After playing with the Cobra Mk III and Asp Explorer doing the long range smuggling runs I decided to see what the Clipper can do. Amazingly it works pretty well. All are A rated ships. The Cobra is fast with great jump range and fast fuel scooping but has limited cargo space and needs more fuel space. The Asp is also fast with great jump range, fast fuel scooping and adds cargo and fuel space. The Clipper is fast with serious cargo space but could use more fuel space and a larger fuel scoop.
The Clipper wins hands down with C3 beams and C2 Multi-Cannons (same as my FAS). It can take out any NPC one-on-one and I did well with three fighters attacking. The charge capacitor is fast and in Supercruise it runs cool at 30% and up to 57% when the FSD is activated. Haven't used a Heat Sink yet. While it doesn't turn on a dime the Flight Assist Off more than compensates.
Limitations? Shields even with a Booster can go down pretty quick and modular damage can occur. Avoid getting rammed! Speed, maneuvering and some chaff now and then is your friend to avoid weapons hits. The lower jump range and limited fuel makes fuel scooping mandatory for each system when available but not a big deal per arriving, scooping (topping off) then FSD to the next system all in about 30 seconds. Locally this Clipper loadout will go 100 LY without refueling. The Cobra and Asp could make the long runs in about 20-25 jumps. The Clipper does it in 30-35. I don't worry about approaching ships while scooping as I'm usually out of there before they get close.
The Clipper is a large ship so it cannot dock at medium pads at outposts. But with Horizons it can dock at planetary bases and there are more than enough missions to fill the hold. My first run netted 32 million and I had cargo space to spare.
Advantages? The Clipper is so fast I rarely get Interdicted even when they come for me. Once Interdicted two boosts and it's out of firing range with the FSD online all in about 10 seconds. Add that it can take out any ship and fight or flee options are both in your favor. With serious cargo space the more lucrative smuggling runs become available. That of course requires the high trading rating and a friendly faction to access them.
Many choose lower rated modules for maximum jump range at the expense of defensive/offensive capabilities. I'll probably tweak it a little as well. For now I like the A rated version which makes it a good combat ship with no changing items per a specific mission. The fuel scooping is a small price to pay.
Overall it feels like a Cobra on steroids. Lots of cargo, fast, maneuverable with FA, serious weapons and so darn fun to fly! Given its capabilities versus lower jump range and more fuel scooping it's a great trade off. Anyway that's my first impressions for your consideration. I think the Clipper may have found it's place in ED.
Regards
FINAL UPDATE 20/1/2015: Here's my final A-rated Loadout . See what you think.
After many long range smuggling runs in both the Python and Clipper completed I find the Clipper to be excellent in this role. It's faster than the Python to escape Interdictions; much more manueverable with excellent weapons to fight when desired (note the Python is a lot better in Combat with advanced Pilot skills); has better jump range given my personal requirements with lots of cargo space (192 for me); and doesn't have higher class ships attacking as occurs with the Python.
A larger and faster Fuel Scoop would be nice but at the expense of cargo (the Python Fuel Scoop is very fast). Still I learned to scoop while circling a sun to the left or right of my ship at max Supercruise instead of head on with the sun directly above or below. This also causes interdictors to often crash into the sun while trying to get behind me! Sometimes I'll circle a non-fuel scoopable sun just for this effect. If interdicted I just zero the throttle and point away from the sun and watch the fun.
Overall I like the Clipper for less interdictions and faster arrival times and the Python when I want Combat and access to medium landing pads. Both do the missions very well.
There is one issue...the standard illicit missions. It seems that outpost missions show up the most followed by stations then finally planetary bases. No problem with shadow missions but non-shadow illicit station and base missions take longer to acquire...even longer if not Tycoon or Elite trader ranked. They will always show up but could be quite some time before filling the hold.
Hey, FDevs a few more illicit mission frequency please! It's a crowded universe with places to go and commodities to deliver! We starving Clipper pilots will beat any price the fancy Tycoon or Elite traders can offer!
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