Clippers

Clippers OXP

Overview

Inspired by the great Clipper ships of Old Earth's 19th Century the Boa II Clipper was developed by the Gerege Federation Space Works as a result of extensive market research carried out for them by respected pollsters Moori. The research indicated that there was an un-filled niche in the market for a very fast combat-capable transport, a ship capable of covering great distances comfortably, safely, but most of all, quickly.

To keep development time and costs down it was decided to adapt the proven hull of the Boa Class Cruiser, rather than design a new ship from scratch. As the Boa CC was strong, capacious, and very manoeuvrable, little needed to be done other than increase the engine power. By enlarging the engine room they were able to shoe-horn in a third Stardrive, thus giving the Clipper an immediate 50% power increase over the Class Cruiser, and a top speed of a highly creditable 0.362 LM. The trade-off is a 25 ton reduction in cargo space, but the remaining 150 tons capacity was considered more than adequate.

Following the success of their Clipper upgrade to the Boa 2, the Gerege Federation SpaceWorks felt that a similar upgrade to a smaller freighter would also be worthwhile. Following negotiations with Whatt and Pritney, they obtained a licence to adapt Python hulls to 'Clipper' specification.

Both Python and Boa Clippers have sacrificed some cargo space to allow fitment of extra drive units allowing higher top speeds. GFS favour the DeClapton and Layla Quark-scintillation StarDrive as these units are powerful yet compact and are extremely reliable.

In keeping with their role as long distance express transports, both Clipper models are equipped as standard with Fuel Scoops and Heat Shielding to allow 'sunskimming', and with the introduction of the Python variant external secondary fuel tanks were introduced across the range. These hold 4LY of fuel and this can be moved into the main tanks when their level falls below 3LY. Owners of Series One Boa Clippers are offered a cost-price retro-fit of these tanks.

These ships also have custom HUDs, with a clear logical layout optimised for combat situations. This OXP also shares the interactive features of Smivs'Shipset. NPCs will show visible damage when they throw sparks, and the ship will progressively become derelict if the pilot ejects. They also have the enhanced Death Effects feature, big dramatic explosions when the ship is destroyed. These effects are not dependant on having Smivs'Shipset installed. This OXP is also compatible with BattleDamage OXP, which will add visible player-ship damage if the shields fail and the hull takes direct hits. Both OXPs must be installed if this feature is required.

Python Clipper

The Python Clipper has two Drive units with a reduction in cargo capacity of 25TC over the original Python, leaving a hold of 75TC capacity. The original Python was also noted for its lack of modern equipment options and poor armaments and these issues have been addressed in the Clipper. The Python Clipper has one less energy bank than the original Python (six rather than seven) and no cargo expansion option, but the space freed-up has allowed much more powerful rechargers to be fitted and also allows for four missile pylons, double that of the Python. Military Shield Boosters can also be fitted to the Clipper. Performance, handling and top speed are all noticeably better than a standard Python.

Boa Clipper

The Boa Clipper has three Stardrives and a cargo capacity of 150TC. Top speed and handling is improved over the Boa 2 but all other specifications are the same, with a full range of equipment options available and eight energy banks with efficient rechargers already included. Since its introduction, the Boa Clipper has sold over 850 units, making it Gerege Federation Space Works most successful model ever.

Original Boa Clipper OXP

This OXP replaces the Boa Clipper OXP. I have tried to make the transition to the new OXP seemless and the upgrade to External Fuel Tanks as easy as possible. If you already have the Boa Clipper OXP installed, simply remove it and replace it with Clippers OXP. Owners of Series One Boa Clippers are offered a cost-price retro-fit of the External Fuel Tanks. If your player ship is a Boa Clipper go to the F3 screen (outfitters) once this new OXP is installed and you will see 'External Fuel Tanks - Full' listed at a cost of 500Cr. Click on this and your Clipper will be upgraded with External Fuel Tanks. Once used these can be refilled for 40Cr.

Compatibility

This OXP is compatible with ExtraFuelTanks OXP. Both OXPs can be installed together. If you fly a Boa or Python Clipper with External Fuel Tanks you will not see ExtraFuelTanks offered, but if you have several Commanders flying various ships and use ExtraFuelTanks these will continue to work normally.

Author

OXP by Smivs

Credits

Many thanks to Griff for allowing me to 'borrow' the engine model from his 'Boa', and to Okti for advice and help scripting the external fuel tanks.

License

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0Unported License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/ or send a letter to Creative Commons, 171 Second Street, Suite 300, San Francisco, California, 94105, USA.

Version History

Version 1.3.1 released 9th June 2012 Corrected AI error in shipdata.plist.

Version 1.3 released 18th may, 2012. Interactive features from Smivs'Shipset added. Now compatible with BattleDamage OXP

Version 1.2 released 10th January, 2012. HUD upgrade.

Version 1.1 released 3rd January, 2012. shipdata.plist error corrected - improvements to custom HUD

Version 1.0 Released 22nd December, 2011.

Download

Clippers OXP direct download from Smivsonline.

Installation

Unzip the download and place the .oxp folder in your Oolite AddOns folder.

Oolite Forum thread

Any questions, problems or bug reports should be posted on this OXP's BB thread here