"Following the opening of Star Wars I was contacted by Glen A. Larson. When I went in to talk to him he described his idea for a 'Wagon Train' in outer space. It sounded interesting so I agreed to do it. The Empire Strikes back had not started yet so I came to George and explained the job, he said go ahead. Over time as I was introduced to the characters and the similarities began to come out." This is ironic, because soon after the show went on the air, George Lucas unsuccessfully sued the show.
Original Battlestar Galactica design was far more detailed and not as sleek.
Early Colonial Viper design (Eventually used for buck Rogers).
Late Colonial Viper design.
[Image source: galactica.tv]