Confederation F-32 Scimitar Medium Starfighter (Wing Commander):

The F-32 Scimitar was originally intended as a stop-gap replacement for the aging Hurricane medium starfighter. The F-32 Scimitar was developed in a crash program by Origin Aerospace and was intended to rebuild the Confederation fighter losses in the McAuliffe Ambush as well as to build up forces as the Kilrathi war had just started. The Scimitar was initially designated as the Corsair but near the end of the medium fighter’s development program, the Corsair was renamed as the Scimitar. Mass production of the medium fighter began in 2635.

The fighter was called "The Slug" and the "Flying Pig" by pilots, the fighter acquired a reputation for durability and reliablity but received criticism among pilot circles due to a noteworthy lack of maneuverability. The F-36 Hornet introduced soon afterwards was far more maneuverable and had heavier shields even though it was a much smaller fighter. The F/A-14 Raptor was only slightly less maneuverable yet mounted much heavier weaponry, shields, and armor. Still, the Scimitar outperformed the Confederations older medium fighter designs along with many contemporary Kilrathi fighters of its time. The ship racked up a very respectable war record but, after 20 years of service, it became hopelessly obsolete. The Rapier replaced the Scimitar and the new fighter had almost twice as much shielding, was far more maneuverable, and carried four guns instead of only two on the Scimitar.

The Confederation officially retired the Scimitar medium fighter in 2656. While both the Raptor and Hornet were both brought back into service, all Scimitar fighters were scrapped except a small number which were kept as war memorials. The medium fighter simply could not compete with the newer Kilrathi fighters in service. Still, the P-62 Ferret light fighter mounts twin mass drivers in the legacy of the Scimitar and was the preferred fighter by many pilots.

Notes of game conversion:

Because of the nature of the Video Game series “Wing Commander” and the needs to put the fighter into game mechanics, the fighter has several modification compared to the Video Game. The most important change it to change top speed to acceleration. Like fighters in Star Wars and original Battlestar Galactica, the fighters appear to act as if they are in the atmosphere even when they operating in space. This is incorrect. The Television series Babylon 5 and the new Battlestar Galactic are good series to watch to get a clearer idea on how space vehicles would probably maneuver although still not a perfect perspective. The fighter has been modified to uses my revised phase world starship rules and can hold their own against most C.A.F and Kreeghor fighters. See Revised Starship Rules for Phase World / Three Galaxies for more details.

Model Type: F-32D Scimitar Medium Fighter
Vehicle Type: Medium Starfighter / Multi-Role Attack Fighter
Crew: One

M.D.C. By Location:

	Mass Driver Cannons (2):	40 each
	Missile Hard Points (5):	10 each
	[1] Engines (2):	100 each
	Landing Struts (3):	10 each
	[2] Main Body:	270
	Reinforced Pilots Cockpit:	110
	[3] Variable Force Field:	40 per side (240 total)

Notes:
[1] Loss of an engine will reduce performance of fighter by one half and loss of two engines will prevent fighter from performing beyond 5% of normal (This is using maneuvering thrusters and gravitic propulsion). Due to gravitic propulsion systems, fighter will not crash in an atmosphere even if both engines are destroyed.
[2] Depleting the M.D.C. of the main body will put the fighter out of commission. All internal systems will shut down, including life support and internal gravity. The ship itself will be an unsalvageable floating wreck. In an atmosphere, the fighter will crash.
[3] Shields positions can be varied and all could be combined in one shield. Shields regenerate at the rate of 5% (12 M.D.C.) per melee.

Speed:
Driving on the Ground: Not Possible.
Sublight: Has a special sublight engine that allows the ship to travel up to 40 percent of the speed of light. Fighter can accelerate/decelerate at the rate of .76 percent of light per melee maximum. Fighter has auxiliary thrusters which can be used a maximum of 15 minutes before fuel is exhausted. On auxiliary thrusters, the fighter has a maximum acceleration of 1.52 percent of light per melee maximum.
Atmospheric Propulsion: The fighter is fairly aerodynamic and is quite capable in an atmosphere. As a result, the fighter can achieve escape velocity (Mach 32.6 / 25,053 mph / 40,320 kph) but normally operates at Mach 5.70 (4,225.3 mph / 6,800 kph) or less. The fighter also has Gravitic propulsion systems enabling it to leave an atmosphere even at low velocities.
Maximum Range: Effectively unlimited by internal fuel (10 year duration) although auxiliary thruster range is limited to approximately 15 minutes. Fighter uses a very small fusion cell system for power systems. The fighter carries six days of consumables for fighter’s crew.

