Fer-de-Pai

ship name::Fer-de-Pai
Size (W×H×L)	45 m×ship height::20 m×ship length::85 m
Cargo capacity	ship cargo capacity::5 TC
Cargo bay extension	ship cargo extension::N/A
Maximum speed	ship speed::0.4 LM
Manoeuvrability	Pitch: 1.1 Roll: 2.8 Yaw: 1.2 Trust: 50
Energy banks	ship energy banks::5
Energy recharge rate	Good (ship energy recharge::3.8)
Gun mounts	Fore: 3x
Missile slots	ship missile slots::2
Shield boosters available	ship supports shield booster::Yes
Military shields available	ship supports mil shields::Yes
Hyperspace capable	ship can hyperspace::Yes
OXP or standard	{{#set:ship is standard=OXP}}OXP
Available to player	ship is player flyable::Yes
Base price	ship base price::595,000 Cr

Overview

After licensing the Asp Mark II from the Galactic Navy, Zorgon Petterson Group attempted to secure further lucrative naval contracts with building a combination of the Fer-de-Lance and the Asp Mark II.

The Fer d'Épeé (also know as the Ferdepai or Fer-de-Pai) abandoned the luxurious trimmings of the Fer-de-Lance and took many ideas from the Asp Mark II, such as the twin pilot configuration and the Voltaire Whiplash HZ Pulsedrive engine. To ensure compatibility with existing naval systems, several components were taken directly from the Asp. Additional new elements were added, including the capacity for fuel scoops for use on long inter-solar missions.

While not common knowledge, in fact 2 prototypes were build. The first one, Ferdepai, was soon replaced with the Fer-de-Pai. The second design used the hull of a FdL and offered 2 pylons and, for this time exceptional, 3 front lasers.

Less than 2000 ships from both prototypes were produced with several squads participating in a large scale military field trial. Ultimately, ZPG lost out in tests to the superior, but more costly, Constrictor design produced in Reesdice.

One of each of the Fer d'Épeé prototypes are currently housed in the ZPG museum. The owners of the remaining prototypes are unknown. While few have flown one, those that have claim that both Fer d'Épeé have superior in-flight handling characteristics to either the Asp or the FdL.