F-54 Epee: Difference between revisions

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= History =
= History =


The '''F-54 Epee''' was a [[Terran Confederation]] light attack fighter that saw much action during the [[Terran-Kilrathi War]].
Introduced in 2661, the '''F-54 Epee''' replaced the [[F-36 Hornet]] as the Confederation's frontline light fighter during the last decade of the [[Terran-Kilrathi War]].


The F-54 Epee, like the [[P-64 Ferret]], was a light fighter whose primary purpose was to serve as a patrol and escort craft for various star systems and capital ships on the war front. They were also highly maneuverable, capable of defending themselves against enemy fighters with relative ease. However, the Epee maintained many dissimilarities from the Ferret. For one, it had superior armament, and on occasion could carry out heavy ordnance for offensive missions against the [[Kilrathi]] fleets. Such armament, combines with its speed, made it a potentially dangerous foe on the battlefield.
The F-54 Epee, like the [[P-64 Ferret]], was a light fighter whose primary purpose was to serve as a patrol and escort fighter. Epees were extremely well armed, mounting two [[particle cannon]]s and four missiles. Pilots were able to defend themselves or escape a dangerous situation with the Epee's high speed and maneuverability.  


The Epee's major disadvantage, however, was that it lacked the armor of the Ferret, possessing only half the amount used on the Ferret. At such a disadvantage, the Epee could be an even more vulnerable target than the Ferret in the sights of a professional Kilrathi pilot.
The Epee's major disadvantage however, was that it lacked armor protection. Possessing roughly half the armor and the same shield rating as the Ferret, the Epee offered little protection or sympathy to an inexperienced pilot. [[Daredevil]], a renowned Confederation pilot, died at the controls of an Epee when his fighter was destroyed by Jalkehi.


The Epee served all along the front lines of the [[Terran-Kilrathi War]] during the 2660s, and squadrons were readily stationed on various installations and fleet carriers like the famed ''[[TCS Concordia]]''. Their greater ordnance made them a highly-favored light fighter when the mission necessitated a heavier strike.
Epees were stationed on the [[TCS Concordia]] during the [[Second Enigma Campaign]]. [[Christopher Blair]] flew several missions in the Epee during the campaign.


The Epee was soon phased out by successors such as the [[F-27 Arrow V|Arrow V]], but found their way into the navies of other Terran factions, such as the [[Free Republic of the Landreich]] and the [[Union of Border Worlds]]. By [[2681]], they were rarely seen on the front lines.
The Epee was soon phased out following the war, but found their way into the navies of other human factions, such as the [[Free Republic of the Landreich]] and the [[Union of Border Worlds]].


= Specifications =
= Specifications =

Revision as of 00:27, 28 June 2012

F-54 Epee
Wc2epee.jpg
Type Light Attack Fighter
Primary User Terran Confederation
Additional Users Free Republic of the Landreich
Union of Border Worlds
Introduction 2661
General Characteristics
Length 12.4 meters
Mass 13 tonnes
Crew 1
Performance
Maximum Yaw 10 dps
Maximum Pitch 10 dps
Maximum Roll 10 dps
Acceleration Excellent
Velocity
Cruise 250 kps
Maximum 480 kps
Afterburner
Maximum Afterburner 1360 kps
Armament
Guns
Particle Cannons (2)
Default Missile Loadout
Dart Dumbfires (2)
Javelin Heatseekers (2)
Defense
Shields
Fore 6.0 cm equivalent
Aft 6.0 cm equivalent
Armor
Front 3.5 cm
Rear 3.5 cm
Right 3.0 cm
Left 3.0 cm
Epee-5.png
Epee Target Identification circa 2665


Work-in-progress, expect frequent changes. Help and feedback is welcome. See discussion page.


History

Introduced in 2661, the F-54 Epee replaced the F-36 Hornet as the Confederation's frontline light fighter during the last decade of the Terran-Kilrathi War.

The F-54 Epee, like the P-64 Ferret, was a light fighter whose primary purpose was to serve as a patrol and escort fighter. Epees were extremely well armed, mounting two particle cannons and four missiles. Pilots were able to defend themselves or escape a dangerous situation with the Epee's high speed and maneuverability.

