The Pulp Hero Vehicle Sourcebook

[TheQuestionMan]

Good day Herophiles, does anybody out there have Pulp Era Hero Vehicles to post to this forum?

 

Thank you in advance

 

QM

[Barwickian]

Vincent Black Lightning

 

It's perhaps a little late for Pulp Hero - but it's a great motorbike.

 

Said James, "In my opinion there's nothing in this world

"Like a '52 Vincent and a red-headed girl.

"Now Nortons and Indians and Greaveses and Harleys won't do

"Coz they don't have a soul like a Vincent '52."

 

On September 13, 1948, at Bonneville Salt Flats, motorcyclist Rollie Free wrested the US motorcycle speed record from Harley Davidson atop a race-prepared motorbike custom built by the Vincent HRD Motorcycle Company, of Stevenage, England. In his first attempt at the record, the wind tore his leathers from his body when he reached 147mph. Undaunted, he removed the seat, stripped to his swimming trunks and lay down on the bike to take it to 150.313mph and a new record.

 

Vincent offered replicas of the bike, named the Black Lightning, by special order, price $1,500 (enough for a small family home in those days). Between 1948 and 1952 only another 28 were built. Vincent Black Lightnings remain one the most sought-after bikes in the world today - if you can even find one for sale, it'll set you back at least $250,000. Even the production-line spin-off, the Vincent Black Shadow, is highly desirable.

 

Vincent Black Lightning

 

Player:

 

Val	Char	Cost
15	STR	0
15	DEX	15
13	BODY	2
4	SPD	15

25" RUN00" SWIM-20" LEAP0Characteristics Cost: 41

 

Cost	Power	END
16	Motorized Two-wheeled Vehicle: Ground Movement +19" (25" total), x4 Noncombat, 1 Continuing Fuel Charge lasting 6 Hours (easily-obtained fuel; +0) (43 Active Points); OAF Bulky (STandard tires; -1 1/2), Only On Appropriate Terrain (-1/4)
0	Ground Vehicle: Swimming 0" (0" total)*

Powers Cost: 16

 

 

Total Character Cost: 57

 

Val	Disadvantages
10	Distinctive Features: Valuable motorcycle (Concealable with difficulty; Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable By Commonly-Used Senses)*
5	Physical Limitation: Two Wheeled (Infrequently, Slightly Impairing)

Disadvantage Points: 15

 

Total cost: 42/5 = 8

[Barwickian]

Hrd Hd90

 

Here's one more suited to the era...

 

Motorycle racer Howard Raymond Davies ended the First World War as a POW. He spent his time in the German POW camps dreaming of building the perfect motocycle.

 

It took him several years - and several times losing the Isle of Man TT race because of mechanical failure - to realise his dream. But in September 1924, with £3,000 capital, he founded HRD Motors Ltd in Wolverhampton, England. His plan was to build a small, exclusive series of high-performance motorcycles to retail for a 'reasonable' price. And he wanted them ready for November when there would be a motorcycle show at Olympia, London.

 

He conceived four models, all using engines built by JA Prestwich Co: the HD70 used a 350cc overhead-valve JAP engine and had a top speed of 70mph; the HD70S, available with or without sidecar (retailing at 66 guineas without, or 83 guineas with), used a 500cc side-valve JAP engine and would also reach 70mph. The HD80 used a special 350cc overhead valve, side-port JAP engine and would reach 80mph, and retailed for 80 guineas

 

The top of the range was the HD90. It used at 500cc overhead valve JAP engine, and was guaranteed to have a top speed of 90mph. It retailed for 90 guineas (£90, 90s).

 

Abround 60 production machines were ready by May 1925. Many were bought for competitive racing, and the press reviews were extremely favourable.

 

In June 1925, riding an HD90, Howard Davies won the Isle of Man TT Senior Race, finishing in 3 hours, 25 minutes and 35 secs, with an average speed of 66.13mph.

