Ground Vehicles of the Worlds 10.24 Omen Landship

10.24 Omen Landship ‘Ratha’

Figure 10-27 The Ratha Although it is often mistakenly claimed, the controlled by a customized ABM Thinking Rigvedic word rá-tha does not denote a war- Machine computer. Mounted weaponry chariot. However, the Omen Ratha is most consists of one 6-inch/25.5 Mk III gun in a certainly a war vehicle. top-mounted turret, three 37mm guns in The Omen Ratha Landship is an enormous sponsons (two front, one rear), and 12 Maxim craft capable of transporting and supporting guns in six dual mounts along the sides. Early an effective mechanized force. The huge 730- design studies examined using aerolyth to ton craft carries 48 infantry, two 10-pounder improve performance, but the added cost and portable artillery pieces and crew, eight Omen complexity was ruled to be too much. Tankettes, and four Omen Destroyer Tanks. The The vehicle tends to suffer from reliability landship itself mounts a 6-inch heavy gun issues with the tracks, however, the on-board in a turret and several smaller weapons for repair facilities usually allow quick fxes. close defense. In addition to accommodations for the crew, the landship also houses repair 10.24.2 History facilities, automated medical facilities, and The landship was a joint project funded by a command center connected to several Omen Industries and the Mazagon Shipyards communication devices. owned by the Wadia family. The Wadias were motivated by Jerbai Nusserwanji Wadia’s 10.24.1 Design efforts to prepare humanity against future The landship is based on an articulated Hive attack. Omen Industries goals are never frame covered in 264 tons of high-strength clear, but they were probably motivated by Wadia Steel. It is powered by a 5MW 5-stage CEO Dr. Kavevac’s desire to make money. Samplemulti-expansion steam engine attached to a The landship’s production file run got off to 3-speed geared steam transmission. Extensive a rocky start. The Russian Imperial Army automation is used to reduce the crew size. placed an order for a dozen craft in 1897, but Automatic functions and gun targeting are Ground Vehicles of the Worlds Table 42 Typical Ratha Crew fre from the aerolyth fyers above. With a Hull 3 commanding view of the Aburrá Valley, it Engines 11 successfully coordinated the early, successful Engineering 17 stages of the defense. Just as the vehicle was Weapons 15 about to move down the Rio Medellin to Pilots 3 pursue the retreating Hive forces, the Hive’s Payload 12 Macro fyers ([2] p225) appeared, quickly Carried Vehicle Crew 42 destroying the fying battleship Felipe II and Navigation & Computers 4 sending the International Forces into disarray. Infantry 48 As the tide of battle turned, the landship was Offcers 8 unable to stem the tide. The Last Stand on the Admin 2 Hills of the Cadavides was a noble, though Stewards 4 doomed, confrontation. Reconnaissance scouts Medical 5 said that the landship’s Maxim guns were still Total 172 fring hours after the hill’s perimeter was frst palace intrigues and corruption caused the broken – a testament to the tenacity of the fnal payment to disappear, and the completed vehicle and its crew. vehicles were placed in storage at the Surat During the Battle of Panama, two landships factory while legal battles ranged. Luckily, by were ambushed in what became the 1st 1898, the return of the Hive was confrmed Culebra Cut Skirmish. Though the vehicles and the craft were sold (at a discount) to were overrun, they managed to give enough several South American countries and the warning to thwart a spoiling attack by the British colonial authorities. Hive and held a critical pass long enough for After the HMIAS Mazagon was almost lost the International Coalition forces to form their at the Battle of Careiro in April of 1898 ([2] main defensive line. Two landships served in p79), the Omen/Wadia consortium boosted the La Mesa region, one served as the mobile production to help equip the Second Indian HQ and artillery, and other was attached to Expeditionary Force (IEF-B). The actions of forward elements. This second landship was landships and their crews during the Igarapé lost during the push through Pacora. Taquari Skirmish, the Battle of Rio Moju Bend, An order of eight landships has been and the Defense of Santarem are well known. acquired by the Austro-Hungarian Empire, As South America was overrun, the landships with the announced intention of forming an were gradually redeployed north as human expeditionary force to assist in the ongoing forces fell back. Several were purchased by the Second Hive War. USA, who used them to attack sub-Hives in the southeast that were too large for airborne Sweeper Patrols to defeat. During the Defense of Medellin in the 6th IRF, a landship was used as a mobile command center for ground forces. Starting the Battle on theSample Hills of the Cadavides, it was able file to oversee much of the battle, provide fre support with its heavy gun, and direct

