My version of a Type R2

[JAFARR]

Aramis listed a Type R2 in another forum, but I have never seen one listed, so I came up with my own.

Using a TL 15, 400 ton, configuration 6 (flattened sphere) hull with fuel scoops & ocean refueling hoses and a 3 ton fuel purification plant. No weapons installed, but 4 hardpoints & 4 tons for fire control plus 1/2 ton for a magazine reserved. No smallcraft, but 20 tons allotted to a launch hanger. J2 and Pn3 per High Guard. M1 (B) per book 2. 88 tons of fuel allows 1 jump 2 and operating fuel for 1 month. The power plant will support 4 triple beam lasers.

I kept the staterooms at 13 and dropped the low berths from 9 to 7.

The computer is a model 2. 20 ton bridge. This leaves 180 tons for cargo (plus the 24.5 tons reserved) Cost is 129.82 MCr or 116.838 MCr after the discount for a standard design.

Added:Crew of 4(8) - Pilot, navigator, engineer, medic/steward, 4 gunners (optional)

 

[aramis]

Sounds about right, tho I'd drop to either 8 or 6 LB.

 

[JAFARR]

The regular type R has 9 LB. After reserving .5 ton for a magazine, 7 LB rounded the cargo space to an even 180 tons, so I used 7.

Note that dropping the power plant to 2 will support 2 tripple laser turrets and dropping the computer to a 1bis will still support jump 2 if you want to maximize cargo space. You can even drop the 20 ton launch as the ship is streamlined and get 200 tons of cargo space.

 

[Jame]

Note that dropping the power plant to 2 will support 2 tripple laser turrets and dropping the computer to a 1bis will still support jump 2 if you want to maximize cargo space. You can even drop the 20 ton launch as the ship is streamlined and get 200 tons of cargo space.

In my opinion, leave the computer at Model/2, simply for better sensors. Though yes, drop the launch hangar, as the ship is streamlined.

As I write this, I can't help but recall a time in our run through of the Traveller Adventure (Tewhill, I still want you to finish it, but at the appropriate time!) where we used the launch as a covert insertion vehicle.

 

[aramis]

See, I'd keep the launch, use the 1/bis, drop the magazine and use P2, and use 8 LB.
The launch meets the subcraft requirement mentioned in some CT source as a safety requirement. (ISTR BoJTAS 1 or 2 has the mention.)

 

[Mithras]

What's the design brief for this R2? The Type R is one of my all-time favourite SF designs, I'm always interested in looking at new variants ...

 

[aramis]

The R2 is to the R as the A2 is to the A; a longer ranged merchantman which, by virtue of its longer legs, has much better options for routes.

Here is a Bk2 version.

MTd___DTd___MCr__ Notes
350____50____16__ 400 Td Std Hull
__0_____0_____4__ Streamlining
__0____25____40__ JD D J2
__0____13____32__ PP D P2
__0_____3_____8__ MD B M1
_20_____0_____2__ Bridge
__1_____0_____4__ Model 1/Bis
_52_____0_____6.5 13 SR
__4_____0_____0.4 8LB
__2_____0_____0.2 2 HP & FC, no turrets installed.
_20_____0____14__ Launch
_80_____0_____0__ Jump Fuel
_20_____0_____0__ PP Fuel
================= ===================================
151_____9___127.1 ST
____________-12.7 Std Design
================= ===================================
151Td___9Td_114.4

MCr114.4
Cargo: 151T
Waste Space: 9T in engineering compartment.
Streamlined Standard Hull.
JD D J2, MD B M1, PP D P2, 2 empty HP, Model 1/bis.
Crew: 5 (P, N, M, E, E) or 7 (+2G)

476667 Mo Payment
090000 Fuel
022400 Salaries (counting 1 gunner, DO with the 2nd engr)
009533 1/12 Mo Payment
056000 LS/mo
564600 Month Cost, financed

292000 Freight income
064000 MP income
008000 LB income
050000 Mail income
414000 Total income.

She can't make payments on refined fuel. But she can save 72000 on unrefined... She comes REAL close to break even that way. On subsidy, she makes a small profit.
Add a steward, and double him up with the medic, and you can add another 36000.
BTW, if you put 40% down, instead of 20%, and the payment drops to 357500/mo, saving another KCr120...

 

[Mithras]

I'm away from my notes at the moment; but I have sketched out various manufacturer's variants.

The first and most obvious is uprating the drives to 2, and there is redundant space in the engine compartment to allow that without changing the price of the hull. Extra fuel tanks are required in the cargo hold, what is that? An extra 50 ton? Bump up the computer to 1/bis too.

I also tried another varient that stripped out everything for jump 2 cargo runs. The top deck was turned into a cargo deck, no low berths, no passengers, no shuttle either (c'mon that thing's a luxury with a streamlined vessel like this!).

I'll have a look when I get back from work....

 

[JAFARR]

Aramis, which Bk2 are you using? My copy is 2nd edition copyright 1977, 1981. I also have the reprint copyright 2000, and the CT CD, but all I see is the basic Type R.

I tried to make my version match that capacity wise as close as I could and still be jump 2 capable. I went with Model 2 and support for up to 4 triple beams on the grounds that this ship will be used in the backwaters of space and therefore more likely to need to defend it's self. I did not use the standard hull because of wasted space in the drive compartment. I did not use Book 2 power plant due to the fuel consumption. My version has 180 tons of cargo (plus the launch bay if no launch installed). I think the 29 extra tons of cargo offsets the los of 2 LBs and the extra 2.5 MCr in cost. Plus it has a fuel purification plant allowing wilderness refueling or just buying unrefined fuel.

 

[aramis]

I use TTB.
The R2 is an "extrapolation," never in print. It's a reasonable extrapolation, however.
Note that the extra MCr24 for a custom hull garners an extra 9 tons.

A genuine Bk2 design is what I did; econ based upon 12 op-months, no payment due during month 13. Besides, Bk2 is more compatible with MGT.

 

[JAFARR]

By using my posted design you also save on crew - needing 1 engineer vs 2 for the book 2 drives. I am doing a spread sheet, as I have the time, of the various options I looked at in considering the design posted. I will also add in the items discussed here. Maybe we can do a design competition/ fair for several other "extrapolations" to the standard ships.

 

[aramis]

The extra cost from the Bk5 drives has almost as much impact on payments. Each MCr of price results in about Cr4166 additional cost per month on a 20% down.

Further, Bk 5 designs are, while more compatible with T20, less compatible with MGT.

I won't ever run a mixed design TU again. Either all one or the other.