Question about vipers.

Maybe this has been covered before. I always wanted to know what the IM button on the viper's joystick did. Was it some weapon they just never used,or was it just for show?

[justjackrandom]

Originally Posted by viperdriver

Maybe this has been covered before. I always wanted to know what the IM button on the viper's joystick did. Was it some weapon they just never used,or was it just for show?

I've seen it referenced as standing for “inverse maneuver”, but I like “inertial mitigation” better. Either way, it’s a set of brakes. It engages “reverse thrust” and maybe simultaneously “maximum braking flaps”.

JJR

[ernie90125]

Considering how many buttons and switches there were on the sets of BSG, including the vipers, I am surprised we only got to see a few being used. Especially since the sets cost so much to build !

I guess every button must be responsible for an operation. The cast may have been warned not to press certain ones, or else get an operation they may not expect. Obviously Boomer and Starbuck didn't heed that warning !!!

Ernie90125

[justjackrandom]

This is an area where in my opinion the show kind of broke down.

First, unlike the bridge and shuttle flight consoles, I don’t think that the Viper controls were very well thought out. Additionally, there actually aren’t ENOUGH buttons, switches, and other controls in the cockpit that we see. It is much too simple (where is the throttle, for instance?)

Second, it is my understanding that “stunt hands” were used for the internal shots, since the Viper cockpit set was separate from the Viper set (occasionally there would be a shot of someone in the ship, at a downward angle, and you could see that they were just sitting in a black tub). The shots were never of the actual actor’s hands, and a number of cockpit control shots were stock footage, just like a great many other shots in the series.

Lastly, even with the controls they did have, there were some glaring continuity errors and ignorant direction in their use and/or display.

I’ve done a detailed analysis of the Viper, including its cockpit (I’m building one – just for fun but also as a set piece for a fan project), and am close to having my material ready for presentation on my web site. I’ll post it when it’s complete.

JJR

[ernie90125]

Wow JJR ! You're building your own Viper cockpit !?! I'm looking forwards to the pix !!!

[thomas7g]

One possible use for the button may be that it initiates whatever action you set for it. It may be adaptable to several tasks. There are other buttons in the cockpit. You may set that button to initiate an action.

So say you decide you want to do a certain action. You don't want to do it right now. But you want to do it soon. But you are in battle and your too busy to press all the buttons necessary at the right time. One solution is to set the action up in advance. Then you set it to happen when you press the third joystick button. Since your hands are always there, its always accessible.

[PingPongBallEye]

Oh, c'mon. The "IM" button clearly controls the intra-squad Instant Messaging system (yet another example of BSG being far ahead of its time!)

[the scene: the Cylons have attacke the fleet again. Galactica has launched Vipers to defend.]
Strbck: can we make ths qwk i have 2 pee!
Aplo: y didnt u go b4 we left????
Strbck: ur dad was in the john u no how long he takes!
Apolo: he does not hes the fastest gun in the west!
Strbck: wrong show u blokhed!
& etc.

[justjackrandom]

Originally Posted by ernie90125

Wow JJR ! You're building your own Viper cockpit !?! I'm looking forwards to the pix !!!

I've got my plan pics done, and posted them over at BSGClub a while back (although I am still making changes), but the cockpit will be a work in progress for a while I am sure. Finding the instrumentation is proving to be a challenge, so I am making static pieces to fill in until I can get working instruments. The look is more important than functionality to me. I'll probably end up making most of the instruments anyway. The three I am having the most trouble with are the attitude display instruments on the front panel.

The seat is also something of an issue, and what I have in now isn't really right. Still looking for that perfect office chair...

The thing I find most amazing is just how small it is. You really do "strap" on a viper. The entire thing sits on a 4x5 platform.


JJR

[thomas7g]

Have you been to cloudster.com? They have lots of good pics

[Commander Cain]

I thought it was for intramuscular.

Thanks for the info! Can you recall an episode were it was used?

[thomas7g]

Just that one time with Zac. Though I think they used it in G80. There could be more, but I don't remember it.

[justjackrandom]

Originally Posted by thomas7g

Have you been to cloudster.com? They have lots of good pics

I LOVE this site, and it is where I pulled a good amount of info on the Viper. I just wish the picture quality was better.

JJR

[justjackrandom]

Originally Posted by thomas7g

Just that one time with Zac. Though I think they used it in G80. There could be more, but I don't remember it.

I think it is used more than that, although I can't tell you the episodes off the top of my head. It is only explained in Saga.

JJR

[shiningstar]

Originally Posted by thomas7g

Have you been to cloudster.com? They have lots of good pics

Thanks for the link Thomas
It's a good one

It's so you can pull that cool Immelman turn. named after German pilot Max Immelman who flew in WWI. The maneuver starts like the first half of a traditional vertical loop. When the train is near the loop’s apex it will be inverted and heading back in the direction it entered. Rather than completing the loop in the traditional way, the train rolls on its axis becoming right-side-up while simultaneously turning away from the loop.

Of course how they would know of the guy way out there is beyond me...