Hive, Queen, and Country Table 43 Ratha Statistics RATHA MULTIPLE/OMEN/IC £69,708.81 Crew: 124 + 48 Mass: 718484kg Dimensions: 13.4x13.2x31m Armor: 5-93.75mm Ve Track/Wheel: 157cm Suspension: L Macpherson 3-speed steam (Gear Ratios: Engine: 4985kW 73L 2.5MPa 5XC Steam Transmission: 6.2,20.88,49.37) Max Speed: 29.16/7.89 km/hr Range: 350km/350km/12hr Fording: Floats 1.2m freeboard V. Obstacle: 0.76m Trench Span: 12.1m Armor: 13/19 Dmg: 34 To-Hit: +5 Armament: Transverse: Elevation: Ammunition: 1 BL 6-Inch Gun/25.5 MkIII 300° 0 to 15° 40 3 37mm Guns M3 180° 0 to 15° 120 12 Maxim Guns 340° -10 to 40° 12000 Other: Crane, 100 kg capacity, Powered Personnel Ramp, Powered Vehicle Ramp, 15m Tall Aerial Work Platform. 150kg, 258 kg/hr Fouled Water processor, Watertight Hull, Tread Skirts, Shield (1x9.42m 2.3cm thick), Smoke Screen Dispenser, Fire Sprinkler System, Structural Repair Kit, 2 Pack Howitzer, 8 Omen Tankette, 4 Omen Destroyer, Field Shop, Refueling boom (coal), Refueling port, Medical Bay, Autodoc, Commodore’s Flag Bridge, 1 Aldis Lamp, 2 Tube Blinker, 1 Signal Flags (Chappé Telegraph), 1 5km Loudspeaker, 2 12-in Arc Light, 1 24-in Arc Light, 1 Compass, 1 Gyrocompass, 1 Telescope, 1 CRF (2m), 1 Gunnery SW IV, Engine Control, 1 101km Radio, Cargo: 20512kg 24.2m^3

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Ground Vehicles of the Worlds 11. United States 11.1 US Artillery M1889

Figure 11-1 The US Artillery M1889 Built at the Rock Island Arsenal, the US The M1889 was frst deployed as part of the Artillery M1889 is a mobile artillery platform 1st IRF (March 1900) defending Porto Alegrea. for medium range bug-fghting. It has A group of them provided cover for the moderate armor and anti-air capabilities. The retreat from Novo Hamburgo, and were later vehicle has a telegraph switchboard connected stationed in redoubts along the Rio Gravatai to its ABM targeting computer, allowing it to and around the USS China. control other pieces of scientifc artillery or During the Battle of Panama, several served receive targeting data from other vehicles. The with the IRF-9 where they provided artillery main weapon is either a 5-inch siege rife or a support. This proved critical early in the 7-inch howitzer. Battle at La Mesa. During the battle, 387 were The M1889 is considered a solid piece of deployed and 48 were lost, mainly due to mobile artillery and it has done well in the fying lancer swarms, and including one major Second Hive War. Its off-road capabilities are breakout in the IRF-8 that destroyed 20. suffcient to travel over the broken terrain that the Hive leaves in its wake, and it has suffcient armor and defenses to be largely self-suffcientSample in its role. file

Hive, Queen, and Country Table 44 US Artillery M1889 Statistics ARTILLERY M1889 UNITED STATES £3,343 Crew: 6 Mass: 23193kg Dimensions: 3.5x4x8.6m Armor: 10mm Co Track/Wheel: 30cm Suspension: M Macpherson Engine: 347kW 13L 2.4MPa 3XC Steam Transmission: Steam Max Speed: 9.82/21.07 km/hr Range: 106km/164km/3hr Fording: 0.5m V. Obstacle: 0.41m Trench Span: 2.72m Armor: 1/1 Dmg: 6 To-Hit: +5 Armament: Transverse: Elevation: Ammunition: 1 5-Inch BL Siege Rife 180° -4 to 35° 40 1 Maxim Gun 360° -5 to 35° 1000 Other: 100kg Crane, Toolbox, 1 Aldis Lamp, 1 500m telegraph wire spool, 1 3-way telegraph switchboard, 1 12-in Arc Light, 1 Coincidence rangefnder (1m base), Cargo: 500kg 3m^3

