The Drake Vulture is one of the best solo money-making ships in Star Citizen. The question is simple:

Should you sell Recycled Material Composite (RMC) directly, or refine Construction Rubble into Construction Materials?

After testing a full Vulture cargo load with both methods, the answer is clear:

RMC is faster, easier, and significantly more profitable.

Star Citizen Vulture Salvage Profit: RMC vs Construction Materials

Setup

• The goal was simple:
• Fill one Vulture cargo hold.
• Sell the materials.
• Remove contract costs.
• Compare the real profit.

The test focused on real profit, not theoretical market value.

Construction Materials Profit Test

Construction Materials look attractive because refining increases the value of collected rubble.

The problem is efficiency.

You need:

1. Salvage contracts.

2. Ship fracturing.

3. Rubble collection.

4. Refining time.

5. Final cargo transport.

For this test, 10,000 aUEC salvage contracts were used.

Around 5 good contracts are normally enough to fill a Vulture.

Results

The biggest issue is not only the lower payout.

The entire process takes longer because refining adds another step between salvaging and earning money.

RMC Profit Test

RMC is much simpler:

Find a large wreck → scrape the hull → sell the material.

For the test, a 20,000 aUEC salvage contract was used.

Large ships like the C2 Hercules are excellent targets because their flat surfaces make scraping faster.

Results

Vulture Salvage Profit Comparison

Winner: RMC

The difference:

RMC earns around 130,000 aUEC more profit per Vulture load.

That advantage comes from three things:

no refining delay;

cheaper contracts;

faster turnaround.

More time scraping means more money.

Best Vulture Salvage Strategy

Use Large Ship Wrecks

Not every salvage target is equal.

The best targets usually have:

large surface areas;

easy scraping angles;

high material yield.

The C2 Hercules is one of the most comfortable Vulture targets because you spend less time repositioning.

Avoid Low-Yield Contracts

Cheap contracts are not always profitable.

If a wreck gives poor material output, the travel time and setup cost can destroy your hourly income.

A better strategy:

pay slightly more for a good target;

spend less time flying;

maximize scraping time.

Sell at Reliable Locations

The highest price is not always the best option.

If a location has:

broken elevators;

selling bugs;

unreliable terminals;

then a slightly lower price at a working location can be better.

Consistency matters more than chasing a few extra credits.

Is the Drake Vulture Still Worth Buying?

For solo players, yes.

The Vulture gives you:

low entry cost;

simple operation;

strong solo income;

no crew requirement.

It is not the highest-earning salvage ship, but it is one of the best ships for turning gameplay time into aUEC.

FAQ

How much money can a Drake Vulture make in Star Citizen?

A full Vulture load of RMC can generate around 223,000 aUEC profit after contract costs.

Construction Materials produced around 93,000 aUEC profit in the same test.

Is RMC better than Construction Materials in Star Citizen?

Yes, for most players.

RMC requires fewer steps, no refining, and produces significantly higher practical profit.

What is the best salvage target for the Vulture?

Large ships with wide flat surfaces are usually the best targets.

The C2 Hercules is a strong choice because it is easy to scrape efficiently.

How long does it take to fill a Vulture with RMC?

A full load takes around 45 minutes of active scraping, depending on travel time and experience.

Should beginners buy the Drake Vulture?

Yes.

It is one of the easiest ways to enter industrial gameplay and start earning serious aUEC without needing a crew.

Summary

The test result is straightforward:

RMC is the best money-making option for the Drake Vulture.

Construction Materials are interesting if you enjoy refining, but they lose badly when measured by profit and time.

For efficient Vulture gameplay:

1. Take a good salvage contract.

2. Target a large wreck.

3. Fill your hold with RMC.

4. Sell at a reliable location.

5. Repeat.

For solo players looking for consistent income, the Vulture remains one of the strongest early industrial investments in Star Citizen.