Warbirds of Systems Failure

Marrowlight · Unread post by **Marrowlight** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 2:31 am

maybe add in some text as to why it is being used in the SF setting specifically?

Shawn Merrow · Unread post by **Shawn Merrow** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 4:10 am

Air Warfare in System Failure can be fun. I was in an online chat game where we had crop dusters that sprayed bug juice with mounted MG. I would be interested in an article that added more aircraft for System Failure.

CyCo · Unread post by **CyCo** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 8:45 am

That's awesome!

The Black Widow is one of my favorite war planes ever. I guess because of the non-standard twin boom fuselage.

More fluff text, with a few more 'birds, and I'ld say it would be a worthy addition to SF, and to the Rifter.

8]

CyCo · Unread post by **CyCo** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 11:00 am

Phalanx wrote:, and the venerable PBY-5 Catalina.

Good stuff. Glad tosee more people realise what impact the Catalina had. My old man worked on those during WWII.

Mike Taylor · Unread post by **Mike Taylor** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 4:12 pm

mattling wrote:Wouldn't a computer with an onboard radar have something a Bug could get into? Just thinking out loud here...

Depends. If it runs off an Organitech battery, Bugs can't affect it.

Oh, one old plane that doesn't seem to get much appreciation is the HU-16 Albatross. If I recall correctly, it was an amphibian like the Catalina as well.

Mike Taylor · Unread post by **Mike Taylor** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 4:52 pm

The one thing that everybody might want to bear in mind is the availability of parts for such machines. After all, even though a lot of those old planes were manufactured in the thousands, the sheer passage of time has reduced the number that are flyable, with the unflyable ones being scrapped completely or broken up for spare parts.

CyCo · Unread post by **CyCo** » Fri Feb 24, 2006 6:00 am

I'm sure that a few dedicated spare part toolshops have survivedthe comming of the Bugs. New parts could be fabricated, made from measurements from old parts, or better yet, from blue prints.

Lets face it, there are plenty of old classic cars still cruzin' the blacktop...

Shawn Merrow · Unread post by **Shawn Merrow** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 2:26 pm

Phalanx wrote:How does this look for a SF-specific paragraph? One would go with each entry. This is for the P-61.

Systems Failure Notes: By the time of the Meltdown, only three flyable P-61s still existed. These airframes have all found service with established organizations as night fighters and strike bombers. In particular, the Texas Lone Star Cavalry has a customized P-61C upgraded with a Bug Reactor, Long-Range Bug Radar, a Fulton air recovery system, and clamshell doors in place of the aft station. The “Night Watch” can carry up to four commandos in its cramped aft bay.

Looks good to me.

glitterboy2098 · Sat Feb 25, 2006 2:47 pm

you might also want to include some civilian aircraft that have been converted over for use.

such things have proven [url=http://www.brushfirewars.org/aircraft/mfi_9b_biafran/mfi_9b_biafran_1.htm]remarkably effective
[/url] before, and if you can get the weapons, refitting the planes would be simpler than rebuilding an old Warbird.

Jefffar · Unread post by **Jefffar** » Tue Mar 07, 2006 12:13 am

Don't forget that NORAD will likely do some rebuilds, with Organitech weapons and features most likely.

Stormseed · Unread post by **Stormseed** » Sun Apr 02, 2006 7:35 pm

Rodney Stott wrote:if you load up the tanks with bug juice a crop duster would be very dangerous to a bug column.

One of the players in my group is going to do pretty much exactly that... if the GM ever comes back. :badbad:

Aramanthus · Unread post by **Aramanthus** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 8:37 pm

I think the Black Widow looks pretty cool! I hope you'll do more of them for those of us still playing system failure.

LJ · Unread post by LJ » Thu Apr 20, 2006 9:38 pm

mattling wrote:
Phalanx wrote:
mattling wrote:"Build Your Own Barnstormer" rules! We needs some of those!

That's my next part of the "Barnbirds" section to work on, actually.

Hooray! Three cheers for bizarre, ramshackle, unreliable deathtraps! I want one!

Anything you get in becomes an unreliable deathtrap!!!

The Artist Formerly · Fri Apr 21, 2006 4:38 am

As an aside, alot of the parts for the planes Phalanx is speak about can be machined relitively easily for a solid machine shop.

