Design Phase, Late Winter 1915Squire 1 of Rhinos has reached Rookie experience level.
The generals previously responsible for the defence of Demisonne have been reassigned to the attack on Derboise. While perhaps a little optimistic, these generals are nonetheless grateful for the air superiority provided by Sky Crusader planes. They do call for more Sky Eye balloons, to take advantage of the current air superiority.
At the frontlines outside Dreidansk, the generals are looking to continue their push toward Estwice, which still seems the easier objective for now. They suggest devoting more planes to the bombing mission, or more to shooting down the enemy balloons to blunt the effect of Kolechian artillery.
In the south, the navy is shocked at the speed with which the Kolechians have gone for Basselton. They call immediately for more aircraft to match the KPAF there, especially to protect the Sky Eye balloons. The attack on Mizogorod has been temporarily shelved, pending the outcome of the battle for Basselton, and as such the photoreconnaissance squadron there can be reassigned. As for the surprise raid on Risleis, the navy has decided to write it off as a once-off occurrence for now, although there is some grumbling among the officers that Kolechian balloons can work off ships while Sky Eyes can’t.
Alderic has opted not to transfer to Knight 1, preferring instead to stay in his old squadron Squire 2. After several close shaves with the new Equilibrium Fighter Monoplane, he might be regretting this decision, but he swears that he’ll shoot down one of those new fighters next week.
High command has increased your budget by 3 PP, as the country devotes more factories to war.
Project Crossguard | 5/11 progress | 1 PP per die | Rushed 0 times | 1 PP invested
Planes:
-‘Rhino’ Biplane: A unarmed, single-seater reconnaissance plane. Very misleadingly named, as its fragile wood-and-canvas frame can’t withstand the slightest collision. On the other hand, it’s about as easy to turn as a charging rhino. At least it gets up to a good speed, powered by a five-cylinder rotary engine. Now comes with 'feet' on the wings. Cost: 3/1
-VRAC A.1 “Emu”: A two-seater biplane with a water-cooled engine in the pusher configuration. The Emu mounts two Bolt machineguns, in front and rear-facing swivel mounts, operated by the observer sitting forward of the pilot. Is reasonably fast and maneuverable for its size. No longer includes carved wooden emu heads. Cost 5/2.
Balloons:
-Sky Eye Observation Balloon: A three-man hot air balloon for aerial observation. Two observers sketch out enemy dispositions, while a phone operator relays information to the ground and controls the balloons’ altitude. Comes with spiffy gold-rimmed monocles to help the observers see ‘further’. Cost 1/1
Equipment:
-“Barnson’s Bird-Watching Essentials”: A set of gear for aerial observers. Currently consists of a set of high-quality binoculars, sketchpad and drafting pencils. Cost 1 PP for 2 squadrons.
-Bolt Machine Gun: A belt-fed machinegun capable of accurate firing out to 2000m. It is air-cooled and operates on a closed-bolt firing cycle. Cost 1 PP.
-Mk.1 “Bottled Fury” Bomb: Verusa’s first purpose-designed bomb! A 75-pound high explosive bomb, which is equipped with fins to stabilise it when dropped. Creates a slight fragmentation effect when it explodes. Cost 1 PP.
-Hawk Eye Camera: A fast shutter glass-plate camera, set at infinity focus for aerial photoreconnaissance. Requires the pilot to change the plates after every shot and is mounted to take photographs through a hole in the bottom of the cockpit. Cost 1 PP.
-Crossguard Gearing: A synchronisation gear that allows machine-guns to fire through a spinning propeller using mechanical impulses from a cam wheel, while reducing the rate of fire. The trigger is reconfigured to be a button on the control column, which actually serves to disengage the safety sear instead of firing the gun. A manual safety switch is also included in the cockpit. (In Development)
-Firefly Flaregun: A single-shot flare pistol firing red, green, blue and white flares into the air for long-distance signalling. They are cheap and can be issued to every airman.
-Bar’s Shelf Bomb Rack: A simple wooden bomb rack that holds two Mk.1 “Bottled Fury” bombs, which are released by pulling a cord. Is currently only available for Rhinos.