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Ground Vehicles of the Worlds 11.2 US Train ‘M1896 Patrol Train’

Figure 11-2 The M1896 Patrol Train

The M1896 Patrol Train contains a locomotive to scale the craft, the bottom two meters were engine, artillery and infantry. It was developed covered with electrical fencing. In addition to for fghting and patrolling in the vast American its powered ramps, it also had two concealed West. A powerful, self-contained fghting unit, doors along the sides so infantry could egress it was considered to be over-armored, slow to perform a surprise fanking maneuver. and too expensive. It was initially considered a failure and only the prototype was produced. However, after an invasion scare, the army restarted production as a coastal defense vehicle. During the renewed production run, the Second Hive War began and they were immediately pressed into service. Twenty were produced over the next few years by the Baldwin Locomotive Works of Pennsylvania. Coupled with other train cars, Figure 11-3 8-inch Train Gun it could deploy hundreds of troops or dozens of vehicles to combat. In addition to its own The vehicle also has some interesting holdovers artillery (a large 8-inch gun (See Figure 11 from its Old West roots. Because it was 1) and two carried pack Howitzers), it had a optimized for western railways, it is unable to telegraph switchboard allowing it to use its climb gradients greater than 2.2% under full Babbage computer to conduct up to six other towing load (700 tons), and will require booster artillery pieces. engines. This allows it to move through all For closer defense, the train carries a number but a few passes (e.g. the Donner Pass, Saluda of Maxim guns and rapid-fre guns. Its organic Hill, Lookout Pass and the Raton Pass) along infantrySample could deploy along the roof of the standard lines. Without a towedfile load, it can vehicle where they could raise a collapsible climb 6% grades. Also, it contains two secure shield for protection. If attackers attempted brig rooms for transporting prisoners.

Hive, Queen, and Country The hybrid train carries one of the largest guns ever mounted on a general-purpose rail car. The recoil from this weapon could shake a vehicle apart. So, the army called upon the U.S. Army Coast Artillery Corps to develop a unique recoil system. The result was a one-of-a-kind “multiple serial recoil” system, which used multiple hydraulic cylinders to progressively dampen the force of the recoil (See Figure 11 2). This series of hydraulic cylinders spreads the recoil pulse out in time –from 23 milliseconds to 163 milliseconds – and reduces the peak stress – from 4.54MN to 0.59MN. Combined with a reinforced carriage and a strong suspension, massive gun was made operational (if not practical). The gun car still uses stabilizers to limit damage to the Figure 11-4 Railway Gun Dual Recoil System track, but the unique recoil system gives the Six trains were deployed with the IRF-8 where vehicle a stable foundation for accurate fre. they provided long-range artillery support. The train has a collapsible shield along its As rail lines advance or have been repaired, top, providing shooting positions for rooftop the train has sometimes been able to track the troops. Energizers and connection points for advancing Reconquest and provide support. electrical fencing along the bottom two meters Though it packs a powerful punch, it is of the sides of the vehicle are provided to considered overarmored and expensive, and deter boarders. there are no current plans to build more.

Table 45 M1896 Patrol Train Statistics M1896 PATROL TRAIN UNITED STATES £58,683.53 Crew: 37 + 93 Mass: 408160kg Dimensions: 7.1x4.2 x50m Armor: 12.5-112.5mm Kr Track/Wheel: 65cm Suspension: Train Engine: 2209kW 68L 2.5MPa 3XC Steam Transmission: Steam Max Speed: 72 km/hr Range: 1080km/15hr Fording: N/A V. Obstacle: 3.4° Trench Span: N/A Armor: 13/19 Dmg: 27 To-Hit: +5 Armament: Transverse: Elevation: Ammunition: 1 8-Inch BLR Gun 94° 8 to 26° 40 7 Maxim Guns 180° -12 to 15° 28000 2 3pdr Rapid Fire Gun 90° -15 to 25° 160 Other: Powered Personnel Ramp, 12m Tall Aerial Work Platform, Shield (0.5x49.25m 8mm thick), Electric Fencing, Electric Fence Energizer, Smoke Screen Dispenser, Fireproofng, Fire Sprinkler System, 2 Pack Howitzer (10 pounder), Toolbox, 2 1 person Brig/Safe Room, Concealed Door, 1 Aldis Lamp, 1 Tube Blinker, 1 Signal Flags (Chappé Telegraph), 1 5km Loudspeaker, 6 “Grappling Telegraph” Net Sample& Teletyper, 6 50m telegraph wire spool, 1 6-way telegraph switchboard, 2 6-infile Arc Light, 4 12-in Arc Light, 2 24-in Arc Light, 1 .25-m Telescope, 1 CRF (2m), 1 Engine Control, Cargo: 6135kg 10.23m^3

