Ship's Locker: Out of the Closet

[Condottiere]

Crazy American Aircraft Type & Size Comparison 3D

Americans got really crazy ideas and concepts for their aircraft.
Crazy American Aircraft Type & Size Comparison 3D

Featuring
** 0 - 10 m **
XF-85 Goblin - 4.52 m
Boeing Ex Joined-Wing - 4.6 m
Arup S-2 - 5.2 m
Gee Bee R-2 - 5.38 m
VZ-9 Avrocar - 5.5 m
M2-F1 - 6.1 m
Northrop HL-10 - 6.45 m
Short SC1 - 7.77 m
Bell X-14 - 7.92 m
Abrams P-1 Explorer - 8.08 m
Vought V-173 - 8.128 m
Aereon 26 - 8.38 m
X-47A Pegasus - 8.5 m
Custer CCW-5 - 8.75 m XXXXX
XF51 Skyrocket - 8.76 m
Convair Model 49 - 9.4 m
Convair XFY-1 Pogo - 9.83 m The Grandfather of VTOL Flight

** 10 - 20 m **
P-38 Lightning - 11 .53 m
Northrop XP-79 - 11.58m
Short SC.7 Skyvan - 12 m
Bell+X-22 - 12.07 m
F-82 Twin Mustang - 13 m
Rockwell XFV-12 - 13.39 m
McDonnell XP-67 - 13.65 m
Bell YFM-1 Airacuda - 13.67 m
Boeing Bird of Prey - 14 .22 m
Boeing Ex Joined-Wing - 15.6 m
XB-42 Mixmaster 16.36m
Tacit Blue - 17.02 m
Hiller X-18 - 19.2 m

** 20 - 30 m **
F-117A - 20.09 m
Douglas X-3 Stiletto - 20.35 m
Northrop YF-23 - 20.60 m
A-12 Avenger II - W21.41 m
Fairchild XC-120 - 25.25 m
Armstrong Whitworth AW.660 Argosy - 26.44 m
Northrop N-34 - 27.3 m
C-130 W2 Snoopy - 29.8 m
Harley-Fairfax - XXXXX

** 30 - 40 m **
ATL-98 Carvair - 31 m
Boeing 314 Clipper - 32.33 m
SR-71 Blackbird - 33 m
Boeing 377 Straocruiser - 33.63 m

** 40 - 50 m **
White Knight Two - 43 m
Lockheed Flatbed - 48.31 m
Northrop Nuclear-Powered Flying Wing - 48.8 m
B-36 Peacemaker - 49.40 m

** 50 - 60 m **
Howard DBA - 50.1 m
Lockheed Ring Wing airliner - 52 m
Northrop YB-35 - 52.2 m
B-2 Spirit - 52.4 m
Convair NX-2 - 53 m
XB-70 Valkyrie - 56.39 m

** 60 - 70 m **
H-4 Hercules - 66.65 m

** 70 - 90 m **
Boeing Dreamlifter - 71.68 m
Lockheed C-5 Galaxy - 75.31 m

** 100 - 300 m **
Stratolaunch - 117 m
Conroy Virtus - 140m
Airliner Number 4 - 161 m
Aerocon Dash 1 6 wingship - 173 m

** Over 300 m **
Lockheed CL-1201 - 341 m

1. Most of which could easily be spacecraft hulls.

2. With tilt rotor, I would wonder if there were limitations on the stress caused by acceleration, as I would with a docking clamp.

3. Doubling up is an option.

 

[Condottiere]

Melee Weapons in Science Fiction

Spacedock delves into the use of melee weapons in various spacefaring settings within the science fiction genre.

 

[Condottiere]

Avatar 2: Analyzing the RDA Whaling Fleet

Spacedock delves into RDA's fleet of whaling watercraft from #Avatar The Way of Water

We do have harpoon guns.