Pilots:
-Daring: For King and Country! Verusan pilots are more aggressive and willing to take risks in combat.
-Uniforms: Blue with purple accents. Pilots are commissioned with a ceremonial sabre, which they bring along for every mission, stored in a sheath in the cockpit.
-Knight of Flight Badges: A badge awarded to pilots who demonstrate heroism and bravery in combat above and beyond the call of duty. Comes in three different classes and is extremely shiny.
-Colourful: Sky Crusader aircraft are painted a wide variety of colours, standing out against the skies. Pilots are far less likely to follow the wrong aircraft home.
Technology:
-Basic/Intermediate biplane design
-Basic monoplane design
-Basic pusher configuration design
-Basic balloon design
-Wooden frame construction
-Basic control surfaces: ailerons, elevator and rudder
-Rhino Horn mount technology
-Shiny badges
-Camera mounting
-Basic Synchronisation Gearing
Resources:
-1 Air Academy: Trains new pilots how to take off. Landing is left as an exercise for the student.
-1 Experimental Aerodrome: Designs new planes and other air-related equipment. Produces five dice worth of progress every turn.
-22 production points base.
Knight 1 | VRAC A.1 "Emu" | No Equipment | Air Superiority | Neophyte | No Aces | Maintenance Cost 2
Currently assigned to secure air superiority along the Demisonne-Derboise Road
Knight 2 | VRAC A.1 "Emu" | No Equipment | Air Superiority | Neophyte | No Aces | Maintenance Cost 2
Currently assigned to secure air superiority along the Demisonne-Derboise Road
Squire 1 | Rhino-NA Biplane | Bolt Machine Gun, Beehive Grenades | Anti-Balloon | Rookie | No Aces | Maintenance Cost 1
Currently assigned to shoot down enemy balloons at the Dreidansk-Estwice frontlines
Squire 2 | Rhino Biplane | Bolt Machine Gun | Air Superiority | Rookie | Alderic | Maintenance Cost 1
Currently assigned to secure air superiority along the Dreidansk-Estwice Road
Squire 3 | Rhino Biplane | Bolt Machine Gun | Bomber Escort | Rookie | No Aces | Maintenance Cost 1
Currently assigned to escort Squire 5 at the Dreidansk-Estwice frontlines
Squire 4 | Rhino-P Biplane | Bolt Machine Gun, Hawk Eye Cameras | Aerial Reconnaissance | Rookie | No Aces | Maintenance Cost 1
Currently assigned to perform aerial photoreconnaissance at Mizogorod
Squire 5 | Rhino Biplane | Mk.1 "Bottled Fury" Bombs | Level Bombing | Neophyte | No Aces | Maintenance Cost 1
Currently assigned to bomb enemy defenses at the Dreidansk-Estwice frontlines
Rook 1 | Sky Eye Observation Balloon | Barnson’s Bird-Watching Essentials | Artillery Spotting | Rookie | No Aces | Maintenance Cost 1
Currently assigned to artillery spotting at the Demisonne-Derboise frontlines
Rook 2 | Sky Eye Observation Balloon | Barnson’s Bird-Watching Essentials | Artillery Spotting | Rookie | No Aces | Maintenance Cost 1
Currently assigned to artillery spotting at the Dreidansk-Estwice frontlines
Rook 3 | Sky Eye Observation Balloon | Barnson’s Bird-Watching Essentials | Artillery Spotting | Rookie | No Aces | Maintenance Cost 1
Currently assigned to artillery spotting at Basselton
Rook 4 | Sky Eye Observation Balloon | No Equipment | No Role | Neophyte | No Aces | Maintenance Cost 0
Currently mothballed
Rook 5 | Sky Eye Observation Balloon | No Equipment | No Role | Neophyte | No Aces | Maintenance Cost 0
Currently mothballed
1 x Barnson’s Bird-Watching Essentials
Prestige: Very Little
Status: Auxiliary Service
Army Relations: Warm
Navy Relations: Lukewarm
Production Points: 22
Total Maintenance: 12
Author
Topic: Knights of the Skies: Verusa Thread - Early Summer 1916, Production Phase (Read 59985 times)