Kolechia Design Phase, Early Spring 1915Levib IIb Bomber Biplane:
Dropping things on people is hard. Or maybe it's just that none of our aircraft are designed to do so? Perhaps designing a dedicated 'bomber' would be wise. This was the thought process that led to the Levib. The Levib is a size or two larger than both the Feather and the EFM, is a wooden-framed biplane, and is powered by two V8 engines mounted on the wings.
The engines in question are RE-18L-V8s produced by Revolutionary Engines (Founded during the Year Of Revolutions, with the slogan "More revolutions per minute than even the Kolechian government!"). They are water-cooled, with the two four cylinder banks at a 90° angle. The crankshaft is solid steel, whilst the cylinder blocks are made of aluminium to reduce weight. They produce considerably more power than our rotary engines, with an equivalent or slightly better power/weight ratio. (Making rotary engines this powerful would mean increasing the torque caused by the spinning engine, making the plane harder to control). The engines have four-bladed propellers mounted to them in a puller configuration, and should result in respectable speeds, despite the considerably increased bulk of the Levib- though the focus is on lifting a heavy payload, not racing through the skies.
Said bulk consists of room for three crew members- from front to back, a pilot, bomber, and gunner. The gunner has access to two machine guns on a swivel mount allowing him to fire to all sides, as well as upwards. The bomber is free to focus on bombing/observation, with access to a bomb sight that compensates for height, airspeed, and windspeed (entered manually with dials and sliders). Once a target has been acquired, he can release any number of bombs attached to the underside of the craft on bomb mounts, which are adjustable to a wide variety of munitions, with a capacity of 450kg.
The Levib should be classified as a Medium Bomber. Its range should be more than sufficient for tactical missions of all sorts, whilst some bomb capacity can be sacrificed for extra fuel tanks to enable longer-ranged 'strategic' missions.
Time: 6 | Progress: 2 | Expense: 3
Having completed work on the Equilibrium, Kolechian engineers keep up the momentum as they move immediately to begin the design of the Levib Bomber Biplane. The bureaucratic experience from months of work on the EFM pays off, in the form of a quick and streamlined plan to get the Levib into production quickly. However, the developmental expenses are higher, due in part to the larger size of the Levib. For the ease of bookkeeping, the final proposal submitted is referred to as the Levib Bomber Biplane, instead of the Levib IIb.
Levib Bomber Biplane | 2/14 progress | 3 PP per die | Rushed 0 times | 3 PP invested
Effectiveness: 5 | Cost: 4 | Bugs: 2
The Levib Bomber Biplane is larger by far than the Feather and EFM, as befitting the KPAF’s first dedicated bomber. It’s a three-seater, with a crew of pilot, bombardier and gunner, each in their own individual cockpits. In terms of overall construction, it retains the canvas-over-wooden-frame structure of the Feather and EFM. Long, wide wings give the Levib lots of lift to aid its role as a bomber.
The most major change to the biplane layout are the two engines in nacelles, located between the wings on either side rather than in the nose. These are V8 engines produced by Revolutionary Engines, who are ironically supported by the current government despite their name. While providing a decent power-to-weight ratio, their location on the wing increases drag, as well as necessitating that fuel lines be run out to them from the tanks in the fuselage. Turning four-blade tractor propellers, these engines give the Levib just enough thrust to get off the ground. However, poor design of the fuel lines mean that engines cut out due to fuel starvation often.
The Levib’s main purpose is to drop bombs, and this is reflected in the large number of integrated bomb mounts along the underside of its fuselage, along with a couple on the wings. For the sake of versatility and forward compatibility with future armament, these mounts are nothing more than metal hooks that can be individually disengaged by the bombardier to release bombs (or mortar rounds, at the moment). While very simple, there are perhaps better ways to make bomb mounts. In total, the Levib carries up to 420 kg of munitions. Plans for adding the capability to swap bombs for fuel tanks were mulled over, but ultimately shelved due to the complexity of running out fuel lines to each mount. As it stands, the Levib has enough range to undertake tactical missions, though not as much as a lightweight Feather.
Another innovation befitting the Levib’s role as a bomber is the position of bombardier, and his bomb sight. The bombardier is an airman solely responsible for aiming and dropping the bombs, along with observing where they land. To assist in this, the Levib has a primitive bomb sight, which resembles an enlarged scope pointing downward with an adjustable reticle. This bombsight takes into account the altitude and airspeed, manually inputted by the bombardier with dials, to adjust the reticle to compensate for these factors and predict where the bombs will land.
In terms of defensive guns, the Levib sports two Type 11 LMGs on a single swivel mount, operated by the rear gunner. This configuration provides good firepower against a single target, while covering the rear arc. The mount also allows for some degree of elevation to fend off enemies attacking from above.
