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Foxbat airplane


quozaxx

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Re: Foxbat airplane

 

Foxbat suddenly wants a 1960's-era jet fighter, made mostly of steel alloys, consumes fuel by the tankerload, needs a county-long runway to take off and land, has tube-fired electronics and can't turn above 3 G with a full load of fuel without ripping its own wings off?

 

Yeah, that sounds like Foxbat!

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Re: Foxbat airplane

 

Just a few other (somewhat more charitable) notes about the plane: It was designed to intercept the B-70 Valkyrie bomber, and is probably one of the greatest examples of limited technology applied to a seemingly impossible task. All the above I posted above are true. However, the radar, although not solid-state, was virtually unjammable, and was immune to EMP. The steel structure and skin were heavy and not as strong as modern alloys, but they allowed the plane to handle high heat. The engines were primitive (they were rather unreliable, and had a problem of uncontrollably accelerating once you got to Mach 2.8 - you'd go to Mach 3.2, whether you wanted to or not, and the engines would have to be completely replaced after that). However, they were tasked with pushing all that weight around, and very few engines from the era could do that, Russian or Western. In a stripped-down form, it set several speed and climbing records, some of which still stand today.

 

The tragedies (from the Russian perspective) of the MiG-25 was that the threat that it was built to fight never went into production. The B-70 program was cancelled, and the US bomber fleet went from high-altitude-and-incredibly fast to low-stealthy-and-medium-fast (the B-1A and B-1B are the case in point of the shift), and the Foxbat was suddenly a bit of a white elephant, as it performed poorly at low altitude. It wasn't nearly capable enough to catch the US SR-71 Blackbird, let alone have the weapons suite to engage it. Another, larger tragedy was that the USAF, not having any hard intelligence on the plane, went on what they thought the plane could do - and thus sharpened the design of the F-15 Eagle, which far, far surpassed the Foxbat's combat performance, and is still in enthusiastic use today.

 

Foxbat might want a Foxbat - but if the heroes have anything like a Blackbird... Curses! Foiled Again!

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Re: Foxbat airplane

 

Another' date=' larger tragedy was that the USAF, not having any hard intelligence on the plane, went on what they[i'] thought[/i] the plane could do - and thus sharpened the design of the F-15 Eagle, which far, far surpassed the Foxbat's combat performance, and is still in enthusiastic use today.

 

It is my understanding that it was that lack of information in the West that inspired Craig Thomas to write the novel Firefox, which inspired the movie with Clint Eastwood--which I did enjoy a great deal.

 

Here's another point that must be considered--Foxbat (according to his 5th Ed. writeup in CK&C, pgs. 150-151) does not know how to fly a plane. Being Foxbat, I suppose, he would most likely jump in the cockpit, flip on the autopilot and say, "Autopilot! Take me to the Foxbatlair! I command it!" And then he'd sit and wonder why nothing happens. I suppose he could spend a few of those donated EPs he's accumulated over the years--but then his idea of pilot training would be to play Microsoft Flight Simulator for eleven days straight.

 

Yep--the scenario has "Disaster waiting to happen" written all over it. But that's par for the course for Foxbat.

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Re: Foxbat airplane

 

I keep on reading the title of this thread and wondering if it's a new psychedelic rock band.

 

Shh! Don't give Foxbat ideas!

 

Just some final notes:

- The Foxbat remains in service in some places, and in an improved version as the MiG-31 Foxhound (not to be confused with the MiG-31 Firefox, which is a fictional aircraft). Of course, to Foxbat, it wouldn't be a real Foxbat.

- As wcw noted above, if Foxbat (the supervillain) lacks the Combat Pilot skill (or even the necessary TF), he might want to check out the two-seater version of the Foxbat (the aircraft - yes, there's a trainer). He could have a Foxbatminion fly it. Appropriately enough, it's known as the Foxbat-PU. Unless he wants to splurge and buy (or steal) the two-seat reconnaissance trainer version, the normal trainer has no radar or combat capability. Of course, he might want to fit it with Foxbatgadgets of his own design, anyway...

 

Anybody want to see the Foxbat-Foxbat-PU designed with Hero Designer?

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Re: Foxbat airplane

 

Go for it. I think, though, he might try to modify it with VTOL thrusters, or at the very least some sort of JATO rocket assembly--which would likely consist of a giant skyrocket (with the word ACME printed on its side) lashed to the top of the fuselage. Unless Charly (Foxbat For President, pgs. 65-70) is available, in which case she would suggest something much, much more sensible.

