Pren Gwyn Design Phase, Late Autumn 1915AGC-AMD AC15 "Cefyll"
A two-seater geodetic-frame biplane in standard puller configuration, powered by a Rhodri 10-160 D15 (a general improvement on the Saethydd's engine). The main developments this plane has is a pair of floor-mounted ground-attack AGAA AC15 machine guns fitted at a 45 degree angle with a simple periscope, allowing the gunner to fire on ground targets whilst the plane flies level. It also comes with a partial steel frame, taking the form of a box, containing the engine, pilot and gunner. The steel itself is 0.2 inches thick and is a structural part of the plane itself. A third AGAA AC15 machine gun on a ring mount allows the gunner to fend off enemy fighters. Finally, about 200lb of additional payload is to be accounted for, be it a radio, or some form of as-yet-undesigned explosive weapon. Engineers have discussed ideas such as dropping artillery shells, or even firing rockets!
Time: 3 | Progress: 4 | Expense: 5
The work on the Cefyll is expected to be fairly cheap, as the basics of what we are doing is set already into place, and the work starts at a decent speed. Though, it is expected that a bit more time will be taken working on the craft, specifically giving it the ability to carry all the weight desired for the craft with the addition of its basic armament.
AGC-AMD AC15 "Cefyll" | 4/19 progress | 2 PP per die | Rushed 0 times | 2 PP invested
Effectiveness: 6 | Cost: 5 | Bugs: 2
Despite the challenges the design faces, work goes fairly swiftly and quite well, with a few modifications going on the design to make it better both in combat and otherwise. From the engine cowl to the tail is more or less a straight line in the body of the aircraft, done specifically so the floor mounted machine guns have better clearance and could be mounted at a higher level to make it easier for the gunner to use them and additionally are amiable being on a swivel. The gunner can switch from these two guns fairly quickly thanks to their positioning and it should help make the aircraft a fairly dangerous target for enemy aircraft to deal with.
The aircraft also, is a puller rather than a pusher unlike our last aircraft and has a new engine, or rather a modified old engine made to be a bit better. Unfortunately, the work on the engine hasn't gone too well, with it occasionally and rather inconveniently cutting out for a varying amount of time, sometimes not turning back on unless the pilot crawls over and spins the propeller, which needless to say is a kinda bad thing. Speaking of, the aircraft is actually slightly faster than the Saethydd, though certainly not by too much and tests show it should be able to take off with 200 lbs given a long enough runway, though the aircraft struggles when loaded to that degree. Also, its a bit more expensive than the Saethydd, mostly due to the extra gun and the bit of steel used in the body, but its not that much more expensive.
Army Requisition: Medium-Caliber mortar shells(i.e., 60 to 80mm shells) The army has very few shells actually laying around, other than ones that are better used as mines than in actual guns. However, considering your help with the parts of the army that actually uses such ammunition, you are able to get access to a shell that is being replaced for a more powerful version, though isn't fully phased out yet. The shell in question is the
Deg punt Tri modfedd mortar shell which is a 76mm shell, well, technically its a 76.2 mm shell. Regardless, its ten pounds and is a fairly simple and reliable explosive that is good for dealing with soldiers. Though, if you are holding one, it is advised not to drop it for fairly obvious reasons.
Deg punt Tri modfedd mortar shell A 76.2mm or 3 inch shell that is 10 pounds...It doesn't have that much power for obvious reasons, but it works well enough. Costs 1 PP
It is now the Revision Phase. You have 2 die remaining to spend on Revisions or Save for the next turn.AGC-AMD AC15 "Cefyll" | 4/19 progress | 2 PP per die | Rushed 0 times | 2 PP invested
Planes:
-AGC ‘Saeth’ Biplane: A unarmed, single-seater reconnaissance plane made by Awyrennau gwynt cryf, also known as Strong wind aviation. Very accurately named, as its a fairly fast aircraft that is about as easy to turn as a arrow in flight is and not even a strong wind will really push it. The craft is fittingly powered by a five-cylinder rotary engine and made of wood and canvas making it fairly cheap to make. Cost: 3/1
--AGC-AMD "Saeth" Biplane A AGC Saeth variant made after AGC merged with Atebion Mecanyddol Deinamig. It has improved control surfaces, better aerodynamics, and better wing placement allowing it to be more maneuverable and slightly faster both in climb speed and more traditional speed. Its basically a better version of the old Saeth though it is still powered by the same engine.
---AGC-AMD "Saeth" Mod 2B Biplane A variant of the AMD variant that has the improved Rhodri engine and the mounts for two machine guns on the spars near the top side of the wing. Its needless to say faster then the normal AGC-AMD thanks to the engine, though is slower when armed. Costs 4/1
-ACG-AMD AC15 "Saethydd": A two-seater biplane with a Rhodri 10-140 D15 Radial engine in a pusher configuration. The Saethydd mounts two machineguns, one locked in the front for use by the pilot and one for the observer on a ring mount sitting forward of the pilot. Is reasonably fast and maneuverable for its size and very easy to maintain. Cost 5/1.
