Dragon (DML)

[rickshaw]

No doubt the bridge ennunciator has an extra step above 'Flank Speed' entitled 'Ramming Speed' with a bow shaped like that. 

I've been thinking about the concept of "flank speed".  Is there a definition anywhere?  What does it actually _mean_?   We recognise it as meaning, "bloody fast" but is there a specific meaning to the term?  Does anybody know? 

[pyro-manic]

Flank speed is a nautical term referring to a ship's true maximum speed. Usually, flank speed is reserved for situations in which a ship finds itself in imminent danger, such as coming under attack by aircraft. Flank speed is very fuel-inefficient and often unsustainable because of engine overheating issues.

'Tis an Americanism, according to here, the source of the above.

So basically, "floor it!" but it may burn through all your fuel very quickly, and/or actually damage the ship if sustained for too long.

[Rheged]

Flank speed is a nautical term referring to a ship's true maximum speed. Usually, flank speed is reserved for situations in which a ship finds itself in imminent danger, such as coming under attack by aircraft. Flank speed is very fuel-inefficient and often unsustainable because of engine overheating issues.

'Tis an Americanism, according to here, the source of the above.

So basically, "floor it!" but it may burn through all your fuel very quickly, and/or actually damage the ship if sustained for too long.

The Royal Navy equivalent being "Maximum revolutions, please,  chief "  and the chief engineer sends a heavy member of staff to sit on the safety valves.

[PR19_Kit]

It still doesn't say where the term came from. Something to do with 'out flanking' the enemy maybe, or is that more a land based term?

[Rheged]

It still doesn't say where the term came from. Something to do with 'out flanking' the enemy maybe, or is that more a land based term?

I'm sure that I read somewhere, somewhen, that it was a term associated with cattle droving.

The FLANKERS were said to be the chaps who rode along the flanks of the herd, and were the ones that had to be capable of high speed movement in order to keep the herd together and moving in a coherent mass

It might be true, but the idea might also be a group of elderly shoe-makers   (load of old cobblers)

[pyro-manic]

Maybe overtaking the rest of the fleet (moving at "fleet speed") by moving up the flanks?

[jcf]

No mention in Admiral Luce's Seamanship, 4th edition 1898 (1950 reprint), which was the text
used at Annapolis.

After some digging, the leading hypothesis of term origin is that it came from the WWI era
USN destroyer squadrons and was in reference to making maximum speed to get on the
flank of an approaching enemy. Which, I suppose, would hypothetically then put one in
position to start a torpedo run.

[kitnut617]

I'm sure that I read somewhere, somewhen, that it was a term associated with cattle droving.

The FLANKERS were said to be the chaps who rode along the flanks of the herd, and were the ones that had to be capable of high speed movement in order to keep the herd together and moving in a coherent mass

It might be true, but the idea might also be a group of elderly shoe-makers   (load of old cobblers)

Hmm! not heard (pun intended) of that one, over here in the west they're called 'outriders' afaik.  They also took it in turns where they ride on a cattle drive

[NARSES2]

This is interesting. You often take for granted a phrase you hear without really thinking of it's derivation.

I for one like the WWI hypothesis. Stands up to me, and even if not actually WWI it could come from the immediate WWI torpedo boat era

[zenrat]

I immediately assumed it was a horse riding term relating to whipping your horses flank to get it to go as fast a possible.
Goggling did not confirm my hypothesis.

If you were on the flank of a formation (of ships, cavalry, or even of a marching band for that matter) and the formation makes a turn then those on the outside flank have to go faster then those on the inside of the turn.  If you want to maintain the formation then the maximum turn radius whilst doing so is therefore limited by the max speed of the outside flankers.
Could this be a possible derivation?

[rickshaw]

I'm rather surprised to find no dedicated thread on Dragon products, so it seems I'll need to start one.

Dragon have just released their 1/35 scale Alvis Saladin:



Considering the problems with the other "Black Label" products, I have no idea as to it's accurary beyond that the box picture looks rather nice and it seems to have got the right number of wheels.   Click on the picture for the announcement on Dragon Models USA site.

Pity it's so expensive, though.   

[Captain Canada]

Oh that's pretty cool ! I always thought they were bigger !

[PR19_Kit]

Oh that's pretty cool ! I always thought they were bigger !

All the other vehicles on the Saladin chassis ARE bigger, but that's just because they have larger bodies on top.

[rickshaw]

I wonder how soon before we see a Saracen?  I forgot to mention a price.  ~$Aus70.00 on Evilbay (where I first noticed them).  Which is significantly cheaper than the silly money the old Tamiya ones go for but still much more than I think a vehicle of this size is worth.

[PR19_Kit]

Roll on a Stalwart. I did some work on the early ones and I'd love to model one, but can't afford the sky high prices of the current low production ones.