BARD PAPER: VERA4501 | Home | Traveller | BARD | VERA |
Tavee-Gho Air Cushion Vehicle
design by Pete Grey
BARD PAPER: VERA4501 | Home | Traveller | BARD | VERA |
design by Pete Grey
Before the invention of contra-grav, the sole means of lifting a ground vehicle into the air was to create an air bubble, within a contained chamber, beneath it. Air cusion vehicles, also known as hovercraft, never attained much popularity, as their power plants were bulky and temperamental. Fusion power removed those penalties, but its invention was accompanied by contra-grav, and the ACV was still left an orphan technology. Many TL 9 and 10 worlds, however, never acquired, or attained the need for, the expensive new technology. And where these worlds were covered with extensive oceans, rolling deserts or ice sheets, the ACV has made a renaissance.
The Tavee-Gho is one of several Low Stellar designs that were found throughout Charted Space. Still marketed in the Post-Collapse period by General Products, it is ubiquitous to many client states and neighbors of the Regency as well. The TG is perhaps one of the fastest civilain ACVs available, with a top speed on nearly 300 kph, faster than most equivalent small civilian aircraft and helicopters. It relies upon fusion driven ducted fans for its propulsion; with little fuel requirements it can travel almost indefinitely regardless of its speed. There is no seperate provision for outside fuel injection, so the TG's fans are not capable of afterburning.
The basic passenger model is described below, but cargo and recreational models are generally available as well. Armed military and paramilitary versions are available to government and bonded mercenary buyers. The former model is especially formidable, adding additional armor plus a heavy autocannon and SSM mounts.
Tavee-Gho ACV
| HF: | 4 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| HS: | 4 | ||
| HR: | 4 | ||
| Deck: | 4 | Belly: | 4 |