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Re: Foxbat airplane

 

Here we go. First the file itself:

 

[ATTACH]45679[/ATTACH]

 

Then a text version, as my computer has been giving me fits tonight:

 

Foxbat-Foxbat-PU

 

[TABLE=class: MsoNormalTable]

[TR]

[TD] Val

[/TD]

[TD=width: 48] Char[/TD]

[TD=width: 36] Cost

[/TD]

[TD=width: 180] Notes[/TD]

[TD=width: 2][/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=width: 35]

9

[/TD]

[TD=width: 48] Size[/TD]

[TD=width: 36]

45

[/TD]

[TD=width: 180] Length 16m, Width 8m, Height 8m, Volume 1,024m^3 Mass 51.2 ton, OCV +6, KB -9[/TD]

[TD=width: 2][/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=width: 35]

45

[/TD]

[TD=width: 48] STR[/TD]

[TD=width: 36]

-10

[/TD]

[TD=width: 180] Lift 12.8tons; 9d6[/TD]

[TD=width: 2][/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=width: 35]

10

[/TD]

[TD=width: 48] DEX[/TD]

[TD=width: 36]

0

[/TD]

[TD=width: 180][/TD]

[TD=width: 2][/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=width: 35]

19

[/TD]

[TD=width: 48] BODY[/TD]

[TD=width: 36]

0

[/TD]

[TD=width: 180][/TD]

[TD=width: 2][/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=width: 35]

3

[/TD]

[TD=width: 48] SPD[/TD]

[TD=width: 36]

10

[/TD]

[TD=width: 180] Phases: 4, 8, 12[/TD]

[TD=width: 2][/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=width: 35][/TD]

[TD=width: 48][/TD]

[TD=width: 36][/TD]

[TD=width: 182, colspan: 2] Total Characteristic Cost: 61[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

 

Movement: Running: 12m / 24m

Flight: 434m / 1736m

 

[TABLE=class: MsoNormalTable]

[TR]

[TD] Cost

[/TD]

[TD=width: 227] Powers[/TD]

[TD=width: 38] END

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=width: 35] 11[/TD]

[TD=width: 227] Life Support (Safe in Intense Cold; Safe in Intense Heat; Safe in Low Pressure/Vacuum; Self-Contained Breathing) (16 Active Points); OAF Bulky Durable (-1 1/2), 1 Continuing Charge lasting 6 Hours (-0) Note: (x2 number of items)[/TD]

[TD=width: 38]

[1 cc]

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=width: 35] 10[/TD]

[TD=width: 227] Foxbatejectors!: Telekinesis (26 STR) (39 Active Points); 1 Charge (-2), Only to throw object straight up (-2), OIF Bulky (-1), Only Works On Limited Types Of Objects Limited Group of Objects (Pilot and Foxbat; -1/2), No Range (-1/2), Affects Whole Object (-1/4) Note: (x2 number of items)This power should be used only with Foxbat's "Fly!" power, Foxbatchutes, or their equivalent...[/TD]

[TD=width: 38]

[1]

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=width: 35] 97[/TD]

[TD=width: 227] Two Tumansky R-15B-300 afterburning turbojets and JATO Rockets: Multipower, 435-point reserve, (435 Active Points); all slots Side Effects, Side Effect occurs automatically whenever Power is used (Side Effect only affects the environment near the character; Jet Blast; -1 1/2), OAF Bulky (Requires Multiple Foci or functions at reduced effectiveness; -1 1/4), Cannot Move Backwards (-1/4), Leaves A Trail (-1/4), Limited Maneuverability Only 2 turns per Phase at Combat speed; only 1 turn per Phase at Noncombat speed (-1/4)[/TD]

[TD=width: 38][/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=width: 35] 9f[/TD]

[TD=width: 227] 1) Subsonic and Low-Altitude Flight: Flight 430m, x4 Noncombat (435 Active Points); Side Effects, Side Effect occurs automatically whenever Power is used (Side Effect only affects the environment near the character; Jet Blast; -1 1/2), OAF Bulky (Requires Multiple Foci or functions at reduced effectiveness; -1 1/4), Cannot Hover must make at least a Half Move per Phase (-1/2), Cannot Move Backwards (-1/4), Leaves A Trail (-1/4), Limited Maneuverability Only 2 turns per Phase at Combat speed; only 1 turn per Phase at Noncombat speed (-1/4), 1 Continuing Fuel Charge lasting 1 Hour (-0)[/TD]

[TD=width: 38]

[1 cc]

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=width: 35] 1f[/TD]

