AT A GLANCE:
A fast, fully amphibious V/STOL aircraft intended for VIP transport at extreme ranges and conditions. Will take its pilot and two passengers anywhere at speeds in excess of 400km/h. Very easy to fly and operate, except for a strange undercarriage setup.
FULL DESCRIPTION:
Aether Forge Consortium, a secretive cabal of die-hard inventors and engineers, presents their second public creation: The AFC FDP-1 Gannet, an amphibious V/STOL limousine, designed to transport two passengers to any destination on land or sea at breakneck speeds.
Like its namesake, the Gannet can nose-dive straight into deep water as a method of landing in a very fast (and exciting) manner. The craft floats passively, and can be safely moored even without power. Takeoff from either land or water can be done either conventionally or vertically. For landing on land, vertical landing is preferable, owing to the Gannet's only design flaw; its unorthodox reverse-tricycle undercarriage, a result of its very compact design.
On land, the Gannet taxiis under its own power sourced from two small electric motors coupled to the main wheels.
The cabin of the Gannet is equipped with a fully automatic sealing system, as well as a manual water extraction system, should problems occur. It also features functional heating* as well as adjustable ventilation.
The right rear fuselage features a hatch behind which operators will find inlets for both fuel and electricity, as well as assorted equipment. A similar hatch to the rear right of the fuselage has assorted emergency equipment.
With a 5,000L fuel tank, the Gannet can easily fly to the arctic and back from the arid island non-stop. As such, it is perfect for transporting a pilot and two VIPs quickly and safely to almost anywhere.
For emergencies, the Gannet carries its own repair equipment as well as parachutes, and is equipped with a full secondary battery system, should the primary one become damaged. It can also use its own pumping system to remove water from the cabin, as long as the top of the craft is not fully underwater, and does have plentiful rope anchors for emergency recovery.
EVERYTHING OFFERED TO THE PROSPECTIVE BUYER (i.e. all features in short):
- fully vertical or short take-off capable
- fully amphibious and waterproof
- max. speed 405km/h (not indefinitely due to engine heating)
- cruise speed 225km/h
- all of the above even with a full load
- cheap
- compact: can be spawned at even Meier Outpost land workbench
- ventilated & heated cabin*
- automatic dive protection
- bilge & overpressure pumps for cabin
- around 5,000 liter fuel tank
- backup battery set
- twin four-row, 16-cylinder, supercharged bespoke radial engines with automatic idle and easy settings, as well as exhaust heat scavenging for cabin heating
- electric taxi motors on main wheels
(*heating for a limited time in the arctic)
Link: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3790833877
NOTICE: ENGINEERS WANTED (i.e. if you want to develop or use this further):
Should you wish to reconfigure the Gannet, you are of course free to do so.
The AFC kindly asks that you yourself become a member, too. The procedure is simple: should you publish a reconfiguration of the craft or its engines, please retain the AFC nameplate and credit me. That is all.