To be 100% honest, on paper the Python is far better than the Clipper. As many have stated, it has more fire power and bigger shields and can carry more cargo and land at outposts. I can afford either one fully A-spec'd, but own a Clipper even with all the stated advantages of the Python. With both ships, you own the fight; with the Python, you are a flying tank. You are slow, but can give and take a lot of damage. A strong signal source is doable in a Python depending what ships you get. But, once the shields are down, the enemy will be all over you, as everything can catch you. And in 1.3, I've noticed NPC's trying to chase down my Clipper.
With the Clipper, you own the fight with speed and maneuverability. Nothing can really catch you, thus you dictate the speed and intensity of the conflict. The A7 shield is expensive, but provides Vulture type shield with A-boosters. Here is my load out:
http://www.edshipyard.com/#/L=703,5TP5TP7u57u50_g0_g0_g0_g,2-9Y9Y7_8S9Y7_6k,7Vs52W5Es0727fE9sK2jw2UI
today in a crime sweep, I was getting a lot of Pythons and anacondas, along with other ships. 1 thing I noticed is the smaller try and get you to be around the larger ships. When this happens, you simply boost away.
Im a clipper man for PP. now if I was trading, I would go type-9, as neither the Python or clipper can compare to the type-9.
Oh oh and clipper in graphite is amazing!!!!