Don't I recognise the OP from the WoT forums?
On topic, Cobra Mk IV. I'm your pony! *points hoof at boat in sig*
The Cobra Mk IV, my dear pilot, is a ludicrously capable boat in the civilian sectors. Mining? Check. Haulage? Check. Salvage? Check. Exploration? Believe it or not, check.
http://coriolis.io/outfit/cobra_mk_...p2l000303034503C02t1lv6.AwRj4lU1mI==.Aw1-gjCQ
That be me' build! One loadout handles mining, haulage, and salvage all in one go, plus SRV capacity!
Combat, well, you can do it, but it'll require a focused build. Personally, I just use a Viper Mk IV for combat. Makes much more sense.
She is slow, but like I say, a good Cobra Mk IV pilot is a civilian sector pilot. People don't complain about bulldozers being slow... The same logic should be used to look at the Mk IV. A lot of people saw the "Mk IV", and instantly assumed that = better than the Mk III in every way. Wrong, The Mk III is better in things like flight model, but the Mk IV is better in versatility. I'd actually say the Mk IV is the better ground attack boat...
She's Marmite. And I love Marmite...