Republican Industries Type 82 Sakura Utility Aircraft




      In April of 80PA officers among the Tamiya Elite indicated a need for a purpose built observation/utility aircraft capable of patrolling the growing territory of New Haven, transportation of VIPs, and delivery of sensitive dispatches vital to communications in the furthest corners of New Haven. This lead to Tamiya Nyan charging the new Republican Industries with the design and construction of a versatile aircraft of conventional design that could serve in a multitude of roles including observation, recon, light attack, anti-submarine warfare, and as a basic trainer for the planned New Haven Air Force. Optimally the aircraft would be electric or nuclear powered and be capable of operating from rough strips or as a float plane with minimal conversion time.

      Thanks to Drake Murphy, a former aeronautics engineer employed by Golden Age Weaponsmiths, the new design went from the drawing board to limited run production in only two years time. While the tail assembly needed to be redesigned after a structural failure during a test flight, the final version was ready to begin production by the winter of 82PA. This new aircraft was a conventional low-wing monoplane with no integral weapon systems, but with two hard points under each wing, coupled with a fire control computer. Also worked into the design was for the inboard hard points to be configured to adapt to detachable floats for take-offs and landings on relatively calm waters. While the maximum speed did not need to approach purpose built combat aircraft, such as Sky Cycles, its conventional design permitted it to operate at altitudes that exceeded that of most light combat aircraft used throughout North America.

      In terms of avionics, the type employed a Magnetic Anomaly Detector under the right wing and a radome housing a short range radar on the right leading edge of the wing, complete with look-down capabilities, and a Target ID Computer. Propulsion was provided by a small reactor that powered its electrical motor driving a four bladed propeller, giving it exceptional loiter time for observation, recon, light attack and anti-submarine warfare duty. Later, when introduced as a trainer, the type proved to be a durable aircraft and a joy to fly. Thus the type was introduced to service as the Republican Industries Type 82 Sakura Utility Aircraft that very same year, and remains in service today.

      Given the aircraft's success the Type 82 Sakura has become commercially available on the market throughout the "New West" and in some areas of the Central Powers region. The N.O.M.A.D. Air Force uses twenty-two aircraft of this type as basic trainers, several private courier companies have procured the type, and during the Tolkeenite War the Tolkeenite Air Corps procured 42 aircraft of the type, outfitted with a twin gun dorsal turret and cowling mounted TK Light Machine-Guns, designated the Type 82/7 Sakura for use in reconnaissance, light attack and as a gunnery trainer. None are believed to have survived the war.



Model Type: Type 82.
Class: Trainer, Observation, Utility, Courier, Light Attack, Anti- Submarine Warfare & Liaison.
Crew: 1 or 2. Can be flown with one pilot, but during primary training an instructor typically rides in the rear seat. During alternate missions, and observer/photographer can ride in the rear seat, or could be used for storage.
M.D.C. by Location:
    *Wings (2) - 100 each.
    **Horizontal Stabilizers (2) - 50 each.
    **Tail - 65.
    Tail Wheel - 10.
    Propeller - 40.
    Main Retracting Landing Gear (2) - 20 each.
    (Optional) Twin Floats (2) - 30 each.
    ***Main Body - 125.
    Reinforced Pilots Compartment/Cockpit-50.

* Destroying one of the wings will disable the aircraft and bring it to crash.
** Destroying any one of these locations will force the pilot to immediately search for a landing spot, as the aircraft has become unstable, and difficult to control. A crash landing requires a roll of -40%.
*** Depleting the M.D.C. of the main body shuts the vehicle down completely, rendering it useless.

Performance

Maximum Speed: 355 mph in level flight for the Type 82 without the floats, with a cruising speed of 267 mph. When fitted with floats, the maximum speed is reduced to 242 mph with a cruising speed of 182 mph.
Maximum Altitude: 44,250 ft.
Maximum Range: At cruising speeds, the Sakura can remain aloft for up to 42 hours without need of a cooling period. At speeds above cruising speed, however, the Sakura can only remain aloft a maximum of 30 hours and 20 minutes before requiring a cooling period.

