The Colonial Viper and Cylon Raider shown in this vintage advertisement were two of the four model kits released by Monogram following the 1978 premiere of Battlestar Galactica.
The Colonial Viper model kit reproduced the angular design of the main Colonial fighter from the series. Released in early 1979, the kit was 11 inches long and featured moulded surface details consistent with the ship’s appearance on the show. It included a spring-loaded missile that could be launched from the nose, though this feature was removed in later reissues.
The Cylon Raider kit depicted the broad, disc-shaped enemy fighter used by the Cylons. Measuring 11 inches wide, it matched the Viper in scale and also included spring-loaded missiles, which launched from the lower wing intakes. This feature was also removed in later versions, likely for safety reasons. The kit included basic surface detailing and decals.
Both kits were commonly modified by builders who added clear cockpit parts and improved detailing through aftermarket sources.
These two starfighters were joined in Monogram’s lineup by larger kits of the Battlestar Galactica and the Cylon Basestar. While those capital ships offered impressive size and presence, they lacked some of the intricate surface detail seen on the smaller fighter kits.
