Classic Wings TW-P-40V Warhawk Techno-Wizard Fighter:


During Wold War II, the Curtiss P-40 was one of the most controversial fighters to serve in large numbers. The fighter was both praised and vilified, lauded and abuses, but there is no disputing the fact that, as the first American single-seat fighter to be manufactured on a mass-production basis, the fighter bore much of the brunt of the air warfare over many battle fronts. Its performance was considered inferior to the majority of its opponents but theses shortcomings by being extremely rugged and by being extremely flexible. It could be operated from extremely rugged air fields and there is a case of a P-40 being shot by over one hundred 7.9 mm rounds as well as five 20 mm rounds. Almost Fourteen Thousand of these fighters were produced during the course of the War and the last were not retired until around Nineteen Fifty-Eight.


Beginning near the start of the Twenty-First Century, there were several aviation enthusiast groups who flew old aircraft, especially World War II fighters. One of these was known as the Confederate Air Force while another was known as the Fighter Factory. In addition to flying and restoring old aircraft, these groups collected extensive libraries on the designs of these old fighters. Some of these were old paper documents while others were advanced three dimensional files giving the aircraft in exacting details. While magic was but a few sparks compared to magic was transformed into after the coming of the Rifts, a tiny minority had began experimenting on combining magic into their old aircraft.


Stories tell that a small minority of them received prophetic warning about the coming of the Rifts and they persuaded many others to hide with them in remote areas to wait out the magic storms which ravaged the planet. The storms happened much as the visions predicted and when they emerged, they saw a world which had been completely ravaged by the magical energies. Over virtually the entire planet, the militaries had been wiped off the globe for the most part and the old relics where often the only air forces remaining. With the incredible strengthening of magic, these survivors began to develop magical abilities of their own and they soon learned to incorporate far more powerful magic into their aircraft. Many scholars believe that these people were the first techno-wizard aviators.


At first these aviators were content with flying their old aircraft but eventually they decided to begin building their own aircraft. The P-51 Mustang was one of the first aircraft which they began converting to techno-wizardry. The fighter was already being built by Golden Age Weaponsmiths. The company took the name "Classic Wings" and it is believed that a group broke off to form the “Wildstorm” company. Eventually the techno-wizards at "Classic Wings" began branching out into new designs, one of these being based on the P-40 Warhawk. Even though lighter than the P-51, the P-40 was always extremely well armored and capable. Both designs could use the same engine which made for easier production. The company began their own facility for producing these fighters and due to the relatively simple nature could actually produce them cheaper than the converted P-51 Mustangs.


Like with their Techno-Wizard P-51 Mustang, Classic Wings produces several different variants on the P-40 Warhawk. As a result, cost can vary quite a bit depending on what equipment is chosen for the fighter. Some models use the Golden Age version of the Packard Merlin engine, most having been pulled from P-51 Mustangs which are converted to fusion reactors, while other clients opt for the same fusion reactor which is carried on the converted P-51 Mustangs. While the standard Packard Merlin engine is far less expensive, with most pilots running the aircraft from bio-fuels, the fusion reactor gives virtually unlimited range. As well, some pilots elect to not have the “Armor of Ithan” force field although it is a standard option and is preferred by most pilots. A purchaser of the fighter can also selecet between carrying a totla of four guns or six guns. Introduced at the same time it was for the P-51, the final option is the addition of a "Buzz" Prop, basically a variation on the spell "Spinning Blades."


Both models with the convention piston engine and with a fusion reactor mount a telekinetic flight system so the aircraft can fly wherever there are ley lines. Top speed on Ley Lines is around two hundred miles per hour and the aircraft, whatever engine is carried, can fly virtually indefinitely. An added advantage is that the aircraft is virtually silent when flying in this manner. In normal flight, the conventionally powered version of this fighter have a reduced range and are slower than similar P-51 versions. Range is around seven hundred and fifty miles and the fighter has a top speed of around three hundred and seventy five miles per hour. Fusion powered versions have the advantage of virtually unlimited range and are faster than conventional powered versions but are still slower than the similarly powered Mustang. Top speed is around four hundred and twenty miles per hour. It also shares the problem that the engine will overheat if run continuously at maximum speed although can maintain three hundred miles per hour virtually indefinitely. Like many other fighters, the engine is derived from those carried in many power armors and is extremely lightweight.