Statistical Data:
Height: 14 ft.
Length: 34 ft., 6 in.
Wingspan: 40 ft., 5 in.
Weight: 13,600 Lb. or 6.8 tons; 14,200 or 7.1 tons with the floats.
Cargo: Beneath both seats is a survival kit complete with a thermal blanket, waterproof matches, multi-tool, survival knife, fishing line, hooks, jarred synthetic bait, compass, a weeks worth of rations, a bottle of vitamin supplements, a one quart canteen with a purification filter nozzle, a flare gun with four shells, and a waterproof short range radio (5 mi. range). On the left side of the fuselage is a compartment that contains a two man self- inflating raft and collapsible oars for water landings/ditching. The aft cargo seat can accommodate up to 425 Lb. if unoccupied, and cargo pods can be carried on the four under-wing pylons allowing for up to 200 Lb. to be carried per pylon. (Note that when the floats are fitted, only two under-wing pylons are available.)
Power System: Nuclear; Average Energy Life is about 10 years.
Market Cost: 885,000 credits - PLUS an additional 150,000 credits for the twin floats. Fiberglass cargo pods can be purchased separately at a cost of 450 credits each. Weaponry does not come standard with the type and must be purchased separately as a custom order. Most of New Haven's weaponry is not available for sale, but software can be purchased from the Royal Armory of Desert Star Outlet in New Haven City at a price of 15,000 credits to permit under-wing pylon weapons developed by R.A.D.S. to be utilized with the standard targeting computer.

Weapon Systems

1. Under-wing Hard Points (4): The Type 82 was designed as a jack of all trades. As such from the outset the aircraft was designed with the concept that it would need to carry a variety of under-wing stores to permit it to accomplish its varied duties. Two hard points were integrated into the low-wing monoplane's wings, permitting it to carry up to a maximum of 1,000 Lb. of under-wing stores, or 500 Lb. if the floats are fitted to the aircraft's inboard pylons.

    A. Republican Industries Type 95 UV Spectrum Pulse Laser Pylon Mounted Pod: In 98PA the antiquated Type 78 UV Spectrum Pulse Laser Pylon Mounted Pod Weapons were officially retired and replaced with a more capable variation on the Type 95 UV Spectrum Pulse Laser Rifle. While typically used for gunnery practice, due to its comparatively low weight, range and payload it is frequently equipped on aircraft embarking on patrols and light attack missions. Total weight is only 50 Lb. but consumes a full pylon.
Primary Purpose: Gunnery Training.
Secondary Purpose: Assault.
Mega-Damage: 1D4x10+14 M.D. for a triple pulse burst.
Rate of Fire: Equal to the pilot's hand to hand attacks.
Maximum Effective Range: 3,000 ft.
Payload: Effectively unlimited, thanks to the nuclear power supply.

    B. Republican Industries Type 98 20.02 mm Light Gauss Cannon Pylon Mounted Pod Weapon: A variation on the Type 98 20.02 mm Light Gauss Cannon became available as a Pylon Mounted Pod Weapon in 100PA and has since replaced the R.A.D.S. 200 series Automatic 20 mm Gauss Assisted Rapid- Fire Cannon pods. It is lighter weight, requires less ammunition, and has a longer range than its predecessor. In training this weapon gives a pilot a feel for calculating leads on targets rather than relying on energy weapons that are simply a matter of point right at your' target and fire. It is seldom equipped for patrol duty but is often equipped for light attack and anti- shipping missions. Total weight is 157 Lb. - but uses an entire weapon's pylon.
Primary Purpose: Gunnery Training.
Secondary Purpose: Anti-Armor/Shipping.
Mega-Damage: 2D4x10+20 M.D. per rapid fire dual shell burst.
Blast Radius: A combined burst of explosive shells has about a 2 ft. blast radius.
Rate of Fire: Dual shell bursts only.
Maximum Effective Range: 5,000 ft.
Payload: 20 shells; 10 bursts - power is provided by the nuclear power supply.

    C. LN/RI Type 9 Short Range Missiles: A pair of short range missiles can be outfitted on a twin rack that fits on a single pylon for use in gunnery practice, patrol, or light attack missions. The missiles together with the rack weigh 96 Lb. and take up one pylon.
Primary Purpose: Gunnery Training.
Secondary Purpose: Anti-Armor/Shipping.
Mega-Damage: A number of different types are used. For gunnery training, LN/RI Type 9 EO/IR-G EPWSRM Explosive Paint Warhead Short Range Missiles that detonate via a proximity fuse showering a five foot radius with the warhead's contents. Those used for active duty are typically LN/RI Type 9 EO/IR-G APSRM Armor Piercing Short Range Missiles or LN/RI Type 9 EO/IR-G HESRM High Explosive Short Range Missiles, which differ significantly from the universal varieties produced across North America. (See description elsewhere.)
Blast Radius: Varies with missile type.
Rate of Fire: One missile or two missiles may be fired at a time.
Maximum Effective Range: 10 miles.
Payload: 2 missiles per pylon mounted rack.

