Luftkissen 203 (fictional German hovercraft)

[copeab]

I had to design this one with VE2, since not even the Weird War II book has rules for hovercraft. BTW, 'luftkissen' translates to 'air cushion'.
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The Luftkissen (LkPz) 203 is a light hovercraft that duplicates many of the capabilities of the SdKfz 251 halftrack (p.W:IC75). The vehicle is capable of floating and being propelled by the pod-mounted propellers, a neccessary requirement due to the tempermental lift fans.

Aside from price, the other major disadvantage of the LkPz 203 is the high fuel consuption. However, moving at a "patrol" speed of 29 mph halves fuel consumption.

The best environments for the vehicle are North Africa and the plains of Russia.

Period price is $15,400.

Crew: 2 total. Commander, Pilot. Gunners are drawn from the carried troops.

Subassemblies: Vehicle +4, Body +4, Forward Open Mount -2, Rear Open Mount -2, 2xPod -2, GEV Skirt +3.

P&P: 200 gal gasoline (fire 11), 1,200-kW HP gasoline engine (turbo/super charger, short term access), two 500-kW ducted lift fans (GEV; short term access), two 50-kW aerial propellers [2x Pod].

Fuel: 200 gal gasoline (fire 11), 200 gal standard fuel tank (fire modifier 1).

Occupancy: two cramped crew stations (exposed), ten cramped passenger seats (exposed), six 6-cf cargo hold w/cargo density 20-lbs/cf.

Armor
Body: F 4/40, RL 4/22, B 4/22, T 0/0, U 4/17
OMs: F 4/20, other 0/0
Pod: 4/20
GEV Skirt: 4/20

Weaponry
2*Ground LMG/MG34 [OM#1-2:F] (750 rounds each)

Equipment
Body: medium range radio communicator.

Statistics
Size: [LxWxH] 25.8 x 6.45 x 3.22 Payload: 4,413 lbs. Lwt: 17,717 lbs.

Volume: 536 cf Maint: 51 Hrs (1.88 man-hrs./day) Price: $153,810

HT: 10 HP: 432 [Body], 10 [Forward Open Mount], 10 [Rear Open Mount], 9 each [2x Pod], 308 [GEV Skirt].

Water Performance: Top Speed 19 mph, wAcc 1 mph/s, wDec 10 mph/s (10.5 mph/s), wMR 0.1, wSR 4, Draft 1.8 ft, Drag 146, Flotation 20,813 lbs.

Air Performance: Motive Thrust 600 lbs., Stall Speed 0 mph, Top Speed 95 mph, aAccel 1 mph/s, aMR 1, aSR 1, aDecel 4 mph/s.

Design Notes:
TL6 medium frame standard materials [Vehicle].
F TL6 DR 20 expensive metal, B TL6 DR 20 expensive metal [Forward Open Mount].
TL6 DR 20 expensive metal [2x Pod].
T TL6 DR 0 expensive metal, U TL6 DR 17 expensive metal, L TL6 DR 22 expensive metal, R TL6 DR 22 expensive metal, F TL6 DR 40 expensive metal, B TL6 DR 22 expensive metal [Body].
TL6 DR 20, skirt, expensive metal [GEV Skirt].
Operating Duration: 3 H 20 M.
Payload Cost: $347
Vehicle Features: mechanical controls, waterproofed, no streamlining.
Water Features: no lines, flotation.
Forward Open Mount: limited rotation.
Rear Open Mount: limited rotation.
Volume: 333 cf [Body], 0.73 cf [Forward Open Mount], 0.73 cf [Rear Open Mount], 1 cf [2x Pod], 200 cf [GEV Skirt].
Area: 288 sf [Body], 4.86 sf [Forward Open Mount], 4.86 sf [Rear Open Mount], 6 sf [2x Pod], 205 sf [GEV Skirt].
Empty Space: 1 cf [2x Pod].