins sparingly to emphasize very specific sequences in only a few episodes per season, to sell the dynamism and intense chaotic nature of certain engagements of high significance, instead of turning the techniques into overused gimmicks.

As opposed to the 1978 technique of reusing the same six model shots in every single episode? 😛

The original series was just so compromised by technical limitations, budget cutbacks, broadcast standards and practices, and television executive oversight, it's a miracle that it lasted as long as it did... until it became so unwatchable ABC canned it for good in 1980.  Ironically, NBC made the same mistake that same year, retooling Buck Rogers in the 25th Century for its second season, with results almost as disastrous. 🫣

NuBSG, on the other hand, was so successful it not only completed its entire five-season epic, it spun off several TV movies, a prequel series, and a web series... and regardless of whether it satisfied your personal expectations, you certainly can't deny the universal acclaim it's received.

So say we all!

 

[Mog]

One minor correction:  four seasons. 

But it was one hell of a show.  Flawed characters that actually grew and changed over the years.  Fun and memorable dogfights.  Themes and stories that are even more relevant today.  And yeah, it may not be a traditional orchestral sound, but Bear McCreary made some damn good themes for the series.

[derex3592]

Bear McCreary's BSG music makes some GREAT driving music!  Just sayin! 

[electric indigo]

2 hours ago, tekering said:

i thought the new Viper designs were an equally respectful homage

They were, but IMO the result was a watered-down version of the bold original design, while the Nu Galactica evolved from the precedessor and created a unique aesthetics.

The design of the Mk7 apparently came from a totally unrelated Flash Gordon universe? And don't get me started on the Raptor...

But these things didn't get in the way of the story. As mentioned, TOS happened in a galaxy far, far away, but NuBSG got under my skin at that time.

Also, I really enjoyed seeing Baltar back recently in Slow Horses, hadn't changed a bit.

[mechaninac]

3 hours ago, tekering said:

 

As opposed to the 1978 technique of reusing the same six model shots in every single episode? 😛

The original series was just so compromised by technical limitations, budget cutbacks, broadcast standards and practices, and television executive oversight, it's a miracle that it lasted as long as it did... until it became so unwatchable ABC canned it for good in 1980.  Ironically, NBC made the same mistake that same year, retooling Buck Rogers in the 25th Century for its second season, with results almost as disastrous. 🫣

NuBSG, on the other hand, was so successful it not only completed its entire five-season epic, it spun off several TV movies, a prequel series, and a web series... and regardless of whether it satisfied your personal expectations, you certainly can't deny the universal acclaim it's received.

So say we all!

 

Methinks you read too much into what I stated.  I made zero claims regarding SFX/CGI quality or any statement as to which series was superior.  All I commented on was the overuse, not the overall use, of the shaky cam and rapid zooming employed by Zoic Studios, in response to @Thom; their work was outstanding but those techniques did become VERY gimmicky and would've benefitted greatly from more judicious use, in my opinion; that's all.

Given the primitive state of SFX/miniature compositing at the time and all the other constraints and network shenanigans you mentioned, it is a downright miracle they were able to create and deliver what they did, when they, on time for a broadcast schedule that was far more demanding in number of episodes and release schedules than what has become the modern norm, and you can't really fault them for the heavy reuse of canned SFX footage... it was, after all, the budget-conscious SOP (from before the original Star Trek to roughly midway through Voyager) up until CGI became cost effective.  To this day, I still think it was a missed opportunity on Zoic's and RDM's part not to include the Turbo Boost effect (it was visceral and visually striking) in their Vipers' bag of tricks; that the original miniature artists did it, and how they accomplished it, deserves high praise.

[Thom]

3 hours ago, tekering said:

Sweet! 👍

i thought the new Viper designs were an equally respectful homage. 

I really liked the look of the new Vipers. I only wish they had been a little larger. I did kitbash the Nu version with the TOS and it looked pretty good, IIDSSM. I have to try and find a pic of it.

