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[NAV]

Bar's Shelf Bomb Rack Actually A Bomb Rack Edition (4):Piratejoe , NAV, eS, Thanik
Sky Crusader Armour (1): eS
Tracer Ammunition (4): Piratejoe, NAV, eS, Thanik
Top Shelf Bomb Rack (0):
Basket Hilt Crossguard (0):
HK 150 Radial Engine (0):
Barnett 1915 (B200) (4): Thanik, Piratejoe, Sensei, NAV

[KhazintheDark]

Joining the closest side to British.

[KhazintheDark]

Bar's Shelf Bomb Rack Actually A Bomb Rack Edition (4):Piratejoe , NAV, eS, Thanik
Sky Crusader Armour (1): eS
Tracer Ammunition (5): Piratejoe, NAV, eS, Thanik KhazintheDark
Top Shelf Bomb Rack (0):
Basket Hilt Crossguard (0):
HK 150 Radial Engine (0):
Barnett 1915 (B200) (4): Thanik, Piratejoe, Sensei, NAV

[piratejoe]

We have 3 dice, you can vote for 3 things.

[piratejoe]

Considering now I believe we are just waiting for the next phase, I think we should start planning. Now, what are we giving the ottoman empire along with the Emu? I would presume bombs and a bomb rack or camera and the bombs if the bomb rack comes with the bombs. As for this turn, I feel we are either buying a Emu, a few cameras and a sky eye or a Emu and a few cameras and bombs.

[evictedSaint]

We should upgrade our planes with crossguard. That, plus putting ailerons on the last rhino, leaves us with 2 pp left over; we should spend the pp on balloons.

[NAV]

I personally think we should spend an extra PP to give Alderic's air superiority squadron a spare Rhino Horn machinegun in addition to their Crossguard machinegun. Partly because it would be cool and have Dakka, but the S.E.5 (argually the best fighter of WW1 and Billy Bishop's plane) was highly successful with that loadout.

[evictedSaint]

Yeah, good idea

Then again, with how expense works this game, we may need the pp to put tracers on our planes -_-

Everything is getting so damn expensive

[piratejoe]

We have 8 pp, if we give ailerons to our one squadron without them and equip all Rhinos with Crossguards it will cost 6 pp, if we get two sky eyes that will be our whole budget, and we will have a sky eye without a birdwatching essentials. I instead suggest we only get 1 set of sky eyes and another hawk eye camera.

I also doubt tracers will cost pp unless we roll really poorly, in which I would be surprised if we got them at all in that case.

[evictedSaint]

Are you counting the Birdwatcher we gave to our planes back when we were trying to get around the mothball rules?

[piratejoe]

Yes, because apparently those aren't there anymore unless I'm blind.

[evictedSaint]

Oh weird, I dunno what happened to them.  It's so easy to lose track of equipment.

[piratejoe]

Anyway the way I see it this turn we can either make another emu so we have one on each front or equip all our rhinos will crossguards, well all but one of them, as Squire 5 doesn't actually have machine guns so we can save a PP on that and buy a camera, birdwatching essentials or something else instead.

Edit: we probably should talk about were we're deploying our squadrons. I would make a guess that the Kols will make a major push south and a moderate push to the center, leaving a token force to the north. I would advise we put our two Emu's in air superiority over the center and south, with two balloons in the south, one in the center and north. Our recon Rhino should go to the center, and hopefully we will push the Kols back.

[Cnidaros]

Verusa Revision Phase, Late Winter 1915

Bar's Shelf Bomb Rack Actually A Bomb Rack Edition
The Bar's Shelf Bomb Rack Actually A Bomb Rack Edition is exactly what it says on the tin, an improvement to our Bar's Shelf Bomb Rack by making it an actual proper bomb rack instead of the makeshift stopgap we have now. Additionally a scope has been added so a pilot or in the case of the Emu the observer can get an idea of were the bombs will land, hopefully increasing accuracy. Of course such a thing would be unable to function with a string and as such a lever has been made in its place. It's made to be cheap so it can easily be fit onto our squadrons aircraft who are to be given bombs, and hopefully this will increase the effectiveness of our bombers a bit.

Efficacy: 3

Instructions for what exactly constitutes a proper bomb rack are vague, but the junior engineers make a go of it anyway. The Bar’s Shelf is no longer an underslung rack, but is modified to be an under-fuselage, semi-retracting pair of clamps that hold a single Mk.1 “Bottled Fury” bomb, with the option to install multiple per aircraft. The Bar’s Shelf-AABR can now be mounted on Emu biplanes too, which can take off (with difficulty) when carrying four of them. A crude scope is also issued to bomber pilots, which might help them spot where their bombs are going. Complaints that these scopes are merely sawed-off halves of Barnson’s Bird-Watching Binoculars are summarily ignored. It now costs 1 PP to outfit a squadron's planes with the new Bar’s Shelf-AABR.

Bar’s Shelf-AABR: A pair of semi-retracting clamps that holds a single “Bottled Fury” bomb each, with multiple such pairs per aircraft. Now comes with a monocular, for pilots to see where their bombs are going. Cost 1 PP.

