XT-1 Viper
Blue Phantom Chronicles - Starfighter - Superiority
The XT-1 Viper is a balanced long range space superiority fighter, constructed by Shicon Dynamics. As the first model from ShiCon's XT-series of long range starfighters the Viper was commissioned by the Cophuranee Government roughly thirty years before the foundation of the United Planets as a means to secure in-system travel routes. The goal was to provide mobile long range fighter support that didn't have to rely on carrier vessels or local outposts.
Following Cophuranee design traits the Viper's design is compact, simple and practical. Being a long range craft it seeks to maintain the balance between combat-worthy performance and adequate comfort to accommodate the pilot during long-distance flights.
The Viper was developed in the early years of the 26th century and put into service around 2505 UPT.
It featured prominently during Cophuran's campaign to cleanse the Haerolon Trade node from Riquane pirates, spearheaded by the soon famous Hunter Squadron, during which the Viper could show its true combat potential.
A credit to its compact design and sturdy reliability the Viper has been in active service for many years, despite the development of more advanced models being released. Towards the end of its lifecycle, around 2525 Cophuran withdrew their exclusive claim and Vipers were made available for purchase by museums and private buyers.
Armament
2 PP-7e laser cannons
2 warhead launchers
Basic Info
Name: XT-1 Viper
Manufacturer: Shicon Dynamics
Dimensions: 15.5 x 11.4 x 1.86 meters
Status
v2.1 Released
May 17, 2020
Remake in Progress
Author Information
Original Design: Vince T
Model & Textures: Vince T
OPTing: Vince T
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Visual characteristics
The Viper's design was exemplary for Shicon Dynamics construction. The combination of sleek, aerodynamic shape with the contrast of sharp edges and angles give it an aggressive look. The hexagonal of the main fuselage is a trait which returns on many of Shicon's later designs.
Dev notes & Origins
While the Viper's design dates back to the original comic series, it never appeared in any comic scenes but was featured in a single concept drawing. While the first draft had a much longer nose, the rest of the ship hasn't changed much since its initial conception.
I may be making a HD Remake with active cockpit and all that stuff. Biggest condern here is to figure out, how the pilot would actually acess the cockpit.
Trivia
The Viper's wing texture served to create a tutorial on basic hull plating, which featured on an old version of my website..
Fun Fact: I once created a version with a black-white police paint job, though never released it. Might re-add on a future re-release. *wink*
HD Remake
While the Viper already had a fairly detailed cockpit, the Exterior was quite lacking. In addition, some shapes were just weird and didn't really make any sense, like those half-cut engines. Also, while I'm working on a DC conversion of the cockpit, I realized that the screen layout was not optimal. I have eventually started remodelling parts of the ship. While the fuselage stays mostly the same safe for a few more details and some minor changes, I am completely remodelling the engines and wings.
The engines now have actual proper thruster naceles, which I reduced from 4 to 2. I've also reshaped the engine casings which now have an angular shape rather than a low-detailed round one, this also reflects the ship's history in the Cophuranee navy, which was known for its mroe angular designs.
I have also made numerous cut-outs to the wings, namely the back and the underside. Looking at the fighter from a high angle, it will still stay true to the original form, but from below there are quite some differences. There are some cut-out areas on the underside which could serve as hardpoints to mount additional modules like boosters, tanks or warhead pods.
Speaking of warheads, I have further pronounced the launchers so they're not just holes in the wings but instead you can actually see the launcher casings.
Finally I have remodeled the cockpit canopy. As of now there was no logical way to actually get in or out of the ship. The only possible way would have been to add a sun-roof like hatch to the top, which would be hard to get to in the first place. I have therefore remodelled the entire canopy in a way it could be flipped upwards and allow an easier access. I also buffed out the ceiling to give the pilot a bit of headspace