Cobra Courier
| Cobra Courier | |
|---|---|
| |
| Size (metres, W×H×L) | 140 x 22 x 67 |
| Cargo capacity | 20 TC |
| Cargo bay extension | Unknown |
| Maximum speed | 0.37 LM |
| Manoeuvrability | Roll: 2.0 Pitch: 1.0 |
| Energy banks | 5 |
| 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 | OXP |
| Available to player | Yes |
| Base price | Unknown |
Overview
The Cobra Courier followed the Cobra Mark III along production lines at Cowell & MgRath's vast factory shipyard in Lave soon after the latter ship had proven successful. The Cobra Courier was based on a slightly different hull design that had proven too espensive for the mass market ship, but that was still useful for a ship that was aimed for the richer clientele. Only slightly bigger than its smaller sibling, Cobra Courier also offers better shielding and extra main thrusters, at a price.
Notable features
The Cobra Courier quickly became more popular than Cowell & MgRath had estimated, despite its higher price and numerous well-off adventurers and traders can be found flying them around the Galaxy, preferring the Courier's luxurious living quarters over those of many other ships. Even though it is pricier than the Mk.III, pirates have been seen to also fly Cobra Couriers.
Controversy
Paynou, Prossett and Salem, the original designers of the Cobra Mk I, filed for bankrupcy following bad publicity after the failure of successive Cobra Mk II prototypes. They were bought out by Cowell & MgRath, who redesigned the structural and internal layout from the ground up whilst retaining much of the external design features. The Cobra Mk III is substantially a Mk II hull with the internal structural engineering and design flaws corrected. When this became public knowledge, Cowell & Mgrath were 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, more importantly, no evidence of any design issues with the new ship, and the company recovered from the bad publicity magnificently (as shown by the popularity of the Cobra Mk.III).