Stormseed · Unread post by **Stormseed** » Fri Apr 21, 2006 2:36 pm

Phalanx wrote:
Aramanthus wrote:I think the Black Widow looks pretty cool! I hope you'll do more of them for those of us still playing system failure.

I've pretty much got all of the vehicles statted. I just need to work some more on the customization section and the notable characters, places, and organizations.

If you hustle, you might be able to get into Rifter 35. :wink:

Okay, I just want to see how they would make this into a swimsuit issue - but still.

The Artist Formerly · Fri Apr 21, 2006 8:25 pm

mattling wrote:
LJavelle wrote:
mattling wrote:
Phalanx wrote:
mattling wrote:"Build Your Own Barnstormer" rules! We needs some of those!

That's my next part of the "Barnbirds" section to work on, actually.

Hooray! Three cheers for bizarre, ramshackle, unreliable deathtraps! I want one!

Anything you get in becomes an unreliable deathtrap!!!

No, they are completely reliable. I am garunteed to kill you when I drive.

You should provide limo service for the bad guys.

The Artist Formerly · Sun Apr 23, 2006 12:06 am

Phalanx wrote:My new copies of the Compendium of Contemporary Weapons and RECON arrived today... More source material!

Less chatter, more planes.

Mike Taylor · Unread post by **Mike Taylor** » Sat Jun 24, 2006 6:04 pm

They probably did borrow the terminology.

Jefffar · Unread post by **Jefffar** » Fri Oct 20, 2006 4:39 pm

So, want to string us along with a list of what planes are going to be there?

gordyzx9r · Unread post by **gordyzx9r** » Sat Oct 21, 2006 2:31 am

Sounds like it should be interesting, and could easily cross into AtB. Though, I don't think the Blackhawk would be a good choice for this. It requires too much maintenance, and is very heavy on the wear and tear of it's parts. It's very expensive to upkeep in today's world, and it would be nigh impossible to do it in an apocalyptic like setting. It also uses analog and digital computers in it's flight control systems. And the DAP version, puts alot of stress on the airframe...it won't last long in that role without constant maintenance and upkeep. The thing is constantly vibraiting itself apart.

I think the UH-1 Huey would be a better choice, it's simple, easy to maintain, it isn't very technologically advanced, and it wouldn't be too hard to fabricate parts in a machine shop for it.

The UH-60 isn't a true mechanics aircraft, it's modeled after a LRU (line replaceable unit) idea. If something breaks, you take it off, replace it with one from benchstock and send it off somewhere to be torn down and repaired by specialists. With a huey, the majority of the parts that broke down on it could be repaired in shop by the helicopter mechanics themselves (or in house avionics, electricians, powertrain, or prop and rotor mechanics).

The OH-6, OH-58 A/C, and UH-1 (and possibly the AH-1) are simple, easy to maintain aircraft with no computers or advanced electronics (unless you get into the variants...but those electronics require alot of maintenance too given the vibrations of the helicopter).

abtex · Unread post by **abtex** » Sat Oct 21, 2006 12:34 pm

Is the OV-10 Bronco in your list of aircraft?

gordyzx9r · Unread post by **gordyzx9r** » Sat Oct 21, 2006 6:58 pm

Phalanx wrote:That's exactly why the Little Bird is the first in the Whirlybirds section. The Huey and Huey Cobra are both on p. 143 of Systems Failure, though.

I've had the book for 2 to 3 years now...and still haven't cracked the binding. I got it in a grab bag...

abtex · Unread post by **abtex** » Sun Oct 29, 2006 4:11 am

Phalanx wrote:
abtex wrote:Is the OV-10 Bronco in your list of aircraft?

That it is.

Goody!! Goody!!

As the gunship, recon and the transport. Right?
Google it if you or other donot know what I mean.

Aramanthus · Unread post by **Aramanthus** » Thu Nov 09, 2006 11:06 pm

I can't wait to see your article come to print!

Shawn Merrow · Unread post by **Shawn Merrow** » Sat Jan 06, 2007 1:37 am

Phalanx wrote:Well, you won't have to wait too much longer. Wayne notified me today that the contract will be on my doorstep soon.

Congratulations :ok:

abtex · Unread post by **abtex** » Mon Jan 15, 2007 11:30 am

Phalanx wrote:Well, you won't have to wait too much longer. Wayne notified me today that the contract will be on my doorstep soon.

