Re: GEVs/Grav

>>** Sure. Powerful fans could push you up a slope even if you are
>>heavy. This whole argument of mine hinges on the presence of cheap
>>efficient fusion. But the GZGverse already presupposes that. So I'm
>>not just inventing the idea.
>
>But, as mentioned elsewhere, you have to have lift, not just ground
effect, in
>order to get it up a slope. Lift is probably not even possible in a
fusion
>world. 
>

Allan's right here.  A hovercraft's lift fans (underskirt air pumps,
really) would actually be acting AGAINST the vehicle's travel up the
hill -
both because of the part of the lift vector effectively acting backwards
when the vehicle tilts, and because the fans will be acting to pull the
skirts at the front of the vehicle off the ground - thereby letting out
the
air cushion OR requiring a huge increase in power from the lift fans to
compensate - which would have a corresponding increase in the rearward
portion of the lift vector which the pusher propellers would have to
overcome...  It's a losing proposition - even with super fusion engines
with near unlimited power.  You still won't get enough LIFT from the
lift
fans (in the aerodynamic sense) 'cause of aerodynamic limitations to fly
a
tank up a hill.  Now, maybe if you have lift motors like the YAK38/42(?)
aircraft, or what the JSF concept has in mind, which are really powerful
and act only when the vehicle needs to go over something...  Our GEV has
several super-high energy jet-type engines pointing downwards mounted in
the hull, which literally blast it over obstacles but keep off the rest
of
the time to conserve fuel - these are reaction motors (ie a jet) not
"aerodynamic lift" propulsion fans (like a helocopter rotor or an
airplane
propeller).... - so it doesn't rely on the "ground effect" at all for
clearing obstacles.

anyway, it's late (5am) and i'm fried... so off to bed :)

Later, gents.

Adrian

Adrian Johnson
ajohnson@idirect.com