Any reason to keep the Beluga over the Orca?

[SpaceScania]

Hello CMDR's,

I am contemplating trading in my Beluga for an Orca. I primarily use my Beluga for sight-seeing missions around the Bubble within about a 300ly radius. This ends up being far enough that I need the fuel scoop which negates the advantage of the big tank on the Beluga somewhat. Usually I take two of these missions at a time and do them in one giant loop because I often play shorter play sessions of an hour or so. There is good money in this (I can make 15-20MCr per loop at times if I find good missions). However, it seems to me the Orca would be able to do the same thing but would allow me to recover almost 100MCr after selling the Beluga. The Orca also seems like it would be even better at this role in many ways and would be more fun to fly as it is so fast.

Before I pull the trigger on the trade, I'd like to hear what niche role the Beluga fits into better than any ship? On the surface I can't think of one, but I am often surprised by what other CMDR's are doing with their ships on these forums. From shieldless T-9 hauling hull tanks to Federal Dropship miners, there are some really cool ideas that people explore here. If I could find a fun/cool niche for my Beluga I'd consider keeping it. I'd like to believe that every ship in this game has some hidden potential that is below the surface.

I could use my Beluga to mix passengers and cargo when working on Imperial Navy rank, but in all honesty that Anaconda is just so much better in that role, especially considering how often I get interdicted when doing these missions. I am also working towards the Cutter and will look at the T-10 when it comes out, so the money I'd get trading down to the Orca will be useful indeed as I am not a billionaire.

Here's my Beluga's build if anyone has suggestions:
https://coriolis.edcd.io/outfit/beluga?code=A0pftsFplCdksnf7-----0203030304044f3cmnmimhmhmg022i242f.AwRj4yukg%3D%3D%3D.CwRgDBldUn%2FhEA%3D%3D.H4sIAAAAAAAAAzWMPw4BcRhEn127lo2s%2FxGiwHIHlQvQafVO4CCuI3EWodWLyP7G9xWayUvmzdTCFqhii2yWQvH8SKNDHRSHiVeJRXF8S71TAYNXB8bnzPokbLw3lebtK7XaOcydFk4rp7WT%2BmH%2Ff4ru9p9ebZSXEXQvFsNHA6a7SiqX5kjm8QOkOWcFmQAAAA%3D%3D.MwelAYUg2AWEAcICmBDA5gG2SEBGcQoA&bn=Mount%20Robson

 

[CMDR-AD]

The Beluga has nice engine sounds. And it's great fun seeing parked majestically on the surface, when I'm out in the SRV scanning a Visitor Beacon. On in-bubble missions, the Beluga's massive fuel tank often eliminates the need for scooping.

For for taking on 1 to 3 Tourism Passengers, however, the Orca does as well and offers some great speed and handling.

 

[Jethro49]

I have both, and though like OP before going in for bulk passengers transportation, in which the Beluga is obviously better than the Orca. But I agree, for sightseeing missions within the bubble with 200-300-ish LY travels, the Orca is better !

 

[bubbabenali]

A-rate the beluga, fill it with hull boosts and 2 module protectors, add a 6c bi-weave, 6 point defenses and 5 med multicannons.
Have fun with your Dropship xxxxl.
Other than that? No the Orca beats it left and right.

 

[Broon]

[h=2]Any reason to keep the Beluga over the Orca?[/h]
In short, no.


In a longer version........


NNNNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.

 

[Stealthie]

One day a Budong might appear in ED and need artificially inseminating.

On that day, a Beluga will prove invaluable.

 

[Mrat13]

The beluga is best summed up as a tool used to make up for what some people may be lacking in certain departments.

Or to put it another way, it's for showing off/looking like an idiot.

If you want something as a flagship, for other people to judge you on, get a beluga. For everything else, there are other ships.

 

[sb413197]

The beluga is the best 1-way passenger ship in the game due to its luxury capability, which do show up now. Although with the Rhea nerf it is no longer a big moneymaker, for rank up at niu Hsing it is still very useful. Keep it around.

For sightseeing and exploration missions the anaconda still reigns supreme. The orca is mainly a pirate ship now.

 

[Lightspeed]

I fitted it 100% cargo, engineered FSD and thrusters and it is great for hauling cargo from profitable (more distant) regions into CGs. I dislike docking computers, but made an exception for this ship (because of fin trouble lol) and they work well together.

Do what I did ... keep the Beluga and buy an Orca also. The Orca will pay for itself very quickly.

 

[Kevin Kyle]

I have both, they each have their own purpose. The Orca's purpose for me is sight seeing missions and its great with wanted or secretive passengers. Mine will outrun all my other ships without even trying.