Construction and first flights of two models are completed this month. From preliminary trials, the Levib is rather slow – which is less a fault of engine power, and more a fault of the bomber’s overall layout and the large number of externally carried “bombs” along its fuselage creating drag. The Levib is also, as expected, less than manoeuvrable, suffering particularly from extremely slow roll response when fully loaded. The fuel line design issue results in several heart-stopping moments during test flights, but unlike any other aircraft in the KPAF, the Levib can still fly with one engine inoperative, albeit with much difficulty due to asymmetric thrust, and only by jettisoning the bombs. Its bombsight does provide a marked improvement in accuracy, especially in low wind conditions. To achieve a good number of hits, however, the bomber must fly at medium altitudes – high altitude bombing is simply too inaccurate to be of use at the moment. Nevertheless, being able to carry nine times the bombload of a Feather should certainly give KPAF bombing efforts a shot in the arm.
Levib Bomber Biplane: The KPAF’s first bomber, it’s a twin-engine biplane with a crew of three: pilot, bombardier and rear gunner. The Levib can carry up to 420 kg of bombs mounted under the fuselage and wings, dropping them with the aid of a bomb sight that accounts for altitude and airspeed. It’s powered by two RE-18L-V8 engines between the wings on either side but is rather slow. To defend itself, the Levib is equipped with two Type 11 LMGs on a swivel mount operated by the rear gunner, covering the aircraft to the rear and a little above. Cost: 7/3
Requisition: Naval TorpedoAfter a short debate about the viability of requisitioning the navy’s only battleship, the design team settles on asking for a torpedo from the Kolechian navy instead. The specifications requested are for a light, short-range torpedo, but the navy only has a single model of torpedo currently in production. The K-4524 Torpedo, other than sporting a complete disregard for naming standardisation, is also the navy’s best weapon for allowing small boats to sink large ships. It’s a 700kg torpedo with about 2 km of range, operating at a relatively speedy 33 knots. The K-4524 is powered by a kerosene wet-heater engine, with a 200 kg explosive warhead.
K-4524 Torpedo: A 700kg deck-launched torpedo with 2 kilometres of range at 33 knots, the K-4524 is a reliable design already in use by the Kolechian Navy on its destroyers and torpedo boats. The torpedo is powered by a kerosene wet-heater engine, with a 200kg explosive charge. Cost 2 PP.
In addition, the manufacturing details of tracer rounds are turned over to both the Army and the Navy. While the navy doesn’t see much use for them currently, the army is interested, and the 7.6mm tracer rounds are immediately put into mass production for infantry use. Hot tempers in the army’s top ranks have cooled from this gesture, but they haven’t quite forgiven the KPAF from withdrawing just yet.
It is now the Revision Phase, Early Spring 1915. You have 2 dice remaining to spend on Revisions or bank for the next turn.Levib Bomber Biplane | 2/14 progress | 3 PP per die | Rushed 0 times | 3 PP invested
Planes:
-Feather-1914 Scout Plane: A unarmed, single seater biplane. High stability makes it easy to fly, but also woefully inadequate for anything other than scouting. Lightweight wooden fuselage combined with a five-cylinder rotary engine gives it good speed in the air. Now comes with ailerons for improved roll capability. Cost 3/1
-Equilibrium Fighter Monoplane: A single-seater monoplane with a 7-cylinder rotary engine and correspondingly good speed. It’s armed with a Type 11 LMG firing forward through the propeller arc with the aid of a rudimentary synchronisation gear, which reduces the fire rate but allows easier aiming. The synchronisation gear prevents the blades from being shot off, but pilots are reminded not to shoot more than two belts of rounds anyway. Cost 5/2.
-Levib Bomber Biplane: The KPAF’s first bomber, it’s a twin-engine biplane with a crew of three: pilot, bombardier and rear gunner. The Levib can carry up to 420 kg of bombs mounted under the fuselage and wings, dropping them with the aid of a bomb sight that accounts for altitude and airspeed. It’s powered by two RE-18L-V8 engines between the wings on either side but is rather slow. To defend itself, the Levib is equipped with two Type 11 LMGs on a swivel mount operated by the rear gunner, covering the aircraft to the rear and a little above. Cost: 7/3 (In Development)
Balloons
-Hykib Observation Balloon: A single-pilot hydrogen balloon designed for aerial observation. Its elongated and finned shape helps it remain stable even in high winds. The basket has an inbuilt telephone to relay messages from the pilot to the ground, and what can charitably be described as a very rudimentary parachute. Painted a glorious red throughout. Cost 2/1
Equipment
-Lvoc Camera: A glass plate medium camera with a 150mm focal length, coincidentally about the size and shape of a 150mm artillery shell. Requires manual changing of the plate for each photograph taken and is moderately durable. Cost 1 PP.
-Oracle Camera: A new camera based off the existing Lvoc Camera, and possibly made of three of them merged together. It takes separate photographs from three lenses offset at a 35-degree angle, producing a wide-angle view of the ground. Is mounted under the cockpit and accessible through a hole in the cockpit floor, while being remotely triggered. The glass plate magazine doesn’t work, and pilots must still change the plates manually. Cost 2 PP.
-Type 11 machinegun: An air-cooled light machine gun firing 7.65x53 mm Argentine rounds at 600 RPM. Sometimes overheats after prolonged use. Cost 1 PP.
-Artillery Spotter Equipment: A set of good binoculars with range markings and a Kolechian ‘comtant’, a combination of compass and sextant for taking precise bearings. Questions of whether a sextant is really necessary for doing so are met with offended looks. Cost 1 PP for 2 squadrons.
