Speculation for Nahrmahn' Little Brainstorm?

n7axw wrote:Dunno the answers to these questions... but I do know that there was an extensive railroad industry prior to the widespread use of electricity. So they must have figured it out somehow.

Don

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Interesting. Maybe there weren't that many trains. Did train crews do their own switching? Schedule changes would be tough. Dedicated switch personnel tied in with telegraph capability would be expensive but would decrease difficulties associated with such changes.

EdThomas wrote:

n7axw wrote:Dunno the answers to these questions... but I do know that there was an extensive railroad industry prior to the widespread use of electricity. So they must have figured it out somehow.

Don

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Interesting. Maybe there weren't that many trains. Did train crews do their own switching? Schedule changes would be tough. Dedicated switch personnel tied in with telegraph capability would be expensive but would decrease difficulties associated with such changes.

I don't know. But one solution might be lots of sidings with trains going one way on even hours (or whatever) and trains going the other way on odd hours. It would be a bit of a pain, but could be worked out. Perhaps it could be done using a semaphore system. That sounds more practical than my first thought. At any rate where there is a will, there is a way...

Don

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I confess that I've been wracking my brain for any inkling or hint about what the brainstorm might entail. I've read through many threads and posts...

It could be a new weapons system, a new method of communicating, or something as arcane as a new metal alloy or chemical compound. It could be a mechanical calculator to advance Safehold beyond the current Abacus technology. It could open a whole new area of study (the way the College started exploring some new areas on their own). It could be related to medicine - antibiotics or a surgical advancement.

So many areas the Mad Wizard Weber could explore... So many tangents he could take. Reading the threads, posts, and speculation is half the fun as we put forth possibilities and explore them.

Don't think this has been mentioned yet..... Variable charges. My recollection is 105 and 155 rounds came with 6 (7?) bags of propellant. Gun data included direction, elevation and charge (the number of packets to be used) and fuse information. Range can be changed without changing elevation. Not sure if it'd help much because with no, or fairly primitive, recoil systems you have to set up (direction and elevation) the gun for every round anyway for accurate fire.

EdThomas wrote:

n7axw wrote:Dunno the answers to these questions... but I do know that there was an extensive railroad industry prior to the widespread use of electricity. So they must have figured it out somehow.

Don

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Interesting. Maybe there weren't that many trains. Did train crews do their own switching? Schedule changes would be tough. Dedicated switch personnel tied in with telegraph capability would be expensive but would decrease difficulties associated with such changes.

Yes they did in more remote areas. They also had several devices and procedures to help with problems. Things like hand held signal lanterns.

I am shocked, simply shocked that no one has mentioned hot air balloons for spotters. Considering how many historical points DW has included in weapons development, we are just about ready for automatic weapons, balloons and tanks.

Note that diesel engines do not require electricity to operate. Modern diesels have glow plugs to make starting easier and electric starters for initial spin up. But the engine itself does not need electricity. Using a pneumatic or gunpowder based starting system would easily replace the starter motor. Even into WWII, tanks frequently used compressed air to start diesel motors.

Imagine the psychological and physical damage a squadron of flying VW Beetles (as opposed to the English variety) could have on the Mighty Host. A couple of raids a day harassing them and strafing from beyond rifle range would be horrifically effective.

TimberwolfD wrote:I am shocked, simply shocked that no one has mentioned hot air balloons for spotters. Considering how many historical points DW has included in weapons development, we are just about ready for automatic weapons, balloons and tanks.

Note that diesel engines do not require electricity to operate. Modern diesels have glow plugs to make starting easier and electric starters for initial spin up. But the engine itself does not need electricity. Using a pneumatic or gunpowder based starting system would easily replace the starter motor. Even into WWII, tanks frequently used compressed air to start diesel motors.

Imagine the psychological and physical damage a squadron of flying VW Beetles (as opposed to the English variety) could have on the Mighty Host. A couple of raids a day harassing them and strafing from beyond rifle range would be horrifically effective.

Balloons have been discussed here a while back, but not recently. I'm looking forward to steam powered airplanes myself.

Don

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n7axw wrote:Dunno the answers to these questions... but I do know that there was an extensive railroad industry prior to the widespread use of electricity. So they must have figured it out somehow.

Don

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While it is true that there were significant railway systems, there were also significant safety problems and a lot of collisions. There is a well known cartoon showing " the only way to make a train safe" with an illustration of the inspector tied to the engine.

TimberwolfD wrote:I am shocked, simply shocked that no one has mentioned hot air balloons for spotters. Considering how many historical points DW has included in weapons development, we are just about ready for automatic weapons, balloons and tanks.

Note that diesel engines do not require electricity to operate. Modern diesels have glow plugs to make starting easier and electric starters for initial spin up. But the engine itself does not need electricity. Using a pneumatic or gunpowder based starting system would easily replace the starter motor. Even into WWII, tanks frequently used compressed air to start diesel motors.

Imagine the psychological and physical damage a squadron of flying VW Beetles (as opposed to the English variety) could have on the Mighty Host. A couple of raids a day harassing them and strafing from beyond rifle range would be horrifically effective.

As mentioned by n7axw above, balloons have been speculated on before in other threads. I believe it has foundered on the belief that the Writ says flight is reserved for the Angels. I'm not sure where the Author has mentioned it in any of the threads or on in some other info dump. I haven't found it, but I haven't looked for it very hard.

BUT, it would be potentially a big break thru in terms of real time, tactical coordination. Spotting the rocket launchers/slingers moving/setting up and at least providing warning and potentially fire control to destroy them before launch would be a BIG advantage. It would definitely rate as a great "Brainstorm".

I really hope that limited flight like this is allowed.

Anyone have textev saying flight of any kind is not allowed?

dobriennm wrote:

TimberwolfD wrote:I am shocked, simply shocked that no one has mentioned hot air balloons for spotters. Considering how many historical points DW has included in weapons development, we are just about ready for automatic weapons, balloons and tanks.

Note that diesel engines do not require electricity to operate. Modern diesels have glow plugs to make starting easier and electric starters for initial spin up. But the engine itself does not need electricity. Using a pneumatic or gunpowder based starting system would easily replace the starter motor. Even into WWII, tanks frequently used compressed air to start diesel motors.

Imagine the psychological and physical damage a squadron of flying VW Beetles (as opposed to the English variety) could have on the Mighty Host. A couple of raids a day harassing them and strafing from beyond rifle range would be horrifically effective.

As mentioned by n7axw above, balloons have been speculated on before in other threads. I believe it has foundered on the belief that the Writ says flight is reserved for the Angels. I'm not sure where the Author has mentioned it in any of the threads or on in some other info dump. I haven't found it, but I haven't looked for it very hard.

BUT, it would be potentially a big break thru in terms of real time, tactical coordination. Spotting the rocket launchers/slingers moving/setting up and at least providing warning and potentially fire control to destroy them before launch would be a BIG advantage. It would definitely rate as a great "Brainstorm".

I really hope that limited flight like this is allowed.

Anyone have textev saying flight of any kind is not allowed?

I know there isn't any textev to disallow flight. I am not aware that we have any comment or canon on it apart from speculation on the forum.

I will speculate that it would be allowed provided it can be accomplished within the means of existing technlology that doesn't violate the proscriptions.

Don

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