 

Over the next few years, new models appeared - the HD Super 90, the HD75 and others - but despite their race successes and healthy sales, HRD Motors was never a profitable business, and they went into liquidation in January 1928.

 

The firm was bought by a young motorcycle enthusiast, Phillip Vincent, who renamed the firm Vincent HRD Motors - but that's another story...

 

HRD HD90

 

Val**	Char***	Cost
20**	STR	5
15**	DEX	15
15**	BODY	4
	*
3**	SPD	5

*15"**RUN00"**SWIM-20"**LEAP0Characteristics Cost: 41

 

Cost**	Power	END
8**	Motorized Two-wheeled Vehicle: Ground Movement +9" (15" total), x4 Noncombat, 1 Continuing Fuel Charge lasting 6 Hours (Easily-obtainable fuel; +0) (23 Active Points); OAF Bulky (Standard tires; -1 1/2), Only On Appropriate Terrain (-1/4)*
0**	Ground Vehicle: Swimming 0" (0" total)*

Powers Cost: 8

 

 

Total Character Cost: 49

 

Val**	Disadvantages
10**	Distrinctive Features: Valuable Motorcycle (Concealable with difficulty; Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable By Commonly-Used Senses)*
5**	Physical Limitation: Two-wheeled (Infrequently, Slightly Impairing)*

Disadvantage Points: 15

 

Total Cost: 44/5 = 9

[Barwickian]

Vincent Rapide Series A

 

The last of the Pulp-era Vincent bikes for now...

 

In 1928 motorcycle enthusiast Philip C Vincent quit Cambridge University and, with the help of his cattle-farming family, bought the recently liquidised HRD Motor Company for £500. Included in the deal was the name, the goodwill and a few remaining components.

 

It took him a while to get the business going, and it wasn't really until he recruited Phil Irving as chief engineer in 1931 that the Vincent HRD Motor Co really got going. Irving and Vincent began designing a new motorbike worthy of its HRD predecessors. Unlike HRD, who used JAP engines, they'd build their own. The Vincent Rapide first rolled off the production line in October 1936.

 

It featured several innovations, most notably the first fully suspended rear frame on a motorbike, foot-controlled gears and a four-speed gearbox. Its 998cc air-cooled V-Twin engine produced 45bhp, and took the bike to 110mph. It was the direct inspiration for the big, post-WWII big V-Twins. In its day, it had no peers.

 

But the bike had its problems. The oil pipes, outside the engine, gave reliability issues, and gave the bike its nickname: the Plumber's Nightmare. Irving left Vincent in 1937, and though he rejoined in 1943, it wasn't until after the Second World War was over that he'd solve the oil problem with the post-war Series B Rapide.

 

Vincent HRD Rapide (Series A)

 

Val**	Char***	Cost
15**	STR	0
15**	DEX	15
10**	BODY	-1
	*
3**	SPD	5

*25"**RUN00"**SWIM-20"**LEAP0Characteristics Cost: 22

 

Cost**	Power	END
11**	Motorized Two-wheeled Vehicle: Ground Movement +19" (25" total), x4 Noncombat (43 Active Points); OAF Bulky (Standard tires; -1 1/2), 1 Continuing Fuel Charge lasting 1 Extra Phase (Easily obtainable fuel; -1 1/4), Only On Appropriate Terrain (-1/4)*
0**	Ground Vehicle: Swimming 0" (0" total)*

Powers Cost: 11

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Character Cost: 33

 

Val**	Disadvantages
10**	Distinctive Features: Valuable motorcycle (Concealable with difficulty; Noticed and Recognizable; Detectable By Commonly-Used Senses)*
5**	Physical Limitation: Two-wheeled (Infrequently, Slightly Impairing)*

Disadvantage Points: 15

 

Total Cost: 18/5 = 4

[Lord Liaden]

Re: Vincent Rapide Series A

 

Very fine work, Andy.

