Route Protector/Escort

[robject]

Heterodox thought: perhaps the Gazelle and Patrol Cruiser can be more closely related than canon tells us.

Ignore the hardpoint issue for this exercise.

Assume a 320/400 ton Escort:

* 80t internal jump fuel
* J4, 4G drives
* some armor
* two PA barbettes, with a laser/missile turret variant
* two triple pulse laser turrets
* 20t Gig, grappled
* Two 40t module bays

Modules include:

* demountable fuel tank
* droptank
* patrol module (troop barracks + GCarrier)
* ...other modules...


The traditional patrol cruiser would have a 40t demountable fuel tank, and the troop barracks/GCarrier module.

The Gazelle would have two 40t drop tanks. Note that if the tanks are dropped, 10 tons of jump fuel remain in the craft. This could be a safety consideration, so that the ship doesn't enter a system with completely dry tanks.

There's also a third design that has two non-fuel modules installed, leaving the ship with only Jump-2.

 

[atpollard]

I had to look up the word "heterodox", good word. Any practical tips on when "heterodox" would be appropriate and when "unorthodox" would be a better choice. If you stop learning then you stop growing, and if you stop growing then you die.

On the subject of the Gazelle/Patrol Cruiser, I like it. Variants based on a common core always make more sense than designing everything from scratch. It also opens the possibility of other variants. How hard would it be to make a mount permanent? What other modules could attach to a drop-tank mounts? Four drop capable 20 dTon Fighters - a pirate hunter waiting to be fleshed out.

Quick question: what is the difference between a “demountable” fuel tank and a “droptank”? One drops off before jump and the other stays attached during jump?

 

[Border Reiver]

Quick question: what is the difference between a “demountable” fuel tank and a “droptank”? One drops off before jump and the other stays attached during jump?

Sounds about right.

IIRC the dismountable tank is a semi permanent fixture which usually takes up cargo space. If I remember it was a feature of The Traveller Adventure where the March Harrier (a Subsidized Merchant) was fitted with one to give it longer legs.

 

[far-trader]

Yep that's the difference.

Drop tanks are carried externally and may be retained, or dropped for higher preformance. They are held in place against the hull by some form of clamp that can be quickly released by remote control and connected to the main fuel tankage by some self closing valve arrangement.

Demountable tanks are carried internally to extend range, but may be removed with some work to reclaim the space for cargo when the extra range isn't needed. They are simply strapped in place in the cargo hold, presumably with appropriate plumbing in place in the wall, floor or ceiling bulkheads to connect to the main fuel tankage.

 

[robject]

Yeah, Dan's got it. I used the term demountable to mean not-a-drop-tank, which is sort of a mis-use.

Here's sort-of-CT stats for the Route Protector. They might be correct.

</font><blockquote>code:</font><hr /><pre style="font-size:x-small; font-family: monospace;">Route Protector

Volume MCr
(400) Hull 40
20 Bridge 2
13 10cm armor *
4 Model/4 30
45 J-Drive H 80
15 M-drive H 32
24 Power plant H 64
- Hardpoints x4 0.4
40 Maneuver Fuel -
80 Jump fuel (2 pc) -
40 10 Staterooms 5
20 Gig (grappled) 14
4 Triple Turret x4 4
80 40t modules x2 *
14 Cargo -

Without barbettes: MCr257.4, 14t cargo
With 2 barbettes: MCr267.4, 4t cargo</pre>[/QUOTE]* not sure how much the armor costs...

Anyhow, this beastie is
</font>

• 400t J4 M4 like a Patrol Cruiser</font>
• Armored, like a Gazelle</font>
• Carrying a Gig like a Gazelle</font>

Give it barbettes and droptanks and it's a Gazelle; otherwise it's more like a Type T.

 

[kaladorn]

Originally posted by atpollard:
I had to look up the word "heterodox", good word. Any practical tips on when "heterodox" would be appropriate and when "unorthodox" would be a better choice. If you stop learning then you stop growing, and if you stop growing then you die.

Let's assume we have a continuum from Entirely Orthodox To Entirely Opposite To Orthodox.

Heterodox means the opposite of Orthodox, so it would occupy one end of the spectrum. Orthodox the other.

Let's assume there is a grey area in between.... so we have 3 sections: Orthodox, fuzzy, Heterodox. I'm thinking anything Heterodox is by definition Unorthodox. Anything fuzzy or Heterodox is not Orthodox and therefore Unorthodox.

That's one way to imagine a distinction. The simple answer is they might be nigh on interchangeable.