Sand Skimmer
Power Generation
Synchronic Engines are capable of off loading power as long as they are hooked up to a generator or turbine capable of turning their constant rotational energy into useable force. Though these engines being high performance and built for high speed travel, this is only done out of necessity as their engine design relies on constant directional airflow to keep their engine blocks cool, regardless of enchantments etched into the metal. Magic is not an all powerful art, and Artificers do have limits to what is theoretically possible for the conservation of energy.
If used in such a way the engine needs a constant source of water to maintain it's steam pressure to turn it's internal turbine as the enchantments pull ambient energy from its surroundings to boil the water inside. Though, in such a case, these Skimmers can offload a maximum recorded amount of electrical power of 3kw/hr at the cost of nearly 55gal of water in that same time frame. Skimmers are far more efficient when moving.
Propulsion
Much like modern fan boats, the Sand Skimmers use a similar method of forward and backward momentum. A large caged fan is hooked to a cam being forced in one direction at a time, under a gear system to control speed. Lower gear is for lower fan speeds at a higher cost of steam. The cam is forced into movement through the use of small turbines connected to the steam chamber over the heat sink. Lower gears allow more steam to escape but allow for an easier to manage rate of travel.
As the fan speed increases it generates enough lift for the Skimmer's wings to begin allowing the vessel to skim over the sand with ease. This vehicle is capable of short flights, often seen as vessels launch themselves from one dune to the next. Skilled pilots can set the vessels down between launches without the passengers even feeling like they touched ground again.
Weapons & Armament
Military Skimmers exist, though they are lightweight scouting or hit and run vessels. Their armament extends to what the crew can carry on themselves, or on true military vessels small rotary guns stations are set up on the deck in front of each wing. These rotary weapons are generally mounted to a swiveling turret made of either aluminum or wood, the guns are powered off the engines boiler box and are thus pneumatic in nature. As their is a small bladder in the belly of the vessel hilled with hydrogen to decrease the overall weight of the vessel, firearms are not considered a wise carry one to these ground birds.
The weapons are effective up to a maximum range of 2000ft, firing 20 rounds per second. Though the guns are generally fired in sustained short bursts using the Caliphate's standard SOP for engagement. The can maintain a wall of lead and suppressive fire if in numbers, a lone Skimmer is generally more than able to evade and outrun threats than engage them.
Armor and defense
Armor is technically nonexistent in these vessels, only along the bottom of the vessel is a thick aluminum sheet that is reinforced with enchantments to increase its durability. The only other area with armor is the hydrogen bladder in the center of the ship, though that is a 10mm thick plate of steel, not capable of withstanding anything more that small arms fire. Medium weight and heavy artillery have no issues downing these vessels, if they can hit them.
Communication Tools & Systems
The Caliphate does not have access to the network systems of the Federation, nor the Wayfare Magic based in communications. As such these vessels rely on a series of lights and signals that all pilots are required to learn. A set of three colored lights are mounted on the tip of each wing, and one above the pilots chamber. On the aft wing is a green light, the center is white, and the starboard wing is a red light. seeing all three lights means the vessel in coming directly at you, seeing the green means the vessel is traveling to your left, seeing the read light means the vessel is traveling to your right.
There is a fouth light with a shutter controlled by a wire controlled by a pedel on the floor where an alpha-numeric code is used to communicate with other pilots. Typically in a series of short and long bursts of light as the shutter is opened and closed by the pilot.
Nickname
Land Glider, Dune Surfer
Designation
HSE
Creation Date
1198
Owning Organization
Current location
Price
Depends on make/model, manufacture and custom treatments. Minimum is set by the Caliphate at 1000 silver coins.
Rarity
Common
Related Technologies
Width
Wingspan 45ft-120ft
Length
18ft-45ft
Height
8ft-10ft
Weight
1 ton-4 tons
Speed
0-<200mph
Complement / Crew
1-12
Cargo & Passenger Capacity
Light weight class of vehicle: several hundred pounds - 3 tons/ 2-14 persons
Comments