Updated August 05, 2000
Web Posted September 23, 1998
Readers of CWIN were asked to construct one subcompact or compact whose value was equal to or less than $100,000. Design requirements are located in CWIN 1.04.
CWIN is asking for its subscribers to vote for the best vehicle. Please use the following point scale to evaluate each vehicle. You should consider each vehicle and its car trailer (if there is one) separately and in combination. Partial credit for each area may be given.
Mail your ballots and submissions for other VDCs to either of these elmay addresses. The names of the creators of the designs are kept confidential at the request of many participants in these contests.
CWIN Vehicle Design Competitions
owemp@hotmail.com
Special Abilities = 25
25 for Anything "Special"
Defensive Capability = 15
3 for Frame Armor
3 for Accessory Armor
3 for Tires
3 for Weapons
3 for Accessories
Offensive Capability = 20
5 for Weapons and Damage Potential
5 for Special Abilities (Incendiary, Indirect-Fire,
Tire Sniper, Etc.)
5 for Firing Arcs Covered
5 for Accessories
Driving Pleasure = 15
5 for Acceleration, Top Speed and HC
5 for Accessories, Personal Equipment
5 for Vehicle Range
Cost = 5
Lowest Price (Bonus for every $1,000 below required
Division)
Analysis/Background = 20
20 for Verbal Description
Total Score = 100
During the early phase of the Second Civil War, Louisiana saw its forces bear the brunt of the Federal assault. Warships blockaded the Mississippi Delta, and ground forces encroached from the east and north. But the biggest problem was Louisiana’s complete lack of an air force to challenge or even give warning of incoming Federal air raids.
In a flash of ingenuity, the Louisiana Army managed to rig small aircraft propellers and tail assemblies onto various swamp buggies and other civilian-style cars. These vehicles could not only handle the punishing off-road terrain of the bayous, but could even fly over them at high speed. Once the cars proved themselves in surveillance missions, they were outfitted with surplus machine guns and missiles. Federal pilots were surprised, then amused the first time they faced the flying jalopies. Many brave Louisiana pilots lost their lives in these daring carplane raids, but ultimately their numbers and resolve enabled them to hold out - as the Federals’ supply of aviation fuel dwindled. If all else fails, an ejection seat enabled the pilot to parachute to safety below the cover of Louisiana trees.
The versatility of this air reconnaissance design has made this vehicle one of the mainstays of Louisiana’s armed forces ever since the Second Civil War. Named the "Terrebonne" after the southern parish where it was first developed, the carplane has been adapted with sophisticated modern electronics and weapons, making it a far cry from the flying swamp buggies of forty years ago in appearance if not in spirit.
Superficially, the Terrebonne resembles a civilian compact car. However, it is constructed from a compact carbon-aluminum frame that has been modified for the stresses of flight. The rear wing-and-tail assembly can be fully attached to the car within 10 minutes, allowing sustained flight. The "pusher" back-mounted prop design was chosen so as not to interfere with the heavy front mounted weapons: a heavy-caliber machine gun and a pair of high-speed, armor piercing radar guided missiles. After firing, the missile pods are usually ejected for the greater aerodynamics needed for a quick getaway. The cheap chemical flame clouds on all facings of the vehicle have even proven somewhat effective in exploding incoming missiles before they strike the frame.
The Terrebonne has rather weak armor, but it relies on its speed, maneuverability and the element of surprise for much of its defense. Another shortcoming is its range - Louisiana has a sufficient supply of gasoline, but this rather small vehicle could mount only a five-gallon gas tank due to the demands of the double propulsion system. Many pilots have also complained about how small and uncomfortable the interior of the Terrebonne is when compared to a “real” plane.
Still, the Terrebonne remains well suited to the national defense of Louisiana, where paved roads are something of a luxury, and there are places even a standard off-road vehicle can’t go.
LA-303 Terrebonne -- Compact carplane with CA frame, x-hvy. chassis; BP 250 ci ICE (with TH, VP turbocharger, overdrive and 5-gallon dueling fuel tank), microplane propeller with ducted cowling aimed back, active OR suspension, 4 FP OR solid car tires, 2 FP OR solid cycle tires, driver/small fixed-wing pilot, AP HS RGM aimed front on ejectable 1-space rocket RWP right, AP HS RGM aimed front on ejectable 1-space rocket EWP left, HMG (with HD ammo and flash suppressor) front, 10 FCDs, bumper trigger (front and HMG), IFE, HDSAs, HRSWC (driver/pilot and HMG), tinted/no-paint windshields, HDABS, radar detector; radar jammer; light trailer hitch, aircraft radio, altimeter, bumper trigger, spiked impact body armor. FP plastic armor: F20, R15, L15, B10, T8, U20 (83 points), 10-pts. FP plastic EWP armor on each EWP. Ground acceleration 20 (15 with overdrive), Ground top speed 107.5 (145 with overdrive and EWPs ejected), Ground HC 4 (3 off-road), Air acceleleration 15, Air top speed 225 (260 with EWPs ejected), Stall speed 50, Air HC 2; 4,440 lbs., $97,975.