Ground Vehicles of the Worlds 11.3 US Tankette M1898

Figure 11-5 The US Tankette M1898

Designed in 1898 by J. Walter Christie, the of fre. Initially, it had only a single crew M1898 Tankette uses an internal combustion member, which made maneuvering and engine to reduce weight. The major drawback fring simultaneously diffcult. However, by is the poor reliability of both the engine and the time it entered full production a second the relatively complex 4-speed transmission, crewmember had been added. particularly a diffcult 1st to 2nd gear The powerful 37mm Hotchkiss was an transition. effective weapon, but caused several design The armor was considered reasonable complications. The weight of the gun required protection against light arms, and the the engine to be rear-mounted for balance. armament, a 37mm revolving cannon, was Since the gun protrudes beyond the tracks/ designed to provide good penetration against nose it can ground on slopes. Such a large moderately armored targets and a high rate gun’s recoil energy is considerable and the ammunition adds considerable mass. During the 1st IRF, the tankette formed the core of a quick reaction force organized to help defend Porto Alegre. They served well, and their speed and heavy guns saved the defensive lines several times. However, attrition and mechanical losses gradually reduced the number of functional tankettes. Four tankettes were provided to the 5th IRF (September 1900) landing force. However, Sampleheavy resistance from fying fileHive creatures prevented them from being landed. Figure 11-6 Artist’s rendering of the US Tankette M1898

Hive, Queen, and Country Twenty tankettes were deployed in the second Russian tankette by a slim margin due to wave of the 7th IRF. They formed a mobile its better reliability. However, the better reaction force, and helped reinforce parts protection afforded by the US tankette was of the perimeter which were about to come universally recognized. under attack. Using information from the Currently, huge numbers of the tankette are aerial feet and their speed, they were usually serving in the Reconquest. With factories in able to arrive before the Hive attack would St. Louis, Detroit and Chicago, over 10,000 reach its peak. Only one tankette was lost have been produced by Christie’s US Wheel before the withdrawal, when it was overrun at Track Layer Corporation. Reliability issues the Western Ostrog during the second swarm. still plague the tankette, though more recent However, another had to be abandoned due to versions have addressed some issues (e.g., mechanical issues. the exhaust ports have been repositioned The M1898 Tankette served with both the 8th to reduce dirt and mud from the tracks and IRF-9s. It was critical to the IRF-9 during fouling the engine). Some variants have been the La Mesa Charge where its heavy rapid- produced, with the most common replacing fre gun was able to counter all but the largest the Hotchkiss with a 2.95-inch mountain Hive creatures. Nine hundred and ffty served howitzer. in the Battle of Panama, mainly with the Several tankettes have been shipped to Venus IRF-9, 283 were destroyed. The tankette was for use by the American contingent of the considered one of the best vehicles deployed International City’s defensive forces. Many during the battle, and was much beloved more have been sold to private explorers, Sky by the infantry squads. Some preferred the Wolves or native powers. Table 46 US Tankette M1898 Statistics US TANKETTE M1898 UNITED STATES £543.59 Crew: 2 Mass: 3341kg Dimensions: 2.1x2.2x3.6m Armor: 5.5-16.5mm Kr Track/Wheel: 14cm Suspension: L Macpherson Engine: 6-cylinder 6.6L ICE Transmission: 4-speed (2.47, 2.69, 5.92, 28.76) Max Speed: 41.76/28.33 km/hr Range: 84km/56km/2hr Fording: 0.42m V. Obstacle: 1.03m Trench Span: 1.12m Armor: 2/3 Dmg: 2 To-Hit: +0 Armament: Transverse: Elevation: Ammunition: Hotchkiss Revolving Cannon 37mm/5 40° -4 to 6° 200 Other: Barbed Wire, Cargo: 90kg, 0.1m3 Sample file

