and we do have an example of a gunboat that is meant to be a transport, too - and thats the zoner GB.
i must say, i m a bit disappointed that it cannot stay a transport, cause i don t think its unbalanced as it is - but if it becomes a real gunboat, .... it does become a "real" gunboat - not a very good one though - its still a pile of junk from a non military faction.
Going to present a scenario here:
1) Kusari is now openly attacking Junkers in Bretonia and in the Taus.
2) The Salvager is rebalanced with gunboat power. There are MANY Salvagers out there.
3) Independent Junkers become eager to test out their new toy. There is now a house that is cherry red to them in RP.