Skyfighters
Skyfighters are small aircraft that utilise aerofoils for lift. They are typically single or dual seat and operating in squadrons of four to twelve. Due to limited range and the need to park for refuelling, they usually operate from a floatrock hangar or carrier airship. This requirement means that they have a (often retractable) form of landing apparatus known as landing gear. Despite this limitation, skyfighters are very fast and manoeuvrable craft that form a key component in the air fleet of any serious military force.
Although unarmed skyfighters can serve in recon roles in smaller or private fleets, most skyfighters are armed. The armament generally consists of an autocannon up to 20mm in calibre, sometimes with additional payload such as Dum Bombs, Propelled Bombs, Glider Torpedoes or additional provisions to increase endurance or range.
Types of Skyfighter
Skyfighters are classified by various conventions as follows.
Biplane
One of the earliest skyfighter designs, the biplane is an invention from after the Collapse and was used in the early years of the modern era. It has two wings positioned one on top of the other and generally one engine. It is often nimble and has a good climb rate, but slow and somewhat fragile. It has fallen out of use with mainstream navies.
Examples:
Monoplane
A single-wing design pattern with a single engine, typically in tractor configuration, is known as a monoplane and is the most common skyfighter design. It achieves a good balance between performance and cost-effectiveness.
Examples:
Duplane
The duplane is a skyfighter with a single wing and two (or more) engines. It typically has powerful flight performance and greater payload, at reduced endurance and greater cost.
Examples:
Jetplane
Most skyfighters are driven by propeller engines. Those driven by jets fall into the jetplane category; they are some of the fastest skyfighters in the skies, but are expensive to run and have limited manoeuvrability.
Examples:
