(Note: several CMDRs asked me about my Beluga. I've decided to make an English translation of my Beluga review, which can be found at Russian forums here: https://forums.frontier.co.uk/showthread.php/300711-(!)?p=4698159&viewfull=1#post4698159 )
Hello there folks.
Today we'll take a brand new Beluga and proceed to remake it into something that doesn't suck.
Let's start with some well-known facts about it:
- Beluga's radiator is one of the most ineffective in the whole game, even small fighters has better heat management.
- Outfitting options are extremely limited, despite many internal bays (11, as much as Conda) - because four of them (both Class 5 and 2 of 4 Class 6) are limited to passenger cabins, cargo bays or HRPs.
- You cannot fit shield, fighter bay and a good fuel scoop at the same time.
- The only shield you can fit is Class 6, and even this isn't particularly effective due to ship's mass.
- You can fit only a Class 6 powerplant, which limits the use of utility slots.
Keeping that in mind, I've developed the following build.
https://coriolis.edcd.io/outfit/bel...0808024fmlmlmnmk0403242t2i2f.Iw18ZJA=.Aw18ZJA
Its task: fix the aforementioned flaws, and make an efficient ship for passenger missions.
The ship is able to take up to 4 VIP missions, you also may install 5th cabin instead of Class 5 cargo bay, or change all the cabins to lower class and get a large bus for "Deliver X passengers to Y" missions. It is possible to use it for long-range (exploration) missions, but I wouldn't advise that - for 6A fuel scoop it takes about 3 minutes to refuel that 128-ton tank (assuming you use it safely).
3A fuel scoop is for emergency use only - you should refuel at the stations.
DO NOT USE THIS BUILD IN OPEN!!! But frankly, it's a suicide to fly Beluga in Open anyway.
We got the ship, now let's pimp it.
Powerplant:
The main feature. It won't be difficult to get such a mod - materials are easy to get, and you do not need to farm missions. Power reserves are more than enough for any auxiliary hardware you want (collector limpets, SRV bay, fighter bay).
Thrusters:
It is possible to use Dirty Drives. You'll get about 20 m\s more speed and it'll need less power, but heat starts to get somewhat uncomfortable when you're charging your FSD, especially when taking off planet surface. It won't crawl into critical zone, though.
FSD:
Basically the ideal roll for Beluga - 52.9% to optimal mass without any additional heat! And really nice jump range, of course
The ship is able to fly for about 300 Ly without refuel (or 10 jumps on max range).
Power Distributor:
Beluga uses about 21 MW per one boost. You can boost indefinitely with 4 pips in ENG (standard flight mode). With two pips in ENG (ship is under attack, 4 pips in SYS) - you'll get 3 boosts before "insufficient energy" message pops up.
Life Support:
That's what you can get if you have access to Lori Jameson: essential mod for Beluga.
Armour:
Standard mod for any non-combat ship. All the pros, none of the cons.
Shield Generator:
Rather standard Reinforced Shield, with good secondary effect for Thermal Resistance.
Shield Boosters:
You may have noticed that I've used Class E shield boosters. Earlier, I've used this solution on my trade Cutter - with great effect. Ideal for ships with limited powerplant and for ultralight builds.
I use four resistance-augmented boosters (you can see one of these on 1st screenshot, others are basically the same) and one heavy-duty booster (very... interesting roll - ten times more than stock, which is the same as TWO A-class boosters ).
The build proved itself as a very effective one. Despite not being as cold as I wanted, you still can use boost and charge FSD at the same time (be careful near stars!). Shields will allow you to escape any NPC attack. You can install cargo bays instead of passenger cabins and get an ultra-long-range freighter (especially useful for Rares trading and teabagging activities).
Useful tips for Beluga pilot:
- Do not overstrain your powerplant - you may overheat your ship.
- Do not install weapons, and do not engage in combat. You have all means to escape, so use them.
- Do not install any engineer mod that increases heat (except maybe FSD Range). Never install Overcharged Powerplant.
If you like it, I can make similar reviews for my other engineered ships (Asp, Python, Corvette, Cutter).
Hello there folks.
Today we'll take a brand new Beluga and proceed to remake it into something that doesn't suck.
Let's start with some well-known facts about it:
- Beluga's radiator is one of the most ineffective in the whole game, even small fighters has better heat management.
- Outfitting options are extremely limited, despite many internal bays (11, as much as Conda) - because four of them (both Class 5 and 2 of 4 Class 6) are limited to passenger cabins, cargo bays or HRPs.
- You cannot fit shield, fighter bay and a good fuel scoop at the same time.
- The only shield you can fit is Class 6, and even this isn't particularly effective due to ship's mass.
- You can fit only a Class 6 powerplant, which limits the use of utility slots.
Keeping that in mind, I've developed the following build.
https://coriolis.edcd.io/outfit/bel...0808024fmlmlmnmk0403242t2i2f.Iw18ZJA=.Aw18ZJA
Its task: fix the aforementioned flaws, and make an efficient ship for passenger missions.
The ship is able to take up to 4 VIP missions, you also may install 5th cabin instead of Class 5 cargo bay, or change all the cabins to lower class and get a large bus for "Deliver X passengers to Y" missions. It is possible to use it for long-range (exploration) missions, but I wouldn't advise that - for 6A fuel scoop it takes about 3 minutes to refuel that 128-ton tank (assuming you use it safely).
3A fuel scoop is for emergency use only - you should refuel at the stations.
DO NOT USE THIS BUILD IN OPEN!!! But frankly, it's a suicide to fly Beluga in Open anyway.
We got the ship, now let's pimp it.
Powerplant:
The main feature. It won't be difficult to get such a mod - materials are easy to get, and you do not need to farm missions. Power reserves are more than enough for any auxiliary hardware you want (collector limpets, SRV bay, fighter bay).
Thrusters:
It is possible to use Dirty Drives. You'll get about 20 m\s more speed and it'll need less power, but heat starts to get somewhat uncomfortable when you're charging your FSD, especially when taking off planet surface. It won't crawl into critical zone, though.
FSD:
Basically the ideal roll for Beluga - 52.9% to optimal mass without any additional heat! And really nice jump range, of course
The ship is able to fly for about 300 Ly without refuel (or 10 jumps on max range).Power Distributor:
Beluga uses about 21 MW per one boost. You can boost indefinitely with 4 pips in ENG (standard flight mode). With two pips in ENG (ship is under attack, 4 pips in SYS) - you'll get 3 boosts before "insufficient energy" message pops up.
Life Support:
That's what you can get if you have access to Lori Jameson: essential mod for Beluga.
Armour:
Standard mod for any non-combat ship. All the pros, none of the cons.
Shield Generator:
Rather standard Reinforced Shield, with good secondary effect for Thermal Resistance.
Shield Boosters:
You may have noticed that I've used Class E shield boosters. Earlier, I've used this solution on my trade Cutter - with great effect. Ideal for ships with limited powerplant and for ultralight builds.
I use four resistance-augmented boosters (you can see one of these on 1st screenshot, others are basically the same) and one heavy-duty booster (very... interesting roll - ten times more than stock, which is the same as TWO A-class boosters
).The build proved itself as a very effective one. Despite not being as cold as I wanted, you still can use boost and charge FSD at the same time (be careful near stars!). Shields will allow you to escape any NPC attack. You can install cargo bays instead of passenger cabins and get an ultra-long-range freighter (especially useful for Rares trading and teabagging activities).
Useful tips for Beluga pilot:
- Do not overstrain your powerplant - you may overheat your ship.
- Do not install weapons, and do not engage in combat. You have all means to escape, so use them.
- Do not install any engineer mod that increases heat (except maybe FSD Range). Never install Overcharged Powerplant.
If you like it, I can make similar reviews for my other engineered ships (Asp, Python, Corvette, Cutter).
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