3 hours ago, tekering said:

Again, I'm happy to validate your feelings, but you do understand the intention there, right?  Like every other aspect of the show, the cinéma-vérité realism extended to the space battles, applying the same documentary-style camerawork we've seen on the nightly news since the Vietnam war.  That's how real dogfights have to be shot -- panning and zooming to follow the action as it happens -- and applying that aesthetic to a science-fiction space opera was truly groundbreaking...

...if a little jarring to oldskool fans. 😝

It was too jarring. In fact every time they did it, it would pull me out of the story. 'Why was the 'camera' jumping around like that?' I'd ask myself. When I'm watching something happen my focus doesn't jump and telescope. Like in real life, I watch the entire scene unfold, and when they would suddenly jump closer to one aspect it would break up the entire shot. Plus, they did it way too often. Once or twice? Fine. But just about every exterior shot had that gimmick.

But that comes down to personal preference. I'm not in the scene with them, I am outside of it trying to see what is going on, so show me everything. 

4 hours ago, tekering said:

As opposed to the 1978 technique of reusing the same six model shots in every single episode? 😛

The original series was just so compromised by technical limitations, budget cutbacks, broadcast standards and practices, and television executive oversight, it's a miracle that it lasted as long as it did... until it became so unwatchable ABC canned it for good in 1980.  Ironically, NBC made the same mistake that same year, retooling Buck Rogers in the 25th Century for its second season, with results almost as disastrous. 🫣

NuBSG, on the other hand, was so successful it not only completed its entire five-season epic, it spun off several TV movies, a prequel series, and a web series... and regardless of whether it satisfied your personal expectations, you certainly can't deny the universal acclaim it's received.

So say we all!

 

Well, as you state, it was because of budget constraints and not personal, 'artistic' expression. And what they did show, repeatedly, at least stayed steady and didn't jerk around all over the place like the camera guy was drunk.

11 minutes ago, mechaninac said:

To this day, I still think it was a missed opportunity on Zoic's and RDM's part not to include the Turbo Boost effect (it was visceral and visually striking) in their Vipers' bag of tricks; that the original miniature artists did it, and how they accomplished it, deserves high praise.

So whole-heartedly agree! And I missed the energy guns and the Cylons as an alien race. 

[Big s]

8 hours ago, Thom said:

For the most part, the visuals were great, but I hate shaky cam! Or the sudden, rapid zoom-in, as if I have telescopic vision. In comparison, that's not so bad, but just hold the dang camera steady!

They had to do drunken camera stuff because the ch was a bit rough on the newer show. You gotta hide the bad somehow and keeping the camera moving was their solution 

[Thom]

1 hour ago, Big s said:

They had to do drunken camera stuff because the ch was a bit rough on the newer show. You gotta hide the bad somehow and keeping the camera moving was their solution 

Nah, that was a chosen filming 'style.' There have been other shows in the same era, and before, with dodgier CG that kept nice smooth pans and shots. And if it wasn't 'good enough' then they should have gone to practical. Man, just imagein if they had made lit, studio scale models of the Nu Galactica, Pegasus and Baseships.

[Thom]

Dang it! I know have a few pics of it completed somewhere. Must be lost in the ones and zeros... Anyway, here's a pic of my kitbash Viper before it was finished. 'd take new pics, but it has since been taken apart for a indefinite refurbishment.

 

[nightmareB4macross]

Checking the balance of the stripes against this 1/55 v2.0.

Looking at it up close and from afar helps give me a better visual of the subject.

[Chas]

Even though it's  just tape it's  nice to see some colour on it!

[electric indigo]

Tucano has lift off.

[Papa Rat]

@nightmareB4macross oh baby. I can’t wait until you get this bad boy painted! This test is looking good. 
 

@electric indigo Wow that’s a such a beautiful little plane. Gorgeous color scheme and execution! Also props to you on the prop. Haha. Such a cool idea. You captured so much energy in that stationary disc. 

Edited February 15 by Papa Rat

[nightmareB4macross]

More renders. But you get the idea.