 

All I know of are the vehicle writeups from Dany St. Pierre's "Hero Pulp" website. They are a pretty good variety, though, with background notes and illos:

 

http://www.geocities.com/TimesSquare/Realm/6532/auto20.html

[Captain Obvious]

Re: The Pulp Hero Vehicle Sourcebook

 

I converted all the vehicles from Justice Inc into 4th Ed rules a while back. They should work well enough under 5th Ed. I'll have to go look for them.

[st barbara]

Re: The Pulp Hero Vehicle Sourcebook

 

One interesting point is that STEAM powered cars were much more common in the pre World War II era. A Stanley Steamer even held the world land speed record (at over 120 M P H !) in about 1928 ! Several varieties were available in the era including White, Dobel and Stanley.

[st barbara]

Re: The Pulp Hero Vehicle Sourcebook

 

Oops ! That's "Doble". It cost $8000 and was NOT common. My reference book says that only 45 were made between 1914 and 1931. It could get up steam from acold start in 1 and a half minutes ! Of course it doesn't HAVE to be rare in a pulp game world does it ?

[shadowcat1313]

Re: The Pulp Hero Vehicle Sourcebook

 

it might be a tad late but I wrote up and posted Sky Captains slightly modified P-40 on another thread

 

should I post it again?

[Starwolf]

Re: The Pulp Hero Vehicle Sourcebook

 

I'd say yes

[shadowcat1313]

Re: The Pulp Hero Vehicle Sourcebook

 

here goes

 

45 STR 0

16 DEX 0

 

20 BODY 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4 SPD 0

 

 

 

 

2" RUN -8

22" SWIM 0

0" LEAP 0

Characteristics Cost: 30

 

Cost Power

51 .50 (M2HB HMG): (Total: 168 Active Cost, 51 Real Cost) Killing Attack - Ranged 3d6, +1 STUN Multiplier (+1/4), Autofire (10 shots; +1), 250 Charges (+1) (146 Active Points); OAF Bulky (-1 1/2), Limited Arc Of Fire (60 degrees; Only on same horizontal level; -3/4), Real Weapon (-1/4) (Real Cost: 42) plus +2 OCV (10 Active Points); OAF Bulky (-1 1/2), Real Weapon (-1/4) (Real Cost: 4) plus +4 vs Range (12 Active Points); OAF Bulky (-1 1/2) (Real Cost: 5)

10 5 Extra .50 MG for a total of 6: Custom Power (10 Active Points)

34 Heavy Rockets: RKA 4d6, Increased Maximum Range (3,000"; +1/4), Armor Piercing (+1/2), Explosion (+1/2) (135 Active Points); OIF Bulky (-1), 4 Charges (-1), Limited Arc Of Fire (60 degrees; -1/2), Can Be Missile Deflected (-1/4), Extra Time (Delayed Phase, Only to Activate, -1/4)

9 Grapple Harpoon Launcher: Entangle 3 1/2d6, 6 DEF (50 Active Points); 2 Charges (-1 1/2), OIF Bulky (-1), Does Not Prevent The Use Of Accessible Foci (-1), Limited Arc Of Fire (60 degrees; Only on same horizontal level; -3/4), Can Be Missile Deflected (-1/4), Cannot Form Barriers (-1/4)

7 Clairsentience (Sight Group), Telescopic (+3 versus Range Modifier): +3, Transmit (24 Active Points); OIF Bulky Fragile (-1 1/4), Limited Arc Of Fire (60 degrees; -1/2), Custom Modifier (Attached cable from camera to aircraft; -1/2), 1 Continuing Charge lasting 1 Hour (-1/4)

28 Flight 61", x4 Noncombat (127 Active Points); Takeoff/Landing (-1), Side Effects, Side Effect occurs automatically whenever Power is used (Propeller damage; -1), Fuel Dependent (fuel is Very Common; must refuel Once per 6 Hours; -3/4), Cannot Move Backwards (-1/4), Stall Velocity 1/2 Vehicle's Maximum Combat Velocity (-1/4), Custom Modifier (20,00 foot max altitude; -1/4)

