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"Echo Mk. II" Hybrid Light Fighter

Update: To address some issues I discovered after further testing, I have now created an even newer and even more improved Mk. III version.


A new and improved version, like I said I might do. Mostly the same as the Mk. I version so I'll just cover what's different.

Mainly, the Echo Mk. II has quite a few more thrusters and a little less heavy armor, giving increased power without too much added weight. Most of the added thrusters are ions, so it should be somewhat more maneuverable in space as well, though it is still a bit more agile in atmosphere (which I see no reason to change). The two gyroscopes were shifted elsewhere to make room for the new thrusters, but I didn't notice any difference in rotational strength.

I removed all but two of the small reactors. As it turns out, the three batteries keep the ship running more than adequately already, so the reactors are mainly just there to keep the batteries charged.

There's now an option on the hotbar to shut off the reactors in case you don't want to use up any uranium, as well as one to shut off two of the three large ion thrusters as I felt that using all three at once in space all the time was sort of overkill.

I tested the new model's planetary takeoff capabilities and can confirm it's possible to get from the Earth-like world to space for total ship masses up to 60,000 kg, which is more than enough leeway for a ship inventory completely full of 25x184mm NATO ammo containers (Gatling gun ammo) and all four rocket launchers loaded. I find it's best to stay horizontal and accelerate upwards until your speed drops to 90 m/s, which tends to happen around an altitude 6,000 to 6,500 meters, and then quickly pitch up 90 degrees and accelerate forward at full throttle. It might look like you'll stall, especially if you're carrying a lot of weight, but as long as you're still going at least 20 m/s by 9,000 meters altitude you should be fine.
It's worth noting that this planetary takeoff procedure relies on starting from the surface and staying at maximum speed for as long as possible; the Echo does have trouble hovering at altitudes higher than 3.5 km, so if you don't make it to space your best bet is to lower down to 2 km or so and try again.

And finally, of course, the paint job is a little different too, but not too different. Just a little more dark gray in places.

Detailed specs:

• mass: 52,578 kg empty
  
• length: 10.5 meters
  
• width: 6.5 meters
  
• total 544 blocks, 3,985 PCU
  
• ion thrusters: 3 large (rear), 26 small (4 top, 4 bottom, 4 left, 4 right, 6 front, 4 rear)
  
• atmospheric thrusters: 2 large (bottom), 18 small (3 left, 3 right, 4 front, 4 rear, 4 bottom)
  
• 1 O2/H2 generator
  
• 2 small reactors, 3 batteries
  
• 2 Gatling guns (fixed)
  
• 4 rocket launchers (fixed, manual reload)
  
• 2 gyroscopes
  
• 2 decoys