# All-time coolest SF vehicle ever? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [August 13, 2006, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-time-coolest-sf-vehicle-ever/368553 "2006-08-13T15:32:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![Saltire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saltire/32/553_2.png) [@Saltire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saltire)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2006, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-time-coolest-sf-vehicle-ever/368553/81 "2006-08-14T17:59:05Z")
I’ve always admired the design of the [Colonial Viper](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colonial_Viper). It’s cooler than an X-wing, by far. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2006, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-time-coolest-sf-vehicle-ever/368553/82 "2006-08-14T18:14:34Z")
[QUOTE=Johnny Ecks] How about the Seedship from Tuf Voyaging? Enormous, with the capablities of a battleship and enough bio-engineering equipment to grow an army from scratch in hours, terraform worlds, or engineer plagues-- and it’s user friendly enough that one person can run the whole thing without training. That was some ship. Did give the owner a bit of a god complex, but hey… [/QUOTE] Oooo, forgot that one. ---
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2006, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-time-coolest-sf-vehicle-ever/368553/83 "2006-08-14T18:22:49Z")
Yeah, the Starfuries and Colonial Vipers both are very very cool (I love the Starfuries if just for their wing art, I always wanted to see one with a Smiley painted on it). My favorite Starfury was the Thunderbolt Starfury. You have to love a space fighter with freaking shark teeth painted on it. 😃 Those things had that “universe at war” look which the Starfuries lacked somewhat (appropriate, since the first time we see them is at the beginning of the Earth Alliance Civil War) As for the Vipers, the Mark IIs are my favorites, but I love the retro Flash Gordon look the Mark VIIs have. I just kinda wish we had seen some of the Mark III-VI’s at some point. Also, the F/A-18 Hornet from Independence Day was pretty cool, I thought. Now THERE is a fighter from a sci-fi movie that looks like it might just work in real life! 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2006, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-time-coolest-sf-vehicle-ever/368553/84 "2006-08-14T18:31:43Z")
That’ll teach me to use quick reply instead of post reply. the 😛 was supposed to be the tongue stickign out smiley. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Belrix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ed655f/32.png) [@Belrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Belrix)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2006, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-time-coolest-sf-vehicle-ever/368553/85 "2006-08-14T18:58:11Z")
My first thought was to vehicles in Sci-Fi movies that actually worked: 1. The Rocket Car from Buckaroo Bonzai 2. [The Tumbler](http://filmtotaal.nl/images/newscontent/batmanbegins/tumbler1.jpg) (aka Batmobile) from Batman Begins (boy, do I want one of these). 3. [The Landmaster](http://www.snowcrest.net/fox/landmaster) from Damnation Alley. All cool vehicles and they all worked. Fictional vehicles (in no particular order): X-Wings, Millennium Falcon (love its hunk-of-junk nature) and frankly, most of the vehicles from Star Wars The ship from [Battle Beyond the Stars](http://www.filmmusik2000.de/battlebeyondbig.jpg) who’s name escapes me but it has boobs! Gotta love a ship with boobs. Mega-Maid! Lastly, I always liked the Battlestar Galactica Vipers. Fast in the engine-with-a-seat-attached variety. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2006, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-time-coolest-sf-vehicle-ever/368553/86 "2006-08-14T20:24:19Z")
Kilrathi fighters from the Wing Commander games; I liked the assymetrical, spiky/bladed look. They looked like something you hit people with, not something you flew. ---
**Author:** ![priapus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ed655f/32.png) [@priapus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/priapus)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2006, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-time-coolest-sf-vehicle-ever/368553/87 "2006-08-14T21:32:13Z")
[The galley contains an ample supply of sperm whale milk! –Its ballast holds are filled with frickin’ PIRATE TREASURE! In summary, then: Mightiest ship in the ocean; totally awesome-looking; atomic powered; cute seal mascot; full of treasure. And whale milk. Reply With Quote] Sperm whale milk or milked sperm whale? Either way I’ll pass,thank you ---
**Author:** ![11811](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/1/9d8465/32.png) [@11811](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/11811)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2006, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-time-coolest-sf-vehicle-ever/368553/88 "2006-08-14T23:17:27Z")
It’s probably more nostalgia than anything else, but I’d go with the Chariot. [http://www.cloudster.com/sets&vehicles/Chariot/Chariotreal.htm](http://www.cloudster.com/sets&vehicles/Chariot/Chariotreal.htm) Throw in a case of beer and Judy Robinson, the blonde on the right in this pic [Latest Stills - IMDb](http://www.imdb.com/gallery/mptv/1065/Mptv/1065/5095-0004.jpg?path=pgallery&path_key=Kristen,%20Marta) and you’ve got a party on Planet Love! ---
**Author:** ![Terrifel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c68b51/32.png) [@Terrifel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Terrifel)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2006, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-time-coolest-sf-vehicle-ever/368553/89 "2006-08-15T00:51:08Z")
[QUOTE=priapus] Sperm whale milk or milked sperm whale? Either way I’ll pass,thank you [/QUOTE] But it’s good for you! Full of nutrients. Try it with some of Nemo’s special “sea chocolate!” It’s a secret recipe made from all-natural marine ingredients (hint: the males carry their young in a special “brood pouch”). I feel somewhat vindicated in that, regardless of the arguments presented in this thread regarding various other parameters of coolness, it seems as though the _Nautilus_ still has the whale-milk category pretty much sewn up. Even with the TARDIS’ unlimited storage capacity, you’ve got to figure that the Doctor would have to do some serious rummaging before he managed to find his cache of whale milk, if he even has any. And even then, it probably wouldn’t be fresh. ---
