GTF Apollo
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| The GTF Apollo |
The GTF Apollo was the mainstay Terran fighter used during the Great War. It was the easiest fighter to use, so novice pilots found themselves first in the seat of the Apollo. After the development of the GTF Ulysses, the Apollo was destined to "collect dust" (FreeSpace Reference Bible).
Contents
Description:
FS1 Tech Room Description
The GTF Apollo is the most common GTA fighter. It is highly versatile and can perform multiple roles, including space superiority, interception and assault.
Developer Notes
Original space superiority of the GTA fleet. Highly versatile, often doubles as assault type. Low weapon compatibility.
The FS Reference Bible and opening cutscene of FS1 swap the hardpoint locations of the primary and secondary weapons, and classify it as a two-person bomber.
Some of the concept designs for what would eventually become the Apollo.
Performance:
Statistics
| Type | Space Superiority |
| Manufacturer | Han-Ronald Corp. |
| Maneuverability | High (Fair) |
| Max Velocity | 60.0 - 82.0 mps |
| Max Afterburner Velocity | 140.0 mps |
| Armor | Light (Medium) |
| Hitpoints | 240 |
| Shields | 350 |
| Length | 21 m |
Armaments
| FreeSpace 1 | ||
| Bank | Guns | Standard Loadout |
| 1st | 2 | Avenger |
| 2nd | 2 | ML-16 Laser |
| Compatible Primaries | ||
| ML-16 Laser, Disruptor, Avenger, Flail, Prometheus, Leech Cannon, S-Breaker | ||
| FreeSpace 1 | ||
| Bank | Capacity | Standard Loadout |
| 1st | 40 | MX-50 |
| 2nd | 40 | MX-50 |
| Compatible Secondaries | ||
| MX-50, D-Missile, Fury, Hornet, Interceptor, EM Pulse | ||
Veteran Comments
This ship is vastly underrated. There is a general consensus among the FS2 community that the Apollo is worthless once you meet the Shivans. That's not true. It is hardly maneuverable, in fact more agile than the later GTF Myrmidon, and although it is on the slow side, it is relatively durable and its guns are very well-placed. It can't carry the Phoenix V or Banshee, but it does carry the Prometheus, so weapons compatibility isn't as bad as many people think. The Apollo is best when you need a jack-of-all trades: it has better missile capacity and armor than the Valkyrie and Ulysses and more maneuverability and speed than a Herc. It's tied with the Herc as my favorite ship.
The Apollo is truly the jack of all trades. Anything a Hercules, Valkyrie, or Ulysses can do, an Apollo can do, though probably not as competently. The adaptability of the Apollo is its most potent weapon, and it performs far better in rapidly changing tactical situations than any of its more specialized brethren. It also fills the gaps between more specialized ships. If the mission calls for heavy firepower but the Hercules isn't quick enough, dogfighting but the Ulysses isn't tough enough, or interception but the Valkyrie doesn't pack enough ordnance, then the Apollo will take over the task and serve well.
The Apollo isn't as good as some people think. True, it does have good maneuverability and armor, but by FS2, it would be worthless as an attack ship, or even as a kamikaze drone fighter. The ship just doesn't have enough power to cut it in FS2, if you use the mod that lets you play as it.