[TD=width: 227] 2) Mach Flight: Flight 4m, MegaScale (1m = 1 km; +1) (8 Active Points); Side Effects, Side Effect occurs automatically whenever Power is used (Side Effect only affects the environment near the character; Jet Blast; -1 1/2), OAF Bulky (Requires Multiple Foci or functions at reduced effectiveness; -1 1/4), Limited Maneuverability Only 1 turn per Phase at Combat speed; only 1 turn per Turn at Noncombat speed (-1/2), 1 Continuing Fuel Charge lasting 20 Minutes (-1/4), Cannot Hover Must move at least 215 m per Phase (-1/4), Cannot Move Backwards (-1/4), Leaves A Trail (-1/4)[/TD]

[TD=width: 38]

[1 cc]

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=width: 35] 5f[/TD]

[TD=width: 227] 3) JATO Rockets: Flight 300m, Combat Acceleration/Deceleration (+1/4) (375 Active Points); Limited Power Only for takeoffs/landings (-1 1/2), Side Effects, Side Effect occurs automatically whenever Power is used (Side Effect only affects the environment near the character; Jet Blast; -1 1/2), OAF Bulky (Requires Multiple Foci or functions at reduced effectiveness; -1 1/4), 2 Continuing Fuel Charges lasting 1 Turn each (-3/4), no Noncombat movement (-1/4), Cannot Move Backwards (-1/4), Leaves A Trail (-1/4), Limited Maneuverability Only 2 turns per Phase at Combat speed; only 1 turn per Phase at Noncombat speed (-1/4)[/TD]

[TD=width: 38]

[2 cc]

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=width: 35] 50[/TD]

[TD=width: 227] Foxbat-Hittiles!: Multipower, 100-point reserve, all slots Increased Maximum Range (16,000m; +1) (200 Active Points); all slots OAF Bulky (-1 1/2), 4 Charges (-1), Extra Time (Delayed Phase, or More; at Maximum range, could take an Extra Phase; -1/4), Limited Arc Of Fire (180 degrees; -1/4) Note: Because *Miss*iles are what heroes have! Bwah ha ha ha ha![/TD]

[TD=width: 38][/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=width: 35] 3f[/TD]

[TD=width: 227] 1) Knock 'Em Out of the Air!: Blast 16d6, Area Of Effect (1m Radius Explosion; +1/4) (100 Active Points); OAF Bulky (-1 1/2), Extra Time (Delayed Phase, or More; at Maximum range, could take an Extra Phase; -1/4), Limited Arc Of Fire (180 degrees; -1/4) Note: He usually only uses these against fighters sent to engage him, or the heroes.[/TD]

[TD=width: 38]

0

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=width: 35] 3f[/TD]

[TD=width: 227] 2) Ice!: Change Environment (-3 to Normal Sight PER Rolls, -3 to Infrared Perception PER Rolls, -3 Temperature Level Adjustment, -3 to Combat Piloting Skill Roll, -3 to DEX Roll, Long-Lasting 5 Minutes, Varying Combat Effects), Area Of Effect (16m Radius; +3/4) (96 Active Points); OAF Bulky (-1 1/2), Extra Time (Delayed Phase, or More; at Maximum range, could take an Extra Phase; -1/4), Limited Arc Of Fire (180 degrees; -1/4)[/TD]

[TD=width: 38]

0

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=width: 35] 3f[/TD]

[TD=width: 227] 3) Zap!: Dispel Electrical Equipment 12d6, Time Limit (1 Minute; +3/4), Expanded Effect (x3 Characteristics or Powers simultaneously) (+1) (99 Active Points); OAF Bulky (-1 1/2), Extra Time (Delayed Phase, or More; at Maximum range, could take an Extra Phase; -1/4), Limited Arc Of Fire (180 degrees; -1/4)[/TD]

[TD=width: 38]

0

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=width: 35] 3f[/TD]

[TD=width: 227] 4) Dark!: Darkness to Sight Group 10m radius, Time Limit (20 Minutes; +1) (100 Active Points); OAF Bulky (-1 1/2), Extra Time (Delayed Phase, or More; at Maximum range, could take an Extra Phase; -1/4), Limited Arc Of Fire (180 degrees; -1/4)[/TD]

[TD=width: 38]

0

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=width: 35] 10[/TD]

[TD=width: 227] FoxbatScope!: +15 versus Range Modifier for Sight Group (24 Active Points); OAF Bulky (-1 1/2) Note: This is only a bit more than half of the Range Modifier of the Foxbat-Hittiles when used at their maximum Range (-24); this reduces the effective range without a modifer to just over a kilometer.[/TD]