Ground Vehicles of the Worlds 11.4 US ‘Cruiser’ Tank M1898

Figure 11-7 The US ‘Cruiser” Tank M1898 At the same time the M1898 Tankette (Section Like the tankette, the tank suffered reliability 11.4 Page 132) was being developed, the US issues that limited its effectiveness. During Army began developing a larger vehicle. the Battle of Panama, dozens were lost due The model for this vehicle was the naval to mechanical failings. At the IRF-9’s Battle cruiser – a formidable vehicle capable of of Nombre De Dios, three tanks became independent scouting or raiding, yet also immobilized and were overrun. The sudden capable of acting in concert with both larger loss caused the defensive line to collapse and smaller vehicles as part of a main force. and lead to the destruction of dozens of The requirements called for 4-6cm of armor, other vehicles and over 500 casualties until a 6-pounder gun, several machine guns the Japanese Tsurugi-class cruiser Kaikoma covering all angles, weighing less than 30 launched a rocket bombardment that gave the tons, and capable of speeds of 30-40km/hr. line time to reform. The tank is manufactured The resulting tank narrowly missed these by the Holt Manufacturing Company. criteria, but was still accepted for service. The tank includes a number of safety features including protective cuirasses for the crew, a fre extinguisher system, and gas masks. The crew of 10 includes fve gunners, an engineer, a rangefnder operator/observer, a communications technician, a pilot and a commander.Sample file

Hive, Queen, and Country Table 47 US ‘Cruiser’ Tank M1898 Statistics M1898 CRUISER TANK UNITED STATES £5,736.70 Crew: 10 Mass: 30278kg Dimensions: 3.1x4.4x7.3m Armor: 10-60mm Kr Track/Wheel: 15cm Suspension: L Macpherson 5-speed (Gear Engine: 338kW 12-cylinder 49.5L SC ICE Transmission: Ratios:2.06,3.6,6.66,8.33,19.24) Max Speed: 45/11.7 km/hr Range: 135km/35km/3hr Fording: 0.47m V. Obstacle: 1.08m Trench Span: 2.54m Armor: 7/10 Dmg: 7 To-Hit: +0 Armament: Transverse: Elevation: Ammunition: 1 Rapid Fire Gun 6pdr 360° -10 to 20° 40 4 Maxim Guns 90° -5 to 10° 4000 2 Maxim Guns 300° -5 to 75° 2000 Other: Crew armor, Barbed Wire, Fire Extinguishers, Toolbox, Cargo: 500kg 3m^3

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Ground Vehicles of the Worlds 11.5 US Troop Transport ‘MC97-T’

Figure 11-8 The MC97-T

The MC97-T (Transport) was designed to be Like many American vehicles, it was originally an air-transportable mobile fort. The MC97- designed to use an internal combustion T’s development overlapped with the army’s engine, but this was changed to a high- Owl-class transport (See [2] p101), and specially effciency steam engine to improve reliability. modifed Owls were developed to carry them. During the Battle of Panama, the MC97-T Heavily infuenced by Emory Upton’s combined played a key role in the Charge of La Mesa. arms doctrine, the MC97-T concept integrates Brought in by modifed Owl-class transports, 30 infantry support, armor and air mobility. The MC97-Ts led an attack on the village of Utivé, MC97-T carries 45 troops and can support them anchoring the front and securing room for with four Maxim guns and a Hotchkiss revolving larger transports to move in the rest of the IRF-9. 37mm. Its four corner turrets and tall central During the Reconquest, the MC97-T has been a tower give it the appearance of a castle, and it has successful combatant. Its reliability allows it to played this role several times during the Second be dispatched on independent assignments. Its Hive War. With its strong organic infantry and speed, while not great, is suffcient, and its ability defenses, it can hold out even when cut off by to traverse rough terrain and even cross water Hive swarms. Its height provides a high fring obstacles is useful in the broken wasteland that platform and a rallying point for relief forces. is post-Hive South America. Particularly, they The MC97-T was originally produced by the were able to ford the Rio Sinú north of Monteria Michigan-Peninsular Car Company of Detroit to blunt the Hive’s counterattack, thus preventing but, after the frm met with fnancial diffculties, the Sinú Valley Salient from collapsing. it merged with American Car and Foundry (ACF). The vehicle is now produced at the former Michigan-PeninsularSample facilities in Detroit and ACF file facilities in St. Louis

