Chuckwalla

Chuckwalla Hauler
Size (W×H×L)	80m×60m×160m
Cargo capacity	700 TC
Cargo bay extension	N/A
Maximum speed	0.18 LM
Manoeuvrability	Roll: 0.75 Pitch: 0.40
Energy banks	7
Energy recharge rate	Medium (3.0)
Gun mounts	Fore, Aft Starboard, Port
Missile slots	6
Shield boosters available	No
Military shields available	No
Hyperspace capable	Yes
OXP or standard	OXP
Available to player	Yes
Base price	610000 ₢

The Chuckwalla is a relatively massive heavy freighter, though in the opinion of some, just not quite massive enough.

Overview

The Chuckwalla was developed with a singular vision: to knock the Anaconda off its perch. Sadly falling short right at the finish line, the engineers of Murgh Shipyard were never able to identify how the Anaconda manages to reach its immense cargo capacity within its allocated space, and still occasionally manage to pass within the dimensions of the GalCop standard dock frame. Nevertheless, the Chuckwalla shows a valiant effort with its maximised 700 TC capacity, and in a desperate attempt to compensate, manages to extract a .04 LM speed advantage over the cargo king.

The small-scale prototype mockup used to validate false rumours.

False rumour origins

The initial documentation of the Chuckwalla proved to be sloppy journalism, as the initial prototype models built at a 1 to 20 scale –mere dummies for the purposes of research– were mistakenly believed to be the actual ship, and the widespread belief in the industry was that Murgh Shipyards had released yet another run-of-the-mill diminutive light multi-role ship.

The sudden financial troubles of Murgh Shipyards did nothing to rectify this misconception. During its years under enforced administration, the firm were unable to amend this falsehood, nor was the planned launch of the near-finished Chuckwalla allowed to go ahead. Careers ended and years passed until the firm eventually again found its footing.

An internal debate took place, over the decision wether to start fresh with a new name (a fraction fought hard to go forward with the new name "Baumschnüffler"), but stubbornness prevailed, and the Chuckwalla was finally unveiled as was initially intended.

Outcome

The agonising process endured from conception to mass-production proved too much for several employees at Murgh Shipyards. That the initial goals were never quite met left many with a sense of defeat, though others were able to see the result for what it was: quite a fine ship.

Having spent so many years trying to match and surpass the cargo capacity of the Anaconda yet failing, one small group of obsessed engineers remained perpetually stuck in denial. The fact that the Anaconda with available 765,000㎥ within its frame can exploit 50 TC more than the 768,000㎥ of the Chuckwalla, became impossible to swallow. Years later they continue to claim that it is the Anaconda that needs to be investigated on grounds of false capacity claims, threatening legal action. To date, no law suit has been filed.

Download

• Murgh's X-Ships OXP (2006) containing the curiosity mini prototype Chuckwalla .
• Iron Ass OXP Vol. 4 (2022) containing the actual large freighter Chuckwalla.