[TD=width: 38]

0

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=width: 35] 4[/TD]

[TD=width: 227] Radar Altimeter: Radar (Radio Group) (15 Active Points); Power can only be used to detect altitude above ground (-1 1/2), OIF Bulky (-1), Sense Affected As More Than One Sense Sight Group (-1/2)[/TD]

[TD=width: 38]

0

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=width: 35] 4[/TD]

[TD=width: 227] Radio Perception/Transmission (Radio Group) (10 Active Points); OIF Bulky (-1), Sense Affected As More Than One Sense Sight and Hearing Group (-1/2)[/TD]

[TD=width: 38]

0

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=width: 35] 9[/TD]

[TD=width: 227] Electronic Support Suite: Radio Perception, Discriminatory, Tracking (18 Active Points); OIF Bulky (-1)[/TD]

[TD=width: 38]

0

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=width: 35][/TD]

[TD=width: 227][/TD]

[TD=width: 38][/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

 

Total Powers & Skill Cost: 222

Total Cost: 283

 

[TABLE=class: MsoNormalTable]

[TR]

[TD] 300+[/TD]

[TD=width: 262] Disadvantages[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=width: 36] 20[/TD]

[TD=width: 262] Distinctive Features: Large, Angular Warplane (Not Concealable; Always Noticed and Causes Major Reaction; Detectable By Commonly-Used Senses)[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=width: 36] 5[/TD]

[TD=width: 262] Dependence: Maintenance Supplies Powers Gain 11- Activation Roll (Difficult To Obtain; 1 Day)[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=width: 36] 10[/TD]

[TD=width: 262] Negative Reputation: Former Soviet Aircraft, Infrequently (Extreme)[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=width: 36] 25[/TD]

[TD=width: 262] Hunted: Air Force and PCs Very Frequently (Mo Pow; Capture/Kill)

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=width: 36] 20[/TD]

[TD=width: 262] Physical Complication: Many components unreliable or require frequent maintenance (Frequently; Greatly Impairing)

[/TD]

[/TR]

[TR]

[TD=width: 36] 0[/TD]

[TD=width: 262] Experience Points

[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

 

 

Total Disadvantage Points: 283

 

 

Total cost: 283/5= 57 Points

 

 

History:

The Foxbat-Foxbat-PU (FF for short) was "borrowed" by Foxbat from the Libyan Air Force shortly after the overthrow of Gaddafi. A training version the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25 Foxbat high-altitude interceptor, it does not have an internal radar or sensors outside of a radar altimeter and radar warning receiver. Foxbat has taken it to his secret base, near the PC's main city, where he plans to use it for his latest plan to become Master of the Skies! Bwah ha ha ha ha ha!

 

Tactics:

The lack of sensors on the Foxbat-PU hasn't slowed Foxbat down a bit...he's modified the wing pylons to accept his version of the gigantic Bisnovat R-40 missile, sight/radio-guided by Foxbat through x10 telescopic binoculars mounted on a gyrostabilized semicircular swivel in the training cockpit. A Russian, however, would be torn between sheer terror or side-splitting laughter at the warheads Foxbat has put on them!

 

Foxbat himself does not pilot the FF (unless the GM has allowed him to buy TF: Jet Fighters or the like and Combat Pilot). What's the fun in that? Instead, he leaves the piloting to a Trusted Minion (probably hired from the Libyan Air Force) and concentrates on guiding the variety of missiles - which can include warheads which form ice on the wings of an opposing aircraft, create a huge electrical charge to blast its electronics, or even a gigantic boxing glove to "knock out" the other aircraft. Use Foxbat's own OCV when using the missiles (with his telescopic sight) rather than the plane's OCV. When the FF runs out of missiles, the pilot makes a beeline for home lair before it runs out of gas - and hopefully before the Air Force shows up.

 

Foxbat has little awareness of air tactics or the weaknesses of the aircraft - he just wants the pilot to fly as fast as possible and to evade the heroes, so he can shoot at random aircraft. Unfortunately, the MiG isn't a dogfighter, being built to intercept bombers or fast reconnaisance aircraft (hence the rather limited DCV) and the plane has no countermeasures or jammers apart from its RWR. The pilot will probably limit the plane to slashing passes through the combat space. But it's FAST!

