Wednesday, 11 September 2013

I feel a steampunk game coming on...





This is a new lighter-than-air heavy lift transport being developed in the USA.

Downside: it is not particularly fast compared to a jet or even a train.

Upside: incredibly fuel efficient since it doesn't use fuel for lift and it can land and take off vertically on any flattish surface so can move goods more point to point than a jet transport.

It is no more vulnerable than any other aircraft. The outer skin is apparently strong enough to be bullet proof (?) making it a lot tougher than helicopters.

Fascinating to think how these might have been developed if planes had not been invented.
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8 comments:

  1. Ray Rousell11 September 2013 at 11:15

    Interesting???

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  2. John Lambshead11 September 2013 at 12:27

    Dear Ray,
    Apparently it is being developed with military use in mind.
    J.

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  3. Paul Weimer11 September 2013 at 14:02

    I wonder if to get lighter than air aircraft, you need to eliminate WWI from history.

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    Replies
    1. John Lambshead11 September 2013 at 16:25

      Dear Paul
      What an interesting idea Paul.
      J

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    2. Paul Weimer11 September 2013 at 17:42

      Might be a historical simplification--but without WWI, heavier than air aircraft I think would be developed a lot more slowly--maybe enough for lighter than air craft to dominate.

      Delete
    3. John Lambshead11 September 2013 at 19:10

      You could be right Paul. Heavier than air machines were a toy in 1914. Machines like the Sopwith Camel were serious weapons by 1918 and the first strategic bombers had hit London.

      Delete
  4.  Ashley12 September 2013 at 13:29

    I featured one of these in a novel that is currently going through the necessary rewrite to tidy it up before sending it off.

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