Fleet Recognition.
On this page we will look at the many varied lighter than air craft that make up The Royal Dirigible Corps. For all eventualities there is a vessel, from the lowly Scout/Observer balloon t the large and well armed Imperial Class Cruiser.
With the discovery of "Lift wood" on the Northern Continent on Mars, the size and power of Dirigibles has grown hugely. The crews of these "Ships of the air" are now afforded some of the Luxury seen only on Her Majesties surface vessels.
Below we have a few Iconographs showing various craft, along with brief descriptions of their abilities.
Observation Balloon
These vary in size; this medium balloon can be seen during inflation. These are used primarily for Observing the movements of commercial Dirigibles entering and leaving ports. Several can be seen in the air at all times around such commercial centre's as London, Manchester and Liverpool. They act as the eyes for the Corps. They are equipped with the latest wireless telegraphs, allowing the crew to give immediate warning of any illegal activity.
Since their deployment they have helped reduce the numbers of hijacking dramatically.
Swallow Class : Scout.
Crew : 4
Length : 140 Ft.
Diameter : 40 Ft.
No. of Engines : One. (Triple expansion engine with steam supplied from a kerosene fired steam boiler) powering a single propeller.
Maximum Speed : 45 Mph (Cruising Speed 30 Mph)
Range : 1000 Miles
Armament : None (Small arms only)
India Class : Destroyer / Mine layer
Crew : 20 (Space for 10 Marines)
Length : 654 Ft.
Diameter : 85 Ft.
No. of Engines : Two (Quadruple expansion steam engines with steam produced from a single kerosene fired steam boiler) Powering 8 propellers via drive belt and shaft.
In an emergency (or for increasing range) sails can be deployed from extendable riggers from the main gonola to the canopy.
Maximum Speed : 85 Mph (Cruising speed approx 50 Mph)
Range : 5600 Nautical Miles
Armament :
2 Large Bore Vortex Canon (For canopy Collapse)
4 Rapid Fire Gatling Guns (Fixed Emplacements-Main Gondola)
2 Rapid Fire Maxim Guns (Nose/Fin Section of the Envelope)
Space for 10 off Mines for surface attacks.
Imperial Class Cruiser .
Crew : 40 (Space for 20 Marines)
Length : 876 Ft
Diameter : 100 Ft.
No. Of Engines : Two (Quadruple expansion steam engines with steam supplied from a single Kerosene fired boiler) powering 10 propellers via drive belts and shafts.
In an emergency (or for increasing range) sails can be deployed from extendable riggers from the main gonola to the canopy.
Maximum Speed : 80 Mph (Cruising speed approx 50 Mph)
Range : 5400 Nautical Miles
Armament :
8 Large Bore Vortex Canon (For canopy Collapse)
8 Rapid Fire Maxim Guns (Fixed Emplacements-Main Gondola)
2 Rapid Fire Maxim Guns (Nose/Fin Section of the Envelope)