 

Campaign Use:

The scenario- Foxbat is terrifying the local area by zooming into and out of commercial flight paths, causing airliners to ice up, lose power and so forth. Luckily, no one has been killed - yet - but several airliners have made emergency landings, the airlines are refusing to take off or land anywhere nearby, and the Air Force is mystified by the sudden appearances and disappearances of the plane. What the devil is a MiG-25 zipping around in our airspace, taking potshots at Airbuses and Boeings? One thing they're sure of is that the laughter over the radio channels belongs to the complete lunatic and noted villain - well, it's Foxbat. Foxbat with a Foxbat? The Air Force calls on the heroes to stop this menace, before he really does hurt somebody!

 

A little extra experience should be awarded if the PCs can figure out a way to keep at least its wings intact - the US Air Force Museum wants them for restoring its MiG-25. The pilot's morale could be shaken up the first time he encounters the PC's powers - Foxbat might be bat-fox crazy, but he's less so!

 

The GM should dock the players as much OCV as he possibly can due to range, and use the Velocity-Based DCV table, unless the heroes have something that can also go Mach 3.2. Setting up a hex grid where 1"= 1 km is a pretty good idea. The idea is to get Foxbat as much defense (in addition to his Luck) given that the MiG really isn't a dogfighter. This may be one of those situations where the Blazing Away maneuver is in order...it might be just as effective as a carefully aimed shot!

 

Note that the FF should have "Every-Plane" powers - landing lights, marking lights, instrumentation, tires and the like. Its minimum ("stall") flight speed at low altitude is about 1/2 is normal subsonic combat speed, or about 215 meters/phase.

 

Description:

The Mig-25 screams "1960's Jet Fighter", with muscular swept wings high-set over a boxy fuselage with twin rectangular intakes, and a sleekly pointed nose. The only difference between a standard Foxbat interceptor and the -PU training version is that the radar has been removed and a second cockpit installed in the nose, stepped underneath the pilot-instructor's. Some of the instrumentation would not be out of place in a Steampunk setting.

 

The MiG-25 is made mostly of hand-welded stainless steel, with titanium and aluminum only used where absolutely needed. There are even normal rivets in some places, although they're out of the way of any place that could cause drag. The plane has so much fuel on board for take-off that it must maneuver very carefully.

 

Foxbat's changed the aircraft's paint job (a suitably matching two-tone brown, with yellow on the wing and tail tips), the installation of two double-ended liquid-fuel JATO rockets (which he took from the test facility of Acme Industries, which still bear the brand name prominently). These rockets can only be used to accelerate or decelerate the aircraft above or below its minimum speed, for near-zero-distance takeoffs and landings. The other change, of course, is the addition of armament.

 

General characteristics of MiG-25 PU:

 

Crew: Two

Length: 19.75 m (64 ft 10 in)

Wingspan: 14.01 m (45 ft 11.5 in)

Height: 6.10 m (20 ft 0.25 in)

Wing area: 61.40 m² (660.93 ft²)

Empty weight: 20,000 kg (44,080 lb)

Loaded weight: 36,720 kg (80,952 lb)

Powerplant: 2 × Tumansky R-15B-300 afterburning turbojets

Dry thrust: 73.5 kN (16,524 lbf) each

Thrust with afterburner: 100.1 kN (22,494 lbf) each

 

Performance

 

Maximum speed:

High altitude: Mach 3.2 (3,600 km/h, 2,170 mph); Mach 2.83 (3,200 km/h, 1,920 mph) continuous engine limit

Low altitude: 1,200 km/h (648 knots, 746 mph) at altitude

Range: 1,730 km (935 nmi, 1,075 mi) with internal fuel

Combat Radius: 300 km (162 nmi, 186 mi)

Ferry range: 2,575 km (1,390 nmi), but Foxbat removed the ferry tanks so he could fit missiles

Service ceiling: 20,700 m (67,915 ft) with four missiles

Rate of climb: 208 m/s (40,950 ft/min)

Wing loading: 598 kg/m² (122.5 lb/ft²)

Thrust/weight: 0.41

Time to altitude: 8.9 min to 20,000 m (65,615 ft)

 

Armament: 4 Foxbat-Hittiles with various warheads, maximum range 16 kilometers, speed Mach 4.5.

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Re: Foxbat airplane

 

I've always imagined "Foxbat" wanting something a bit more distinctive than an ordinary fighter jet. Something like "Airboy's" plane from the comics or the nazi ornithopter type planes from "Sky Captain and The World Of Tomorrow" seem more his style !

 

Just my opinion, but a Foxbat is far from "an ordinary fighter jet". A Mach 2.8 aircraft made from stainless steel is not ordinary.

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