The 'TGF-01' (The Roc)
Built primarily out of the parts of a VB-01 and an RD44 Cutlass, this Frankenstein aircraft is quite a feat of chaos engineering. Although it lacks any of the performance advantages from either vehicle, this junkyard variant is great for transportation and hauling cargo safely across the Dust Bowl. Named by its chief architect, Rattlesnake Jim, his absurd declaration was shortened into an acronym to make it sound technical rather than just crude.
An oversized frame and an undersized engine, it struggles to gain altitude as compared to its counterparts designed both before and after the war. The 'TGF-01' gives the pilot the feeling of flying a cinder block with a desk fan, causing the poor operator to have to wrestle the archaic controls to even keep it in a stable hover. On top of all that, the few computer components that still remain have nothing to do with targeting acquisition or assistance, leaving the weapons in a free-fire state dependent on the eyes of the gunner.
Despite all these flaws, the bones of this vertibird are solid. With a good deal of engineering, ingenuity, and caps, it could one day be something special. A spacious interior provides a mobile base to anyone in possession of it. Bunks line the seam where the aircraft were joined, and a makeshift toilet provides and easy place to dispose of waste without having to land. Some of the heat vented from the engines has even been rerouted to form a makeshift stove, allowing the crew to take advantage of the excess exhaust to get a hot meal on the go.
- Paint Job: Thinking outside the box, Sir POSH finds an advantage in the workers lack of skill. With a few old rags and reckless abandon with a paint gun, the rusted mismatched exterior of the vehicle is transformed into desert camouflage, providing it some extra cover when it is not in the air.
- Outlets: Useful for many needs pre-war America took for granted, these sockets will allow the group to plug in electrical devices to receive a charge from the main power source. Very handy as well for a certain Eyebot who can not only take sustenance from the main system, but also interface with any computer systems that are installed.
- Water Filter: Crucial for desert survival, this device is even efficient enough to extract the moisture from sources otherwise too contaminated to even consider. This is perhaps why it came with a liquid waste collector for the lavatory..
- Food Extruder: A handy device considering how much insect life there is in the Dust Bowl. Although this readily available protein comes in some horrific packaging, a little bit of processing can go a long way in making it edible. A last resort for a man like Tommy, to the Ratt, this is upscale dining.
- Engine Overhaul: Not trusting some of the aging material used in the construction of the junkyard vertibird, the group decides to spring for some new parts and fresh coolant. This not only increases the maximum speed of the vehicle but also fuel economy. Coming to terms the true cost of operating 'The Roc', this upgrade is quite a boon for the turned-out pockets of the party.
- Insulation: After feeling the chill of higher altitudes aboard the Dreadnought, Tommy has no qualms with investing some caps into a barrier against the elements. Useful on the ground as well in the event the party if forced to sleep overnight inside of it, this simple addition will make life much easier during downtime when aboard.
- Navigational Computer: A much needed addition to make the long journey south. Not only does it help with global positioning, it also comes stock with an autopilot.
- Salvaged Jet Engine: Wanting to make sure they get to their destination quickly, RJ has donated one of the nearly intact vehicles acquired on their military base run. Although unable to fly itself, the pre-war engine has a lot of good parts that can be used to upgrade the Roc.
- Cloaking Device: Knowing full well who might be waiting for them in the skies, RJ does not want to take his chances in a dogfight. With some experimentation they have managed to adapt a device that can potentially cloak large objects, but not without a steep cost to the power reserves.
- Nuclear Bomb: Speaking of one rather obvious string attached to this venture, RJ has taken the liberty of having the guts of a live nuclear missile installed in the aircraft as an insurance policy. Not only against the group that clearly wants him dead, but for the Rad Farm as well. RJ will be damned if they refuse him citizenship this time.
- HP: 45 Physical DR: 4 Energy DR: 5
- Maximum Structures: 3
- Current Setup:
Generator: +5 Power
Bunk Beds: +4 beds, -2 Happiness
Cargo Bay: +300 lbs of storage
Insulation: Does not count as a structure, +1 Energy DR, +1 Happiness, Adds a layer of internal insulation to help protect the crew from the elements. It also provides a small amount of energy resistance as an added benefit, and fully seals the vehicle from the air outside.
Desert Camouflage: Does not count as a structure, +1 Difficulty to spot when landed on open desert for each range increment away.
Navigational Computer: Does not count as a structure, With an active GPS tracking system and a coded autopilot, this upgrade allows the pilot to sit back and watch the aircraft land itself or fly in a straight line without needing manual assistance. Lower Survival checks to navigate by one, and you may reroll one die at your discretion. Requires 3 Science and 3 Pilot to operate.
- Coolant Cost: 1 per hour of operation
Maximum Speed: 125/mph
Max Altitude: 20,000 feet
Climb Speed: 1,500 feet per minute
Crew: 1 pilot, 1 co-pilot, 1 gunner, 4 extra passengers
Armaments: Two wing-mounted Laser RCWs (counts as gatling laser, pilot operated), One nose-mounted broomhandle painted black to scare people (gunner operated)
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