Verusa Revision Phase, Early Spring 1915VRAC A.1b "Great Emu"
The VRAC A.1b or Great Emu is a normal VRAC A.1 Emu with the main addition being the new barnett V 12 engine replacing the old inline straight eight. Attempts to bring the engine up back to 200 hp by using a heavier water cooling system are also to be experimented with but the main goal is to simply put the Barnett in place of the old engine the Emu had to increase its speed and maximum take off weight. If it wasn't obvious, the b in the name has a duel meaning, showing it is the second variant and also can be considered standing for the barnett engine it now uses. It also might stand for bomber, as the craft was considered to be given Bar Shelf AABR, but this was considered as a "if everything else is done and there is still time left" kinda thing.
Efficacy: 4
The VRAC A.1b “Great Emu” is a variant of the Emu, with much of its proposal being dedicated to all the different things the ‘b’ could stand for. It incorporates the Barnett 1915 V12 engine in place of the existing inline engine in the Emu design, improving performance. The Barnett is larger than the old engine, but after accounting for the water-cooling of the old engine, it turns out that the Barnett can still fit within the engine space without major modification. However, this requires that the Barnett engine continue to rely on air-cooling due to the lack of space to install a water-cooling system (and in any case, the Barnett was designed to be air-cooled). As part of the shift to make the Great Emu more bomber than fighter, Bar’s Shelf-AABR racks are also included in the design.
A test flight of a Great Emu reveals that while it does go faster than a regular Emu, it’s also less manoeuvrable, particularly in the pitch axis. For now, the engineers believe this to be due to the added weight of the Barnett 1915 engine as compared to the old straight eight, unbalancing the craft slightly. Nevertheless, the Great Emu flies without issue, and it also now flies with a heavier load, being able to carry up to 450 lb in bombs in its bomb racks.
VRAC A.1b “Great Emu”: A variant of the Emu sporting the air-cooled Barnett 1915 V12 engine in place of the old inline engine. The Great Emu is faster, but less manoeuvrable than a regular Emu, and has a greater bombload of 450 lbs. It also has integrated Bar’s Shelf-AABR bomb racks included to carry said bombs. Cost 6/2
Older Emus can also be converted to the Great Emu airframe, but this will cost 2 PP per squadron to replace the engines and install Bar’s Shelf-AABR bomb racks.
Clown Killi Aerial Torpedo A
The Clown Killi Aerial Torpedo is basically a barracuda torpedo with its fuel slashed down to only 1500 yards and it's explosive charge down to only 300 pounds. The torpedo should be made considerably shorter, and as light as possible without compromising its structural integrity. It should adapt to a series of in-line Bar's Shelf AABR bomb racks, however many are necessary for the weight, with a notch or clamp bar on the top of the torpedo so they fit. Ground crews are encouraged to paint up the torpedoes for with clever slogans for photo ops if they have spare time.
Efficacy: 1
Work on the Clown Killi Aerial Torpedo goes slowly, in part due to the team’s lack of experience in torpedo design. Even with enough fuel taken out to cut its range in half, and the explosive warhead scaled down, the Clown Killi still weighs 1200 pounds, too heavy to be carried by any Sky Crusader aircraft. For now, the weapon is still using a Barracuda torpedo chassis with reduced fuel tanks and warhead but is still the same length. Adjustable clamps for the Bar’s Shelf-AABR are designed to fit the torpedo: although no flights have yet occurred, there shouldn’t be any issues with holding the thing. A few ground crew are called in to think of clever slogans to paint on the Clown Killi, but an annoyed officer recalls them to actual work once he learns what they’re there for. It’s going to take a lot more work to make an air-droppable torpedo.
Clown Killi Aerial Torpedo: The Clown Killi is a Barracuda torpedo with a reduced range (and thus fuel load) of 1500 yards, and a smaller warhead of 300 pounds. Unfortunately, it weighs 1200 lbs, too much for any aircraft to carry yet. It is compatible with Bar’s Shelf-AABR bomb racks but suffers from a complete lack of clever slogans painted on it. Cost 2 PP.
It is now the Production & Deployment Phase, Early Spring 1915. You have 23 production points remaining.Verusan F1 Lesser European Swallow | 1/19 progress | 2 PP per die | Rushed 0 times | 2 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
--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.
--VRAC A.1b “Great Emu”: A variant of the Emu sporting the air-cooled Barnett 1915 V12 engine in place of the old inline engine. The Great Emu is faster, but less manoeuvrable than a regular Emu, and has a greater bombload of 450 lbs. It also has integrated Bar’s Shelf-AABR bomb racks included to carry said bombs. Cost 6/2
-Verusan F1 Lesser European Swallow: A single-seat monoplane, using the new air-cooled Barnett 1915 V12 engine turning a four-blade propeller. It’s armed with a pair of forward-firing Crossguard-synchronised Bolt Machine Guns, giving it good firepower. The Swallow uses a metal frame of hollowed steel tubes instead of wood, giving it higher strength and cost. The wings are wire-braced with thick roots, with a moderate dihedral angle for stability. Speed in level flight is very good, and great in a dive, but manoeuvrability is below par. Cost: 7/2 (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.
-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.
-Barracuda Torpedo: The Verusan Navy’s one and only torpedo, an eighteen-foot, 1600-pound monster powered by a wet-heater motor. The Barracuda has a range of up to 3000 yards, and comes with actual barracuda teeth, supposedly to "improve penetration of enemy hulls". Cost 2 PP.
-Clown Killi Aerial Torpedo: The Clown Killi is a Barracuda torpedo with a reduced range (and thus fuel load) of 1500 yards, and a smaller warhead of 300 pounds. Unfortunately, it weighs 1200 lbs, too much for any aircraft to carry yet. It is compatible with Bar’s Shelf-AABR bomb racks but suffers from a complete lack of clever slogans painted on it. Cost 2 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/Intermediate monoplane design
-Basic pusher configuration design
-Basic balloon design
-Wooden frame construction
-Simple metal frame construction (steel)
-Basic control surfaces: ailerons, elevator and rudder
-Rhino Horn mount technology
-Shiny badges
-Camera mounting
-Basic Synchronisation Gearing
-Basic hardpoints
-Basic V12 engine design
-Basic torpedo 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: 23
Total Maintenance: 15
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Topic: Knights of the Skies: Verusa Thread - Early Summer 1916, Production Phase (Read 60576 times)