Statistical Data:
Length: 82.02 feet (25.0 meters)
Height: 25.26 feet (7.7 meters)
Width: 74.87 feet (22.8 meters)
Weight: 17.64 tons (16.0 metric tons) unloaded
Power System: Fusion power supply with a 10 year duration.
Cargo: Small Storage Space, 2.5 ft x 2.5 ft x 2 ft. Used for emergency equipment and weapons.
Market Cost: 18.55 million credits

WEAPON SYSTEMS:

Twin Mass Driver Cannons: These cannons are mounted on the sides of the starfighter. Cannons are shorter ranged than lasers but inflict greater damage. The mass driver is a very solid weapon which is basically a rail gun that uses a linear accelerator to fire projectiles of metallic mass at a target. In addition to range, the mass driver needs to use ammunition and has a limited payload.
Maximum Effective Range: 1,242.7 miles (2000 km) in space and 6.21 miles (10 km) in an atmosphere.
Mega Damage: 2D6x10 per cannon per 20 round burst and 4D6x10 for both cannons firing a 40 round burst
Rate of Fire: Equal to the combined hand to hand attacks of the pilot (usually 4 or 5).
Payload: 10,000 Rounds (500 Bursts) per cannon
Missile Pylons (5): On the underbelly of the fighter are five missile racks that allows the fighter to carry missiles. Individual pylons must carry all the same type ordnance but each pylon may carry different types of ordnance. Long Range Missiles have a top speed of Mach 20 in an atmosphere and in space has an acceleration of 8% of light per turn (faster than any starship). Medium Range Missiles have a top speed of Mach 15 in an atmosphere and in space has an acceleration of 6% of light per turn. Since starships will no longer engage at rock throwing distances, whether weapons can be shot down is calculated from the speed of target, launcher, and missile. When drive goes dead, missile will continue to travel in a straight line unless set to self destruct but has very low odds of hitting starships (Great for hitting bases and planets because target does not move and missile when dead is at -25% to be detected.) Missiles can be launched on multiple targets simultaneously and all missiles are normally considered smart missiles.
Fuselage Hard Point (1): One Long Range Missile or two Medium Range Missile each.
Inner Wing Hard Points (2): One Long Range Missile or two Medium Range Missile each.
Outer Wing Hard Points (2): One Medium Range Missile each
Maximum Effective Range: Long Range Missiles range is 3,400 miles (5470 km) in an atmosphere and 1,800,000 miles (2,897,000 km/9.7 light seconds) in space, and Medium Range Missiles range is 160 miles (257.5 km) in an atmosphere and 80,000 miles (128,750 km/0.43 light seconds).
Mega-Damage & Properties: See revised Phase World / Three Galaxies missile tables for details (Long Range Fusion warheads inflict 2D4x100 M.D.C. each.)
Rate of Fire: One at a time or in volleys of two, three, or four missiles.
Payload: Varies by hard point.
Anti-Missile Decoy Dispenser: Located at the very tail of the fighter are two decoy dispensers. When a missile if fired at the fighter, a decoy can be released to confuse or detonate the enemy's attack. Decoy system works against Phase World missiles although has a -10% penalty against Brilliant missiles.
Effect:
Payload: Ten (10)

COMBAT BONUSES: The F-32 Scimitar medium starfighter is very maneuverable and very accurate. Use the Phase World Starfighter combat (Elite or Basic) skill.

+1 to dodge

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CGI / Artwork of starship created by Howard Hill / Howie. Picture taken from Wing Commander CIC.

Writeup by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).

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