Dragon drawn Command Carriage

I am noticing that a lot of the ICN Generals are still under tarps peering at maps etc, while there ability to suffer with the troops is no doubt noble, I wonder if it is truly necessary.

It wouldn't be too hard to design a carriage that could hold maps have a small permanent staff etc. No need to worry about setting up breaking down weather etc.

If they wanted to be luxurious a small permanent bed for the General could be fixed or even a small oil steel fire installed. Geez if you wanted to go over the top a shower is not out of the question.

But the basics of a mobile map room would not be hard to do sure if an army had to go off road where no Dragons could go it would have to be left behind but in most instances where an army goes its dragons go where a dragon goes a command carriage could go.

Any Army vets historians willing to pipe in and shoot my crazy idea down? (or not .)

Alistair wrote:I am noticing that a lot of the ICN Generals are still under tarps peering at maps etc, while there ability to suffer with the troops is no doubt noble, I wonder if it is truly necessary.

It wouldn't be too hard to design a carriage that could hold maps have a small permanent staff etc. No need to worry about setting up breaking down weather etc.

Certainly possible. Note the luxurious carriage Duke Harless had, set up to function as a mobile office and living space for him if his enormous pavilion couldn't be erected. In terms of function, it was more a symbol of his exalted status than a useful tool.

The ICN could certainly do likewise, but would probably see a nasty cost in mobility. Such a thing is mainly useful where you have decent roads and something approximating decent weather. Consider the conditions under which Green Valley has been operating. Dragon drawn wouldn't work at all. (I was impressed by the ICN's caribou drawn field kitchens.)

Maps and staff are needed for meetings, which take place when you are stopped and likely under tentage or a (captured) roof. Once everyone has the updated intel and new marching orders, they disperse to carry out the orders, the maps get put away, and the army is on the move.
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Dennis

DMcCunney wrote:

Alistair wrote:I am noticing that a lot of the ICN Generals are still under tarps peering at maps etc, while there ability to suffer with the troops is no doubt noble, I wonder if it is truly necessary.

It wouldn't be too hard to design a carriage that could hold maps have a small permanent staff etc. No need to worry about setting up breaking down weather etc.

Certainly possible. Note the luxurious carriage Duke Harless had, set up to function as a mobile office and living space for him if his enormous pavilion couldn't be elected. In terms of function, it was more a symbol of his exalted status than a useful tool.

The ICN could certainly do likewise, but would probably see a nasty cost in mobility. Such a thing is mainly useful where you have decent roads and something approximating decent weather. Consider the conditions under which Green Valley has been operating. Dragon drawn wouldn't work at all. (I was impressed by the ICN's caribou drawn field kitchens.)

Maps and staff are needed for meetings, which take place when you are stopped and likely under tentage or a (captured) roof. Once everyone has the updated intel and new marching orders, they disperse to carry out the orders, the maps get put away, and the army is on the move.
________
Dennis

Hi Dennis Harless didn't have a mobile carriage he had a slow moving behemoth sized tent which was impractical for modern safehold military armies.

Alistair wrote:HI Dennis. Harlessdidn't have a mobile carriage he had a slow moving behemoth sized tent which was impractical for modern safehold military armies.

Actually he did, although he didn't use it much. Reference in LAMA when Alvarez arrives bringing Slattery with him, I think.

Alistair wrote:Harless didn't have a mobile carriage he had a slow moving behemoth sized tent which was impractical for modern safehold military armies.

Read that section of the book again. He is described as having exactly that. He did not in fact use it for that purpose - somehow, the enormous pavilion managed to get to the next stopping place, escorted by a squadron of cavalry, and get erected in time for him to take residence - but he had the carriage, and it was how he got to the next place. He simply did not actually sleep in it or use it as a mobile office, even though it was intended for the purpose.

Carriages almost as elaborate were used by his subordinates like Earl Hennett and Earl Hankey. Desnairian nobles traveled in styles befitting their exalted status, even on campaign during wartime.
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Dennis

Just a thought (which could also be applied to the Charisian Field Kitchens), crawler tracks.
The notion of a carriage that brings its own roads with it...
Wouldn't that help with mobility?

DMcCunney wrote:

Alistair wrote:Harless didn't have a mobile carriage he had a slow moving behemoth sized tent which was impractical for modern safehold military armies.

Read that section of the book again. He is described as having exactly that. He did not in fact use it for that purpose - somehow, the enormous pavilion managed to get to the next stopping place, escorted by a squadron of cavalry, and get erected in time for him to take residence - but he had the carriage, and it was how he got to the next place. He simply did not actually sleep in it or use it as a mobile office, even though it was intended for the purpose.

Carriages almost as elaborate were used by his subordinates like Earl Hennett and Earl Hankey. Desnairian nobles traveled in styles befitting their exalted status, even on campaign during wartime.
_______
Dennis

Hi Dennis I stand corrected

Michael Everett wrote:Just a thought (which could also be applied to the Charisian Field Kitchens), crawler tracks.
The notion of a carriage that brings its own roads with it...
Wouldn't that help with mobility?

Not really. Figuring out a method for wider wheels would help, but the issue with crawler tracks (and multiple axles) is the increased resistance when turning. Attempt to turn a bulldozer or any other tracked vehicle too fast and you will lose a track, and likely do other damage to the suspension. At low speed, turning does a good job of tearing up soft surfaces (like wet lawns).

Castenea wrote:

Michael Everett wrote:Just a thought (which could also be applied to the Charisian Field Kitchens), crawler tracks.
The notion of a carriage that brings its own roads with it...
Wouldn't that help with mobility?

Not really. Figuring out a method for wider wheels would help, but the issue with crawler tracks (and multiple axles) is the increased resistance when turning. Attempt to turn a bulldozer or any other tracked vehicle too fast and you will lose a track, and likely do other damage to the suspension. At low speed, turning does a good job of tearing up soft surfaces (like wet lawns).

Some farm tractors are using track to reduce compaction in the field. The ones I've seen have a small track assembly replacing each front wheel, and a large one replacing each back wheel. Also, a few of the larger ones turn by articulation in the center. All of these would reduce the turn resistance - any ag engineers out there

DDHv wrote:

Castenea wrote:Not really. Figuring out a method for wider wheels would help, but the issue with crawler tracks (and multiple axles) is the increased resistance when turning.

Some farm tractors are using track to reduce compaction in the field. The ones I've seen have a small track assembly replacing each front wheel, and a large one replacing each back wheel.

There are a couple of companies that make 4WD to Tracked Vehicle adapters, like this:

http://www.americantracktruck.com/uploads/images/WARFIGHTER%20Outfitters%20Jeep%20Cherokee%20Dominator%20Track%20Kit.jpg

or this:
http://trucktracks.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Truck-track-system-on-Ford-F250-889x500.jpg

(images too big to hotlink)


Adapters that replace each wheel individually with a track would drive and steer much like the wheels they replace: easily doable with Safehold tech -- even without Charisian advances.