The Empress of India
Jita-da
Physical Specifications:
- Frame: Wood and steel wire. 6m long, 2.5m wide, and 3m tall.
- Engine: 2 X russian made Voronod steam engines. High efficiency. Capable of generating hydrogen and/or mechanical torque.
- Controls: Yaw controls only made of canvas on wooden frame and steel wires. Altitude is controlled using buoyancy (and this sluggish).
- Navigation: Nothing! But there is a mounted telescope at the bow.
- Living space: Foot rails along the frame and engines. 2’X2’ boards behind the engines with operations and steering.
- Fuel: 250lb-capacity coal box.
Performance:
- Startup: 4hr inflation. 15mins to warm up engine from cold state.
- Ceiling: Untested: Test flight at less than 50m.
- Operational range: 10 hrs at cruise consumption.
- Airspeed: 10 kph (relative to ground)
- Landing specs: Vertical landing possible.
Flight history:
- First Test flight: January 1868, Alwar. 25 minutes.
- Rescue Mission: February 1868, 7h sortie. 2 men fell 30 m to the ground, no mortality.
Known bug(s):
High-pitch vibration after 1-2 hours of cruise navigation.