The Year 1931

[eveningsky339]

Imagine this... A universe (or solar system, rather) based on an alternate history of the 1930s based on the work of Heinlein, Jules Vern, and others.

I've been toying with the Rocketship Heinlein available on orbithangar, but there is much more potential in terms of different kinds of spacecraft. And when I say different, I mean different!

No engines? No problem! Just hop aboard a Jules Vern Spacebullet for a quick launch into orbit via a massive cannon.

If you're not in the mood for turning passengers into puddles of red jelly, why not take a ride in the space blimp?

These are a few concepts that I've found. I also would be interested in a sort of steam-powered interplanetary ship that can "refuel" at stations on the polar ice caps of moons and planets.

As far as space stations go, I have been able to find absolutely zero concepts based on the ideas of the 30s. I think most people back then viewed future spaceships as totally self-reliant; islands unto themselves. But you can't just hop into space without a destination.

I think the Big Wheel available at orbithangar would make a good stopping point for vessels bound for Earth orbit. It would probably be best if it were placed in a parking orbit above a major spaceport.

As for spaceports, I've thrown two moon bases together: Climatology Outpost #5 and Copernicus Spaceport. I plan on adding a large spaceport on Earth in Butler, Missouri (Heinlein's birthplace). I could also add quite a few others throughout Sol.

As great as all this sounds, I have one problem: I've never made a ship addon, and I'm having difficulty with learning C++ code. Besides, the artistic part of my brain never really came to fruition. I can include several addons in a package with the authors' permission, but things such as the Space bullet and the space blimp have never been modeled.

I'm going to try and learn as best I can, but I may need some help if I want to go through with making this beauty.

 

[John_L]

I've been wanting to build the columbiad for ages... would be a neat addon, albeit, not much to do besides launch.

 

[Ursus]

I've been thinking of designing a retro-futuristic panel for a while, now... something into which I could incorporate a few banks of Nixie tubes.

Right now, though, I've got another project on which I'm working.

 

[Usonian]

In the same vain, have you ever read H.G. Wells War of the Worlds? Forget Orsen Wells' radio program or any of the movies. In the book there is a wonderful description of a martian walking machine wading out into the English Channel to do battle with a late 19th century Dreadnaught-style battle ship! (I think Wells called it an "ironclad," using terminology that was outdated even in his time.)

I am waiting for Hollywood to produce a "straight" version of War of The Worlds, properly set in the year 1900... a sci-fi English costume drama produced by a Spielberg/Miramax partnership :lol:

Until then, an Orbiter add-on could fill the gap!

 

[Urwumpe]

Actually, Ironclads had been still used around 1900. The main force at the time consisted of Pre-Dreadnaughts, the Dreadnaught first appeared in 1906. But Ironclads still served as gap fillers until the Dreadnaught era. The last Ironclads left active service in the first decade of the 20th century.

The first Ironclad battle was the famous Battle of Lissa, in 1866. Not too far in the past when Wells wrote the novel.

EDIT: I think this painting gives one of the best impressions of naval warfare in the 1866 - at least it's a very living image.

 

[Coolhand]

^ What does that really tell us? That ships in 1866 were captained and half crewed by half monkey, half man hybrids.

very neat idea eveningsky... You could go even further back than that... victorian era as some others have suggested, you could also go really way back in time and do an addon with vimana's or other really ancient flying machines.

 

[Graham2001]

In the same vain, have you ever read H.G. Wells War of the Worlds? Forget Orsen Wells' radio program or any of the movies. In the book there is a wonderful description of a martian walking machine wading out into the English Channel to do battle with a late 19th century Dreadnaught-style battle ship!!

Actually, it was a hell of a lot smaller than a pre-Dreadnaught...

"Come, cheer up, my lads, 'tis to glory we steer..."

 

[Usonian]

The main force at the time consisted of Pre-Dreadnaughts, the Dreadnaught first appeared in 1906.

Which is why I said "Dreadnaught-type." I suppose I could have said "Maine-type battleship" for a more accurate time frame, but I was referring to a British novel (and international readers might not get the Maine referrence) so I went with the British reference that came most readily to mind.

USS Maine - late 19th century...

But let's deal with a more weighty issue - my petty American pride...

The first Ironclad battle was the famous Battle of Lissa, in 1866. Not too far in the past when Wells wrote the novel.

Ummm.... USS Monitor vs. CSS Virginia (formerly USS Merrimac), March 9, 1862

We are sooo proud of our killing machines. (Us and the Germans )

Now, imagine a Wellsian Martian walking machine standing between the combatants acting as referee:lol:

I don't think Wells was describing a wooden ship, clad in iron, but rather an all-iron ship - like the Maine or Dreadnaught. But it's been years since I read War of the Worlds (Could I be... wrong hmy I will have to dig out my old paperback copy and look it up.

 

[adamb193]

We are sooo proud of our killing machines. (Us and the Germans )

Now, imagine a Wellsian Martian walking machine standing between the combatants acting as referee:lol:

No Germans are just proud of German things, ask a german if Audi is a german car company, our tour guide almost killed us over that!

 

[eveningsky339]

^ What does that really tell us? That ships in 1866 were captained and half crewed by half monkey, half man hybrids.

very neat idea eveningsky... You could go even further back than that... victorian era as some others have suggested, you could also go really way back in time and do an addon with vimana's or other really ancient flying machines.

Perhaps I can work on creating separate "eras" in one package? The space bullet wouldn't fit well with Heinlein rockets in one context...

The problem is I am very... eh... impaired when it comes to making my own addons. I've yet to fully grasp anim8or or C++ code. But then again, I haven't done much studying on them either. Either way I'll need some help with this one.

 

[Usonian]

No Germans are just proud of German things...

That's what I meant - we both take pride in our war machines. For the Germans: Panzer IV, ME-262, etc. etc.

Although, come to think of it, P-38... an American aircraft and a German sidearm.

 

[Biscuit]

It's a bit off topic, and a bit before 1930, and a bit (just a bit) unrealistic, but since the talk went off to older ironclads and such, I was reminded of the old RPG "Space:1889" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_1889

I wish my modeling skills were better ... that could be a fun world to build (in the same vein as wo2001) ...

 

[Kyle]

Image if, the first human came around 30 years earlier..
Moon Landings in 1930, Shuttle in the 50's-70's, Orion Lunar missions in the 80's followed by a Mars Landing in the 90's.

 

[Notebook]

Ironclad or pre-dreadnought? You pays your money and takes your choice!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Thunder_Child

I've been around HMS Warrior in Portsmouth, marvellous

http://home.freeuk.com/gazkhan/warrior.htm

N.

 

[Usonian]

Ironclad or pre-dreadnought? You pays your money and takes your choice!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Thunder_Child

Thanks for that! At 51 years old I sometimes wonder about my memory. I either recalled the scene correctly or Wikipedia is just as senile as I am.

Thanks also to Biscuit - Space 1889 is hysterical:rofl:

eveningsky339, there seems to be some real interest in a "retro" sci-fi add-on. I might play with the idea after I finish my current project.