Sidewinder

thingiverse

The humble Sidewinder is a ship class known to millions throughout the galaxy as the trusty sidekick. Equipped with four hard points and a single forward-mounted laser cannon, this diminutive craft provides hours of reliable combat time. In reality, this compact model features limited space for passengers or equipment. While in service on Federal military patrols, they proved incredibly successful against their foes, demonstrating what they could accomplish despite being only modestly upgraded. As with the other early ships designed during this period, their durability came at a price; even small laser fire took chunks from the Sidewinders hull. Those pilots who ventured beyond safe sectors would not be surprised to learn these ships fared poorly when pitted against much heavier enemy forces or advanced Federal-era models like the Federation-class. The same principles applied - those with the power to choose simply did not invest as heavily in defensive technology. This lack of development also showed how underprepared many small carriers were at handling such situations; those that didn't know they existed didn't understand why other, better-shielded vessels avoided confrontations whenever possible. For any seasoned traveler aware of history's lessons, this ship still offers undeniable benefits: great performance when engaged in tight dogfighting maneuvering and low space requirements for transport purposes - something crucial when taking part in long-range exploration expeditions. But one point that cannot be disputed is its rather unimpressive speed; unless heavily upgraded or fitted with extra propulsion technology, this craft is almost unable to catch up when needed, rendering it largely unsuitable for use against even mid-grade enemy ships. A Sidewinder pilot had learned an unfortunate lesson many years before: it wasn't their gun they had been missing; in the heat of combat they realized too late how much their own vulnerability outweighed their initial advantages - not because its defensive armor was lacking but simply because it's small size made for very cramped quarters when operating beyond what those pilots expected. While it does carry a lot, it can't protect itself adequately. It remains a highly sought after item on collector lists despite all its weaknesses because they do understand this reality in every single instance.