"The Swift gunboats" Topic

"The Swift gunboats are an experimental attempt to increase safety for British shipping in the Oenotrian border regions, especially near the foothills of the Shistomik Mountain range. While it bears a resemblance to the slightly smaller Aphid class, it learns from the lessons taught by previous Martian experience. It has the same armor, allowing it to ignore the effects of the smaller Martian cloudship guns, but in addition, it also armors all its guns, including its complement of four Nordenfelts. This was done to protect the relatively small crew complement from damage that the ship would otherwise ignore. Aphids have a poor reputation for crew safety, sometimes limping home in good condition, but with decimated crews, the open gun mounts making them easy prey to hostile fire. The Swift also uses the new forced draught steam engines, which allow it sufficient speed to evade almost all ramming attempts, as well as being able to pursue and overtake all known vessels in the colonies. Three Hale rocket batteries provide short range firepower, and the 3" HRC's, while small, have a high rate of fire, and are sufficient to wreak havoc on the poorly protected Martian vessels which the Swift was designed to combat.
Critics of the Swift complain that it does not have enough long range weaponry, and its altitude limitations render it vulnerable to attacks by the Martian Fire so common on larger vessels. Also, since it has only one Marine observer, it is especially vulnerable to being boarded. These criticisms are largely ignored at this point, since it is not designed to assault the crag keeps of the High Martians, and its batteries of Nordenfelts should be sufficient to discourage all but the most suicidal of boarding parties. Also, if this should become a problem, the Hale batteries can be easily dismounted, which would provide sufficient room for a temporary complement of six more Marines, quite enough for a vessel of this size…"
Full article here
link

Amicalement
Armand

I always liked Sky Galleons of Mars, fun game -- sometimes wish I hadn't sold the whole collection off.

Nice!

Still have my copy of Sky Galleon of Mars. Need to dust it off and play.

Is anyone still making models for this game? i would love to get my hands on some more ships.

Didn't see the Boards , just the title and thought it was in reference to these workhorses:

I suspect that was Mr. Porter's intention back in '91. Wicked sense of humor.

Is anyone still making models for this game?

I believe someone got the old Lyzard's Grin molds, but you have to know who to ask. Tom Dye? Anyway, the two boxes of GDW plastics come up on eBay every now and then. You REALLY have to suspend disbelief how well they can paint up. ;->=

One can substitute Brigade Model Aeronef's, as well.

Doug

Glad you enjoyed it boys! (smile)

Amicalement
Armand

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Glad you like it too my friend!. (smile)

Amicalement
Armand

Terrement,

Those navy swift patrol boats are definitely interesting:

rivervet.com/swifts.htm

Dan