Galactica Binders

Even in a technologically advanced society such as that depicted in Battlestar Galactca, one can never escape paperwork. And, of course, there must be a place to put all that paperwork.

Throughout Galactica (and the other battlestars, on the occasions that their interiors have been seen) one will note various color coded binders.

One such set is lot 622 in the auction, which is a compilation of 9 different types of Galactica binders.

Lot 622 in the First Auction... a set of 9 distinct binders from Galactica.

Mostly, the silver spine binders will be found in CIC. The red spine binders are typically found in the married quarters, such as Colonel Tigh’s or the Agathon’s. Clear gray and black spines are more rare, and typically dress other sets, and the yellow spine binders are found in CIC or the Hangar Bay (depending, of course, on how they’re stickered). The FTL binder is also rare and meant for looking up the processes and minutae of the ship’s FTL system.

A blue FTL and a yellow CIC binder near the FTL console, as seen in the Miniseries, before the jump to Rangar Anchorage.

The Munitions binder, which is the red binder with the yellow decals on the spine, is briefly seen in the Miniseries as Tigh looks at the manifest for Ragnar Anchorage. (And, yes, the binder does have the inventory sheets from Ragnar Anchorage in it.)

Colonel Tigh with the Munitions Binder.

Galactica Hangar Bay Signs

Yesterday, I wrote a post about the nice, sleek and clean signage from Pegasus’s hangar bay from “Razor.” As one would expect, Galactica also has its own signage, although considerably more older and weathered.

These pieces measure 21″ x 14″ and there are two lots (Lot 686 and 689) that are featured in the first auction. Some pieces from those lots are shown below.

A "33" sign from Hangar Bay 1. Hmm... where have we heard that number before?

A directional sign from Hangar Bay 1.

Of course, the set decoration crew used many different signs like these to aid in the illusion that Galactica’s hangar bays were huge. One such sign is below.

A directional sign from Hangar Bay 9.

War Room chalkboard

Accompanying the map in the large lightbox written about yesterday, we focus on the pilot chalkboard adorning the wall of Galactica’s war room.

As you can see, there are five squadrons listed on the board: Primus, Vigilantes, Demons, Prowlers and Raptors. The first four are Viper squadrons on Galactica, while the last squadron—as would be expected—are Raptors. Under each squadron, you will see the tail number of the craft assigned to the squadron in question, as well as its pilot. Raptors, on the other hand, list both the Raptor’s pilot and ECO.

CIC Set Piece Concepts

Following yesterday’s article on the general CIC designs, we have a few concepts from Ken Rabehl for specific set pieces. Here they are.

The center console concept. Basically, a lot smaller than the final version… and people need to stand. Oh the pain, the pain.

And the nicely lit version from the miniseries.

Concepts for the “Space Ship Locator” (left) and the navgiational plexi-panel (right). The locator would be the (obvious) predacessor to the DRADIS system. The nav panel would make it in the series in its general form, as you see below.

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CIC Concept Sketches

August 13, 2008

As you can see, were on a tangent with these concept sketches. However, there’s good reason for this… they’re awesome. Yes, these sketches are the work of Ken Rabehl. And, yes, we’re still on a Ken Rabehl kick, because he us of Ralph McQuarrie. And if you don’t know who that guy is… shame on you.

Having walked the various sets with Alec—including the CIC yesterday—I can tell you that these concept drawings make the actual CIC very, very cramped. Not that this diminishes the coolness of walking on Galactica’s CIC, but if you are one of those people whose perceptions are easily shaken by the stark realities of producing TV and movies, then it is a whole different experience. Sometimes it can be downright destructive… to the very feint of heart.

Hence the term “movie magic”.

Enough talking. Without further ado, here are some awesome concept sketches for the Combat Information Center on The Bucket.

This is an earlier concept of CIC, without the posts. As you will notice, neither the hanging screens nor the command console are present here.

The two concepts above are various sides of the CIC and resemble closely the final product. The only exception here, really, is the center command table which does not have any seating.

And, of course, the final product that you’ve seen in practically every single frakkin’ episode.

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