[AtE ish]

[Dalillama]

Tagged ish since I haven't got AtE yet.

Assume that an early TL 9 world has an apocalypse that leaves the central US largely uninhabitable. Within a generation the survivors have stabilised in communities ranging between TL 3-5. At some point a group finds th US strategic helium reserve.

They decide to become airship pirates. How many dirigibles can they supply, of what size , and for how long?

EDIT:Just noticed that the tablet ate most of my title. sorry for the vagueness.

[sir_pudding]

That is enough helium to fill about 5,000 craft about the size of the Akron and the Macon.

Propulsion and avionics at TL3-4 are going to be problematic though. TL 5 can do it, but much heavier than TL6 airscrews.

[johndallman]

The weight of the structure and gas bags at TL4 (or TL5) are just horrible. No aluminium, remember. Helium is really enthusiastic about leaking through what look like gas-tight materials, and the only solution at these TLs is thicker and heavier material.

[sir_pudding]

Originally Posted by johndallman

The weight of the structure and gas bags at TL4 (or TL5) are just horrible. No aluminium, remember. Helium is really enthusiastic about leaking through what look like gas-tight materials, and the only solution at these TLs is thicker and heavier material.

Goldbeater's skin is TL3 and is what the gas bags on British and German dirigibles were made of.

[johndallman]

Originally Posted by sir_pudding

Goldbeater's skin is TL3 and is what the gas bags on British and German dirigibles were made of.

Indeed, but they used hydrogen, which is a lot easier to confine.