Shell hulls in T5 ? Half of what?

[Baroun Tardis]

Book 2, P72, the chart at the top says Shell hulls have "Frameless alloy skin. Lighter (Half Tonnage)"

What does this mean?
How does is apply when building a ship?

Is it saying that you buy a hull based on the cost of a hull half that size?

Any explanations known?

 

[AnotherDilbert]

Armour layers are half tonnage, see Scout B2 p43.

 

[Baroun Tardis]

That makes sense... thanks!

 

[Ulsyus]

Armour layers are half tonnage, see Scout B2 p43.

It's been a while since I've been in these pages. It took me a moment to work out the table. So the shell is effectively a frame-less design, hence the reduced armour value. If you want better protection, get something with a superstructure and heavier skin.

 

[AnotherDilbert]

Yes, but for the same tonnage you get two layers of Shell armour, so effectively the same armour value. You also get two anti-layers, where the real magic happens, so Shell is actually better than frame-and-plate.

 

[Condottiere]

I like the concept of a shell: open office.

Bolting down the engines seems a little more problematic.

 

[Ulsyus]

I like the concept of a shell: open office.

Bolting down the engines seems a little more problematic.

I suppose that comes down to the description of how it all happens, superstructure vs hull plate framework. At least I can now envisage a hull plate framework on some vessels versus large fabricated sections that fit over the superstructure, taking less volume and mass because they come in big shell-sections.

 

[kilemall]

Isn’t this just a reexpression of the monocoque hull?

Monocoque - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Condottiere]

Punching a hole through the hull can be plugged.

Crushing it might make it shatter, so opposing pressure might be more dangerous.

 

[Ulsyus]

Punching a hole through the hull can be plugged.

Crushing it might make it shatter, so opposing pressure might be more dangerous.

That'd be why you'd maybe put a couple of layers of armour on, or at least one with an anti-blast coating (BBB2 p74)

 

[Condottiere]

I'm guessing carbon fibre composite could be an option for vacuum.

You just cap the back and front with titanium steel.