Astro Cross: Flashback 1942 (was naming alien ships)

[classicdrogn]

Indeed, and a top pilot can make them at least somewhat faster too (up around 60-70mph vs 40-50mph at a sprint, around 2/3 that for a sustainable run - the most common way to move ground units around quickly is a six axle articulated truck, one steering, two directly driven axles, and three on the flatbed with electric motors in the hubs) but once the combat value of mecha was proven, the mobility afforded by an aircraft form proved greater over all - both because of how rare pilots are, so getting them where you need them in a hurry is a primary consideration, and also because of the need to have mecha escorts for the bombers or they'll be completely destroyed before even getting into the mission area. Ground units most often act as a mobile strong point to rally around or to break fortified enemy positions, with tanks and infantry supporting them like a capitol ship's battle group, or heavy artillery with their Blue-tech weapons.

Basically, it's written into the mechanics of the setting that variable fighter pilots are the kings of the battlefield, because the thing that makes it interesting to me is making classic warbirds into variable fighters.

Besides, I needed to explain the space magic somehow anyway; making it also be the explanation for why you can't just use the same technologies to build ubertanks that crush the giant bipedal marksmanship targets is just efficient.
--
"Anko, what you do in your free time is your own choice. Use it wisely. And if you do not use it wisely, make sure you thoroughly enjoy whatever unwise thing you are doing." - HymnOfRagnorok as Orochimaru at SpaceBattles
woot Med. Eng., verb, 1st & 3rd pers. prsnt. sg. know, knows