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[Fighter Blueprint] MEC VF-3 'Velutina' Interceptor

The VF-3 'Velutina' was commissioned as a state-of-the-art interceptor following problems with the development of the VF-1 'Simillima'. Wary of repeating any past mistakes, the engineering team for the VF-3 scrapped the Simillima chassis entirely - only the VCOIL engine design was carried over to the new VF-3. The newer, sleeker Velutina chassis was designed from the ground up over a period of ten months. The variable-geometry "wings" (usually kept in a downward and forward swept configuration for flight) were a late addition, designed to allow the Velutina to shift its center of gravity in order to perform more complex maneuvers during dogfights.

Combat trials showed that even with early, wingless prototypes, the 'Velutina' handled well. Pilots remarked that it was a joy to fly and controls felt tight and responsive, though flying the ship had a bit of a learning curve. In testing, the Velutina's performance parameters exceeded the already high standards of the program's charter. It was put into full production after only three years of testing alongside the VF-2 'Luctuosa' bomber (the VF-1 'Simillima,' plagued by program delays, was released a year later).

Though the 'Velutina' lacks the forward firepower of the 'Simillima', it has the edge in dogfights as it outmaneuvers the 'Simillima' by a significant margin. It serves as a powerful anti-fighter weapon, and what it lacks in punch against larger targets can be more than made up by pairing it with the 'Luctuosa' bomber.

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This ship was the result of me taking a short break from doing re-creations and playing around with a new style. It is exactly 200 blocks. The ship's class is named for Vespa velutina, a species of Asian hornet that predominantly preys on other flying insects.

Screenshots (besides the auto-generated preview image) show fighters at true scale - when you use this blueprint to produce fighters, that's the level of detail you can expect from the final product.

This ship is intended for use as a fighter blueprint, as it lacks the critical ship components necessary for player control.

Suggested weapon: Pulse gun, chaingun, anti-fighter turret