**Author:** ![DrFidelius](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drfidelius/32/3447_2.png) [@DrFidelius](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrFidelius)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2006, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-time-coolest-sf-vehicle-ever/368553/90 "2006-08-15T02:03:46Z")
The Proteus from **Fantastic Voyage** (with added Rachel Welch!) and the Shiftship from **Planetary**. ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2006, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-time-coolest-sf-vehicle-ever/368553/91 "2006-08-15T02:19:15Z")
[QUOTE=Terrifel] I feel somewhat vindicated in that, regardless of the arguments presented in this thread regarding various other parameters of coolness, it seems as though the _Nautilus_ still has the whale-milk category pretty much sewn up. Even with the TARDIS’ unlimited storage capacity, you’ve got to figure that the Doctor would have to do some serious rummaging before he managed to find his cache of whale milk, if he even has any. And even then, it probably wouldn’t be fresh. [/QUOTE] Well, Tuf’s seedship could whip up a few dozen sperm whales in a few hours, which would give you enough milk to bathe in. As far as Star Trek ships go, just say “Milk, Sperm Whale, Chilled” and you’ll have a cup. ---
**Author:** ![Raguleader](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/258eb7/32.png) [@Raguleader](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raguleader)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2006, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-time-coolest-sf-vehicle-ever/368553/92 "2006-08-15T02:23:43Z")
[QUOTE=Der Trihs] Well, Tuf’s seedship could whip up a few dozen sperm whales in a few hours, which would give you enough milk to bathe in. As far as Star Trek ships go, just say “Milk, Sperm Whale, Chilled” and you’ll have a cup. [/QUOTE] _whining_ But what if I don’t WANT my sperm whale chilled? Re: the Millenium Falcon, my friends refer to Han Solo’s repair methods as the “Han Solo Percussive School of Maintinance”. What’s funny, is it’s EU canon. Whenever the ship’s systems fail to come online, whoever is piloting punches a control panel and everything comes on obediently. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Noel\_Prosequi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b19c9b/32.png) [@Noel\_Prosequi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Noel_Prosequi)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2006, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-time-coolest-sf-vehicle-ever/368553/93 "2006-08-15T03:05:14Z")
With **Bosca** on Thunderbird 2. Hideously ugly, but best example of Form follows Function philosphy bestowing Cool that I can remember. But… At the other end of the spectrum… Lady Penelope’s Roller, FAB1. Gotta have it! Downside is, it’s a tad, um, Faaaabulous for a straight bloke. (So give it a paint job. Get over it. Any man brave enough to drive Pink gotta be secure.) But… the sloping grill. Perpex canopy. Water compatibility. Machine gun behind the grill (and how among us hasn’t wanted one of _those_ in heavy traffic?). And SIX wheels!! And it could (but for the water thing) actually exist! I am willing to forgive the high LQ (Lavender Quotient) for the sheer style. I’d even bung on Parker’s cap so it looked like I _had_ to drive it, if necessary. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2006, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-time-coolest-sf-vehicle-ever/368553/94 "2006-08-15T03:21:31Z")
NCC 1701, no A,B,C or bloody D. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2006, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-time-coolest-sf-vehicle-ever/368553/95 "2006-08-15T04:25:54Z")
My vote is for [SheVA nine](http://johnringo.com/Books/LegacyOfAldenata/Hellsfaire/default.asp). Bun-Bun who kicks Posleen ass and doesn’t bother to take names. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2006, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-time-coolest-sf-vehicle-ever/368553/96 "2006-08-15T07:45:40Z")
Any one of the ships/orbitals in Iain Banks’ _Culture_ series would do me fine. BTW, speaking of vessels with pipe organs; I have a memory of such an instrument appearing inside the TARDIS; in the one-off TV movie with Paul McGann as the doctor, I seem to recall that Sylvester McCoy (briefly appearing as The Doctor, before he regenerates as McGann) is seen playing a pipe organ in the TARDIS, which in this case is fitted out in a steampunk sort of style. Can anyone confirm this? ---
**Author:** ![harrylentil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/53a042/32.png) [@harrylentil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harrylentil)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2006, 8:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-time-coolest-sf-vehicle-ever/368553/97 "2006-08-15T08:10:04Z")
Moodily silent for years… willingly cut off from society… enigmatic. Yet, when it finds out about a threat to civilisation, dashes to counter it moving faster than anything in the Galaxy and disgorges a cloud of advanced warships. It’s _Sleeper Service_. ---
**Author:** ![Pushkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ee59a6/32.png) [@Pushkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pushkin)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2006, 9:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-time-coolest-sf-vehicle-ever/368553/98 "2006-08-15T09:18:45Z")
[QUOTE=Belrix] Millennium Falcon (love its hunk-of-junk nature) [/QUOTE] I thought our introduction to the Falcon was great, here we are marvelling at this might ship, when suddenly Luke decides its a “heap of junk” 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2006, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-time-coolest-sf-vehicle-ever/368553/99 "2006-08-15T11:16:47Z")
Oh, almost forgot _Red Dwarf_. No sperm whale milk, but they do have dog’s milk, which lasts forever, because no bugger’ll drink it. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2006, 11:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-time-coolest-sf-vehicle-ever/368553/100 "2006-08-15T11:38:30Z")
[QUOTE=E-Sabbath] My apologies. I got the Continent Class GSVs backwards with the Schlock Battleplates. [/QUOTE] There are Plate-Class GSVs. They go as big as System Class, IIRC. Which reminds me - the GSV _Sleeper Service_ is Plate Class, and there was one moment when it was the coolest ship in the universe (spoilers for Excession: When it just starts unpacking a whole battle fleet from itself like the worlds’ greatest magic trick [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-time-coolest-sf-vehicle-ever/368553.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/all-time-coolest-sf-vehicle-ever/368553.md?page=6)