Flying Dutchman Hovercraft


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     This air-cushion vehicle (ACV, or hovercraft) is meant for employment on lakes, swamps, snow, ice or grassland; the hull will float in water even with the engines off. A small turret mounting a 20mm cannon is fitted near the bow, slightly offset to the right; MAG-58 machineguns are fitted on pintle mounts on each side.

     This is a light strike and fire support hovercraft meant for MARS teams. It is an ideal "hit and run" vehicle, weather and terrain conditions permitting.

     It's an open vehicle; there is no cabin and most of the crew are exposed to the elements and somewhat exposed to gunfire and explosions. The four crew members are the pilot (front left seat); the main gunner (turret), and two wing gunners. There are four storage bays, two of which have fold-down jump seats.

     Given the limited cargo capacity, this Project vehicle is more dependent on other teams, depots or bases for support. Also, like the XR311 and the Commando Scout, it should not be operated in areas with dangerous levels of radioactive fallout or other contamination.

 

Dimensions

 

Height, skirt inflated:  3.7 meters

Height, skirt deflated:  3 meters

Height, floating in water:  2.4 meters

Draft, floating:  0.6 meters

Width:  3.66 meters

Length:  6.1 meters

Maximum Gross Weight:  4000 kilograms

Crew Weight:  500 kilograms, with field gear and role kits aboard

Maximum Cargo Weight:  850 kilograms

Bare Weight:  2640 kilograms, with no crew, no cargo (but including 110 kg of MAG-58 guns, mounts, and their armor shields)

 

Construction

 

     The hull, fan shroud and air rudders are made from epoxied layers of Resistweave™ material; the skirts are made from 'regular' Resistweave™. The windshields for the pilot and main gunner are made from ballistic plexiglas; the KUKA Rh202 turret and the gun shields for the wing gunners are made from armor steel.

     All the seats (including the two jumpseats) have lap and shoulder belts.

 

Performance

 

     The Flying Dutchman operates best over calm water or flat paved surfaces, but can also travel over level ground. It's maximum speed over water or pavement is 100 kph, but normal cruising speed is best held to 60 kph. Speed over land, presuming grass, small rocks, ruts and uneven surfaces, is 60 kph maximum; best cruise is 35 kph.

     Wind conditions greatly affect all hovercraft; the Quequod cannot operate in winds exceeding 50 kph -- there is extreme danger of flipping over. Top speed should be limited to 25 kph if wind speed exceeds 40 kph. In any case, the hovercraft is prone to side-slipping in crosswinds.

     The Flying Dutchman cannot negotiate rough water (sea state 3 or more); the skirt will lose containment and the hovercraft will drop into the water. On land, the craft cannot cross vertical obstacles of more than 0.5 meters height, or traverse slopes of greater than 1 in 5 grade.

     When afloat (lift engine off) the water level is roughly a meter below the main "deck" level. The propulsion fan can move the vehicle while afloat in the water at a top speed of just 25 kph (producing quite a lot of spray and roostertail when doing so).

     When hovering at a stand still, this hovercraft can slowly rotate in place; as speed increases, the turn radius increases quite a lot.

     The sounds of the lift fan and propulsion fan are a bit quieter than (say) a helicopter, but still noisy. The Flying Dutchman is very easy to see when hovering or moving -- lots of spray or dust is kicked up, along with a roostertail at even moderate speeds.

 

Systems and Propulsion

 

     A single Morrow Industries Mk I fusion generator powers the Flying Dutchman. Two Project vehicle batteries provide power for starting the generator, and as backup in case of damage.

     The propulsion fan is driven by a 200 kilowatt electric motor -- the same as used in the Project's V150 vehicles. Three 10 kilowatt electric motors power the skirt inflation and lift system. The lift fans are each 1.2 meters in diameter; the propulsion fan is 2.4 meters in diameter, with three blades.

     Normal small craft running lights (port, starboard and toplight) and twin halogen headlamps are fitted.

     Two "air rudders" are mounted behind the propulsion fan, for steering.

 

Protection Level

 

     The epoxy-Resistweave™ hull is equivalent armor to 7mm of RHA steel armor. Armor value 14.

     The wing gunners' shields, and the KUKA turret, are 7mm thick RHA steel. Armor value 14.

 

Equipment Carried

 

 

The following items are carried in the storage bays; they total 653 kg in mass against the "cargo" total: