Hi all. I'm writing a dieselpunk novel with a civil war that draws on WWI/WWII technology. For the most part, I try to stick to realistic depictions of the technology by basing my descriptions on historical stuff, but in a few instances I do have some weird gizmos. One of my leaps of imagination is for the bad guys to create "iron eagle" bombers that are devastating because they have more range, are faster, and can achieve higher altitudes. Part of my explanation for this is that they've developed fuel that uses tetraethyl lead as an octane enhancing additive. I'm pleased with myself there--took a good deal of reading for me to come up with that, in order to base this advance on a real technological innovation.
Now I want the rebels, after stealing this technology, to create faster, more maneuverable fighter planes they're going to call Hummingbirds. In my imagination, the Hummingbirds are bronze. Kind of a wink at Bronze versus Iron Age--like going more retro is somehow resisting the darkness of modern technology (in a way--it's not something I'm going to belabor, it's just for flavor). So I've been reading about bronze versus iron weapons, and it's not helping me. I wondered if you guys could assist.
I just want the Hummingbirds to look bronze. They don't actually have to be bronze. But is there a way I can justify the use of bronze or a bronze-like metal in creating these fighter planes? They are supposed to be small and extra maneuverable, and really, they are going to be fantasy planes. They may have wings that move like a hummingbird's, and/or a tail that fans out and allows them to hover, stuff like that. Really any input here is welcome. The goal is to contrast them to the Iron Eagles, which are big, heavy, and dark, and look like actual eagles. I want to create a scene where the Hummingbirds are swarming around the Eagles, worrying them and ultimately bringing them down. I want to be able to describe the Eagles as dark and the Hummingbirds as bronze and light.
Currently the scientist/engineer developing a prototype for the Hummingbirds is going to be running into obstacles. It makes sense for me to have him have some sort of breakthrough where he realizes he needs to use copper, or bronze, or what have you, to build these planes. If it's absolutely illogical maybe I'll just resort having them painted bronze.
Any thoughts about using bronze or something like it?
Any other thoughts about making my planes hummingbird-like?
I really could use any ideas. Thanks!
Now I want the rebels, after stealing this technology, to create faster, more maneuverable fighter planes they're going to call Hummingbirds. In my imagination, the Hummingbirds are bronze. Kind of a wink at Bronze versus Iron Age--like going more retro is somehow resisting the darkness of modern technology (in a way--it's not something I'm going to belabor, it's just for flavor). So I've been reading about bronze versus iron weapons, and it's not helping me. I wondered if you guys could assist.
I just want the Hummingbirds to look bronze. They don't actually have to be bronze. But is there a way I can justify the use of bronze or a bronze-like metal in creating these fighter planes? They are supposed to be small and extra maneuverable, and really, they are going to be fantasy planes. They may have wings that move like a hummingbird's, and/or a tail that fans out and allows them to hover, stuff like that. Really any input here is welcome. The goal is to contrast them to the Iron Eagles, which are big, heavy, and dark, and look like actual eagles. I want to create a scene where the Hummingbirds are swarming around the Eagles, worrying them and ultimately bringing them down. I want to be able to describe the Eagles as dark and the Hummingbirds as bronze and light.
Currently the scientist/engineer developing a prototype for the Hummingbirds is going to be running into obstacles. It makes sense for me to have him have some sort of breakthrough where he realizes he needs to use copper, or bronze, or what have you, to build these planes. If it's absolutely illogical maybe I'll just resort having them painted bronze.
Any thoughts about using bronze or something like it?
Any other thoughts about making my planes hummingbird-like?
I really could use any ideas. Thanks!
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