Design Phase, Late Summer 1915The artillery officers are requesting for more balloons, promising great advances if more balloons can be procured. On the northern front, the generals are annoyed that the Sky Crusaders are providing less intelligence than their Kolechian counterparts, and want the situation rectified.
There are unsubstantiated rumours that a cabal of navy officers are considering acquiring balloons for use by the navy.
High command has increased your budget by 2 PP, as the country devotes more factories to war. In addition, you have an extra 2 PP for this turn, as a result of having better insignias.
Sky Eye Observation Balloon | 6/8 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. Cost: 3/1
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 (In Development)
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.
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.
Technology:
-Basic biplane design
-Basic monoplane design
-Basic balloon design
-Wooden frame construction
-Basic control surfaces: wing warping, elevator and rudder
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.
-10 Production Points
Squire 1 | Rhino Biplane | Barnson’s Bird-Watching Essentials | Aerial Reconnaissance | Neophyte | No Aces | Maintenance Cost 1
Currently assigned to observe enemy frontline along the Derboise-Jawanin Road
Squire 2 | Rhino Biplane | Barnson’s Bird-Watching Essentials | Aerial Reconnaissance | Neophyte | No Aces | Maintenance Cost 1
Currently assigned to observe enemy frontline along the Demisonne-Dreidansk Road
Squire 3 | Rhino Biplane | Barnson’s Bird-Watching Essentials | Aerial Reconnaissance | Neophyte | No Aces | Maintenance Cost 1
Currently assigned to observe enemy frontline along the Derboise-Jawanin Road
Rook 1 | Sky Eye Observation Balloon (prototype) | Barnson’s Bird-Watching Essentials | Artillery Spotting | Neophyte | No Aces | Maintenance Cost 1.5
Currently assigned to artillery spotting at the Demisonne-Dreidansk frontline
Prestige: Extremely Little “Who are these new Sky Crusaders?”
Status: Auxiliary Service
Army Relations: Lukewarm “I think air spotting could be the future of artillery!”
Navy Relations: Neutral “Are balloons considered aircraft?”
Production Points: 14
Total Maintenance: 4.5