-K-09 “Dogbite” Mortar Round: A 155mm high explosive mortar shell, carrying 45kg of high explosive. Is very temperamental when roughly handled. Cost: 1 PP.
-KF-15 Signal-Illumination Flare Pistol: The K-15 fires up to eight Rainbow flares in colours from red to purple for signalling, and a bright white for illumination, allowing planes to signal to the ground. Each pistol is single-shot only but are cheap enough to be issued in bulk.
-KTW-15: A trench radio set with a spark-gap transmitter and crystal receiver, which sends and receives Morse code. Weighs 60kg, with a 60m aerial assembly and has a range of up to 4km. Suffers from bad interference if operated too close to another set on the same frequency. Cost 2 PP.
-Tactical Escape Parachute: A backpack parachute deployed by a ripcord system, which slows the rate of fall enough for a pilot to survive bailing out from a plane, at reasonable altitudes. Is somewhat heavy and too bulky to be worn in flight, instead being stored under the seat. Cost 1 PP for 2 squadrons.
-K-4524 Torpedo: A 700kg deck-launched torpedo with 2 kilometres of range at 33 knots, the K-4524 is a reliable design already in use by the Kolechian Navy on its destroyers and torpedo boats. The torpedo is powered by a kerosene wet-heater engine, with a 200kg explosive charge. Cost 2 PP.
Pilots:
-Coordinated: Strength in numbers! Kolechian pilots work well together and are better coordinated in combat.
-Uniforms: Red with silver accents. Pilots are issued a thick, flowing red cape which flutters gloriously in the wind, inspiring the men on the ground.
Technology:
-Basic/Intermediate biplane design
-Basic/Intermediate monoplane design
-Basic/Intermediate balloon design
-Wooden frame construction
-Basic control surfaces: wing warping, elevator and rudder and ailerons.
-Foster mount technology
-Rudimentary synchronisation gear
-Pyrotechnics
-Basic spark-gap radio, crystal receivers
-Tracer rounds
-V8 engine design
-Two-engine layout
-Basic bombsight
Resources:
-1 Pilot Training Institute: Teaches new pilots what each lever does. When to pull each lever is up to the student.
-1 Developmental Airfield: Designs new planes and other air-related equipment. Produces five dice worth of progress every turn.
-25 production points base
-2 production points from the Ottoman sale (3 turns remaining)
Squadron 1 | Equilibrium Fighter Monoplane | TEP | Air Superiority | Rookie | Piotr | Maintenance Cost 2
Currently assigned to secure air superiority over Basselton
Squadron 2 | Equilibrium Fighter Monoplane | TEP | Aerial Reconnaissance | Rookie | No Aces | Maintenance Cost 2
Currently assigned to secure air superiority over Derboise-Demisonne Road
Squadron 3 | Feather-1914 Scout Plane | Type 11 LMG, Oracle Camera | Aerial Reconnaissance | Rookie | No Aces | Maintenance Cost 1
Currently assigned to perform aerial photoreconnaissance along the Derboise-Demisonne Road
Squadron 4 | Feather-1914 Scout Plane | Type 11 LMG, Oracle Camera | Aerial Reconnaissance | Rookie | No Aces | Maintenance Cost 1
Currently assigned to perform aerial photoreconnaissance at Basselton
Squadron 5 | Feather-1914 Scout Plane | Type 11 LMG | Air Superiority | Neophyte | No Aces | Maintenance Cost 1
Currently assigned to secure air superiority over Basselton
Squadron 6 | Feather-1914 Scout Plane | Type 11 LMG | Air Superiority | Neophyte | No Aces | Maintenance Cost 1
Currently assigned to secure air superiority along the Derboise-Demisonne Road
Crimson Eagles | Feather-1914 Scout Plane | No Equipment | Performance | Rookie | No Aces | Maintenance Cost 1
Currently assigned as the KPAF's Official Acrobatics Squadron
Observer 1 | Hykib Observation Balloon | Artillery Spotter Equipment | Artillery Spotting | Rookie | No Aces | Maintenance Cost 1
Currently assigned to artillery spotting along the Derboise-Demisonne Road
Observer 2 | Hykib Observation Balloon | Artillery Spotter Equipment | Artillery Spotting | Rookie | No Aces | Maintenance Cost 1
Currently assigned to artillery spotting at Basselton
Observer 3 | Hykib Observation Balloon | Artillery Spotter Equipment | Naval Artillery Spotting | Neophyte | No Aces | Maintenance Cost 1
Currently assigned to naval raiding
Observer 4 | Hykib Observation Balloon | Artillery Spotter Equipment | Naval Artillery Spotting | Neophyte | No Aces | Maintenance Cost 1
Currently assigned to naval raiding
Prestige: Little
Status: Auxiliary Service
Army Relations: Lukewarm
Navy Relations: Lukewarm
Production Points: 24
Total Maintenance: 13
Author
Topic: Knights of the Skies: Kolechia Thread - Early Summer 1916, Production Phase (Read 54625 times)