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[evictedSaint]

Piratejoe you have a wonderful talent for understatements.

[piratejoe]

I just had an idea. If we make the VRAC A.1 able to drop bombs, we could send zeppelins to bomb places and have them escorted by the VRAC's that will not only protect them but also drop bombs on the target, making our enemy fear zeppelins more because think they are doing more damage than they actually are when the bulk of the damage is from the Emu's.

[Cnidaros]

Verusa Design Phase, Late Autumn 1915

VRAC A.1 “Emu” (2 dice spent)

Progress: 7+4+6 = 17/15. 4 PP spent.

After last month’s storm of protest over the potential cuts to the Emu’s decorations, the engineers get back to work on the project. The blueprints are finalised and sent off to the factories in double-quick time, while discussion over the over-elaborate features is mostly limited to the occasional hand-carved emu head being passive-aggressively left on the main tables. The production model of the VRAC A.1 “Emu” still includes all these features, which may be a good or bad thing depending on who you’re asking.

Project Complete! You can now deploy as many squadrons of VRAC A.1 “Emu” biplanes as you can afford.

Requisition: Artillery Shells

Artillery shells are currently in extremely short supply owing to the artillery-intensive nature of fighting at the moment. However, one of the artillery officers shares with you a secret: apparently there exists a stock of shells imported from abroad, which lies unused. It proves difficult to track these down owing to the lack of documentation (which seems to have been intentionally destroyed), but eventually the Sky Crusaders are the new owners of the M1909-5.2 Shell and the plans for its manufacture.

M1905-5.2 Shell: This isn’t a 5.2-inch shell as one might expect, it’s actually a 5.17-inch shell. Questionable calibre decisions aside, the M1905-5.2 is a high-explosive shell with a direct-action fuse, weighing in at 85 pounds. Cost: 1 PP.

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

Spoiler: Projects (click to show/hide)

None

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. 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.
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
-M1905-5.2 Shell: This isn’t a 5.2-inch shell as one might expect, it’s actually a 5.17-inch shell. Questionable calibre decisions aside, the M1905-5.2 is a high-explosive shell with a direct-action fuse, weighing in at 85 pounds. 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.

Spoiler: Squadrons (click to show/hide)

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

Spoiler: Equipment (click to show/hide)

1 x Barnson’s Bird-Watching Essentials

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: 7

[Cnidaros]

Question to the gm, is this revision a thing we can do or does it fall under tactics

In combat where multiple squadrons of aircraft are flying, pilots can possibly be detached from their squadrons and fly home with the wrong squadron of aircraft. Along with this squadron leaders are quite hard to identify once flying in formation ceases. As such we have devised a way to solve both issues. In order to know who's who, easier aircraft are to be given paint jobs to look not only a bit more distinct from other squadrons but to strike fear into our enemies for squadrons which are more skilled. Squadrons will also be given emblems and said emblems will be painted on either the body next to the cockpit and or on the tail depending on the aircraft. Flight leaders will be given streamers to be attached to the wing to identify who is leading the flight and said streamers come in a few different colors and checkered versions of white and the other colors available as well. Finally, pilots who have become aces can paint their plane any way they like, though it's advised to paint something that wont get them confused with another squadron.

This should hopefully not only make squadrons more organized but also help pilots know who's who in areas with a high concentration of allies and in combat, along with possibly instilling a sense of unity and belonging in a squadron

That is a valid revision, but I'm wondering how much effect you expect it to have actually.

[piratejoe]

I more or less expect it to help pilots in flying more efficiently and allowing their flight leader easier control of their squadron. I also expect it to make a psychological effect on enemies if we get a highly skilled squadron, something like our own flying circus. It would be under the Pilots section of Designs and Technology.

Also huzza for lucky rolls.

[evictedSaint]

I want to point out that the Kol's are the ones who get a bonus from coordinated actions, where we get a bonus due to daring acts.  For example, dropping grenades the way we did last turn probably wouldn't have had as much effect if the Kol's had done it.

So:
-Cheaper Emu
-Bomb Mount
-Better Camera
-Bank a Dice?

Edit: I wonder why they went to such great lengths to hide the artillery shells.  Oh well, probably nothing to get suspicious about.

[piratejoe]

Oh? Maybe we can get something like Coordinated with that revision, or something... Anyway, we have 3 dice we can use for revisions since 1 of our 4 dice is going to basically give us the best prestige bonus we really need ever.

[Sensei]

That's acceptable. I'd also be fine with spending multiple dice on the cheaper emu (if we can?) because we could really use it working as well as possible. We also could consider removing  the brass and powder from the artillery shells to make them lighter and more effective bombs, or directly creating bombs as a revision. If we have the plans to artillery shells already, we could do something like...

Mk.1 "Somebody Think of a Cool Name" STCN Bomb: Based on the knowledge for creating our artillery shells, the STCN uses the same explosive and impact fuze but with a much thinner shell. Since we won't be firing them out of a cannon, they don't need a thick shell like artillery shells do, and it also doesn't have a brass casing or propellant powder. Instead it has a metal bomb casing just thick enough to handle safely and create metal fragments on detonation. As a consequence there's a lot more room for explosives. We will aim for a weight of 75lbs, which should be much deadlier than an 85 pound artillery shell.

If we could get this, and the bomb mount, out at the same time it would be pretty bomb. 

[dgr11897]

Flour bomb anyone?

[piratejoe]

That doesn't sound like a bad idea for a bomb, same with bomb mounts. I say we name the bombs after fruits that Emu's would eat, or after whatever other creature we name an aircraft after later on.

VRAC A.1b “Ostrich”
The VRAC A.1b Variant of the Emu is a new version of the VRAC A.1 with the simple addition of mountings on the wings and a bit behind and above the landing gear. The engine itself is powerful enough that putting bombs on the aircraft shouldn't be an issue and it should be able to fly just fine with the bomb load. The Observer is also given the new job of dropping the bombs should they be mounted to the aircraft. The mounts are simple, and can carry 4 small bombs on each wing, with the bomb mount behind the landing gear able to carry only two. An alternative set up allows the craft to carry 3 larger bombs instead of 10 smaller ones.

[NAV]

I think we should simply name the bomb Egg. Because Emus lay eggs.

[piratejoe]

I just realized something we can do...You ever hear of a Flechette? We could use them and just wreck havoc on enemy trench lines with them if we decide to make them in a revision.

[ConscriptFive]

Interested, but still playing catch up with this universe and the game rules.  Since pilot survivability is apparently a thing, can standardized aviator parachutes be considered a revision?  Or is it already implied that everyone has them?

Also, thinking of parachutes, you probably want drag fins or a handkerchief chute on the STCN Bomb design.  You don't want to find out what happens when a low and slow plane can't get away from its own 75lbs of HE.

[piratejoe]

May as well put this up.

Emu cost revision revisit (0):
Verusan Knight of Flight Badge (1): Piratejoe
Squadron identification and organization (0):
Mk.1 "Somebody Think of a Cool Name" STCN Bomb (1): Piratejoe
VRAC A.1b “Ostrich” (1): Piratejoe

I'd like you to edit in fins or something on the bomb though.

[Jerick]

Emu cost revision revisit (1): Jerick
Verusan Knight of Flight Badge (1): Piratejoe
Squadron identification and organization (0):
Mk.1 "Somebody Think of a Cool Name" STCN Bomb (1): Piratejoe
VRAC A.1b “Ostrich” (1): Piratejoe

I do actually think we should give one of the fancy Emus to our Monarch (what kind of monarch do we have btw?) it should net us some prestige and maybe if we're lucky our monarch maybe become more interested in aviation.