Hive, Queen, and Country Table 48 US Troop Transport ‘MC97-T’ Statistics MC97-T UNITED STATES £4,463.33 Crew: 3 + 31 Mass: 32323kg Dimensions: 5.9x3.9x8.7m Armor: 8-24mm Kr Track/Wheel: 48cm Suspension: M Macpherson Engine: 349kW 4.3L 2.5MPa 4XC Steam Transmission: Steam Max Speed: 22.42/15.25 km/hr Range: 90km/110km/4hr Fording: Floats 0.42m V. Obstacle: 1.12m Trench Span: 1.73m Armor: 3/4 Dmg: 8 To-Hit: +0 Armament: Transverse: Elevation: Ammunition: Hotchkiss Revolving Steam Cannon 37mm/5 200° -5 to 15° 500 2 Maxim Guns (Front) 240° -15 to 10° 3000 2 Maxim Guns (Rear) 200° -17 to 5° 3000 Other: Watertight Hull, Shield (0.5x3.37m 2.4cm thick), Fire Sprinkler System, Toolbox, Cargo: 808kg 1.15m^3

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Ground Vehicles of the Worlds 11.6 US Walker

Figure 11-9 The US Walker The United States was one of the frst nations aerolyth to provide partial weight elimination, to embrace walking machines. Originally was robust, fast moving, and simple enough to used for civilian uses, they were designed and build cheaply and operate in feld conditions. produced to replace horses in the west. They His two most successful machines included developed more as a curiosity or a plaything a single seat open framed walker and a of the rich than as any practical device. Races heavier vehicle with a two-person armored and exhibitions with these devices became cab. Although his mechanism was patented commonplace and “mechanical rodeos” in the late 1870s, it was not until the powerful began to challenge the more traditional sort Venusian hydraulics and springs began to be for the money of spectators. Several inventors imported to Earth that the machines became proposed the use of these machines for the practical. Venusian technology is used for Unites States Army. Traditional cavalrymen numerous purposes within the machine; were aghast at the idea, and the early everything from balance to controls to motive machines offered little or no improvement power depends upon them. over the horse. The development of a pair of These devices require extremely skilled effectiveSample walking legs by A.J. Davis changed riders. Many of the best operatorsfile are former the balance between equine and machine. His cowboys, hunters or dressage riders. The system, which was nearly unique in not using vehicles are so diffcult to control that Davis,

Hive, Queen, and Country and his Mechanical Ambulation Corporation, gun while the larger Model 1895 has two in a have been forced to develop fxed training mount that can rotate and elevate, so turning devices that cleverly simulate the motion of the entire machine is not required to fre upon the real machines. a target not directly ahead of the device. The Once a person becomes skilled enough, the larger machine also carries enough armor true benefts of the devices become apparent. to stop the claws and mandibles of most They can go where any horse can and on good Hive creatures, and the powerful legs of the terrain are far faster than their fesh and bone machines crush the enemy just as a man rivals. The militarized version of the smaller might smash a cockroach. machine, Model 1891 carries a single machine

Figure 11-10 A.J. Davis’ Mechanical Horse Patent

Table 49 US Walker Statistics M1895 WALKER UNITED STATES £2,792.98 Crew: 4 Mass: 9647kg Dimensions: 5.9x2.8x3.9m Armor: 15mm Hv Track/Wheel: 73cm Suspension: L Macpherson Engine: 69kW 2L 2.4MPa 3XC Steam Transmission: Hydraulic Max Speed: 41.82/34.85 km/hr Range: 84km/2hr Fording: 1m V. Obstacle: 1.62m Trench Span: 1.34m Armor: 2/2 Dmg: 3 To-Hit: +0 Armament: Transverse: Elevation: Ammunition: 1 Maxim Gun 90° 15° 1000 2 12pdr Rocket Pods 150° 20° 18 SampleOther: Aerolyth panels, hours, 1 Aldis Lamp, 1 6-in Arc Light, 1 Compass, Cargo: 50kgfile 0.025m^3

Ground Vehicles of the Worlds 11.7 US Landship ‘Presidents Landship’

