So, will we consider the ship design contest started?
As for grapples, in the GDW TNE rules I'm sure that they can hold any module or craft securely, up to the tonnage limit (I won't go into streamlining here). Path of Tears states that - in more words - at the bottom of page 156. Also, the Apollo and Maggart class clippers can swap their Manta-class fuellers for a Manticore SDB - in fact the Maggart can carry two Manticores according to information in Challenge 74.
So, in other words - I think your original idea is sound.
Starviking
--- On Mon, 17/1/11, roger <> wrote:
Designer's Notes: When I first started Mercy I was thinking it would resemble a CH-54 Heavy Lift Helicopter. My plan was to have the ship capable of carrying a single 200 Ton module at J-3 out into the wilds and be able to recover up to a 400 Ton derelict ship and return with it to the Coalition at J-2. My problem here is the grapple, in the rules it states that the grapple has to be designed for one type of craft carried.