The main goal of the move from the Cosmo Messer E to the F series is to add more thrusters (where possible), more weapons, and fix some of the stationing issues the E series has. ‘Software’ and registry improvements are also in the works.

Thrusters

A few more internal hydrogen thrusters were added, these ones facing downward. The Cosmo Messer E could get airborne in Pertam’s 1.2Gs of gravity, but needed assistance from some of the lateral thrusters. Once it was airborne, it could maintain its altitude, but that’s dangerous to try and manage. The additional thrusters allow the F model to not only hover but fly in Pertam’s gravity.

There could be more thrusters added if they don’t poke out of the frame too much, but for now the main improvement I was aiming for in this area is finished.

Weapons

The final list of integrated weapons for the base F model are 4 chainguns, 2 rocket launchers, and 1 autocannon. A more upgunned version might swap the autocannon for a larger weapon, as well as some of the chainguns for autocannons, but that’s the extent of what the F model will be carrying internally.

Stationing

The Cosmo Messers need connectors to dock with other ships and magnetic plates for landing. In the Messer’s case, they need the plates more for staying on the Hipper’s carousel than anything. The F series is also getting landing gears for terrestrial operations. Since the thrusters have been upgraded, planetary operations are officially a part of the F series’ mission set.

The first of all the upgrades received was moving the connector closer to the center of the fuselage. This makes it possible to dock with a wider variety of ships. That said, the Cosmo Messer F is still a large fighter. It’s not tall, but it’s tall enough to pose a problem for hangars that are less than four blocks high. It also needs seven blocks of clearance for the wings. That’s part of the reason why the Hippers and other Kaiser ships usually have open air flight decks, even when they have large internal hangars for stowage.

Since the connector was moved forward, so was everything around it: the magnetic plate and the ventral camera. That means I’m going to have to make some adjustments to Hipper’s carousel, but it should be able to comfortably carry both types of Messers, the Es and the Fs. I don’t think the G and K models will differ too much on the connector placement, either.

Software and Registry Updates

Of course, by ‘software’ I just mean the scripts on the ship. The most important one is Coren’s Easy Automation, especially now that it controls the extension of the rocket launchers, landing gear, connector and magnetic plate switches. That’s about all that requires automation to make the F series an across the board improvement over the E in terms of usability, but it would be possible to do more, so I’m keeping the option open.

As for registry updates, I’m carefully following a naming convention to keep block and block groups as organized as possible.

Potential Upgrades

One thing I’m considering for the F series, especially since it’s the last series that won’t have any mod requirements, are hardpoints for weapons and modules. It would take some more conveyor and plating work to get it set up, but it might be worth it.

Closing

The Cosmo Messer F will definitely be ready late this month if nothing else comes up. After it’s finished and on the workshop I’ll be taking a break from the Cosmo Messers and working on other fighters when I have the time.