5 Auxilary Propellers: Swimming +20" (22" total) (20 Active Points); OIF Bulky (-1), Side Effects, Side Effect occurs automatically whenever Power is used (Propeller damage; -1), Fuel Dependent (fuel is Very Common; must refuel Once per 6 Hours; -3/4), Cannot Move Backwards (-1/4), Extra Time (Full Phase, Only to Activate, -1/4)

4 light armor : +4 DEF (12 Active Points); OIF Bulky (-1), Ablative BODY Only (-1/2), Limited Coverage [181-360] Degrees (Hull/Frame Only; cockpit, fuel tanks, engine; -1/2)

7 Aircraft Radio/Wireless set: Radio Perception/Transmission (Radio Group), MegaScale (1" = 100 km; +3/4), Can Be Scaled Down 1" = 1km (+1/4) (20 Active Points); OIF Bulky Fragile (-1 1/4), Gestures, Requires Gestures throughout (handset microphone; -1/2), Custom Modifier (must have engine power to run ; -1/4)

8 +6 DEX (18 Active Points); OIF Bulky (Aircraft Agility; -1), Linked (Flight; Lesser Instant Power can be used in any Phase in which greater Constant Power is in use; -1/4)

9 +2 SPD (20 Active Points); OIF Bulky (-1), Linked (Flight; Lesser Instant Power can be used in any Phase in which greater Constant Power is in use; -1/4)

6 Pressurized Cockpit: LS (Safe in High Pressure; Safe in Intense Cold; Self-Contained Breathing), 1 Continuing Charge lasting 6 Hours (+0) (13 Active Points); OIF Bulky Fragile (-1 1/4)

Powers Cost: 178

 

 

Cost Skill

5 +1 with Ranged Combat

Skills Cost: 5

 

 

Cost Talent

3 Bump Of Direction [Notes: basic aircraft compass]

Talents Cost: 3

 

Total Character Cost: 216

 

Base Points: 200

Experience Required: 16

Total Experience Available: 0

Experience Unspent: 0

[Starwolf]

Re: The Pulp Hero Vehicle Sourcebook

 

Cool, you are the man!

[Barwickian]

Re: The Pulp Hero Vehicle Sourcebook

 

Heigh-ho.

 

"You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to shadowcat1313 again."

[Barton]

Re: The Pulp Hero Vehicle Sourcebook

 

This is the Italian made bi-plane CR32 bis, used in the 30's and early in WW2.

 

Vehicle Name: Fiat CR 32 bis

 

CHARACTERISTICS

Val Char Base Points Total Roll Notes

4 SIZE 0 20 4 Length 2.52", Width 1.26", Area 3.17" Mass 1.6 ton KB -4

30 STR 30 0 30 15- HTH Damage 6d6 END [3]

17 DEX 10 21 17 12- OCV 6 DCV 4

4 SPD 2.7 13 4 Phases: 3, 6, 9, 12

2 DEF 2 0 2

14 BODY 14 0 14 12-

1" Ground Movement 6 -10 1"

0" Water Movement 2 -2 0"

0" Leaping 0 0 0" 42 Total Characteristics Points

 

EXPERIENCE POINTS

Total earned: 0

Spent: 0

Unspent: 0

Base Points: 156

Disad Points: 20

Total Points: 176

 

MOVEMENT

Type Total

Run (6) 1"

Swim (2) 0"

H. Leap (0") 0"

V. Leap (0") 0"

 

 

COMBAT INFORMATION

OCV: 6 DCV: 4

 

DISADVANTAGES

Cost Disadvantage

20 Distinctive Features: Fighter airplane, causes fear (Not Concealable; Always Noticed and Causes Major Reaction; Detectable By Commonly-Used Senses)

20 Total Disadvantages Cost

 

