What to know
The Kruger P-52 Merlin is a compact snub fighter carried by the RSI Constellation. One pilot controls a central Tigerstrike gatling and two wing guns, while the host ship provides long-range travel, repairs, fuel, and a place to land.
P-52 Merlin specifications
A compact fighter carried by the Constellation
The P-52 Merlin is a carrier-dependent snub fighter built for local defense around a Constellation. Its central Tigerstrike gatling and two wing guns give one pilot direct firepower in a fast, compact airframe, while the host ship provides long-range travel and support.
Local defense without another full-size ship
The Merlin launches from a Constellation when the larger ship needs a fast escort, a close look at a target, or another gun in the immediate area. It depends on its carrier for long-range travel, repairs, and a place to land.
Development note: The P-52 Merlin is flight ready and entered the live game in Alpha 1.1.5. Because Star Citizen remains in active development, specifications, features, and imagery may change over time.
Three guns in a fast carrier-launched fighter
The central Tigerstrike gatling provides the Merlin's main attack, while two wing guns add supporting fire. Its small frame and responsive handling help the pilot stay with nearby fighters and protect the Constellation that carried it.
Two Size 1 guns beneath the wings support the Merlin's central Tigerstrike gatling cannon.
A nose-mounted Tigerstrike gatling cannon gives the Merlin a direct, pilot-controlled weapon that fits the snub fighter's fast and agile combat style.
The cockpit puts flight, targeting, weapons, and damage information in front of the pilot.
Heavy sensor, shield, and weapon use can strain the power system, so the crew must watch heat and output.
The P-52 Merlin's combat loadout
A nose-mounted Tigerstrike T-19P rotary cannon forms the Merlin's main weapon, supported by two Size 1 wing guns for a compact three-gun battery.
Tigerstrike gatling with two wing guns
The P-52 Merlin uses the Tigerstrike gatling and two wing guns against nearby threats without pretending to have the range or support of a full-size fighter.
A compact berth lets the P-52 Merlin add immediate local firepower when the parent ship cannot turn its own weapons onto a target.
The sortie is complete only when the P-52 Merlin can safely return to its carrier and be prepared for another launch.
The Merlin defends its Constellation
The Merlin launches when its Constellation needs a fast local escort, another gun on a nearby fighter, or a closer look at a target. It returns to the carrier for fuel, ammunition, repairs, and long-range travel.
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Launch for a nearby threat
The Constellation puts the Merlin into the fight without moving the larger ship into every close-range encounter.
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Stay close to the carrier
The pilot keeps the Merlin near enough to protect the Constellation and return before fuel or damage becomes a problem.
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Use all three guns
The central Tigerstrike gatling and two wing guns give the pilot a direct, concentrated attack against nearby fighters.
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Dock for the next sortie
The Merlin returns to the Constellation for travel, servicing, and preparation for another local-defense launch.
From cockpit controls to weapon mounts
The P-52 Merlin combines its Tigerstrike gatling and two wing guns with the handling, protection, and targeting systems needed for its combat role.
The P-52 is a true snub fighter as its compact size allows it to fit relatively comfortably inside the cargo bays of a ship such as the Freelancer MAX or Constellation Taurus.
Both the P-52 and the P-72 are designed to use RSI's Constellation series docking cradle, offering a unique symbiosis between the 2 ships.
For the P-52 Merlin, responsive handling helps the pilot keep the Tigerstrike gatling and two wing guns on target through tight turns.
For the P-52 Merlin, sensors and weapon controls help the pilot identify a suitable target and keep the Tigerstrike gatling and two wing guns aimed at it.
One pilot, one carrier-supported fighter
The pilot handles flight, targeting, and all three guns. The Constellation provides the fuel, repairs, and long-range support the Merlin cannot carry.
Keep the sortie simple
The Merlin works best when the pilot has one local task and a clear route back to the Constellation.
The pilot stays focused on threats close enough to endanger the Constellation or its immediate route.
Flight and weapon control remain with the same pilot, keeping every attack immediate and direct.
Fuel, ammunition, and ship condition determine when the Merlin should break off and return to its carrier.
See the P-52 Merlin in action
Watch official footage of the P-52 Merlin in action and see it from every angle.
Find your P-52 Merlin
Explore in-stock P-52 Merlin ships, upgrades, and game packages available from The Impound.