Apparatus of Kwalish: When found, this item appears to be a large, sealed iron barrel, but it has a secret catch that opens a hatch in one end. Inside are 10 levers:

1 Extend/retract legs and tail
2 Uncover/cover forward porthole
3 Uncover/cover side portholes
4 Extend/retract pincers and feelers
5 Snap pincers
6 Forward/left or right
7 Backward/left or right
8 Open "eyes" with continual light inside/close "eyes"
9 Raise (levitate)/sink
10 Open/close hatch

The apparatus moves forward at a speed of three, backward at six. Two pincers extend forward four feet and snap for 2d6 points of damage each if they hit a creature—25% chance, no reduction for armor, but Dexterity reduction applies. The device can operate in water up to 900 feet deep. It can hold two man-sized characters and enough air to operate for 1d4 + 1 hours at maximum capacity. The apparatus is AC 0 and requires 100 points of damage to cause a leak, 200 to stave in a side. When the device is operating it looks something like a giant lobster.

Apparatus of Kwalish​

[ Submersible de Kwalish ]
Wondrous item, legendary
This item first appears to be a Large sealed iron barrel weighing 500 pounds. The barrel has a hidden catch, which can be found with a successful DC 20 Intelligence (Investigation) check. Releasing the catch unlocks a hatch at one end of the barrel, allowing two Medium or smaller creatures to crawl inside. Ten levers are set in a row at the far end. each in a neutral position, able to move either up or down. When certain levers are used, the apparatus transforms to resemble a giant lobster.
The apparatus of Kwalish is a Large object with the following statistics:
Armor Class: 20
Hit Points: 200
Speed: 30 ft., swim 30 ft. (or 0 ft. for both if the legs and tail aren't extended)
Damage Immunities: poison, psychic
To be used as a vehicle, the apparatus requires one pilot. While the apparatus's hatch is closed, the compartment is airtight and watertight. The compartment holds enough air for 10 hours of breathing, divided by the number of breathing creatures inside.
The apparatus floats on water. It can also go underwater to a depth of 900 feet. Below that, the vehicle takes 2d6 bludgeoning damage per minute from pressure.
A creature in the compartment can use an action to move as many as two of the apparatus's levers up or down. After each use, a lever goes back to its neutral position. Each lever, from left to right, functions as shown in the Apparatus of Kwalish Levers table.

Lever	Up	Down
1	Legs and tail extend, allowing the apparatus to walk and swim.	Legs and tail retract, reducing the apparatus's speed to 0 and making it unable to benefit from bonuses to speed.
2	Forward window shutter opens.	Forward window shutter closes.
3	Side window shutters open (two per side).	Side window shutters close (two per side).
4	Two claws extend from the front sides of the apparatus.	The claws retract.
5	Each extended claw makes the following melee weapon attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 7 (2d6) bludgeoning damage.	Each extended claw makes the following melee weapon attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft, one target. Hit: The target is grappled (escape DC 15).
6	The apparatus walks or swims forward.	The apparatus walks or swims backward.
7	The apparatus turns 90 degrees left.	The apparatus turns 90 degrees right.
8	Eyelike fixtures emit bright light in a 30-foot radius and dim light for an additional 30 feet.	The light turns off.
9	The apparatus sinks as much as 20 feet in liquid.	The apparatus rises up to 20 feet in liquid.
10	The rear hatch unseals and opens.	The rear hatch closes and seals.

 

[Condottiere]

Why nukes in Sci-Fi are awesome & how they work. Join the cult of the bomb.

Generic greetings and welcome to an episode that's quite special, to me at least because by god do i love getting the chance to use my overplayed and unfunny joke of "drop the sun on them". So a video entirely about my pathological love for anything atomic and why they are painfully underrepresented and explored in sci fi is just, oof, well. It's just perfect. So settle in for a video all about nukes and the different ways they can be used.

 

[Condottiere]

Why Interstellar Armies Might Be Bigger (Or Smaller) Than You Think

How big will interstellar armies be? Are mass reserves of conscripts and less realistic than a small, elite, professional force?

1. More with less.

2. Power projection (dirtside).

3. Deterrence.

4. I think they're going to be bigger, but this would be an increase in technical specialists and support elements.

5. Plus troops specialized in fighting in specific environments.

6. Part of the purpose of the CAVALRY Corps is to send a a fairly expendable unit to find out what's going on, and report back.