The Epee's major disadvantage however, was that it lacked armor protection. Possessing roughly half the armor and the same shield rating as the Ferret, the Epee offered little protection or sympathy to an inexperienced pilot. Daredevil, a renowned Confederation pilot, died at the controls of an Epee when his fighter was destroyed by Jalkehi.

Epees were stationed on the TCS Concordia during the Second Enigma Campaign. Christopher Blair flew several missions in the Epee during the campaign.

The Epee was soon phased out following the war, but found their way into the navies of other human factions, such as the Free Republic of the Landreich and the Union of Border Worlds.

Specifications

F-54C Epee WC2ManualEpee.JPG F-54 Epee (2667) WCAManualEpee.JPG F-54 Epee (2665) Wc2epee.jpg
Sources: WC II Playguide Manual Wing Commander Academy Manual Wing Commander 2/Wing Commander: Academy
Class: Light Attack Fighter Light Fighter Light Attack Fighter
Length: 12.4 meters 12.4 meters 12.4 meters
Mass: 13 metric tonnes 13 metric tonnes 13 metric tonnes
Max Velocity: 480 KPS 480 KPS 480 KPS
Cruise Velocity: 250 KPS 250 KPS 250 KPS
Acceleration: Excellent Excellent 4 (relative)
Max Y/P/R: 10/10/10 DPS 10/10/10 DPS 10/10/10 DPS
Guns: Particle Cannons (2) Particle Cannons (2) Particle Cannons (2)
Missiles: Javelin Heatseekers (2) Javelin Heatseekers (2) Javelin Heatseekers (2)
Missiles: Dart Dumbfires (2) Dart Dumbfires (2) Dart Dumbfires (2)
Armor (Front/Rear/Sides): 3.5/3.5/3.0 cm 3.5/3.5/3.0 cm 3.5/3.5/3.0 cm
Shields (Fore/Aft): 6.0/6.0 cm 6.0/6.0 cm 6.0/6.0 cm
Shield Recharge Not Listed Not Listed 5.0 cm/seconds
Missile Decoys: None Chaff Pods (2) Chaff Pods (2)
Jump Capable: No No No

Sources

Wing Commander 2 Playguide

  • Improved Targeting and Tracking System (ITTS)
    • "The Improved Target Tracking System (I.T.T.S.) is a feature available in the most advanced fighters, such as the Epee and Sabre. This advanced targeting system calculates the amount you must lead your target in order to maximize the chance of a hit."

Joan's Fighting Spacecraft - 2664.128 UPDATE

  • Confederation Fighters
    • F-54C Epee

TCSNA Handbook

  • Words from the Author
    • "I was flying a reconnaissance mission in the Gwynedd sector when we were attacked by a contingent of Jalkehi. Instead of obeying my orders and remaining with the escort, my wingman Maniac broke away and engaged two Kilrathi pilots in a dogfight. In my Epee, I did not stand a chance against the seven accomplished Jalkehi pilots without cover from my wingman. I ejected from my badly damaged ship just seconds before it exploded. My injuries left me virtually blind in one eye and destroyed my career as a pilot.
  • Spacecraft of the Terran and Kilrathi Fleets
    • Epee
      • "The design of the Epee is very similar to that of the Ferret. It also demonstrates excellent acceleration and velocity, and maneuvers even better than the Ferret. While its shields and armor are equally unimpressive, it does carry missiles, chaff pods and more sophisticated blasters. The renowned Confederation pilot Daredevil met his end in the Enigma Sector when his Epee fighter was downed by Jalkehi pilots.
    • Sartha
      • "The Kilrathi Sartha is a light fighter comparable to the Confederation's Epee. The Kilrathi fighter is slower and not as maneuverable as the Ferret or the Epee."

Wing Commander 2 / Wing Commander: Academy

Wing Commander 2 (De)Briefings

Wing Commander 2 Missions

Special Operations 1 Missions

The Memoirs of Lieutenant Colonel Carl T. LaFong: The Kilrathi War's Greatest Ace (TCSN, Retired)

Gallery