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[Jerick]

Ah - okay, I see.  The first investment isn't free.

So it would be:
-1 Emu investment
-1 Emu Rush (no dice cost)
-1 Aileron Rhino
-1 Cheapen the Emu
-1 Sky Eye Stability
-1 Dice left Over

I am 100% behind this plan

[piratejoe]

I am behind that plan too. We probably should make a vote box to make it easier for Cnidaros to count our votes but for now the plan we have has 3 votes.

[evictedSaint]

-1 Emu Investment
-1 Emu Rush (no dice cost)
-1 Aileron Rhino
-1 Cheaper Emu
-1 Sky Eye Stability
-1 Dice Left Over

Ailerons are added to the Rhino, allowing the craft to roll without relying on wing-warping.

The gem-encrusted sheaths and carved emu handles are quietly removed from the aircraft.  In order to soothe the disappointed pilots, a small "Wings Badge" is given to those who are skilled enough to make even a flightless bird soar through the sky.  This badge is a small pair of tin wings and gives the wearer +1 to their prestige and given to any pilot who has flown an Emu in combat.

No clue how to pull this off.  Any one got any ideas?

(3) Plan Matchstick: eS, piratejoe, Jerick

[piratejoe]

Rephrase the cheaper Emu to have it so that the aces and such are able to have their carved flight stick and encrusted sheaths. It will make the Pilots happier and more daring. You can just use the revision I suggested for last turn.

[evictedSaint]

still having gem-encrusted fighter planes with artisanal engravings - even for just the aces - is more expensive than a simple tin badge. 

I would be very disappointed in our pilots if they fought harder solely because they want more expensive planes.

[Cnidaros]

Well, if we don't rush the Emu it's going to be an average of 4 more turns before we get it out.  The Kol's could have their own fighter out before we do, even if they start a comparably-long project this turn.  I say do 2 dice this turn and fix the bug if it appears.  That leaves us with enough to buy a new Rhino and a Sky Eye...or do you pay maintenance the turn you acquire the equipment?

Also, can we requesition civilian cameras?

You only pay maintenance on what you had in the battle report, not newly-bought equipment. See last turn where you only paid 4 PP maintenance despite buying a bunch of Sky Eyes.

You can't requisition cameras because the army doesn't issue them as equipment, but sourcing for civilian ones would be a revision-tier action.

What Jerick said about rush dice is correct.

[piratejoe]

I mean, no offense but they would. Not only is survival and patriotism a good motivator, but so are medals, money, and other rewards. Actually, didn't the USSR even pay pilots 1000 rubles for every fighter kill and 2000 for every bomber in ww2?

[evictedSaint]

Maybe we could use our remaining dice to source cameras in revision, then?


I'm pretty sure rewards were more along the line of putting tallymarks on your plane, medals, and monetary bonuses.  1000 rubles in ww2 was about $30, so sure I guess we can give them a bonus each time they shoot down an enemy fighter if we're not doing all that stuff already.  I'm not sure handing out semi-precious gemstones was something anyone did, though.



does anyone know how to make a hot air balloon stable? I imagine adding a rigid structure like a zeppelin has would work, but I'm not sure that's possible or practical.

[piratejoe]

This might help you in the how to make a balloon stable thing, its from the arms race I use to run and plan to eventually restart.

Following the limited observational range of flares limiting the Nafuni artillery’s effectiveness in the field, the military sought to extend the range at which an observer could reliably guide artillery and from safe conditions. Inspiration was drawn from the Europeans and their long usage of balloons, and relatively recently shaped balloons meant to stay stable and aloft even in adverse conditions.

The result is the Toth-type kite balloon - A 4 meter in diameter, 10 meter long aerodynamic balloon, comprising four inflatable bags filled with helium, a thick fabric envelope protecting the bags, a single rigid bar secured to, and extending through and to both sides of said bag, on whose two axis the bags are located; wings secured to, and outwardly projecting from opposite sides, respectively, of said bag and fastened to said bar; a flying wire, a wire rig connecting said flying wire with said bar on opposite sides of said bag, and a strut passed over said bag and fastened with its ends to said bar on opposite sides of said bag, giving it structural stability. Additional struts extend from the ends of the bar, to the front of the balloon, holding a metal basket holding the operators and their equipment, with flags and mirrors being the standard means of communication with artillery crews utilizing the 16×2.76” Wadjet Binoculars, two small lightweight hand-held telescopes mounted side-by-side and aligned to point in the same direction, allowing the viewer to use both eyes when viewing distant objects and giving the viewer an impression of depth.

