Because of the failure of the Valkyrie Mk. 1 as A Special Operations Platform, The Fleet Admiralty came to the Conclusion that A more specialized and efficient Ship Design was needed for that particular mission.
They finally settled upon the Banshee Class Design, A more streamlined and stealthy design perfect for Counterinsurgency and Counterintelligence, Two things that might make the difference in Any Future Conflict with the Cylons, or Any Foe that would Threaten the Security of the Colonies.
With certain Design Features, The Stealth Battlestar, or 'Stealthstar', Can penetrate Enemy Space undetected and conduct Special Operations and Intelligence Gathering Missions either independently, or in advance of A Major Fleet Operation.
The Stealthstar Banshee (SSR-001) was the Test Bed; It proved the Efficiency and Efficacy of the Design Mission; However, It also shown that Improvements in Compatible Systems and Equipment were needed; Fortunately, Such Improved Technology was just coming on line.
The Second Ship, The Lelantus (SSR-002), Was built with the Advanced Improvements and designated Banshee Mk. 2; The Banshee was refitted to Lelantus Specifications.
One of the Integral Features of the Mk.2 was an Advanced Copy of The Standard Cylon IFF(Identification Friend or Foe)Device, Which will allow the Stealthstar to Approach Cylon Fleet Formations and Anchorages without being detected.
Another is the Low Visibility Armor and Composite Paint which is said to absorb DRADIS Waves instead of reflecting them back; All External Ports can be sealed up to also prevent DRADIS Waves from bouncing back.
All of the Internal Systems (FTL, DRADIS, Sublight, Computer ) designed for this Class are Classified; However, It's Weapons Compliment is as follows:
KEW Turret: 16
Point Defense Guns: 75
Ship to Ship Missile Batteries: 25
Nuclear Weapons: (Classified)
The Air Wing of the Banshee Class Consists of Two Squadrons of Stealth Fighters; The Older, Yet still useful, S-Star Mk. 1 is retained, Receiving Upgrades to it's Engines and Computer Systems.
Another Squadron is the More Advanced 'Blackbird', Borrowing some Design Features from the Viper Mk. 2 and 3, However, being wrapped in Composite Material; This was initially intended to replace the older S-Star when sufficient numbers were built; The Blackbird was intended to be the Standard Stealth Fighter in the Fleet, and some already built were distributed to certain Fleet Units already; There is an Unconfirmed Rumor that Chief Galen Tyrol of the Battlestar Galactica somehow obtained the Plans for the Blackbird and has actually built one aboard the Galactica.
Also, A Squadron of Raptors, Specially Coated in Composite Paint, Are assigned for Insertion/Extraction Missions.
In Addition, The Stealthstars would also be assigned A Company of Colonial Marines specially trained in Unconventional Warfare.
The Banhsee Class was being constructed at A Undisclosed Location somewhere within the Colonies; It is not known whether such Facility survived the Second Cylon Invasion.
THE CLASS
Because of the Clandestine Operational Intent of this Class, Not much is known at this point about which ones have been completed and which have survived; The Data We have is mostly based on Survivors' Accounts:
MK.1
Banshee (SSR-001) Refitted to Mk. 2 Specifications
MK.2 (Lelantus Subclass)
Banshee (SSR-001) Assigned First Fleet; Was in Orbit with the rest of the Battlegroup at Picon when the Cylons Invaded; Despite not having Networked Computers to be Exploited via Dr. Gaius Baltar's CNP Program, The Cylons were ably to Visually sight , target, and destroy the Banshee. Status: Destroyed
Lelantus (SSR-002) Conducted several Clandestine Missions beyond the Red Line into Cylon Space; No Enemy Detection reported; The Lelantus brought back Valuable Intel, Including Recon Photos, Of the Evolution of the Cylon Fleet ;It's last known Position was Several Days out of Ragnar Anchorage. Status: Unknown
Thespia (SSR-100) Assigned WSG-05, Fifth Fleet. Status: Presumed Active.
Solomon (SSR-101) Assigned Seventh Fleet. Status: Unknown
Bubo (SSR-102) Was Reportedly only 65% Complete at the Time of the Cylon Attack. Status: Incomplete/Destroyed
Shu (SSR-103) Reportedly only 30% Complete. Status: Incomplete/Destroyed
THE KIT
This is Another Creation from the Facebook Group Colonial Fleet Shipyards; I actually Campaigned for This Kit because it was A Unique Design I wanted to add to My Fifth Fleet.
The Ship Itself is in Six Resin Parts; Included are Options to have the Gun Turrets Stowed or Deployed
And, Here's the Big Plus: It actually comes with TINY Vipers and Raptors! I mean, I didn't think it was possible to make them THAT Small(We're talking 1/4015 Scale, the same as the Moebius Galactica and Pegasus)! And Painting Them? It would be like Trying to Paint Fleas! Well, They would like nice with other Ships of the Fleet, If anybody wants the Challenge.
I Decided to go with A Total ' Buttoned Up' Look and Installed Retractable Flight Deck Doors using Evergreen Corrugated Sheet.
For the Low Visibility Scheme, I sprayed Russian Green as A Primer, Then Airbrushed Uniform Grey for the Cloud Pattern; I made the Colonial Seal Decal from an Image; The Custom Ship Names are Courtesy of Downen Scale Replicas.
And there You have it, A Nice little Project which adds to My Fleet.
You can get one of Your own by Contacting Jack Burgin jr. in the FB Group Colonial Fleet Shipyards.
