So it seems the canopy is kinda important.

[Gorf]

It's time for me to leave Ngalites, or so I thought. I wanted to get a bit closer to civilisation so I could maybe wing up and have a bit more fun at RES farming. I checked the bulletin board one last time and took on a CZ mission. Just nine targets, then I'll head back to my friends.

I made the mistake of ignoring two vipers that were attacking me during my fight with a python. I got down to one ring Just as the python popped, and I took on the first viper. When that one exploded, I found myself in the unfamiliar (combat) situation of having no shields. I was evaluating the risk of continuing unprotected against the second assailant when the decision was made for me. A couple of lucky shots, and there was the worrying sound of cracking glass. Two more shots and all my precious air was sucked out into the void.

Now I've had this vulture for a while, and when I first built it, I was struggling for power, so rather than upgrade to a D or A life support, I left it at E to wring every last watt of power from the reactor. Then, when I refitted and replaced one of its shield cell units, there wasn't a better life support available, so it sorta got forgotten about. So without glass, I live for only five minutes.,

I bailed out of the fight with the other viper - went into supercruise, and evaluated my options. Not many - Of my original five minutes, I had only three minutes of air left, and the nearest coriolis station was the other side of the sun. No way was I going to get there and through the letterbox in less than three minutes. My only choice was the nearest outpost - I had no idea if the internal dock had an atmosphere, but I was out of options. I managed to dock and enter the hangar with seconds to spare.

Just my luck: No repair facility. But at least it had air.

Now what?

Now, switch on the dashcam, and record the race for that simplest of accessories: a pane of glass.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwQoLbXY9hM

[Cmdr Roko Viroto]

Glad you made it.

Seems like Vulture has weak canopy.

While at RES I lost shield and then heard canopy crack when I had 90%-something on hull - this when I knew that next thing to upgrade is life support.

[clivewil]

cool story Gorf. you've got to admit, having moments like those certainly do add some excitement to the game.

[UnmarkedBoxcar]

The canopy in my vulture cracked so many times above 85-90% hull that I think the manufacturers must have been trying to save money somewhere...

...then again, it is a rather large target, and my style of flying did sort of put it right in the line of fire...you almost have to as your hardpoints are on top.

I remember, though... having the distinct impression that if my shields were ever to go down, the canopy was always the first thing to go.

[Sendraks]

Yup, the Vulture's canopy leaves a lot to be desired. I've not experienced this many canopy cracks since I've flown a Cobra.

[Mouse]

Nice run ^,^Glad you made it.


Two things that may help if it happens again ^,^. First is you can drive straight at it, the display on your left gives you the distance since you can't see it because your HUD is gone.

Also I giggled because when you mentioned that outfitting wouldn't do you any good, it could have. If you had looked for a new life support and it had one than it would have given you extra time. You didn't need it but that is a possibility too. With 181 mill you can afford it and with your power where it is, looks like you have an A-4 power supply? As long as you didn't engage your weapon systems your life support would have worked at what ever level you bought. Giving you even more time to get in and set up things again ^,^

Glad you didn't need it but may have saved you some panic :p

[Roger Wilco Jr]

Cool vid. I've busted my Vulture's canopy several times, but always near an outpost with a repair facility. Never busted any other ship's canopy (except when I exploded).

So why have an outpost that can replace modules but not repair them? It seems that they would go hand in hand. Anyway, why does a larger O2 tank require more power? <_<

Anyway, one interesting thing I noticed was that your air (not O2) was restored as soon as you went through the slot on the station, as the stations have an internal atmosphere. I bet it's probably always faster to boost through the slot rather than landing on an outpost and entering the hanger. Something to keep in mind the next time it happens - if you plan to keep flying a Vulture.

[robfm81]

Lost my canopy last night... did first kill mission, blew up due to not upgrading life support... doh!

Glad the mission did not void on ship destruction.

13th later.... woohoo