Re: Level of Detail?

[ElevenMike@aol.com]

In a message dated 97-04-15 01:10:45 EDT, you write:
>True, the make *some* noise, depending on how fast they are trav
>No matter what you do, moving airfoils make noise, verticle airfoils are
>projecting sideways so it travels very well.  Atleast the horizonal makes
>more
>limited footprint since it's going below you.  

AND

>
>It is extremely limited, but it's is better then nothing, I'll agree with
you
>there.
>

   If you were a Recon Team Leader, and was given the choice of a brand-new
(but fairly useless) AirScout, or having to rely on someone at the other end
of a radio to get you air recon, you tell me:  Would you take the AirScout or
hope that the Aerial Surveillance Team wasn't overcommitted?
   ANY aircraft the Project uses will make noise.  Your text says so.
 Aerodynamics fact:  less airframe/fuselage, less noise.  All other
contenders are LARGER than the AirScout.

>And your going to have to be damn close to use it since as you wrote below,
>guidance is nonexistant.

   The CEP of an FFAR is LESS than a Peacekeeper missle.

>El>The Free State has never has an AIR threat, except
>El> for
>El> maybe WWI rattletraps the Confederates may be flying.  (And yes, even
>El> those
>El> can shoot down the AirScout.)  Pearl Harbor syndrome comes to mind.  The
>El> planes parked in neat little rows (the military is in love with neat
>El> little
>El> rows).  Even if in hangars, the aircraft on the ground are vunerable.
   
>
>Depends on how well designed the hangars are. Sadam did a pretty good job in
>harden hangars.

   Saddam knew he was risking getting attacked on the groud by aircraft.  He
KNEW his enemies had capable attack aircraft.  Do the Five KNOW this?  Or do
they suspect it, with no certainty?  Will they be able to justify the expense
of hardened shelters?  Is the Free State Air Force even just a little
arrogant and not belive they are vunerable to air attack?

>El> The
>El> AirScout isn't an A-10.  To get use of it's limited combat abilities,
>El> you've
>El> really got to work.  2.75" FFARs are NOT very accurate.  So only shoot
at
>El> big
>El> things with them.
>
>At close range....

   The range listed in the book is about (?-rules not in front of me) 2.5 km.
 Including the CEP of about 100 m.

>El>To replace it you'd need
>El> the
>El> OV-10 Bronco, or a WWI two-seat observation plane.  
>
>No. You can do alot with general avaition aircraft, you just have to modify
>them. I point to the Cessna 336 SkyMaster which in military version a decent
>COIN aircraft. I've flown a civilian version with STOL kit, it's pretty easy
>to fly for any general aviation pilot.  

   I'd like some stats on that COIN aircraft, if you have them.  It may be a
better attack plane choice for MARS Aviation Teams than the A-37 Dragonfly.

>Almost all your four placed, single engine general aircraft are about
>~1800#s.
>Hughs 300C helicopter is 1,100#s and Robinson R-22 is 824#s and these are
>REAL
>aircraft. :P

   Do any of these break down for easy transport by ground vehicles?  For my
Project, that's a procurement requirement.

>El>  That might be too much, I'm not sure.
>
>An unbelievable amount of time for maintence. I sure wouldn't to fly
anything
>like that in real life that requires after 90 minutes a half hour scheduled
>maintence.  

   I'm not a pilot, just a military aviation buff.  If you have better
knowledge, I'd like some suggestions on AirScout maintenance times (based on
how much maintenance per hour of flight).

>
>There is no substitute for helicopters for ground support.  Give them fusion
>(electric) engines, and they are fantastic.

   Agreed, though I prefer the A-10 Thunderbolt II if I'm the one needing air
support.  Failing that, then an AH-64 Apache.  Unfortunately, the Project's
inventory of these is low at the moment.  I hear that the Air Force is trying
to get rid of the Thunderbolt again, though.  You never know....

   It comes to this.  I NEVER said I LIKED the Morrow Industries OV-1
AirScout.  It does happen to be the only aircraft the a Recon Team can take
with them as they travel.  Autigyros have AUTOMATIC STOL ability, it comes
with the design.  This one is two-seat and lightly armed.  It's not an attack
plane, and in this role it will take hits if the pilot isn't A) smart, B)
well trained, and/or C) lucky (as far as his enemies go - hope they're not
ready for an air threat).
   By pulling the AirScout, you leave the Field Teams at the mercy of the
availability of Aviation Teams.  If they're not available, you're SOL.  Air
Reconnisance is INVALUABLE.  Price beyond measure.  Give the Team a digital
camera to hook up to thier computer when filing a report, and Prime will
realize the old saying, "A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words."
   Other aircraft have firm places in the Project.  ESPECIALLY helos.  My
personal favorite (for Project use) is the UH-1.  There are so many, picking
them up is easy.

Thanks for you comments none the less,
Scott Hann