Fed-de-Lance, which one?

[Gryphorim]

Which Fer de Lance do we have?

Is it the original ZPG make, or the updated SK refurb?

Either way, can we get the other?

A slightly different spec-ed ship with perhaps a downgrade to the firepower for a boost in jumprange and agility.

If we currently have the SK refurb, I see the original model as having a squared-off chisel nose, like the early concept art.
But I kinda hope we have the original, and the SK one is yet to be released.
Imagine a FdL, with a downgrade to it's firepower, allowing for a lighter base tonnage and accompanying smaller powerplant needs. this allows FSD to reach out further.
Imagine the ship's lines, redefined in SK minimalism, smoothing out some of the creases and seams in the classic ship, and incorporating some SK unique styling, like the glazed heat radiators.
Imagine the cockpit, frameless canopy with sweeping curved windows (mirrored in the cabin glass down on the nose) above a cockpit furnished with woodgrain highlights.
I'd honestly love if this craft could carry a SLF, (including a SK race-spec SLF, fast, agile and only one weapon hardpoint on an F1 styled ship) to double the joy of flight.

What would you want from an FdL variant?

 

[Alexander the Grape]

It'd love a sleek, tuned down FDL with less shields, armor, internal compartments, HP, Dist and PP in exchange for more speed, agility and a smaller profile. Think halfway between Vulture and FDL.

Maybe 1 Large 2 Medium 2 small HP, size 5 PP, 230 base shields, 350 base armor, 40 hull hardness, 220t Hull Mass, Size 5 thrusters, 440 base A rated boost, size 5 PD, 30% better laterals, similar turn profile with slightly better blue zone pitch, 5 Utility slots, and good heat management. 3x size 4, 1x size 2 and 1x size 1 internals. Profile would be same length but thinner than typical FDL. 34 mill hull cost.

Oh, and a centred cockpit

 

[Vasious]

Going by the The FDL was Prodcued by Zorg Petersen group circa the Original elite then Banned circa FE2 and FFE, then produced again Circa ED, we have the Saud Kruger Zorg Petersen collaboration.

Makes sense when comparing the Hauler and the Adder, to the Fer De lance.

 

[fruitbat]

It'd love a sleek, tuned down FDL with less shields, armor, internal compartments, HP, Dist and PP in exchange for more speed, agility and a smaller profile. Think halfway between Vulture and FDL.

Maybe 1 Large 2 Medium 2 small HP, size 5 PP, 230 base shields, 350 base armor, 40 hull hardness, 220t Hull Mass, Size 5 thrusters, 440 base A rated boost, size 5 PD, 30% better laterals, similar turn profile with slightly better blue zone pitch, 5 Utility slots, and good heat management. 3x size 4, 1x size 2 and 1x size 1 internals. Profile would be same length but thinner than typical FDL. 34 mill hull cost.

Oh, and a centred cockpit

Would rep but not allowed, have a virtual +1, that fdl sounds fun (although the off centred cockpit has never bothered me having flown virtual mosquito's, beaufighters B25's heinkills, ju88's etc....)

 

[ThriveInDark]

I have wished for rare variants ever since I read the fluff text on the FDL. Like Yenko Camaros, or Lingenfelter (spelled wrong) Corvettes, etc. They would appear for limited runs and once sold through its a long wait til the next one or going to take some serious shipyard searching. It was a popular discussion topic pre-engineers and Horizons etc, when the FDL only had a 5A PP and stuff.

Now that engineers exist, it could be cool to see this type of thing but maybe the variant ships are pre-modded versions so they cannot be further engineered, or would take extremely rare rolls to better (because I don't really like the idea of saying you CAN'T engineer stuff). Can also involve station rep in the transaction, maybe you don't even know/see the variant unless you have a relationship established.

I'd also say then when one of these is available at a station that also has a black market you should be able to get one through them, of course by paying some silly multiple of the shipyard price.

Really though, if I could have everything I wanted, I'd like us to be able to tow ships, or find salvaged husks of rare ships and claim them (to be shipped to a station or something) and then have to set about restoring it using the engineers as the source for the restoration. Like finding a rare car in the junkyard. Honestly the "upgrades" could be 80% visual (like ship kits you could unlock in game with locked in liveries already applied) and I'd still be down to hunt rare variants just because I guess I'm that kind of guy.

 

[Xenith]

Really though, if I could have everything I wanted, I'd like us to be able to tow ships, or find salvaged husks of rare ships and claim them (to be shipped to a station or something) and then have to set about restoring it using the engineers as the source for the restoration. Like finding a rare car in the junkyard. Honestly the "upgrades" could be 80% visual (like ship kits you could unlock in game with locked in liveries already applied) and I'd still be down to hunt rare variants just because I guess I'm that kind of guy.

+1

I would love to be able to salvage whole ships, and then add them to my fleet.

 

[yolomcbobbinz]

That would be nice, make a new variant, remove the huge hardpoint replace it with large, up it's agility, jump range and some minor design and color changes