7. The Confederation Marine Corps for vacuum boarding actions and rapid deployment.

8. The Confederation Army takes longer to deploy, but when it does, usually with overwhelming force.

9. Militias, planetary and Confederation sponsored, are cheap enough to be large.

 

[Condottiere]

The artificial gravity system uses similar technology to that of the manoeuvre drive and G compensators.


You wonder if an air/raft has inertial compensators.

 

[Condottiere]

The Bullet Banned for Its Destructive Power

Amidst the vast array of .50-caliber rounds, one name emerges from the shadows - the infamous Raufoss Mk 211, a true force to be reckoned with. This enigmatic ammunition, boasting a multipurpose anti-material high explosive incendiary/armor-piercing nature, possesses the ability to render moderate armored vehicles and helicopters helpless before its might. The fervor surrounding this munition has captivated military enthusiasts and experts alike, as its reputation precedes its every deployment.

However, its immense indiscriminate power comes at a cost, prompting certain governments to take action and ban its use when enemy troops are in the target area. Despite this, fervent debates persist, with some staunchly advocating for its continued presence on the front lines. In hushed tones, it has even been hailed as the ultimate .50-caliber round available in the market today.

While the allure of the Raufoss Mk 211 cannot be denied, the controversy surrounding its extraordinary potency has ignited a fiery discourse. The question lingers: should such a weapon of unparalleled destructive prowess be wielded, or is its restriction a necessary safeguard in the face of its awe-inspiring capabilities? As nations grapple with the dilemma, the legend of the Raufoss Mk 211 only grows, whispered amongst military circles with reverence and trepidation alike.

1. Illegal to civilians.

2. Probably fifteen starbux per.

3. Anti materiel.

 

[Condottiere]

Why You Don't Actually Want to Live on Mars with Dr. Kelly and Zach Weinersmith - Factually! - 235

The prospect of human life on Mars, once a science fiction fantasy, now seems increasingly plausible. But does actually warrant being anything other than a fantasy? This week, Adam speaks with Dr. Kelly and Zach Weinersmith, authors of A City on Mars, to discuss the practicalities of becoming a space-faring species, the challenges that lie ahead, and whether it's even a good idea to begin with.

the dream of Mars
gateway to the stars


The dream of Mars & what it means to be martian | The expanse lore

Generic greetings and welcome to another episode of me and Steve being fools. Today, we cover the dream of Mars, the guiding force in Martian society and the lynchpin on which they base most if not all of their culture. So if you're interested in learning about a society so desperate to accomplish their dream, they burn their future to try and preserve it. Oh, a sad episode, how lovely.

 

[Condottiere]

Small Arms Primer 188: British Lancaster Pistols

Othais and Mae delve into the story of this classic. Complete with history, function, and live fire demonstration.

1. Home defence.

2. Speed loader optional.

3. Probably caseless.

4. Sealed action.

5. Heavy handgun, single shot, multiple barrel.

6. Partial multi-barrel weapon.

7. Rocketization, optional.

8. Long term storage.

 

[Condottiere]

What If Gravity is NOT Quantum?

The holy grail of theoretical physics is to come up with a quantum theory of gravity. But after a century of trying we really have no idea how close we are, or it it's even possible. But we shouldn't feel bad because it turns out that the universe is doing everything it its power to make this as difficult as possible. Or it's telling us that it isn't. Should we take the hint?

1. Artificially quantumifying gravity exponentialifies it's effect, thus creating anti gravity, and fusion bottles.

2. Attach a string, and you create a jump hole and it's exit.

 

[Condottiere]

More Thoughts on Sci-Fi Tank Design

Spacedock returns to the topic of sci-fi tank designs.

Crew comfort.

 

[Seffix]

The Bullet Banned for Its Destructive Power

Amidst the vast array of .50-caliber rounds, one name emerges from the shadows - the infamous Raufoss Mk 211, a true force to be reckoned with. This enigmatic ammunition, boasting a multipurpose anti-material high explosive incendiary/armor-piercing nature, possesses the ability to render moderate armored vehicles and helicopters helpless before its might. The fervor surrounding this munition has captivated military enthusiasts and experts alike, as its reputation precedes its every deployment.