Figure 11-11 The Presidents-Class Landship

In 1897, Tsar George I of Russia placed an reliability and the mass would have been order with the American Baldwin Locomotive prohibitive. Works to build a series of large landships. It The Model 1898 Landship carries a powerful was rumored that the Tsar chose a foreign arsenal of weapons to protect itself from close source for these vehicles to avoid the infuence assaults and to provide massive artillery of “certain factions” at court. When the Second support. The array of weapons includes: Hive War broke out, the US government Four Rapid Fire 6-pounder guns with coaxial was desperate for vehicles, so it arranged Colt Machine Guns, four Colt Machine to purchase the four vehicles already under Gun (Coaxial), 16 Colt Machine Guns in construction. Offcially designated the M1897 dual sponsons, six Colt Machine Guns in Landships, the four vehicles were named retractable bottom mounted turrets, and 10 for US presidents who had been generals: 5-inch BL Siege Rifes. Fire control is provided Washington, Tyler, Jackson and Grant. by a 4m CRF and a MkII plotting board. The landships were built by the Baldwin Based on the original Russian specifcation, Locomotive Works of Pennsylvania, with it carries 160 troops, two 450km radios, and a innovative power system built by the General command center. The US Army reft does not Electric Corporation. Although the turbo- use the command center, and replaces it with electric system was never used again for land a small feld hospital. vehicles, the concept was used on several The landships were frst used in the Battle large battleships and carriers of the United of Panama where the Washington and Tyler States Navy starting in 1910. The use of an were attached to the IRF-8. The Washington electrical drive with a turbine is slightly less deployed near the village of Paja (now known fuel effcient than a direct drive compound as Nuevo Emperador, after refugees from steam piston engine. However, the high torque Emperador settled there) and provided long- of the electrical motor allows better off-road range fre support. The Tyler worked its way abilities, which are critical to such a large up the cut from the southeast, and became vehicle. A geared reciprocating steam engine involved in close quarters fghting near Las was considered,Sample but the additional complexity Cumbres where it was briefy file overrun. After a of the transmission system would have hurt lengthy battle, the Tyler had to be abandoned. However, it gave a good account of itself – a

Hive, Queen, and Country mound of Hive creature carcasses covered recovered and repaired, reentering service in the entire frst segment, and the ravine July 1902. The Washington, Jackson and Grant was littered with over 60 supra-major bugs. are currently serving with the Reconquest Though severely damaged, the Tyler was forces, with one assigned to each.

Figure 11-12 Artist’s rendering of the Presidents-Class Landship

Table 50 Presidents-Class Landship Statistics PRESIDENTS-CLASS LANDSHIP UNITED STATES £422,640.59 Crew: 231 + 160 Mass: 1754628kg Dimensions: 8.7x11.4x52.5m Armor: 25.4-114.3mm Kr Track/Wheel: 197cm Suspension: L Macpherson 7597kW Six-stage Turbine Engine: Transmission: Electrical + Electric motors Max Speed: 24.9/7.85 km/hr Range: 524km/165km/21hr Fording: 10m V. Obstacle: 4.4m Trench Span: 8.24m Armor: 14/19 Dmg: 53 To-Hit: +7 Armament: Transverse: Elevation: Ammunition: 10 5-Inch BLR Siege Rifes 360° -10 to 20° 1000 4 6pdr Rapid Fire Guns 360° -20 to 25° 500 4 Colt Machine Guns (Coaxial) 360° -20 to 25° 4000 16 Colt Machine Guns 360° -15 to 20° 16000 16 Cold Machine Guns (Bottom) 360° -12 to 0° 16000 Other: Watertight Hull, 3m Snorkel, Tread Skirts, Toolbox, Commodore’s Flag Bridge, 1 Aldis Lamp, 1 CRF Sample(4m), 1 Plotting Board MkII, 2 452km Radio, Cargo: 15140 kg 30.3m3 file

Ground Vehicles of the Worlds 12. Prussia 12.1 Prussian Train Car ‘Hanomag Pz02’

