| APAGear II Archives | Volume 2, Number 4 | May, 2000 |
Although usually thought of as waterborne vehicles, wind propelled vehicles are also viable on land. On Terra Nova these vehicles are commonly referred to as landyachts regardless of their size (and are not to be confused with nuclear powered, magnetic repulsion lift landships). Landyachts have some advantages over their water based cousins, there are no worries about sinking, crew falling overboard will not drown (although they may be injured hitting the ground at speed), it is generally easier to recover from capsizing and they do not need to be put in dry dock to conduct repairs. The main disadvantage is the much higher friction acting on the vehicle (especially over rough or vegetated ground) than compared to watercraft, reducing maximum speeds.
The general layout for landyachts is a single mast supporting several sails. While high efficiency rigid sails are possible, traditional sails of canvas or other flexible material are favoured due to their ease or repair and the speed they can be taken down in bad weather. Small landyacht hulls consist of a simple framework, while larger models have an enclosed hull and a deck. While most landyachts run on three or more unpowered wheels, a few landyachts operating between fixed points are occasionally run on rails to improve efficiency.
Despite their relatively low speeds and dependence on the vagaries of the weather landyachts are popular in the Badlands due to their lack of fuel requirements and simple maintenance. Homesteaders use them as general utility vehicles to check their property boundaries and travel to town, as well as for recreational purposes. With the presence of prevailing 'trade winds' across the Badlands, whole convoys of large cargo carrying landyachts make up merchant caravans that ply their trade from one pole to the other. Even rovers occasionally use landyachts to make surprise attacks due their low thermal, radar and sound signatures.
Controlling landyachts requires the Naval Pilot skill. If the pilot is used to watercraft and is controlling a landyacht or vice versa apply -1 to all skill rolls.
For tactical games the rules for wind on page 20 of Tactical Air Support should be applied. Unless the GM rules the area is completely calm, Wind Force Zero indicates light breezes (Beaufort scale 2-3) and landyachts are restricted to Combat Speed. Apply -1 to all Naval Pilot skill rolls for each point of Wind Force above one. (During high winds and storms landyachts should consider dropping sails and putting out sand anchors or risk major damage.)
Landyachts may not move directly into the wind and their Top and Combat Speeds are reduced to 60% when moving through the hex facings either side of the wind direction. Some areas leeward of elevation changes may be designated as wind shadows. Landyachts passing through these areas have their speeds reduced by 1 MP per turn. Landyachts that come to a stop in a wind shadow may not move until the wind changes direction or towed out by another vehicle.
For general gaming and long range travel a landyacht's speed can be abstracted by the GM. With a successful Naval Pilot skill roll a landyacht can travel at an average speed equal to Combat Speed for whatever time period the GM thinks appropriate. Failed rolls and fumbles can represent becoming becalmed, damage to the landyacht, bad weather or other mishaps.
Based in Prince Gable, O2 Design is a small company specializing in the production of landyachts, ranging from simple one-man skimmers to long range cargo haulers. Its designs are common across the Badlands.
Consisting of little more of a light triangular frame of aluminium, three wheels, a mast and single seat, the Swallow belongs to the class known as 'skimmer' in racing circles. Designed for recreation and racing, it has also found use in the Badlands for cattle herding, checking fence lines and the like. Most commonly sold in kit form, the Swallow has made inroads into the polar markets as well. Easy to handle even for beginners, hiring skimmers is a popular tourist activity in Prince Gable.