Tracer ammunition
Apparently the British have made a fantastic new bullet for their 303. Ammunition that leaves a 'trace' for the shooter to follow. Using our knowledge with flares we can make an addition to our ammunition to make it light up and be easy to know were the shots were going without becoming incendiary, as shooting down enemy aircraft like that would be terrible and inhumane so not wanting to be like our enemy that is a good thing. The ammunition shouldn't have any much of an effect on the bullets performance other than making them highly visible. Of course such a thing would be useful not only to our pilots but also to the machine gunners on the ground, so as a sign of good will we will give the ammo plans to the army if they turn out well.

Efficacy: 1

The factory floors are blacked with several chemical burns this month, as Verusan engineers attempt to devise a working tracer round in the .30-06 calibre for their Bolt Machine Guns. Unfortunately, progress is limited: while a chemical compound that burns white is developed and fitted into a round, said rounds tend to just explode in the chamber when fired. It will take more work to produce tracer ammunition, and the design plans are not yet shared with the army for obvious reasons.

Barnett 1915 (B200)
In a bid to improve engines currently used in the army, Johannes Barnett and his company sought out to marry two straight-6 engines to each other at various angles and experiment so as to achieve a more power without increasing the length of the engine, with the aim being the development of a 200 hp V12 engine with decent reliability and maintenance costs equivalent to the currently used inline engines, without potential vibration issues. Should the goal of reaching the slated power fail, the engine should be renamed to fit the power it outputs and the power lowered until the engine operates reliably, within reason taking into account power-to-weight ratios, and no less than 120 hp is expected for the engine.

Efficacy: 3

Verusan engineers are contracted out to the Barnett company to assist in the development of a V12 engine. With their help, work progresses faster than before, and a few issues with vibration and V-angles are worked out. However, the test models still suffer from reliability issues owing to their complexity. The prototype B200 can indeed deliver 200 hp power, but this might be adjusted in future depending on whether the reliability issues can be sorted out first. The Barnett company indicates that the B200 as it stands is not yet ready for production.


It is now the Production & Deployment Phase, Late Winter 1915. You have 20 production points remaining.

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
--Rhino-F: A variant of the Rhino with a Bolt Machine Gun, modified to use the Crossguard synchronisation gear to shoot directly ahead through its own propeller arc. Cost 4/1
-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.
-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.
--Bar’s Shelf-AABR: A pair of semi-retracting clamps that holds a single “Bottled Fury” bomb each, with multiple such pairs per aircraft. Now comes with a monocular, for pilots to see where their bombs are going. 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.
-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
-Basic hardpoints
-Basic V12 engine design
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.

Spoiler: Squadrons (click to show/hide)

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 | 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

Spoiler: Equipment (click to show/hide)

1 x Barnson’s Bird-Watching Essentials
1 x Beehive Grenades

Spoiler: Statistics (click to show/hide)

Prestige: Very Little
Status: Auxiliary Service
Army Relations: Warm
Navy Relations: Lukewarm

Production Points: 20
Total Maintenance: 12

A quick reminder:

Event: Inspired by the use of British aircraft over Gallipoli, the Ottoman Aviation Squadrons are looking to purchase better aircraft and equipment designs from a neutral nation to break the stalemate. You may opt to send one aircraft design and up to two equipment designs for their consideration. Explanations of how exactly the new equipment might be useful to their current situation will increase the chances of success. If the deal goes through, the winning side will receive a payment of +2 PP for 3 turns.

Also, I double-checked and you're not missing any Birdwatcher equipment. You only bought four of them that turn when saving PP, and haven't bought any since. The Beehive Grenades have also been shifted to the Equipment section as they weren't in use on Squire 1. Also, you can sell back equipment at half price, however fractional PP will not be tracked.

[Jerick]

Edit: we probably should talk about were we're deploying our squadrons. I would make a guess that the Kols will make a major push south and a moderate push to the center, leaving a token force to the north. I would advise we put our two Emu's in air superiority over the center and south, with two balloons in the south, one in the center and north. Our recon Rhino should go to the center, and hopefully we will push the Kols back.

If they leave a token force north a major deployment from us up there could retake the city also we have a city contested on Okninso Island so we'll need to commit forces there as well. If we deploy heavily in both these areas however and they hit us in the centre we could lose a lot of ground. But still, I recommend heavy deployments to the north and the south.

New Purchases
4x crossguard for squire 1-4 (bolt machine guns are moved from rhino horn to crossguard)
1x Alieron for squire 1
1x BarShelf Bomb Rack for squire 5
1x Bar’s Shelf-AABR for Knight 2
1x Bottled fury for Knight 2

Total cost 8
Maintenance 12
Current pp 20
Remaining 0

Deployment
The northern theatre around Derboise
Squire 4 is to recon the area and provide intel to both the army and bombing squadrons in the theatre.
Knight 2 is to perform bombing missions in the theatre, picking targets based on intel provided by the army and squire 3.
Squire 1 and 2 are to perform air supremacy flights. Their main targets will be anything that is attacking Verusan aircraft.
Rook 1-2 are to perform artillery spotting

The Southern Island theatre around Basselton
Knight 1 and squire 3 are to perform air supremacy flights.
Squire 5 is to perform bombing missions on enemy naval assets.
Rook 3 is to perform artillery spotting in support of the defence of Basselton

This plan includes heavy deployments north and south but deploys nothing to the centre. If they deploy heavily to the centre they won't be able to take much ground but we stand a chance at retaking Derboise and driving them from Basselton this turn.