CF-105 Scimitar Medium Fighter
The (fictional) CF-105 Scimitar class Medium fighter is a fighter in the Wing Commander computer game universe. The first appearance of the fighter was in the game Wing Commander.
AbOUT
The CF-105 Scimitar starfighter was designed by Origin Systems. In the Wing Commander (franchise) universe, the Scimitars were produced by Origin Aerospace, a fighter manufacturer for the Terran Confederation. In Wing Commander I, these fighters are featured prominently. Christopher Blair, a character created by Roberts, flew Scimitars on a number of occasions.
The Scimitar was called "The Slug" and the "Flying Pig" by pilots in the game. Players liked the Scimitar for its durability and reliability but received criticism for its lack of maneuverability. In the game Wing Commander, The Famous Blue Devil squadron even managed to destroy a heavily armed Kilrathi depot using only a pair of Scimitars during Operation Thor's Hammer. After 20 years of service, it became hopelessly obsolete. They were pulled from ACTIVE service in the Terran Confederation in 2655 and any surplus vessels were sold to the Free Republic of the Landreich and the Union of Border Worlds. The Border Worlds would use these craft during the 2673 Black Lance Conspiracy, although newer spacecraft would overpower this once-reliable craft.
Because of the continuity of Wing Commander games, which continued the Kilrathi War for several more years, Origin had designed newer fighters for players to use, which appeared in the first game's sequel, Wing Commander II: Vengeance of the Kilrathi. Origin's new F-44 Rapier II replaced the Scimitar with much more shielding, far more maneuverable, and carried four guns instead of only two on the Scimitar.
Wing Commander Academy
The CF-105 Scimitar-class Medium Fighter featured prominently in Universal Cartoon Studios's animated tv-show Wing Commander Academy. The armament of the Scimitar in Academy is "almost" similar to Roberts' design from the game: five missiles (two above the cockpit and three in hardpoints below the fuselage).
The only differences from the Roberts' Scimitar and Universal Cartoon Studios's version of the Scimitars are:
- The Scimitars in Academy are equipped with dual laser cannons rather than the game version's with 2 gatling mass-driver cannons.
- The Scimitars in Academy have a light calibur laser turret in their nose. The game's Scimitar does not have this feature.
- The Scimitars in Academy have a different detail of colors to differentiate from other squadrons, rather than the game's standard green color.