POWERS

Cost Power END

Propulsion Systems

22 1) Propeller-Driven Plane: Flight 23", x8 Noncombat, 1 Continuing Fuel Charges (AV-Gas) lasting 2 Hours (+0) (56 Active Points); Takeoff/Landing (-1), Side Effects (Side Effect only affects the environment near the character; 1D6 KA to anyone who comes in contact with propellers; -1/4), Stall Velocity 1/2 Vehicle's Maximum Combat Velocity (12" Stall Velocity; -1/4) [1 cc]

0 2) Can only fly (no swimming and limited running): Custom Power 0

 

Operations Systems

4 1) Radio Transmitter: Radio Perception/Transmission (Radio Group) (10 Active Points); OAF Bulky (-1 1/2), Sense Affected As Another Sense (Hearing Group; -1/4)

Notes: Only some aircraft would have this, usually unit leaders, if any. 0

1 2) Built in stopwatch: Absolute Time Sense (3 Active Points); OIF Bulky (-1)

1 3) Built-in compass: Bump Of Direction (3 Active Points); OIF Bulky (-1)

 

Weapons

26 1) 7.7mm machine gun: (Total: 107 Active Cost, 26 Real Cost) Killing Attack - Ranged 2d6+1, +1 STUN Multiplier (+1/4), Autofire (5 shots; +1/2), 250 Charges (+1) (96 Active Points); OAF Bulky (-1 1/2), STR Minimum (STR Min. Cannot Add/Subtract Damage; -1 1/4), Beam (-1/4), Real Weapon (-1/4) (Real Cost: 22) plus +1 OCV (5 Active Points); OAF Bulky (-1 1/2), Real Weapon (-1/4) (Real Cost: 2) plus +2 vs Range (6 Active Points); OAF Bulky (-1 1/2) (Real Cost: 2) [250]

5 2) 7.7mm Machine Gun (second gun): Custom Power (5 Active Points) 0

62 3) 12.7mm Machine Gun: (Total: 168 Active Cost, 62 Real Cost) Killing Attack - Ranged 3d6, +1 STUN Multiplier (+1/4), Autofire (10 shots; +1), 400 Charges (+1) (146 Active Points); OAF Bulky (-1 1/2), Real Weapon (-1/4) (Real Cost: 53) plus +2 OCV (10 Active Points); OAF Bulky (-1 1/2), Real Weapon (-1/4) (Real Cost: 4) plus +4 vs Range (12 Active Points); OAF Bulky (-1 1/2) (Real Cost: 5) [400]

5 4) 12.7mm Machine Gun (second gun): Custom Power (5 Active Points) 0

8 5) Bombs (100 Kg): Killing Attack - Ranged 1d6+1, Explosion (+1/2) (30 Active Points); OIF Bulky Durable Expendable (Easy to obtain new Focus; -1), Dropped (-1/2), Extra Time (Extra Segment, (time for bomb to drop); -1/2), Real Weapon (-1/4), Inaccurate 1/2 OCV (CR32 is not a dive bomber, and has no effective sights; -1/4) 3

134 Total Powers Cost

 

HISTORY

The Fiat CR.32 saw service in: Austria (45), China (24 ordered, only 9 delivered), Germany (38 ex-Austrian), Hungary (88), Italy (IAF, RSIAF, IcoAF), Paraguay (5), South Africa (1 captured ex-Italian), Spain (NatAF: approx. 380 included Italian legion, SpanAF 100+ included license production), Venezuela (9).

Total production: 1312

 

Technical details Fiat CR.32bis

Type:____________Fighter

Span:____________9.5 m

Lenght:__________7.47 m

Engine:__________Fiat A.30 RA bis / 600 hp.

