Verusa Revision Phase, Late Spring 1915Revision: Swallow Sabotage RepairThe recent engineering failings of the Swallow Project compared to the flawless (albeit expensive) Emu Project can only be explained by one thing, Kolechian anarchist sabotage. Some engineers speculate that a clandestine adversary, "Kolechia's Greatest Asset," is responsible for removing the tail canvas and the inferior Crossguard parts manufacturing. While the Department of Security investigates this anarchist sabotage clearly originating outside the VSC Engineering Department, we shall focus on rectifying these issues. The skeletonized tail will be properly covered with canvas for aerodynamics. Meanwhile, rigorous QA/QC inspections will be done of Crossguard parts prior to assembly, to return the Crossguard system to its previously high standard of quality.
Efficacy: 5
A formal accusation of sabotage is made, and the Department of Security Agent gets to the business of tracking down the enemy saboteur, a clandestine but formidable man of mystery known only as “Kolechia’s Greatest Asset”.
While it should prove easy to track down a saboteur of the design process by investigating the paper trail of project proposals, the Agent encounters several difficulties in this task. Firstly, a blown fuse causes a blackout in his office, which impedes his work a great deal as his office is windowless. Someone in the engineering department also seems to have approved a relocation of the metal lathes to the room next door, and the noise from the ongoing attempts to fix the faulty Crossguard parts is extremely disturbing for someone poring through pages and pages of arguments about swallows, with the occasional note in the margins pleading to name something after coconuts. Finally, a stream of junior interns seems to have gotten the idea from someone that his office doubles as a stationery store, and have “borrowed” all his pens, without which he cannot add to his notes on who “Kolechia’s Greatest Asset” might be (these notes take the form of scraps of paper on a tackboard, linked together with coloured threads representing the evolution of the Swallow proposal from various designers’ inputs).
However, this man did not become an Agent by giving up in the face of adversity. Armed with the latest gadget from the Department, a pen sneakily disguised as a pistol, he makes some progress and narrows down the field of possible candidates that could be the saboteur. Yet, his work eventually comes to naught, for one day the clerk informs him that with the engineers having instituted proper quality control on Crossguard parts and reworked the Swallow to have a non-skeletal tail, the old design documents have been thrown out. Nevertheless, the leads on possible identities of “Kolechia’s Greatest Asset” might prove useful in the future, and in any case the Lesser European Swallow has been fixed from the sabotage.
Barnett HP modificationsThe Barnett is a damn good engine, we cannot deny that, however it could and would be even better if it had more horse power. The efforts of this revision are directed to improving the horse power the Barnett has, hopefully back up to 200 horse power at the least and much more if we are lucky. The revision to the engine should apply to all aircraft that are to use and are already using the Barnett without any hassle, but the main goal is improving the engine without decreasing reliability or increasing size and cost.
Efficacy: 2
It’s tough to improve on the Barnett without changing its weight, size and cost too much, but the Verusan engineers manage to pull it off. As it stands now, the Barnett 1915 is a powerful and reliable V12 engine that produces 200 horsepower. Due to this increase, the Lesser European Swallow gets an increase in its already great speed, while the Great Emu gets a more minor improvement to its bombload carried (about 40 pounds more). The improved engine models are rolled out to the squadrons using it, which is currently only the Great Emu squadron, and will be present in the upcoming battles this month.
It is now the Production & Deployment Phase, Late Spring 1915. You have 22 production points remaining.Additionally, you will have to decide whether to accept or reject the Midako offer of 1 PP for two turns in return for the Rhino blueprints.
Verusan F1 Lesser European Swallow | 18/19 progress | 2 PP per die | Rushed 0 times | 8 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 490 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.
-NVR-“Seashell” Voice Set: The latest in radiotelephone equipment used by the Verusan Navy, the Seashell set is a radio voice receiver/transmitter designed for shipboard use, weighing in at 80 pounds for the receiving portion alone. The system operates at frequencies of 500-1000 kHz, and can send a (poor quality) voice transmission up to a distance of 25 miles, scaling up as more power is applied. Cost 3 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
-Basic crystal receivers, voice
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.
-28 production points base.
Knight 1 | VRAC A.1 "Emu" | Mk.1 "Bottled Fury" Bombs, Bar's Shelf-AABR | Level Bombing | Rookie | No Aces | Maintenance Cost 2
Currently assigned to bomb enemy defenses outside Basselton
Knight 2 | VRAC A.1b "Great Emu" | Mk.1 "Bottled Fury" Bombs | Level Bombing | Rookie | No Aces | Maintenance Cost 2
Currently assigned to bomb enemy defenses outside Basselton
Knight 3 | VRAC A.1 "Emu" | No Equipment | Air Superiority | Neophyte | No Aces | Maintenance Cost 2
Currently assigned to secure air superiority outside Basselton
Squire 1 | Rhino-F Biplane | Bolt Machine Gun | Air Superiority | Rookie | No Aces | Maintenance Cost 1
Currently assigned to perform defensive patrols along the Demisonne-Derboise Road
Squire 2 | Rhino Biplane | No Equipment | Public Touring | Regular | Alderic | Maintenance Cost 1
Currently assigned to public relations touring
Squire 3 | Rhino-F Biplane | Bolt Machine Gun | Air Superiority | Rookie | No Aces | Maintenance Cost 1
Currently assigned to perform defensive patrols around Estwice
Squire 4 | Rhino-P Biplane | Bolt Machine Gun, Hawk Eye Cameras | Aerial Reconnaissance | Regular | No Aces | Maintenance Cost 1
Currently assigned to perform aerial photoreconnaissance outside Basselton
Squire 5 | Rhino-F Biplane | Bolt Machine Gun | Air Superiority | Rookie | No Aces | Maintenance Cost 1
Currently assigned to secure air superiority outside Basselton
Rook 1 | Sky Eye Observation Balloon | Barnson’s Bird-Watching Essentials | Artillery Spotting | Regular | 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 | Regular | 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: Little
Status: Auxiliary Service
Army Relations: Warm
Navy Relations: Warm
Production Points: 22
Total Maintenance: 15
Author
Topic: Knights of the Skies: Verusa Thread - Early Summer 1916, Production Phase (Read 59927 times)