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riftroamer — 50ton Modular Cutter with Container Module
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#smallcraft #travellerrpg #modularcutter
Published: 2014-10-27 23:42:08 +0000 UTC; Views: 1850; Favourites: 22; Downloads: 66
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Description
In some cases the circular cross section of the standard cutter (or small craft) is less than optimal regarding load capacity and wasted space. I needed a module that fits into a few design requirements of modern containers. Efficiency, intermodality, stackability and ease of maintenance. This module is the closest match to these requirements I could think of, that still uses standard module components. It is a little wider than a standard module.This variant shows an Imperial Navy Livery and markings identifying the craft as the subcraft of the 800ton Mercenary Cruiser CM-HS33 Yamal. The module is fitted with an AeroCowl to provide a little more streamlining for atmospheric operation. The cowls can be fitted within 30 minutes on any Class D Starport and up. IMTU a wide variety of modules exist and the cowls look usually quite beaten up from repeated re-entry maneuvers.
Comments and suggestions welcome.
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Comments: 4
OK, just one question. Are we seeing the module with the AeroCowl fitted or without?
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With the aerodynamic cowls fitted. It's one of those cheap solutions that provide minimal reduction of air drag of an otherwise unstreamlined box. The cowls are the four vertically mounted grey transition sections between the circular cross section of the main body and the rectangular cross section of the module. IMTU There are many types available including some that actually provide for better aerodynamics, but sadly (also IMTU) the cheaper (less efficient) ones are the de-facto standard.
Amodule without cowls can be seen here.
:thumb491095459:
INTU = in my Traveller universe
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Okay, now I see what you're saying. Maybe it's my eyes, but the cowl was looking like a flat surface at first.
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Well I'm no expert, but through observation of existing aerodynamic solutions I would say that this cowl will almost certainly cause air turbulence at the sharp edge of the square section and should better have a concave profile near the circular hull and a convex profile near the square section to guide the airstream along the flat surfaces, perhaps with airfoils guiding a thin airstream around the edge serving as a turbulence dampening layer (much like the air foils guiding the airstream around the cab of a cabover truck cabin). But for an RPG design that seemed like overkill to me. ☺
However your comment caused some nagging, I will very likely revise this cowl in the near future. Thanks for pointing it out. ☺
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