Max speed:_______332 km/h at sea level

_________________360 km/h at 3,000 m Service ceiling:_9000 m

Range:___________750 km

Armament:________2x12.7 mm Breda-SAFAT and 2x7.7 mm Breda machine guns + max 100 kg of bombs

 

Specifications for CR.32ter

Crew 1

Bomb Load 220 lbs

Fuel 95:1 U.S.Gallons

Horsepower 600

Engine Fiat A30 RA-bis V-12

Max Speed 220 mph at 9,845 ft

Max Ceiling 28,870 ft

Range 485 miles

Users Italy (1,142), Austria (45), China (24), Hungary (90), Spain (380 + 100 license-built), Paraguay (5), South Africa (1 captured) and Venezuela (9)

Weapons 2 x Breda-Safat 7.7 mm machine guns in upper part of forward fuselage, 2 7.7mm machine in leading edges of lower wings. Could carry up to 220 lbs of bombs

 

 

A biplane with wings of unequal span resulting from development of the CR-30, using the same fabric covered tubular metal structure - aluminum for the wings, steel and aluminum for the fuselage. W-type Warren bracing was used between the wings. The CR-32 was of smaller dimensions and had improved maneuverability and performance. The spatted, wide track, fixed undercarriage had hydraulic shock absorbers and pneumatic brakes. Like its predecessor, it was designed by Celestino Rosatelli, and the prototype, (M.M. 201), first flew on 4/28/33. Series production began a year later. It was an immediate success, and a large export order book followed.

 

The engine was an in-line V-12 Fiat A30 R.A. bis developing 600 H.P. at take off. Armament was initially two Breda-Safat 7.7 mm. machine guns. It was produced in four very similar versions: the CR-32 and CR-32 quater with two machine guns, and the CR-32 bis, with four. The CR-32 formed the backbone of the Aviazione Legionaria and around 400 were operating in the skies over Spain from 8/36, equipping Nationalist fighter units as well as five Italian groups.

 

The CR-32 was faster in level flight and in a dive than the Chato (I-15), and compared with the Mosca (I-16) it was more maneuverable and more heavily armed. By employing superior tactics with this aircraft the Spainist Nationalist pilots out flew the fighters on the Republican side. Italian pilots scored 300 victories, themselves losing 132 aircraft - of which 73 in combat. After the war Hispano Aviación built 100 CR-32s under the designation HA-132 L. Thirty one of these were converted into two-seaters. The final examples remained in service until 1957.

 

It performed very well in Spain, but this had the drawback that Italy neglected the development of modern fighters. It first flew in 1933, with some 1,309 built, including licensed production in Spain. In 1940, some 294 were still in front line service primarily in North Africa, however, the British in their Gloster Gladiators easily defeated large numbers of the Fiat C.R. 32. It had been quickly eclipsed.

 

Variants::

CR.32: Prototype and initial production model. Armed with 2 12.7mm machine guns. Pilots loved its combination of structural strength and great agility. Delivered to Italian air force between 3/34 and 2/36.

CR.32bis:: Close-support fighter version. Increased armament to 2 7.7mm and 2 12.7mm machine guns and provision for 220 lbs of bombs. Used in Spanish Civil War and then turned over to Spain.

CR.32ter:: Revised CR.32bis with an improved engine, gunsight and upgraded instrumentation and strengthened and revised undercarriage. Delivered between 7/37 and 12/37. All used in Spain.

CR.32quater:: Revised CR.32ter with reduced weight and radio added. Definitive model with 337 produced for the Italian air force. Maximum speed of 221 mph at 9,845 ft.

HA-132L:: Spanish version, including 40 converted to trainer. Served until 1953.

 

Article by JDG

Sources:

Canadian Aces Homepage

Christopher Shores & Brian Cull, Dust Clouds in the Middle East, Grub Street, 1996.

Christopher Shores & Hans Ring, Fighters Over the Desert, Arco, 1975.

Nico Sgarlato, Italian Aircraft of World War II, Squadron/Signal Publications, 1979.

Elke Weale, Combat Aircraft of World War II, Bracken Books, 1977.

Wings: London Blitz to Pearl Harbor cd-rom.