Thanks to those of you who posted comments on the last entry.Ljay, Cat, and Colin, you’re right that there would be serious pressure losses caused by the hose reel. And K. Tigress, I love the mammoth idea, and your thought of putting the firefighters on seats mounted on the back of the brachiosaur. Donna’s point is right on the mark, too: the “little guy” is supposed to be a self-contained walking machine or 'strutter,' carrying a steam-powered pumper—all very complicated and prone to failure.
My consultant Ernesto Bradford was also concerned with the hose pressure losses. He wondered how the whole thing could be accomplished more simply. Here are some of the things he pointed out.
1. The extended ladder was unsecured, and would toss the fire fighter off the top whenever the dinosaur moved its head.
2. The volume of water inside the hose at that extension would weigh several hundred pounds. When it was spraying, it would be impossible to control.
3. The dinosaur needs a breathing apparatus so he doesn’t suffocate from smoke, and he needs some heat protection on the front of his neck.
4. The pump is unnecessarily complex, and doesn’t take advantage of the strength of the dinosaur. Why not have the dinosaur use its front legs to pump the water?
Ernesto then offered to sketch up some ideas. I’ll show you his drawings in tomorrow’s post.
Dinotopian Fire Engine
Fire Engine, Part 1
Fire Engine, Part 2
Fire Engine, Part 3
Fire Engine, Part 4
Fire Engine, Part 5
1 comment:
Very interesting. After reading Ernesto's points (particularly # 1 & 2) I had a thought that you wouldn't necessarily need the firefighter on the ladder holding the hose. You could attach the hose to run up the apatosaur's neck and fix the nozzle on its head. Then the spray could be manipulated by turning its head. Assuming that apatosaurs have enough range of motion to accomplish something like that.
Post a Comment