When the Federal Service SEAL high command contacted Crunch Industries about designing a one-man aquatic reconnaissance craft we almost turned them down, siting the fact that we design cars, not boats. When they told us that a car was indeed what they wanted, our R&D boys fainted. I guess a big juicy government contract will do that to most people. The desired vehicle would possess both off-road capability and the ability to effectively engage waterborne craft in particular. Vehicular adaptability, transportability, and survivability were all factors to consider. Price was no option, being limited to $100,000.
The FAV-ARC was designed to be used for reconnaissance and patrol missions in aquatic terrain and even within shallow rivers to serve in an anti-smuggling role. To provide the smallest target silhouette possible, a compact chassis was chosen. For off-road capability and ruggedness, a mil-spec sand rail frame was used as well. For occupant survivability in the harshest of terrain, the vehicle comes complete with a NBC shielded driver compartment triggered by a hazard detector for instantaneous protection from unseen threats. This NBC system combined with a total vehicular military waterproofing allows the Archerfish to completely submerge itself under the water to lie in wait for smugglers, or hide from enemy patrols for a full twelve hours before the driver needs air. By using the driver's scuba tank as an air source, this time can be further extended. A periscope is provided to enhance surveillance without using easily spotted radar or sonar devices. Aquatic weaponry includes a turreted blue-green light pulse laser, a blue-green targeting laser mounted front, and two laser-guided armor-piercing torpedoes in ejectable REWPs left and right. For swamp applications, the targeting laser and SWC is removed and the torpedoes are downgraded to armor-piercing homers. The extra money can be spent on upgrading the wheel protection or a discharger package utilizing 10 dischargers of your choice For those adventures out of the water, the Archerfish was given fireproof armor, tires, and wheelhubs to increase the survivability of the vehicle on today's modern battlefield. A large power plant with platinum catalysts and superconductors to give this vehicle acceleration and speed to outmaneuver any AFV or tank, further increasing that survivability time, and an IFF sender ensures that your troops will know this strange looking vehicle is one of theirs. For missions that do not require aquatic capability, the Archerfish can be fitted with two laser-guided armor-piercing super rockets placed in the REWPs. This however would put the vehicle over budget, and is therefore not an official variant, but specialty units like SEAL teams have been known to heavily modify their vehicles for a particular mission.
The weakness of this vehicle is its "one-shot"
limit to serious firepower. Once the torpedoes or rockets are gone, this
vehicle is virtually defenseless. The light pulse laser allows for some
attempts at finishing off the hull of a wounded boat (if the torps didn't
do it in), but is relatively useless against most other targets, even military-grade
body armor. The vehicle's strengths however outweigh this advantage as
long as the vehicle is utilized properly. The Archerfish is a sniper.
It lies at the bottom of a river or totally submerged in a swamp, waiting
for its target to come into range. Striking from the bottom, even a hovercraft
is susceptible to the twin torpedo attack. The turret weapon, though
light, can still be used to target depth charges or torpedoes and destroy
them before they get close enough to damage
the FAV as it attempts to evade any counter attack.
The other advantage is that to the military, these are inexpensive compared
to tanks AFVs and other military FAVs. This allows commanders to field
many more of these units, making them very dangerous in numbers.
This is not a serious combat machine. The main purpose is reconnaissance and light patrol. The heavy weapons are there for defending itself after it has been spotted, or for use against lighter, civilian type craft utilized by river smugglers. The model displayed here is the base model. Modifications for command and communications versions are available as well, but should be kept to the back for protection as the weaponry gets replaced with communication and surveillance gear. One of these units in a platoon patrol allows for communication with base command, as well as long-range warning of incoming bogeys.
FAV-ARC -- Mil-spec compact sand rail, std. chassis, large PP with PlatCats and SuperCons, OR sand rail suspension, 4 FP SB OR PR tires, driver left, LG AP torpedo aimed front on ejectable rocket EWP right, LG AP torpedo aimed front on ejectable rocket EWP left, pulse BG LL in universal 1-space turret, BG TL front, HDABS, armored wetsuit, LGL, link (right torpedo and left torpedo), HRSWC (driver and LL), SWC (driver and TL), NBC shielding, hazard detector, military waterproofing, periscope, IFF, personal equipment (see below). FP plastic armor: (154 points), four 4-pt. plastic AWHs. Acceleration 10, Top speed 137.5, Cruise speed 82.5, Power 2,300, HC 3 (4 off-road); 3,681 lbs., $99,984.
FAV-ARC Personal Equipment -- Waterproof assault rifle (with folding stock, waterproof telescopic sight, HP ammo and extra HP ammo clip).