Figure 12-1 The Hanomag Pz02 Built by the Hannoversche Maschinenbau AG, reason, it is usually paired with an additional the Hanomag is a mobile command and artillery brake car. The M3 is designed to tow up to 200 train. It carries four automated 6-inch guns and a tons of cars at up to 80km/hr. powerful ABM computer to direct fre at targets Over 20 Pz02s have been built, including at least up to 20km distant. A telegraph junction allows one for export. None were included in the Battle connections to subordinate scientifc artillery or of Panama, but four have been shipped to South remote communication centers. Combined with America to participate in the Reconquest. Though its on-board command center, the train can direct they have been hampered by the damaged a division-sized group. It also carries room for rail system, they have been useful in several two horses and a minishop for repairs. The Pz02’s engagements. Pz02 has served with particular armor is not heavy, but the ship contains the distinction with the 1st Reconquest Force, fnest asbestos insulation and freproofng. providing a heavy bombardment at the Battle The Pz02 is reasonably reliable, except for a of Facatativá and later being mounted on a river design faw that causes frequent problems barge on the Rio Upia to serve as a command with the brakes in certain conditions. For this center during the Meta–Vichada Campaign. Table 51 Hanomag Pz02 Statistics HANOMAG PZ02 UNITED STATES £51,962 Crew: 63 + 2 Mass: 207966kg Dimensions: 4.4x3.7x47.8m Armor: 6.25-25mm Ve Track/Wheel: 95cm Suspension: U Train Engine: 890kW 29L 2.5MPa 3XC Steam Transmission: Steam Max Speed: 27.49 km/hr Range: 396km/422km/4hr Fording: N/A V. Obstacle: 2.5° Trench Span: N/A Armor: 4/5 Dmg: 19 To-Hit: +5 Armament: Transverse: Elevation: Ammunition: 4 BL 6-inch/25.5 gun Mk III 160° -5 to 12° 160 4 Maxim Guns 180° -10 to 20° 6000 Other:Sample Powered Personnel Ramp, Tread Skirts, Electric Fence Energizer, Fireproofng, 2 Horses,file Mini Shop, Real Admiral Flag Bridge, 1 Aldis Lamp, 1 Signal Flags (Chappé Telegraph), 1 1km Loudspeaker, 1 “Grappling Telegraph” Net & Teletyper, 2 500m telegraph wire spool, 1 4-way telegraph switchboard, 1 6-in Arc Light, 2 36-in Arc Light, 1 CRF (4m), 1 Engine Control, 1 553km Radio, Cargo: 4000kg 20m^3

Hive, Queen, and Country 12.2 Prussian Destroyer Tank ‘Zerstörer-12’

Figure 12-2 The Zerstörer-12 In 1890, the Prussian military issued The Zerstörer-12 frst saw combat during the a requirement for a well-armed and Battle of Panama, primarily with the IRF-9. armored tank in the 15-20 ton range to Though only 20 were available for the battle, act as an anti-armor vehicle. Several they served well and were considered equal to designs were prototyped, including the the more numerous Russian DD (Section 14.4, Maschinenbauanstalt Humboldt Zerstörer-9 Page 165) and superior to the smaller Omen and the Henschel und Sohn Zerstörer-6, DD, mainly due to its precision fre control before the Berliner Maschinenbau AG capabilities. Currently, they mainly serve with Zerstörer-11 (Figure 12 1) was accepted for the 3rd International Reconquest Force. Close limited production. Though it was considered to 800 have been manufactured with almost a broadly effective vehicle, the -11 had a poor 200 for export. internal layout and suffered from problems with the braking system. Roughly 35 were produced before the factory was retooled for the improved Zerstörer-12, which entered mass production. Though it still suffered from issues with the brakes, the -12 was successful. For a relatively small vehicle, the Zerstörer-12 has a considerable offensive punch: a heavy gun (4-inch), a good rangefnder and a mechanical fre control computer provides it with good long-range capabilities. Its good frontal armor Samplehelps compensate for its relatively modest Figure 12-3 The Zerstörer-11 file speed. It makes good use of the Prussian tradition of precision machinery and optics.

Ground Vehicles of the Worlds Table 52 Zerstörer-12 Statistics HANOMAG PZ02 PRUSSIA/MULTIPLE £2,895.91 Crew: 4 Mass: 17976kg Dimensions: 3.1x2.9x6.7m Armor: 4-50mm Kr Track/Wheel: 46cm Suspension: M Macpherson Engine: 203kW 5L 2.515MPa 3XC Steam Transmission: Steam Max Speed: 27.71/15.96 km/hr Range: 83km/132km/3hr Fording: 1.7m V. Obstacle: 0.33m Trench Span: 2.06m Armor: 6/8 Dmg: 6 To-Hit: +2 Armament: Transverse: Elevation: Ammunition: 1 Maxim Gun 75° -5 to 10° 1500 1 4-Inch Quick Firing Gun 310° -5 to 10° 30 Other: Watertight Hull, Smoke Screen Dispenser, Fire Extinguishers, Toolbox, 1 Tube Blinker, 1 12-in Arc Light, 1 Coincidence rangefnder (1m base), Cargo: 100kg 0.2m^3

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Hive, Queen, and Country