GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

Serenity's engines

POSTED BY: MISBEHAVIN
UPDATED: Sunday, February 12, 2006 11:54
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Sunday, February 12, 2006 8:38 AM

MISBEHAVIN


Raising a technical question about a fictional ship that is 500 years in the future puts me at risk of being numbered among the overly-serious convention goers of "Galaxy Quest," but here goes:

Serenity's engines fold down to the side when the ship is on the ground. I couldn't think of any reason for the engines to be lowered, other than that maybe Joss wanted them to be at ground level to facilitate scenes like the one in The Train Job where Niska's man is shoved through the engine. Now I notice on a conceptual drawing that the engines were apparently designed to also be elevated at times above the horizontal wings. (Note the left side of the image.) Has anyone seen a reason for the engines to be raised or lowered? Normal VTOL and even the "Crazy Ivan" maneuver only require that they be rotated.

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Sunday, February 12, 2006 8:38 AM

MISBEHAVIN


Raising a technical question about a fictional ship that is 500 years in the future puts me at risk of being numbered among the overly-serious convention goers of "Galaxy Quest," but here goes:

Serenity's engines fold down to the side when the ship is on the ground. I couldn't think of any reason for the engines to be lowered, other than that maybe Joss wanted them to be at ground level to facilitate scenes like the one in The Train Job where Niska's man is shoved through the engine. Now I notice on a conceptual drawing that the engines were apparently designed to also be elevated at times above the horizontal wings. (Note the left side of the image.) Has anyone seen a reason for the engines to be raised or lowered? Normal VTOL and even the "Crazy Ivan" maneuver only require that they be rotated.

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Sunday, February 12, 2006 8:45 AM

PDCHARLES

What happened? He see your face?


I have not SEEN a reason.

But my best guess from a design standpoint is that it is utilitarian.

Much like Navy planes/jets on aircraft carriers, the design stems from landing spaces. It seems to be an old mass produced cargo ship. Folding the engines down maybe could conserve space in some crowded docking areas. After they have landed of course.



______________________________________________
U gonna be smart here Riva?!?

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Sunday, February 12, 2006 8:45 AM

MARMOSET54


I dunno...perhaps it cuts down on the drag in atmo? Probably enables a speed-increase without the use of fuel with the "firefly" burst?

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Sunday, February 12, 2006 9:07 AM

DAVESHAYNE


Quote:
Originally posted by misbehavin:
Has anyone seen a reason for the engines to be raised or lowered?


Perhaps to allow maintenance access?

David

You wanna go, Little Man?
Only if it's someplace with candle light.

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Sunday, February 12, 2006 10:23 AM

MISBEHAVIN


Quote:
Originally posted by daveshayne:
...Perhaps to allow maintenance access?...

Yeah, I guess that's a good enough reason as any for a fictional ship. I really liked thinking that it was just a value-added feature so that Mal could throw people through the engines. But then that's just the romantic in me.

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Sunday, February 12, 2006 10:23 AM

MISBEHAVIN


Quote:
Originally posted by daveshayne:
...Perhaps to allow maintenance access?...

Yeah, I guess that's a good enough reason as any for a fictional ship. I really liked thinking that it was just a value-added feature so that Mal could throw people through the engines. But then that's just the romantic in me.

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Sunday, February 12, 2006 10:30 AM

DAVESHAYNE


Quote:
Originally posted by misbehavin:
Quote:
Originally posted by daveshayne:
...Perhaps to allow maintenance access?...

Yeah, I guess that's a good enough reason as any for a fictional ship. I really liked thinking that it was just a value-added feature so that Mal could throw people through the engines. But then that's just the romantic in me.


You mistake my meaning. The engines tilt up for maintenance. They tilt down, as you said, for dealing with the odd Crow.

David

You wanna go, Little Man?
Only if it's someplace with candle light.

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Sunday, February 12, 2006 10:45 AM

CITIZEN


Aircraft on Aircraft carriers often are designed to allow the wings to fold down so that more planes can fit into the same space.

When mooring a yachet the price includes the amount of space the boat takes up, so maybe Serenitys folding engines are to allow the ship to be docked cheaper, since with them folded down it takes up less space.


More insane ramblings by the people who brought you beeeer milkshakes!
You should never give powers to a leader you like that you’d hate to have given to a leader you fear

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Sunday, February 12, 2006 10:48 AM

MISBEHAVIN


Quote:
Originally posted by daveshayne:
You mistake my meaning. The engines tilt up for maintenance. They tilt down, as you said, for dealing with the odd Crow...

Wacky fun!

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Sunday, February 12, 2006 10:48 AM

MISBEHAVIN


Quote:
Originally posted by daveshayne:
You mistake my meaning. The engines tilt up for maintenance. They tilt down, as you said, for dealing with the odd Crow...

Wacky fun!

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Sunday, February 12, 2006 11:49 AM

DAVESHAYNE


Quote:
Originally posted by misbehavin:
Quote:
Originally posted by daveshayne:
You mistake my meaning. The engines tilt up for maintenance. They tilt down, as you said, for dealing with the odd Crow...

Wacky fun!


The very best kind.

David

You wanna go, Little Man?
Only if it's someplace with candle light.

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Sunday, February 12, 2006 11:54 AM

DOG13000


They're for landing/takeoff. They are copying the Harrier Jet's V-Toll Capibilities. They also want the ship to seem more charecter like with the engines folding in like the wings of a bird.

Consult "Serenity: The Tenth Charecter" on your FF features for more info.

"Someone Ever Tries to Kill You, You Try and Kill Em' Right Back"

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