Carpospiza
From AuroraWiki
| Carpospiza Mk II | ||
|---|---|---|
| ||
| Carpospiza Mk II | ||
| Type | Fighter | |
| Service History | ||
| Place of Origin |  Etruria
| |
| Year Designed | 2087 | |
| Manufacturer | Freccia | |
| Number Built | {{{num_built}}} | |
| Variants | Mk 1, Mk 2 | |
| Service Dates | 2089 to Present | |
| Used By | Etruria Sam'thuma
| |
| Wars | TBD | |
| Specifications | ||
| Crew | 1 | |
| Length | 5.5 m | 18 ft |
| Wingspan | 7.3 m | 24 ft |
| Height | 2.2 m | 7 ft |
| Weight | 452 kg | 996 lb |
| Max. Takeoff | 662 kg | 1460 lb |
| Performance | ||
| Power Plant | 1 x ACE I6 220 hp | |
| Speed | 305 km/h | 190 mph |
| Rate of Climb | 10 m/s | 33 ft/sec |
| Ceiling | 760 m | 25000 ft |
| Range | 926 km | 500 nm |
| Armament | ||
| Guns | 1 .30 caliber machine gun | |
| Missiles | {{{missiles}}} | |
| Bombs | 0 kg | 0 lb |
The Carpospiza Mk. II are exceptionally light “parasite” monoplanes built and operated by the Etrurian Imperial Aviation Squadron capable providing interceptor airship defense. The Carpospiza was the first parasite monoplane in the Etrurian inventory and marked a significant improvement over earlier designs.
Development
The need for a light single place monoplane fighter to protect the air armadas was recognized early in the development of the Arcus. The 120-hp Carvus biplane (also known in Sinoptikon as the Be31 PetaloudaPolemoc), leading parasite fighter of the time, was found to be too slow. The first attempt at a parasite monoplane, known as the naught, was developed with marginal success. Following a series of mishaps, the Etrurian government sold all remaining 78 aircraft to Sinoptikon. A later design, the Carpospiza Mk. I, which replaced the 120-hp Carvus biplane, was flown extensively as a parasite fighter on board the Arcus Class Airships. The current Carpospiza Mk. II is a close relative to this early aircraft design with several notable upgrades. Although the Carpospiza Mk. II is the oldest of the parasite fighter inventory, it is the most versatile.
Design
The simple air-cooled 220-hp inline six-cylinder engine can launch the light and nimble Carpospiza Mk. II to speeds in excess of 200 mph. The aircraft carries a minimal amount of fuel and has loiter time of only a few hours.
The Carpospiza’s 20 ft. 1 in. wingspan can be reduced to 6 feet by collapsing the hinged wings. The fuselage is 17 ft. long. The cockpit is hinged on the back and closed after the pilot is inside. A hole for the pilot's head is left open. Ventilation is assured by 30 small holes drilled in the windshield. Removable landing gear are removed during airship operations.
The cockpit is very small and the pilot's seat is level with the rudders. Only aviators weighing less than 130 pounds and standing less than 5’8” are eligible to pilot the Carpospiza due to the size of the cockpit. The original Carpospiza had limited instruments including only an altimeter and airspeed indicator mounted outside the cockpit. Fuel indicators were later added. Although the Carpospiza has excellent outside visibility, it is difficult to visualize the interior and pilots must memorize the location of the control stick, throttle and mixture lever, flap lever, trigger button, supplemental oxygen valve, fuel shutoff handle and ignition.
The Carpospiza has a reputation as a death trap. Aviators carry a limited supply of supplemental oxygen with them for high altitude launches and many "Spiz" pilots have suffered hypoxia related deaths. In addition, limited fuel supplies (and no fuel guage in early models) make for potentially disastrous operations.