While the fighters are designed to look like old World War II designs, these fighters are far from this on the inside. Many of the features carried on the Warhawk are similar to those carried on otehr designs and many believe that Classic Wings was the first to introduce these features. The fighter carries a full electronic suit including a compact but powerful fire control radar system. For the pilots comfort, the cockpit of these fighters is fully environmental and are equipped with advanced holographic displays. While normally the displays mimic the gauges of the original P-40, they can be reconfigured virtually instantly when the pilot needs more comprehensive displays. The flight system is an advanced fly by wire system which gives the fighter incredible maneuverability.


While the P-51 is made by Golden Age Weaponsmiths, the P-40 is manufactured from start to finish by Classic Wings. The engineers have managed to equip their versions of the P-40 with even more armor than is carried on the P-51 and the fighters can take enormous amounts of abuse before being dropped from the sky. Unlike versions of the P-51 made before the coming of the Rifts, the Golden Age version of the P-51 is made from advanced high strength. In addition, most versions of the Classic Wings Warhawk have an "Armor of Ithan" force field to augment the increased armor. The fighters also carry the impervious to energy enchantment which makes them completely immune to conventional energy weapons when active.


The original Curtiss P-40 mounted a variety of different weapon systems. Early in the war, versions mounted a pair of .50 machine guns in the nose which fired through the propellor and .30 caliber or .303 caliber mounts in the wings. This was replaced by versions which mounted four .50 machine guns in the wings instead of the lighter weapons with the nose mounted weapons removed. Many versions also carried six .50 machine-guns in the wings. Classic Wings versions of the fighter mount either four or six telekinetic machine guns depending on the clients choice. While the weapons have to be recharged periodically, they have the advantage over energy weapons of being effective against targets which are impervious to energy weapons. The fighter mounts four missile hard points which have the ability to carry four heavy bombs or missiles. This can be replaced by a variety of smaller ordnance including mini-missile pods although rocket packs were never carried on the Curtiss P-40. With the advanced electronics, missiles can be controlled by the pilot.


Model Number: TW-P-40V Warhawk
Vehicle Type: Single Engine Techno-Wizard Fighter
Crew: One


M.D.C. by Location:

[1] Wings (2):140 each
[2] Elevators (2):60 each
[2] Rudder (1):75 each
Cockpit:150
Engine:120
Propeller:50
Landing Gear (2):10 each
[3] Main Body:310
Magical “Armor of Ithan” Force Field (Optional - 3 times per day):100


Notes:
[1] Destroying a wing will cause the plane to crash.
[2] Destruction of the elevators or rudder will leave the plane uncontrollable and pilot must eject to survive.
[3] Depleting the M.D.C. of the main body will shut the aircraft down completely, rendering it useless and causing it to crash if in flight


Speed:
Driving on Ground (Taxiing): Only possible for take offs and landings as well as for parking and storage. Speed is 40 mph (64 kph) when traveling and not on take off or landing.
Flying:
Conventional Piston powered: 375 mph (603.5 kph) with an altitude of 30,000 feet. (9,144 meters)
Fusion Reactor Powered: 420 mph (675.9 kph) with an altitude of 40,000 feet (12,192 meters.)
Telekinetic Flight System (All Models): 200 mph (320 kph) on Telekinetic flight system but aircraft must remain on a ley line for flight system to operate.
Maximum Effective Range:
Conventional Piston powered: 750 miles (1207 km) . The Warhawk cannot be refuel in the air.
Fusion Reactor Powered: The Warhawk will overheat after twelve hours of operation at above 300 mph (482.8 kph) on propeller driven flight.
Telekinetic Flight System (All Models): Effective unlimited on Telekinetic flight system.


Statistical Data:
Height: 12 feet 4 inches (3.75 meters)
Wingspan: 37 feet 4 inches (11.37 meters)
Length: 33 feet 4 inches (10.15 meters)
Weight: 6,700 pounds (3,039 kilograms) empty, 8,400 pounds (3,810 kilograms) fully loaded
Power System: Powered by a conventional piston engine or a fusion Reactor (five year life span.) Warhawk uses a Telekinetic flight system for flight on ley lines.
Cargo: Minimal (Storage for small equipment), does not include hard points
Black Market Cost: Standard Model with conventional piston engine costs 6.6 million credits, Standard Model with five year fusion reactor costs 9.6 million credits. "Buzz" props cost an additional 500,000 credits and reduce cost by one million without “Armor of Ithan” forcefield. As well, reduce cost by 400,000 if only four guns are carried instead of six.


