Cylon Raider from "Battlestar Galactica" (1978-1979)

Scale: N/A
Initial Release: 1979
Medium: Styrene
Kit Rarity: 3

About the Design

Suggesting a cross between a classic flying saucer and a manta ray, the Cylon Raider was a tactical fighter/bomber capable of both atmospheric and non-atmospheric flight.  Launched from giant Basestars, each Raider was operated by three Cylon robot warriors.

The Cylon Raiders reflected the same post-"Star Wars" ethos that guided the rest of the "BSG" spacecraft.  It began with a relatively simple design that was then hyper-detailed with gribblies gleaned from numerous plastic model kits. (Tank components are clearly visible throughout.)

About the Kit

The Cylon Raider was one of four "Battlestar Galactica" models released simultaneously just months after the show's September 1978 premiere. The original kit featured spring-launched "missiles" that fired from the intakes situated on its lower wings. This non-canon -- and liability-ridden -- feature was eliminated when Revell/'Monogram re-released the kit in the mid-1990s.

The kit was again re-released by Revell in 2008 before the company lost the BSG license to Moebius.

Note that this particular model -- a mid-90's edition -- was painted in a contemporary "Aztec" motif instead of the original dull grey color to highlight the surface detailing. Perhaps this is the craft of a high-ranking Cylon "Ace."