Great!!
Now start on part 2. Even if you have have no idea what that would be

abtex · Unread post by **abtex** » Tue Jan 16, 2007 8:09 am

Phalanx wrote:Already way ahead of you. I've started work on The Gulf States.

Good more stuff for System Failure.

Shawn Merrow · Unread post by **Shawn Merrow** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 4:06 pm

Phalanx wrote:The contract arrived today. Warbirds will be in either Rifter #38 or #39.

Chaos · Unread post by **Chaos** » Fri Mar 02, 2007 8:28 pm

Phalanx wrote:The contract arrived today. Warbirds will be in either Rifter #38 or #39.

Sweet, and congratulations, thanks for keeping SF alive a little longer, hopefully others will follow in your footsteps and revive the line :ok:

Shawn Merrow · Unread post by **Shawn Merrow** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 3:09 am

Phalanx wrote:So... Systems Failure crowd... What did ya'll think? Should I go ahead with the Gulf States or not even waste ya'll's time?

Haven't got my hands on 38 yet but will comment as soon as I do. As for the Gulf States please go ahead and work on it.

Jefffar · Unread post by **Jefffar** » Sun Apr 29, 2007 8:40 pm

Looked it over, some interesting birds for sure.

Sme of my faves, some I couldn't give a care about.

Personally, I'd love a few of the B-25s that carried a 75 mm cannon

Jefffar · Unread post by **Jefffar** » Sun Apr 29, 2007 11:13 pm

Yeah, I'm a fan of the various medium bombers, ground attackers - with my supreme fave being the Mosquito.

Jefffar · Unread post by **Jefffar** » Mon Apr 30, 2007 10:42 am

Yup - more likely to be found on the chilly side of the 49th.

Mike Taylor · Unread post by **Mike Taylor** » Sat May 05, 2007 12:17 am

Ordered my copy today.

Shawn Merrow · Wed Jun 06, 2007 12:40 am

Phalanx still plan to comment on your article just been short on money. I just now need to find time to get to the game store to pick up the Rifter.

Jefffar · Unread post by **Jefffar** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 11:54 am

Don't forget that you need to install the electronics needed to target the misile too.

I think one of the best ideas would be for a P-51 r similar to mount a pair of A2A modified Stingers under each wing. The missile pretty much locks itself on and is fire and forget. All you'd have to do is keep the gunsiight on target long enough for the missile to acqire.

glitterboy2098 · Fri Jun 15, 2007 1:18 pm

myself i could see fitting Hydra rocket pods onto a classic warbird, but i don't think a guided missile would work well. the hydra's are more or less decendants of the rockets the warbird's themselves carried in WW2.

the newer lighter guided bombs would work well too, most of those are similar in size to the iron bombs used in WW2. just make sure they have options for someone else to guide them in.

Jefffar · Unread post by **Jefffar** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 4:24 pm

Well anything radar guided is pretty much right out without a signifigant redesign of the bird. Stinger is pretty much point and shoot so it shouldn't be an issue other than keeping the target in recticle long enough to lock on. RPs wouldn't be much a problem and neither would lightweight bombs.

Laser guided stuff will require a spotter unit but should still work.

Jefffar · Unread post by **Jefffar** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 5:53 pm

Yeah, but unless the bird is fly-by-wire, there's not much a bug can do to her.

Mike Taylor · Unread post by **Mike Taylor** » Sat Jun 16, 2007 2:06 am

I don't have my copy yet, but did you stat up the Skyraider?

Shawn Merrow · Unread post by **Shawn Merrow** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 5:17 am

Finally got my copy of Rifter #38. Loved the selection of aircraft you included. The groups you included were interesting. I would like more info on the 47th Independent Air Wing. It would make for a good Rifter article.

Mike Taylor · Unread post by **Mike Taylor** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 2:32 pm

Phalanx wrote:I do plan on giving further detail to the 47th Independent Air Wing in a later article. I'm glad you liked it.

Add a couple of Skyraiders in there and you're gold.

Mike Taylor · Unread post by **Mike Taylor** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 10:57 pm

The Gulf States thing has piqued my curiosity, as it touches on some stuff I had been doing for Systems Failure.