Weapon Systems:

  1. Forward Telekinetic Machine-Guns (4 or 6): Fairly lightweight and mounted in the wings. The weapons replace the four or six .50 caliber Browning machine-gun carried on the original Warhawk. All four or six cannons can fire together. It is enchanted by a series of spells so the cannon acts as a more powerful version of the TK Machine-gun. This increases the weapon's damage and instead of being reloaded, the cannon must be recharged by the spell Telekinesis and 50 P.P.E. each once per month. The cannon does full damage to targets that are impervious to energy.
    Maximum Effective Range: 4,000 feet (1,220 meters).
    Mega Damage: 6D6 each, 2D6x10+20 for four, and 3D6x10+30 for all six.
    Rate of Fire: Equal to the combined hand to hand attacks of the pilot (usually 4 or 5).
    Payload: Unlimited, although the spells must be renewed every month whether the cannon have been used or not.
  2. Wing Hard Points (4): The Classic Wings Warhawk can carry a variety of ordnance on its hard points. The fighter has two hard points on each wing for a total of four hard points. With the addition of sensor systems, the fighter can control missiles instead of just bombs and unguided rockets. Mini-Missile pods are very popular. There is no provision for jamming pods or towed decoys. External ordnance cannot be launched while the electrical field is active but is protected from the magical field while attached to the fighter.
    1. Bombs and Missiles: The only restriction is that a hard point must carry all the same type of missiles or bombs. Both unguided and guided bombs can be carried.
      Maximum Effective Range: Varies by missile type for missile and varies by altitude that bombs are dropped at (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)
      Mega Damage: Varies by missile or bomb type (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)
      Rate of Fire: Missiles can be fired and bombs can be dropped one at a time per hard point. Multiple hard points can be linked as one attack but must be the same size (light, medium, or heavy) and style of ordnance (all missiles or bombs in a volley.)
      Payload: 4 short range missile or light bombs, 2 medium range missiles or medium bombs, or 1 long range missile or heavy bomb (all ordnance on a hard point must be the same size and type of ordnance) per hard point.
    2. Mini-Missile Pod: Large capacity mini-missile pod. The aircraft normally carries missile pods for ground strafing, anti-troop, and anti-emplacement attacks. Normal missile used are armor piercing, plasma, or fragmentation mini-missiles.
      Maximum Effective Range: Varies with missile types, mini-missiles only (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)
      Mega Damage: Varies with mini missile types (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)
      Rate of Fire: Each pod can fire missiles one at a time or in volleys of two (2), four (4), eight (8), or sixteen (16) mini-missiles and can be linked with other mini-missile pods for greater number of missiles (Counts as one attack no matter how many missiles in volley.)
      Payload: Each pod carries sixteen (16) mini-missiles.
  3. Spinning Blade Propeller (Optional): This is an additional weapon systems which is only available on later versions of the fighter. Sometimes called "Buzz Props", the enchantment is a modified application of the Spinning Blades spell, this system converts conventional propellor blades into powerful weapon and defense. When activated, the twelve blades appear in a floating circle ahead and slightly wider than the arc of the converted propeller. These blades then spin like a demonic "buzz-saw", protecting the fighter against incoming projectiles. The blades can also be launched offensively in any direction at targets individually on in groups. When launched as a group, the blades inflict double damage. Also, the volley of blades is impossible to parry and can only be dodged.
    Maximum Effective Range: Defensive: 60 feet (18.3 meters) around aircraft, Offensive: 720 feet (219.5 meters)
    Mega Damage: Individually inflict 1D6 per blade, when fired as a group inflict 2D6 per blade (24D6 for the group when all 12 are launched)
    Payload / Duration: 12 melee rounds per activation (cost 20 P.P.E. to activate)
    Bonus: Blades have a +6 to parry missiles, rail gun rounds, auto-cannon shells, and other projectiles aimed at the aircraft. Parrying a missile will destroy the blade parrying the missile. The defense system can also parry energy blasts but is only at +2 to parry.
  4. Techno-Wizard Modifications: The Classic Wings Techno-Wizard Warhawk has the following techno-wizard modifications built into the fighter. These require P.P.E. or I.S.P. from the pilot.
    Special Features:
      Impervious to Energy (6th Level) - 20 P.P.E. or 40 I.S.P.
      Invisibility-Superior (6th Level) - 20 P.P.E. or 40 I.S.P.


Special Equipment:
The fighter has all the standard features of a standard fighter (same as standard robot minus loudspeaker and microphone) plus these special features listed. The special equipment is a combination of both magic and technology

Combat Bonuses:


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Writeup by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).


Copyright © 2007, Kitsune. All rights reserved.


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