I doubt the Panther LX is on its way anytime soon.
It's not that there hasn't been the desire to put it in the game - I think FDev mentioned it very early on and may have already designed it.
But it would be yet another thing that could seriously imbalance game play - emptying whole space stations in single trips. Plus to implement it properly, it probably shouldn't be able to dock at space stations or land on planets [much like Capital Ships] - and instead that would require an onboard shuttle for cargo runs etc.
The Panther LX is quite simply the Quince of trading. I'd love to be wrong. I'd love to see it in 2.4.
"Did my time flying a Panther Clipper LX"
LIAR!
No idea why people keep thinking that about Panther. It won't be the Panther Clipper from First Encounters, it is Panther Clipper LX - similar in size as the big 3, described by DB as larger T9. It is simply redesigned Panther to fit standard gameplay. There is zero indication that FDev have or will change their view about players owning any truly huge ships, so it will have to fit the gameplay we have now.
@Threeofseven
Personally, I am waiting for Panther because it was one of the first ships we have seen. I mean it's been 4 years for god's sake. Besides that, I love the design.
You make a good point, but if there isn't a game balance issue, and they've already designed it - why haven't they released it?
[and why would they retain the word Panther from FFE if they didn't intend it to be significantly bigger than any other transportation ship?]
You said it yourself - it's been four years.
I've seen at least one NPC claim to have worked on 'Space Dredgers', has anyone seen a space dredger in game yet?