Design Phase, Late Autumn 1915Squire 2 of Rhinos near Derboise is now at Rookie experience level.
The fall of Derboise has seen several generals ‘reassigned’ to other postings. In their wake, the Sky Crusaders have escaped the blame, mainly due to several dramatic bombing raids on the enemy artillery. The new generals are divided whether to launch an immediate counterattack in hopes of regaining the city, or to fall back to more defensible terrain to the north and along the Derboise-Demisonne road, with a majority favouring the latter.
The generals on the central front are somewhat annoyed by the withdrawal of most squadrons there but are prepared to stage an attack to capture Dreidansk. They call for more balloons to be sent here, and aerial photographs like the Kolechians have, if possible.
An artillery captain approaches the Sky Crusaders with a proposal. The Sky Eye balloons are able to carry three, of which all three are currently Sky Crusader personnel. He proposes that two of these spots be instead filled by artillerymen, who are both more familiar with artillery spotting and integrated into the batteries’ command structure, to improve the performance of the Sky Eyes. The lone Sky Crusader will still be in command of the balloon.
On Okinso, the garrison commander is appreciative of the new squadron of Sky Eye balloons assigned to the city. With the power of naval gunfire directed by these balloons and Basselton being a major port, the city should be able to hold out indefinitely even if the eastern road falls and the city is encircled. The chain of command here is a little convoluted – the balloon observers send their information to army forces in the city, who in turn radio the ships offshore for support.
Some Midako tourists make derogatory remarks as to the lack of an acrobatic squadron in Verusa.
High command has increased your budget by 2 PP, as the country devotes more factories to war. Top-quality Verusan whiskey has been replaced by cheap beer, and the remaining bottles of single-malt are fetching a high price on the black market.
VRAC A.1 “Emu” | 7/15 progress | 2 PP per die | Rushed 1 time | 4 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. 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.
-Vodak Camera: A film camera the size of a large purse, taking pictures on 120 film to be later developed. A focal length of 3 inches means it’s good for taking cool pictures of aviators posing in their planes, but pilots must fly low to get pictures with sufficient resolution to be of use. 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.
-16 production points base.
Squire 1 | Rhino-NA Biplane | Bolt Machine Gun, Beehive Grenades | Extremely Low-level Bombing | Neophyte | No Aces | Maintenance Cost 1
Currently assigned to bomb enemy artillery positions near Derboise
Squire 2 | Rhino Biplane | Bolt Machine Gun | Escort | Rookie | No Aces | Maintenance Cost 1
Currently assigned to escort Squire 1
Squire 3 | Rhino Biplane | Bolt Machine Gun | Air Superiority | Rookie | No Aces | Maintenance Cost 1
Currently assigned to secure air superiority near Derboise
Squire 4 | Rhino Biplane | Bolt Machine Gun | Air Superiority | Neophyte | No Aces | Maintenance Cost 1
Currently assigned to secure air superiority over Dreidansk
Rook 1 | Sky Eye Observation Balloon | Barnson’s Bird-Watching Essentials | Artillery Spotting | Neophyte | No Aces | Maintenance Cost 1
Currently assigned to artillery spotting outside 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 Basselton
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 | 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: Extremely Little
Status: Auxiliary Service
Army Relations: Lukewarm
Navy Relations: On Talking Terms
Production Points: 16
Total Maintenance: 7