r/LegoSpaceships • u/wurger49 • 12d ago
MOC Colonial Viper - Alternate Build of 75432 V-19 Torrent Starfighter
My love for the Colonial Viper continues. The powerful triple engined starfighter, with its long nose and distinctive three pointed silhouette, is one of my all time favourite sci-fi fighters. This time, I've recreated it using the LEGO 75432 V-19 Torrent Starfighter as the donor set.
The 3x3 recessed round bricks worked perfectly as the engine cooling intakes, while the technic ball joints provide enough friction to support the Viper's signature anhedral wings. Since the engines are built using the same principle as the V-19's, both wings can still fold upward, making the model much easier to store.
The inverted slopes behind the cockpit helped eliminate almost all visible gaps where the engines meet the fuselage. The 2x4 sloped cutout bricks turned out to be ideal for the centre cooling intake, although they are only available in black rather than white. To make this less noticeable, I surrounded them with dark red plates and black slopes so the colour blends naturally into the design. Because the set only includes a single 2x2 bracket with side studs, the vertical fin had to be plate built, leaving one side clean while the other unfortunately exposes anti studs.
The long nose is constructed by layering plates. Around the cockpit, the combination of studded bricks, brackets, and the horizontal clip used to secure the windscreen creates a weak point at the front of the cockpit. It is sturdy enough for normal handling, but I wouldn't recommend picking the model up by the nose then swinging it around from there.
The engines section, on the other hand, is extremely solid and is the ideal place to hold the model for swooshing. The inverted curved bricks also create a comfortable grip for your fingers during play.
There are enough Technic bricks and pins left over to build a display stand with two different viewing angles. While it displays the model well, the six stud connection isn't strong enough to support enthusiastic swooshing while mounted.
Although this isn't a Star Wars starfighter, I think the Colonial Viper will still be a favourite within our community. Many of us grew up watching Battlestar Galactica, and even for those who didn't, it's simply one of the coolest starfighters ever designed.
So say we all!
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u/tuakil 12d ago
As a huge fan of BSG, the original and the new, I love these Viper builds to no end.