    D. RI Type 82 100 Lb. HE Bombs or RI Type 79 200 Lb. HE Depth Charges: The Type 82 may be outfitted with bombs or depth charges for bombing/ASW practice or for active duty. Practice bombs detonate and shower a 30 ft. radius with powdered chalk indicating the "area of destruction". Practice depth charges detonate at preset depths and dye the water a brilliant yellow over a 80 ft. radius. Live bombs and depth charges are high explosive varieties. Each one takes up a single pylon, and weighs, as stated, 100 Lb. per bomb or 200 Lb. per depth charge.
Primary Purpose: Bombing/ASW Training.
Secondary Purpose: Anti-Armor/Anti-Submarine Warfare.
Mega-Damage: None for the practice rounds, but 2D4x10 M.D. per high explosive bomb and 2D6x10 M.D. per high explosive depth charge. varieties.
Blast Radius: 30 ft. for the bombs; 80 ft. for the depth charges
Rate of Fire: One bomb or depth charge may be dropped at a time.
Maximum Effective Range: May be deployed from a variety of altitudes; Max depth for depth charges is 1.2 mi.
Payload: 1 Bomb or Depth Charge per pylon.

    E. L & N Type 89 Sonar Buoy Dispenser Pod: The Type 82 may be outfitted with a pylon mounted pod that can drop up to four active sonar buoys that float on the surface while transmitting data via radio to the pod allowing the Sakura's crew to see anything concealed underwater. The buoys have a 24 hour battery life and can be recovered for reuse. At 220 Lb. this pod is fully loaded.
Primary Purpose: Reconnaissance.
Secondary Purpose: Anti-Submarine Warfare.
Mega-Damage: Not applicable.
Rate of Fire: One buoy may be dropped at a time.
Maximum Effective Range: May be deployed from a variety of altitudes; Maximum range for the active sonar is a five mile radius.
Payload: 4 sonar buoys per pod.

    F. RI Type 7 Chaff & Flash Bomb Dispenser Pod: While flying reconnaissance, shadowing foreign fleets of vessels, or on scouting missions the Type 82 occasionally comes under attack. To counteract the guidance systems for missiles that have locked on the Type 82, a pod was developed that could disperse a cloud of foil-like streamers and ultra-bright flash bombs that blind/confuse conventional electro-optic as well as infrared guidance systems 80% of the time thereby giving the Type 82 time to call for aid and/or escape. This defensive pod weighs in at only 126 Lb. but is worth its weight in gold when under fire.(Note that this pod only recently replaced the Type 84 Chaff & Flare Dispenser Pod, which was useless against electro- optic guidance systems.)
Primary Purpose: Defense.
Secondary Purpose: Signalling other aircraft/personnel that the Sakura has located what it may have been searching for.
Mega-Damage: Not applicable.
Rate of Fire: One chaff bundle and one flash bomb may be fired at a time.
Maximum Effective Range: Not applicable.
Payload: 6 chaff bundles and flash bombs per pod.

2. Systems of Note: The Type 82 is outfitted with an assortment of systems designed to give the trainer an accurate portrayal of the responsibilities a pilot will have in a more advanced aircraft.
    1. Dual Control System: The trainer has dual controls that allow the aircraft to be operated from the front or back seats. Visibility is not considered to be excellent for the trainer in the back seat, thus a retractable periscope is provided for the person in the rear seat to see over the front seat and fly the aircraft in this manner. Non-Trainer variants typically have camera equipment, a multi-optics helmet and a Target ID system, similar to a PC-2020.
    2. Radio Communications System: This provides the aircraft with communications from either seat, to anywhere within an 80 mile radius of the aircraft provided that it is at a high enough altitude.
    3. Military Radar with Look Down, and Radar ID Computer: This advanced system allows the pilot in training to become accustomed to the advanced features of a military aircraft such as these devices. The Radar has a range of 30 miles, with look down capabilities allowing it to 'see' objects on the ground, or close to it, and the Radar ID that is programmed with most North American vehicle types, and aircraft known to New Haven, in addition to some 12,000 different species of creatures that might show up on radar as being more than 20 ft. in height, and/or fly.
    4. Magnetic Anomaly Detector: This is a special system arranged as a tail mounted drogue used to detect the presence of large quantities of metal underwater, or on land surfaces. It has a range of 2 mi., and can detect objects as deep as a mile underwater or 20 ft. underground.
    5. Heads Up Display, Reflector Sight & Targeting Computer: These systems also are provided to permit the pilot in training some systems to grow more accustomed to flying aircraft with targeting assistance. The Reflector Sight is the most basic targeting sight and is intended to familiarize a combat pilot with the loss of the use of his/her targeting computer/Heads Up Display. The Heads up Display basically allows the pilot to access tons of information all at once, including ranges, anticipated points of attack, tracking, and so forth. The Targeting Computer will actually assist the pilot in tracking, and targeting of a target. The Reflector Sight Provides no bonuses (Without there would be negatives.), and the Targeting Computer provides a +2 to strike.)
    6. Environmental Systems: The Type 82 is designed for operations that simulate the cockpit of a modern aircraft, so therefore it has a pressurized cockpit with up to 12 hours of life support for two individuals.
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