-AGC-AMD AC15 "Cefyll": A two-seater biplane with a Rhodri 10-160 D15 engine that has a nasty habit of cutting out. Has a steel cowling over the engine and a steel skin over the pilot and gunner, offering a bit more protection. Also has three guns, all used by the gunner with two pointed downward. Slightly faster than the Saethydd. Cost 6/1 (In Development)
Balloons:
-C15 Tŵr Awyr: A two man balloon with a full capacity of 5. One to two people watch out and observe the lines from the sky and take notes while one to two manage communications with the ground. Comes with two sets of Binoculars, two Legal pads, and a Sextant, Radio currently not tested. Costs 2/1
Equipment:
-Bloeddiwr 79: A radio fully integrated with an aircraft that in total adds an extra fifty pounds to the aircraft. Like the GW 78 it is a Morse code receiver/transmitter. Works at frequencies of 400-600kHz and has a 10 mile range. Costs 2
-AGAA AC15: A open bolt air cooled machine gun that fires 8.07mm rounds at about 600 per minute. Quite reliable all things considered. Costs 1 PP
-Deg punt Tri modfedd mortar shell: A 76.2mm or 3 inch shell that is 10 pounds...It doesn't have that much power for obvious reasons, but it works well enough. Costs 1 PP
-Llygad Hir camera: A infinitely focus, glass plate, manually loaded camera that is held by a pilot to take pictures. Also takes nice pictures of the entire squadron. Costs 1 PP
Pilots:
-Vigilant: Information in advance is key to any war! Pren Gwyn pilots are very alert and tend to see things in the distance and make out what they are easier.
-Uniforms: green with white accents. Pilots are granted an arrow made of pure copper as a good luck charm to keep with them on their flights, being granted a iron, steel, bronze, silver and gold one to add to their collection as they gain rank.
Technology:
-Basic/Intermediate biplane design
-Basic monoplane design
-Basic balloon design
-Basic pusher configuration design
-Wooden frame construction
-Basic Geodetic frame construction
-Basic control surfaces: ailerons, elevator and rudder
-Ring Gun mounting
-Basic Radial Engine design
-Basic crystal receivers, Morse code
-Basic spark-gap transmitter, Morse code
-Basic Regenerative Circuitry
Resources:
-1 Air Instructors: Instructors who quickly teach new pilots how to take off. How to actually properly use the rudder peddles and flightstick is left as an exercise for the student.
-1 Experimental Testing Field: The place where new aircraft and other air-related equipment are made and tested. Produces five dice worth of progress every turn.
-16 Production Points Base
Ydfran Adran | AGC-AMD C15 "Saethydd" | No Equipment | Aerial Reconnaissance | Neophyte | No Aces | Maintenance Cost 1
Currently assigned to observe enemy shore defenses and troop movements near Nordhafen
Esgob Adran | AGC-AMD C15 "Saethydd" | No Equipment | Aerial Reconnaissance | Neophyte | No Aces | Maintenance Cost 1
Currently assigned to observe enemy frontline along the Bont Gwyn-Nachtburg Road
Marchog Adran | AGC-AMD C15 "Saethydd" | No Equipment | Aerial Reconnaissance | Neophyte | No Aces | Maintenance Cost 1
Currently assigned to observe enemy frontline along the Gwag du-Sprungburg Road
Gwerinwyr Adran | AGC-AMD "Saeth" ModB DG TyD Biplane | No Equipment | Aerial Superiority | Neophyte | Garth Mathias | Maintenance Cost 1
Currently assigned to offensive patrols along the Gwag du-Sprungburg Road
Gwyliwr Adran | C15 Tŵr Awyr | No Equipment | Naval Artillery Spotting | Neophyte | No Aces | Maintenance Cost 1
Currently assigned to assist Naval Raids along the cost of Brimnach
Telesgop Adran | C15 Tŵr Awyr | No Equipment | Artillery Spotting | Neophyte | No Aces | Maintenance Cost 1
Currently assigned to provide artillery spotting along the Gwag du-Sprungburg Road
Dormarch Adran | C15 Tŵr Awyr | No Equipment | Artillery Spotting | Neophyte | No Aces | Maintenance Cost 1
Currently assigned to provide artillery spotting along the Tref Haearn-Dunklerfelsen Road
Prestige: Very Little “Garth Mathias, you mean the star turn pilot?”
Status: Auxiliary Service
Army Relations: Lukewarm “Those artillery officers seem happy with the work the air force is doing, and if they are happy, I am slightly happy”
Navy Relations: Lukewarm “These Balloons could be part of the future of fire control.”
Production Points: 14
Total Maintenance: 5