Cobra Mk.3 (Oolite)
| Cobra Mk.III | |
|---|---|
| |
| Size (metres, W×H×L) | 130 x 30 x 65 |
| Cargo capacity | 20 TC |
| Cargo bay extension | Unknown |
| Maximum speed | 0.35 LM |
| Manoeuvrability | Roll: 2.0 Pitch: 1.0 |
| Energy banks | 4 |
| Energy recharge rate | Unknown |
| Gun mounts | Fore, Aft Port, Starboard |
| Missile slots | Unknown |
| Shield boosters available | Yes |
| Military shields available | Yes |
| Hyperspace capable | Yes |
| OXP or standard | Standard |
| Available to player | Yes |
| Base price | Unknown |
Overview
The Cobra Mk.III first rolled off the production line at Cowell & MgRath's vast factory shipyard in Lave in 3100. The successor to the already successful Cobra Mk.I, it went on to be the mainstay of small trading operations. Priced competitively, the Cobra Mk.III continues the success of the Cobra series of ships. Cowell & MgRath capitalised on the popularity of this ship by making a larger sister model, the SuperCobra, allowing Mk.III owners a familiar upgrade path.
Notable features
The Cobra Mk.III is one of those ubiquitous multi-role ships you see everywhere. There isn't a space station where you can't find half a dozen Cobras parked. It is a ship that is 'good enough' in every aspect - not universe shattering, merely good enough. This has made the ship poke into virtually every market segment apart from midget fighters and trading behemoths. Every class of spaceborne being has some Cobra Mk.IIIs in its number from pirates to traders to government officials.
Controversy
Cowell & MgRath are not noted for their engineering prowess, indeed, their engineering is decidedly average in most areas and sub-par in others. The successor to the original Cobra was supposed to be the Cobra Mk.II, except each of the conforming prototypes failed in flight, leading to an enormous wave of bad publicity. The company went back to the drawing board - or rather didn't - the Cobra Mk.III is substantially a Mk.II with the engineering and design flaws corrected. The company was accused of covering up the fact that the Mk.III was really just the Mk.II in all but name, and the Lave authorities investigated the company, threatening to revoke its ship manufacturing license. The investigators discovered no foul play, and the company recovered from the bad publicity magnificently (as shown by the popularity of the Cobra Mk.III).
