Design Phase, Early Spring 1915Squire 5 has reached Rookie experience level.
Some guards from the Verusan Department of Security are posted to the Design Bureau this week. A stone-faced agent is in charge of them, but won’t answer any questions as to what they’re doing here.
In the north, the army generals request for more aircraft to halt the Kolechian advance. In particular, they ask for either balloons or photoreconnaissance aircraft to assist the army’s efforts.
In the centre, the generals are celebrating the fall of Estwice. They think that some of the squadrons here should be outfitted with cameras, to further assist the lone squadron’s photoreconnaissance efforts. In the upcoming months, they plan to push southwest to Zydinah, in the hopes of cutting off Kolechian cavalry forces stationed in the Cranve Forest.
To the south, the army and marines are disappointed at the fall of Basselton, but do not blame the Sky Crusaders. On the contrary, relations with the navy have improved, as they see the Emu bombers as having a decisive effect in scaring off the Kolechian fleet. However, the actual material impact of the raid might be less than expected. While several ships were damaged by fire, these mostly sailed away under their own power and likely survived to return to drydock. They suggest developing a more powerful bomb for the anti-ship role. There is also interest in the possible use of planes to scout for enemy ships – earlier warning of the Kolechia ships approaching might have changed the battle considerably.
Finally, a question has been raised due to the introduction of the Tactical Escape Parachute to Kolechian squadrons. Several cases of Kolechian pilots deploying the parachute to drift safely back to earth have been observed. A pilot descending by parachute is extremely vulnerable and could be easily shot down by the victorious Sky Crusader plane. However, there is debate about whether Verusan pilots should do so or not. Proponents point out that each Kolechian pilot who ditches into their territory could escape uninjured and be back in the air in a new plane within days, giving the Kolechians a growing advantage in pilot numbers and experience. Opposition consists mainly of those insisting that such a practice would be dishonourable, as a parachuting pilot is effectively out of the battle, and that shooting unarmed personnel is distasteful. Whatever the case, there is an opportunity here to give input as to what Sky Crusader doctrine should be.
High command has increased your budget by 3 PP, as the country devotes more factories to war.
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.
-25 production points base.
Knight 1 | VRAC A.1 "Emu" | Mk.1 "Bottled Fury" Bombs, Bar's Shelf-AABR | Naval Bombing | Neophyte | No Aces | Maintenance Cost 2
Currently assigned to bomb enemy ships outside Basselton
Knight 2 | VRAC A.1 "Emu" | No Equipment | Air Superiority | Neophyte | No Aces | Maintenance Cost 2
Currently assigned to secure air superiority outside Basselton
Knight 3 | VRAC A.1 "Emu" | No Equipment | Aerial Reconnaissance | Neophyte | No Aces | Maintenance Cost 2
Currently assigned to perform aeral reconnaissance along the Dreidansk-Estwice Road
Squire 1 | Rhino Biplane | Bolt Machine Gun | Aerial Reconnaissance | Rookie | No Aces | Maintenance Cost 1
Currently assigned to perform aeral reconnaissance along the Dreidansk-Estwice Road
Squire 2 | Rhino Biplane | Bolt Machine Gun | Balloon Patrol | Rookie | Alderic | Maintenance Cost 1
Currently assigned to protect Rook 3 and 4 outside Basselton
Squire 3 | Rhino Biplane | Bolt Machine Gun | Air Superiority | Rookie | No Aces | Maintenance Cost 1
Currently assigned to secure air superiority along the Demisonne-Derboise Road
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 the Dreidansk-Estwice frontlines
Squire 5 | Rhino Biplane | Mk.1 "Bottled Fury" Bombs | Level Bombing | Rookie | 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 Dreidansk-Estwice 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 | Barnson’s Bird-Watching Essentials | No Role | Neophyte | No Aces | Maintenance Cost 1
Currently assigned to artillery spotting at Basselton
Prestige: Very Little
Status: Auxiliary Service
Army Relations: Warm
Navy Relations: Warm
Production Points: 25
Total Maintenance: 15
Author
Topic: Knights of the Skies: Verusa Thread - Early Summer 1916, Production Phase (Read 60560 times)