Contemplating the Internal Combustion Engine engine and the development of the tank. I did say that I think too much, right. Generally
poorly and in widely scatter brained sort of way.
Military development generally are a refinement of current civilian designs.
If you look at early tanks what did they use. By and large engines that were first developed for trucks and tractors. Poorly adapted at that. I believe.
You have 15 horsepower draw bar dragons. Developing that 1940's Farmall Model "A" with its
9 drawbar horsepower seems like a step backward. Much less the original types. There is a reason in the 30's that "Of Mice and Men" had harvesters powered by 20 mules. Replace mules with one dragon that hugely more energy efficient than a mule. One critter eats less probably does more.
Wagons to early trucks not even in contention.
Yes the inner circle has all the knowledge of the developments. But how do you get "hardheaded" conservative Farmer John to support it.
Steam engines for ships well that is a relatively simple task. Look at sail plan complexity and size to a steam engine. It is smaller, does more. Now if a small boat(ferry, lighter or water taxi perhaps) is the basis for development ... then a backwards path, sort of, is available for steam.
As an aside. I wonder why dragons could not used to turn that propeller via a "dragon" cage or treadmill. As the author I could come up with reasoning. Dragons get seasick is the easiest to my mind.
Just some scattered thoughts on the difficulties faced.
Have fun,
T2M
PS Looked at what I posted yesterday contemplate how close I came to being dead. Mouth to temple is not all that far apart. Which is why I am all in favor of removing human from moving parts proximity.
