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Originally Posted by Askold
+Flying crane.
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This might work for something that needs to be placed only approximately, but blimps see a lot of shear and aren't good for precision placement, especially when there are other structures nearby.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Askold
+Cargo transport.
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I haven't even seen a blimp
design that can carry more than 40 tons and that never even got past the design phase. I know there are people extolling the virtues of blimps for this, but are any actually flying?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Askold
+Like helicopters the airfield requirements are less strict than with airplanes.
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Less strict than airplanes but more strict than helicopters.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Askold
+Although helicopters are able to compete with lighter-than-air-craft they use much more fuel and can't carry as much cargo.
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Fuel is a non-issue for the Project, and unless there are big single cargos around that I missed this would seem to be at best a minor advantage.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Askold
In combat helicopters and planes are superior but for civilian, and particularly construction, work lighter-than-air-craft are great.
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I've always liked LTA craft but they tend to be niche players, and the combination of fusion power and propellors seems to offer much more versatile systems. You also have to assume that any Morrow asset could come under fire at any time. Air vehicles that can be taken down by the smallest of arms are a pretty big risk.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Askold
And you don't need to fill them with hydrogen if you are afraid of explosions.
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If they are Zeppelins, you really
do need to use hydrogen (hence my earlier comment), but even with blimps getting the most lift requires the explosive option...