Tuesday, November 24, 2009

ATHENA - Steampunk Airship (54)

As yesterdays question indicated I wasn't really convinced of the Gatling in its current state.
It is to be a a Close-in Weapon System (CIWS), traditionally used to fight off incoming aircraft as well as missiles (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CIWS).

This role is currently filled by many systems, like the Phalanx (based on the A-10 GAU-8 - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phalanx_CIWS ), but that IMHO is a very ugly duckling with its towered radardome.
Then there is one of the very first CIWS' the Russian AK-630 ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AK-630 ), whos look I like better, and it could also be adapted for a bit more steampunk.
Then I came across the awesome Russian Kashtan ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kashtan)
But that would be too modern and too big for the planned spot on the ATHENA - it could replace the Hydras though (don't worry, I don't plan to).

Finally I ran across a German system, the Mauser BK-27 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mauser_BK-27), though not a Gatling, but a nice small mount, that could easily accomondate a Gatling

And if I take this, round and angle some of the outlines, I could end with something like this here
and since I already have build two gatling barrels, I could even build two of them :)
So what do you think?
Cheers
Klaus