Name: Swallow Production Type: Mass Production Cost: 1500 marks/dinars Manufacturer: O2 Design, Inc Use: Sailcraft Height: 2.5 m Length: 2.1 m Width: 1.5 m Unloaded Mass: 30 kg Primary Movement Mode: Ground (48 kph) Deployment Range: 100 km Sensor Range: - Communications Range: - Powerplant: - Horsepower: -
Threat Value: 3 Offensive: 0 Defensive: 2.7 Miscellaneous: 5 Size: 1 Original Default Size: 1 Individual Lemon Dice: 3 Crew: 1 Bonus Actions: 0
Primary Movement Mode: Ground Combat Speed: 4 Top Speed: 8 Maneuver: 0
Sensor Rating: - Communications Rating: - Fire Control Rating: -5
Light/Heavy/Overkill: 1/2/3
None
Easy To Modify Fuel Efficient (Twice normal range) HEP: Desert No Fuel Required (Can be cut off)
Exposed Crew Compartment Exposed Movement System No Communications No Sensors
None
The big brother of the Swallow, the Swift has a crew of two, although it can be controlled adequately by one. It has an enclosed hull rather than an open framework and is equipped with a jib. Designed for longer range journeys it features a CB radio and a small cargo space forward of the mast.
Name: Swift Production Type: Mass Production Cost: 5500 marks/dinars Manufacturer: O2 Design, Inc Use: Sailcraft Height: 3.1 m Length: 2.6 m Width: 1.8 m Unloaded Mass: 120 kg Primary Movement Mode: Ground (54 kph) Deployment Range: 200 km Sensor Range: - Communications Range: 10 km Powerplant: - Horsepower: -
Threat Value: 11 Offensive: 0 Defensive: 7.6 Miscellaneous: 25 Size: 2 Original Default Size: 2 Individual Lemon Dice: 3 Crew: 2 Bonus Actions: 1
Primary Movement Mode: Ground Combat Speed: 5 Top Speed: 9 Maneuver: -1
Sensor Rating: - Communications Rating: -2 Fire Control Rating: -5
Light/Heavy/Overkill: 3/6/9
None
Cargo Bay (2 m2 open topped) Fuel Efficient (One and half normal range) HEP: Desert No Fuel Required (Can be cut off)
Exposed Crew Compartment Exposed Movement System No Sensors
None
The large and boxy Roc is a long range cargo hauler popular with merchant caravans. The single mast supports a mainsail and jib, as well as a spinnaker when sailing downwind. Crew consists of a pilot and two deck hands. There is space on deck for three passengers; more can be carried with some interference to the crew's duties. There are mounting brackets on the port and starboard deck rails for machineguns or similar heavy weapons, some caravans mount light mortars amidships for longer range defence. Below deck are the cargo hold and spartan eating and sleeping quarters for six people. The ship rests on six large balloon tyres.
Name: Roc Production Type: Mass Production Cost: 153,750 marks/dinars Manufacturer: O2 Design, Inc Use: Sailcraft Height: 8.2 m Length: 7.8 m Width: 3.2 m Unloaded Mass: 1800 kg Primary Movement Mode: Ground (54 kph) Deployment Range: 600 km Sensor Range: 2 km Communications Range: 20 km Powerplant: - Horsepower: -
Threat Value: 205 Offensive: 0 Defensive: 13.7 Miscellaneous: 602 Size: 4 Original Default Size: 6 Individual Lemon Dice: 3 Crew: 3 Bonus Actions: 1
Primary Movement Mode: Ground Combat Speed: 5 Top Speed: 9 Maneuver: -2
Sensor Rating: -2 Communications Rating: -2 Fire Control Rating: -5
Light/Heavy/Overkill: 5/10/15
None
Cargo Bay (27 m3) Crew Accommodations (Military, 6 people) HEP: Desert High Towing Capacity (Twice normal capacity) No Fuel Required (Can be cut off) Passenger Seating (3 people) Pintle Mount x2
Exposed Crew Compartment Exposed Movement System Large Sensor Profile R1
None
Add APM (T, 10 rounds), FC -1 Off: 87.3, TV: 234
(Note: The "m3" references in the above should be "m3." Likewise, the "O2" references should be "O2." The way I've chosen to display vehicle stats in APAGear II, however, prevents superscripts and subscripts from appearing. -Ed.)
The Beaufort wind force scale can be found at http://www.islandnet.com/~see/weather/history/beauwscl.htm amongst other places.
| APAGear II Archives | Volume 2, Number 4 | May, 2000 |
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