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Aerial Flyer Aspic

Page history last edited by Michael 7 years, 1 month ago

back to the Index, or to The Queen's Consort

 

grid spacing six feet

 

     Adopted in 1887 by the French Navy as a class of 13 meter canots motorisés (motor cutters), two dozen of these small, handy vessels were built up until 1893, for service on Earth. They were the first French aero-naval small craft built with internal-combustion engines. They are used as scouting vessels, signal repeaters, as landing craft for assaults, and as auxiliary launches and utility craft.

     Other designs a bit more advanced have been built since 1893, but these vessels remain in service. They did not originally have names, only numbers -- CM01, CM02, etc. -- but were given names in 1893, and the class was re-named for the oldest example, CM01, now the Patrouilleur.

     A 16 HP internal-combustion engine (weight one-quarter ton) consumes 2 gallons of fuel per hour at top speed; 350 gallons (about a ton) of petrol fuel are carried, giving the vessel a week's endurance at its top speed of 20 knots. A set of simple cranks (rather like rowing machines) can be fitted in the cabin, for the seated passengers to operate in an emergency (like some nautical lifeboats) -- only about 5 knots can be achieved. Four permanently-fixed skids are attached to the underside, to support the vessel when landed.

     The cabin forward (intended for non-officers) has unpadded wooden benches on the port and starboard sides, a hatch forward leading to the cargo hold, a few portholes, a skylight overhead, and a ladder leading past the motor to the cockpit; the motor itself is located centrally (but offset to the port side), just ahead of the open cockpit for the pilot and trimsman. A smaller cabin is located near the stern, with padded seats, a heater, and generally nicer fittings, intended to seat five officers at most; another open space at the rear is also intended for the officers' use.

     There is no galley, head or other long-term living arrangements provided, although some hammocks can be slung in the cabin. Four fresh water tanks hold a total of 60 gallons of drinking water. Canvas awnings and canopies can be erected on light metal frames to shield the cockpit and stern area from the sun or weather. A winch is fitted to raise about a ton of cargo 100 feet into the cargo hold; about two tons can be carried (only 500 pounds if a gun is fitted) in the forward hold.

     A small searchlight, a signal lamp, position and underway lights, and a siren form part of the installed equipment. Items that can be removed include:

 

  • two 30 foot long rope ladders

  • signal flares

  • 2 painters (mooring ropes), each 90 feet long

  • boat compass (a chronometer, sextant, and celestial navigation data are not normally aboard unless an actual officer is assigned)

  • chart (usually very general)

  • sea anchor

  • signal flags

  • 1 gallon can of storm oil, can be attached to sea anchor

  • 2 gallon iron bucket (mostly for bailing)

  • boathook 8' long, with yellow signal flag

  • 2 life rings, kapok filled

  • tool chest

  • kerosene lamp, can be fitted to masthead

  • 2 lamp wicks

  • 1 gallon kerosene

  • 2 boxes friction matches

  • 6 blankets

  • first-aid kit, in watertight box

  • 3 hammocks

  • 175 lbs of ship's "hard tack" biscuit, in sealed metal boxes

  • 2 "well-bucket" water cups (to draw water from the tanks)

  • 1 drinking cup

 

     The design called for the craft to be amphibious, but they cannot be propelled or steered in the water. They are usually blown downwind or drift with the current; the propeller cannot be used (its lower arc hits the water surface). Landings in salt water will cause rust of various metal fixtures. Four sealed buoyancy tanks add a few tons of reserve buoyancy.

     If a weapon is fitted, it is usually a quick-firing 47mm Hotchkiss cannon, with gun shield, located near the bow, and able to traverse about 270 degrees. The gun (not including mount and shield) weighs 528 pounds; the mount and shield weigh 1400 pounds; 150 rounds of explosive ("common shell") ammunition are carried (855 pounds); a deck scuttle allows ammunition to be passed up from the hold. A Maxim gun can be substituted for the cannon, saving a lot of weight.

     These small craft are usually commanded by senior petty officers, although subaltern officers will often be found in command during particular missions.

     In Sky Galleons terms:


13 meter motor cutter			   aerial flier				
Armor:  0	     £1,200
Hull Size:  0.1	     Engine Size:  0.07     Speed:  4	
10 tons              Altitude:  Very High
Crew:                Coxswain/Helmsman, Trimsman, Artificer, Gunner, 1 Marine
Armament:            47mm (3-pdr) Hotchkiss QF gun, in open mount with shield


      Sky Galleons crew conversion to 'real' numbers: Coxswain, Trimsman, Artificer, Gunner, two Loaders, 8 seated sailors or Marines, 5 seated officers (another 20 or so persons can be crammed aboard in emergencies or very short voyages; as a ship's launch 20 sailors can be carried "standing up" instead of the 8 seated on the benches). Length 42 feet; beam, 10 feet.

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