[GZG] GEVs

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close friend's dad just retired a few years ago as the CCG's only
hovercraft inspector. This job took him all over Canada inspecting hover
vehicles. I think you'll find that some hover vehicles are quite simple
(the
equivalent of a VW bug). But anything large or commercial grade is
actually
reasonably complex as a mechanical system. If it has to carry
passengers,
moreso. Of course, combat units don't have to carry passengers, but they
have to be capable of sustaining some amount of combat damage, including
damage to the fans, the air cushion itself (the containment system), or
the
engines as well as damage to various steering mechanisms and any actual
combat systems or embarked personel.

I would tend to assume GEVs are different than wheeled vehicles, but no
less
complex. A military wheeled vehicle strives to be very capable and
maintainable which argues for a certain simplicity. Military GEVs are
probably about as complex, at a guess, just with different problems.

GEVs would likely have some sort of rollers for movement with the fans
powered down - a tow while in depot, for instance. They might be tucked
up
under the plenum in some retractile mount so you might not see them, but
they'd likely be there.

If you want real fun, imagine the fun with WIGs in your sci-fi.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wing-In-Ground_effect_vehicle
-- 
"Now, I go to spread happiness to the rest of the station. It is a
terrible
responsibility but I have learned to live with it."
Londo, A Voice in the Wilderness, Part I

"To argue with a person who has renounced the use of reason is like
administering medicine to the dead." -- Thomas Paine

Thomas Paine