"VSF (aeronef) evolution" Topic

i have a quick question i am trying to write a piece of fiction set slightly later (say 1930s) – i really want it to be set in a world where aeronefs/Land ironclads existed at the turn of the century. My question is would the internal combustion engine (and faster planes etc) mean that we would see aeronefs as a historical relic OR would we see evolved aeronefs ?

Follow the history of real naval design. Yes, the steam driven ships were replaced by diesel engine driven ships.

I think you're working it backwards. What matters is characters and drama, the world and its technologies, cultures, etc, exist to create a context for the story you want to tell. If you want aeronefs, there are aeronefs, and you can make up some crazy explanation why if you like doing that or you can leave it unexplained. People only complain about the plausibility of your world when they are not enjoying the characters, drama, and theme. When they do enjoy the characters, drama, and them they don't care that the transporters break down at exactly the wrong time, why they didn't just fly the ring on the eagles, or why they didn't use the Time Turner to solve all their problems.

thanks both – i think i went down a rather large rabbit hole when discovered VSF/Aeronefs etc. There will still be a place for aeronefs etc in my 1930ish world. Thinking aeronerf aircraft carriers will be a thing ?

aeronefs as a historical relic OR would we see evolved aeronefs ?

I think both. When I was stationed at Fort Lewis, WA, we drove modern M1A1 tanks, but there was an armor museum on post that had WW2-era M3 Lee and M4 Sherman tanks on display. In London, you can tour the HMS Belfast, a WW2-era cruiser which is now parked in the Thames as a floating museum.

Likewise, a lot of the world's navies keep older ships on the register to use as training vessels. For example, HMS Mars was laid down in 1848, converted to a training ship in 1869, and served as a training ship until 1929, when she was finally scrapped.

I could envision your characters seeing a museum piece or serving on an older aeronef for training, and then being assigned to a more modern 'nef for their permanent billets. That's definitely within the realm of possibilities.

Thanks Javelin some useful ideas there.

I was thinking more around what a 1930s Aeronef would look like but i think that it would mirror 'wet navy' evolution so maybe Aeronef CV become the new capital ships carrying faster/heavier aircraft – an aeronef would never match the speed increases from aircraft devleopment

i have a quick question

Perhaps a quick question, but liable to create long answers.

Firstly, Mr. Walters is absolutely correct in that you have to envision your own world view to answer your own question, particularly how YOUR story shapes said world.

However, I'll share a bit of my own viewpoint, to see if it helps, though mostly from games I've looked upon, and less stories I've yet to read.

I'm a bit of a contrarian as many people fly ships the size of contemporary naval vessels, and I can't accept that. I use the aphorism 'we've just begun', with an under theme of 'first, baby steps.'

So, look upon the game Aeronef as Victorian, Imperial Skies as early Edwardian, and Leviathans 'Monsters' even later.

As for aircraft, their development might well be delayed due to what's available in larger ships(part of Aeronef's backstory), and I also wouldn't assume the same dynamics between those larger ships with fighters/bombers compared to naval ships.

But, people DO like Frankie's flying airfields… ;->=

On the other hand, I find the assumption that surface ships would be helpless in the face of nef/dig bombardment equally questionable. A) 'There is no Norden bomb sight, and, actually, there never was…', B) Hitting "bull in the butt with a bass fiddle" is infinitely more complicated if it's running, dodging, and weaving.

Like I said, not the popular view, but I best leave it there, as an example of one man's, as 'I do go on.'

Doug

PS I tend to ignore the fact that those games all call things battleships and destroyers and gunboats, assuming vastly different meaning over long periods.

Thanks – i only found Leviathan yesterday but yes i'd agree with your take on the relative time periods

This is probably a longshot, but some fans of Imperial Skies made a chart of varous country's nef stats. I had a copy but lost it in a computer crash. Would anyone happen to have a link to this? Cheers, Jeff

Are you on the Facebook group?

As one of those non-FB curmudgeons, I don't know what there is there, but seems possible.

Doug

On a different note, as I see Millisian's posts on the fora are all here, and these are over two years old, the author is not likely to see this.

Does anyone know if the piece was written?

Doug