Zeplins., How big are they? How could one use them? Options

[Dumori]

I am making a few paramilitary groups for my first SR campane and i want to know how big is the zeplin in aresnal. As well as wanting to know if it could hold 1 or 2 VTOL aircraft as well as troops and drones and may be a helicopter. As the zeplin has 36 body and I know its big would it be able to hold some of this. I am want it to use it as a "air base for a few ellite squad of paramilitary extremists in a climactic part of the plot any ideas.

[Zak]

We wanted to run a pirate campaign once, using a big zeppelin instead of a ship. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cyber.gif)

We never got to start it, but I will check if I can find any notes.

[CanRay]

Well, there's been references to Cargo Zepplins, which would be *HUGE*. And smaller ones that are used as flying Drone Aircraft Carriers (I like this idea, BTW!).

With a Body of 36, we're talking huge here. And it was described as a "Portable Mill", plucking trees and sawing wood as it goes!

[Dumori]

Woul it be able to hold and support 2 VTOL LVAs. I thinking so but I'm unsure. If so my PC are going to crap them selves when 3 of these start dropping off teched out troopers. Lucky for them there not to well trained just funded by a loony Ex CEO with a vendeta for any one with modifications to them selves (think Knights Tempilar for Duse Ex: Invisible war).

[Stahlseele]

i'd probably not house two big enough to carry people flight-machines in one . . but one small attack-chopper? sure, why not?
better used as a hive of drones i'd say . . shield heli-carrier like . . or like the iron vulture from that disney series with air captain balu or however that was called *g*
biggest problem: they are fugging huge targets once spotted . . but if you can, indeed, get enough to coat them in ruthenium polymers and afford some dozends of image scanners? not quite that bad anymore ^^
and on it's time off? you just sell the ruthenium covered hull as advertising space to manage upkeep . .

[Dumori]

I think you could have space for at least one VTOL aircraft on it and a squad of men but the advantage is getting them and the gear in and out quickly as well as being a mobile temp base. But as I have no sizes to compare ill have to say that its doable. As there is refrance to them being used like this on page 100 of Arsenal.

[Ryu]

Theoretically, lifts of a few hundred tons should be possible. The (admittedly failed) cargolifter project aimed for 160t.

[CanRay]

And, with some help from a few Air Elementals, they'd finally be able to use the Zepplin Mooring Lines on the Empire State Building!

[Dumori]

I could use a few sky trains to get the effect I am after want. The idea of zeplins being used to send in assult groups is just much cooler.

[ludomastro]

Not terribly practical from a RL perspective but very cool idea. I must borrow *cough* steal *cough*.

[Dumori]

I does not need to be practical. Why would a billionaire mad man worry about practicality when he can use what he thinks are huge flying fortresses.

[ludomastro]

I never said it had to be practical. Being an engineer, I often look for the practical right off the bat. All I can say is, no offense intended.

[CanRay]

Being an engineer, you should know The Boss NEVER goes with the practical design or idea.

I sure as hell know that from a Tech Support standpoint!

[Stahlseele]

wonder how the zeppelins would deal with mayor recoil?
because, what is the weight of an 120mm artillery cannon?
i may not be able to do thor shots, but i can deliver the second best *g*
and if that's too much . . well, there's allways volleys of rockets/missles and rail/gauss-cannons and laser systems o.O

[CanRay]

The Mayor of Puyallup Barrens today recoiled in terror as the Cargo Zepplins of MCT flew over her house. "I am agast that such dangerous devices as this are going over the innocent people of my constituancy..." (IMG:style_emoticons/default/nyahnyah.gif)

[ludomastro]

Being an engineer, you should know The Boss NEVER goes with the practical design or idea.

I sure as hell know that from a Tech Support standpoint!

I avoid telling my boss what the design is until it is finished and he can't tinker with it without looking bad due to the resulting delay. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/grinbig.gif)

[Straight Razor]

I used to make blimps for a living.
http://www.ltaprojects.com/
that is me on the lift on the front page.

As to your question...

1,000 cubic feet of helium lifts 69 lbs.
size to volume is very important. The bigger you get the more gas volume you have with smaller icreas in structual weight. you have to lift the gas envelope and gondola too.

I once made a 5,000 ft^2 blimp that was about the size of a VW beetle. it could lift about 250lbs it had no gondola or power plant it was a tethered areostat.
The blimp you see on that website is a 80,000 ft^2 job. it is 100' long and 40' tall without the gondola under in. though that was an un-maned airship it could have had a 2 man crew plus avionics and power plant.

while it only takes 32,000 ft^2 to lift a metric ton. you have to add in the weight of the airship.

So in order to get an semi-ridged airship to carry 2 VTOL's and a crew of 40? you would be looking at something about 10% bigger that the Hindenburg. Simple sleeping quarters and MINIMAL A&P shop for the planes.
269m long 45m wide

[Jackstand]

OH THE METAHUMANITY!!!!

[RunnerPaul]

I'm reminded of a certain classified ad.

[PBTHHHHT]

I'm reminded of a certain classified ad.

That could almost be a shadowrun plot in itself. 30 chinese and a zeppelin... what the heck? O_o
Now if it was a superheroes type of world, no problem... Minions Attack!!!

[Earlydawn]

I'd love to see a smaller, unmanned one as a combined sensor platform / recon drone carrier.

[crizh]

I'd love to see a smaller, unmanned one as a combined sensor platform / recon drone carrier.

What? Like a GTA Tower?

[Stahlseele]

I'd love to see a smaller, unmanned one as a combined sensor platform / recon drone carrier.

ain't there some drones like that?

[Demonseed Elite]

And, with some help from a few Air Elementals, they'd finally be able to use the Zepplin Mooring Lines on the Empire State Building!

I like the way you think. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/cool.gif)

[Fuchs]

USS Macon and USS Akron - Airship Aircraft carriers.

Ok, only four biplanes were carried, and both ships crashed, but they might be serving as examples.