It's a cool munition, but the details/history of the manufacturer could be straight up snatched and used as fodder for a corporate espionage adventure, and I particularly love that Nammo are represented by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries.
For some reason, I imagine a merc commander telling a sergeant, "We're gonna have to deliver some fish."

 

[Condottiere]

Obtaining a cache of high quality ammunition can be a quest in and of itself.

When you have to face tougher opponents.

 

[Seffix]

"Sometimes you need to do the adventure before you can do the shoot-em-up"
--Sun Tzu

 

[Condottiere]

1. Ammunition can be separate and equal to the weapon platform.

2. For example, advanced projectile weapon feature would need both the gun and the ammunition that can take advantage of the twenty five percent range increase to be manufactured at minimum technological level nine.

3. Though, you can use lower teched bullets in the advanced projectile weapon platforms, you can't use the higher teched bullets in a lower teched gun, assuming the calibres fit, because the receiver wasn't designed to take the higher pressures, so there's a significant chance of malfunction, possibly accumulative.

4. I don't know if the cartridge will weigh ten percent less.

5. I kinda doubt that the cartridge would be one physical signature lower in the more primitive gun.

6. The lower teched bullet probably would be in an advanced projectile weapon platform.

7. And while it doesn't say so, highly likely that the advanced bullets have a premium of twenty five percent.

 

[Saladman]

Obtaining a cache of high quality ammunition can be a quest in and of itself.

I'm reminded of Frederick Forsyth's The Dogs of War. It's about mercenaries overthrowing an African dictatorship. The joke of the title is the novel is mostly one long shopping trip and smuggling mission, with only a single gunfight at the very end. Would repay reading for a Traveller GM if you've got the time to spare.

Small Arms Primer 188: British Lancaster Pistols

Some fool built the below, and its apparently functional. I've never figured out how to stat it up without just throwing pluses on it that probably don't capture its pros and cons.

 

[Condottiere]

I'm guessing it's a variant of a flechette round.

I was going to say speedloader, but that wouldn't be the case when they fire off all at the same time; one con I can think of is fratricide, unless they don't stray, maybe the pro being increased range, than just packing the pellets into a shotgun shell, or canister shot with a forty millimetre grenade case.

Interestingly enough, I was just considering recoil and handguns, and nine twenty twos at the same time should be eleven points, and even a rifle butt is only going to absorb six of that.

 

[Saladman]

I increasingly find recoil an interesting tradeoff rather than something to be avoided at all costs. I could almost wish it had been handed out more liberally in the books, to balance out some of the higher damage firearms.

But, easier to say that from the GM side than the player side. First thing I did in my very first Traveller game was find the best gun I could get that didn't hit me with recoil.

 

[Condottiere]

I tend to think it's circumstantial, depending on combat rules, your character's disposition, and environmental conditions.

For ShadowRun, my natural inclination was for the Slivergun.

Then I thought I better get an assault rifle, and picked what was the most popular one locally, relatively cheap, and easily obtainable ammunition; essentially, disposable.

The Slivergun being the last resort, when it becomes existential.

And also the cheapest pistol, locally popular and untraceable; Saturday Night Special, for the times you need deniability.

 

[Condottiere]

Twelve Millimetre Snub Pistol

1. The default ten millimetre snub pistol has the same damage potential as a medium handgun, eighty percent of it's range and ammunition capacity, as well as double the cost of said ammunition.

2. Ten millimetres being the upper range of medium handgun calibre.

3. Twelve millimetres being the upper range of heavy handgun calibre.

4. That would be two hundred starbux for a heavy snub pistol, with three dice minus one damage, forty eight metres range.

5. Inaccuracy minus two and penetration minus one remain,

6. The issue we now have is whether bulky is relevant for a handgun receiver.

7. Using an assault receiver clears up the issue, coincidentally, the same as a small smoothbore.

8. Muzzle velocity would be what, a third of a shotgun?

9. Looks like the easier route would be to automate snubbery.