I fetched an Imperial Eagle at lunch break and boy, I am impressed. Just the sounds ... whoa. These sounds! The whistling of wind under your wings, impressive. Yes baby, a beast to fall in love again. And no, the Freagle will not be neglected either. They are both of the same stock. Just this one is the stronger, cooler sister (as birds often go: females are bigger).
No idea yet how it behaves in combat, but the feeling is superb i must say.
Weapons
1x C2 (beak) 2x C1 (talons).
I sported the standard beak-and-talons layout, C2 Beam and 2x C1 MC.
Shields
Take ages to recharge, might be due to the 1.4 update though.
Power handling
At completely A-specced loadout: Interestingly, no power issues at all. No power assignments required. Wow.
Temperature
Just as interesting: Beam and MCs firing continuously for a long time warm the bird just up to working temperature. Cool bird.
Top speed
Basic: 310 (!)
Boost: 404 (thats one fast flutterer!)
Both might be even higher when grading modules down to flight-optimized D.
Jump range
15 ly, which is really not that bad considering the loadout.
Where I got one (8 oct 2015):
HIP 20277
Some impressions (yes I forgot to switch the damn lights on):
► Show Spoiler