Compared to a  conventional balloon which tends to drift down the wind and the harder the wind blows, the further the balloon drifts. This leans the tether over at an angle, pulling the balloon lower, whereas here the kite action lifts the balloon, counteracting this pull and holding the Toth in position. As the wind blows harder, the kite action lifts harder. This can provide good stability even in strong winds. In low or gusty winds a conventional kite can nose-dive, losing a large amount of height even if it recovers, but because of the Toth is buoyant it does not nose-dive and remains in position even in relatively still air.

[piratejoe]

I know, I know, double post and all that, but I made a thing

Spoiler: Old crappy draft version (click to show/hide)

Spoiler: GLORIOUS SHINNY AND NEW VERSION (click to show/hide)

I might work on it some more later....

[evictedSaint]

Looks great, man!  I can't wait until we're putting out more cool stuff, this art is already killer and it's gonna be awesome seeing what other cool pieces of gear we draw up

[piratejoe]

If I keep having access to a PC, well, I'll draw every aircraft that I make. And maybe some of the ones I don't. Main reason why I'll be making only/mostly my own aircraft is because quiet simply I have a better feel for how they look compared to the things other people make. Though, a rough sketch would help if ya want one...

I feel its safe to say that any art competition if we have any will be won by us unless Kot or something joins our enemies.

Edit, I just realized we probably should deploy some Sky eyes to the Marcranve-Zydinah frontline, at least at some point anyway.

[Happerry]

(4) Plan Matchstick: eS, piratejoe, Jerick, Happerry

[Cnidaros]

Verusa Design Phase, Early Autumn 1915

VRAC A.1 “Emu” (1 die spent, 1 die rushed)

Progress: 2+1+4 = 7/15. 2 PP spent
Work on the Emu design proceeds apace, and engineer leaves are temporarily revoked to accelerate the project. Surprisingly, this proves to make them more productive, not less. Details of production are ironed out, albeit with much debate over whether to retain the artful features of the test model in the final line design. The lead engineers estimate that a prototype squadron might be produced next season if work continues.

VRAC A.1 “Emu” | 7/15 progress | 2 PP per die | Rushed 1 time | 4 PP invested

It is now the Revision Phase, Early Autumn 1915. You have 4 dice remaining to spend on Revisions or bank for the next turn.

Spoiler: Projects (click to show/hide)

VRAC A.1 “Emu” | 7/15 progress | 2 PP per die | Rushed 1 time | 4 PP invested

Spoiler: Designs and Technology (click to show/hide)

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
-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. Comes with shiny gemstone sheaths for the pilots to store their swords in flight. Cost 6/3. (In Development)
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.
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/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
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.
-14 production points base.

Spoiler: Squadrons (click to show/hide)

Squire 1 | Rhino Biplane | Bolt Machine Gun | Aerial Reconnaissance | Neophyte | No Aces | Maintenance Cost 1
Currently assigned to patrol Verusan lines over Derboise

Squire 2 | Rhino Biplane | Bolt Machine Gun | Aerial Reconnaissance | Neophyte | No Aces | Maintenance Cost 1
Currently assigned to patrol Verusan lines over the Demisonne-Dreidansk Road

Squire 3 | Rhino Biplane | Bolt Machine Gun | Aerial Reconnaissance | Rookie | No Aces | Maintenance Cost 1
Currently assigned to patrol Verusan lines over the Demisonne-Dreidansk Road

Rook 1 | Sky Eye Observation Balloon | Barnson’s Bird-Watching Essentials | Artillery Spotting | Neophyte | No Aces | Maintenance Cost 1
Currently assigned to artillery spotting in Derboise

Rook 2 | Sky Eye Observation Balloon | Barnson’s Bird-Watching Essentials | Artillery Spotting | Neophyte | No Aces | Maintenance Cost 1
Currently assigned to artillery spotting in Derboise

Rook 3 | Sky Eye Observation Balloon | Barnson’s Bird-Watching Essentials | Artillery Spotting | Neophyte | No Aces | Maintenance Cost 1
Currently assigned to artillery spotting at the Demisonne-Dreidansk frontline

Rook 4 | Sky Eye Observation Balloon | Barnson’s Bird-Watching Essentials | Artillery Spotting | Neophyte | No Aces | Maintenance Cost 1
Currently assigned to artillery spotting at the Demisonne-Dreidansk frontline

Rook 5 | Sky Eye Observation Balloon | No Equipment | Navy Experimentation | Neophyte | No Aces | Maintenance Cost 1
Currently assigned to naval balloon testing

Spoiler: Statistics (click to show/hide)

Prestige: Extremely Little
Status: Auxiliary Service
Army Relations: Lukewarm
Navy Relations: On Talking Terms

Production Points: 12
Total Maintenance: 8

[Jerick]

Where's the requisition for the grenades?