Flowtank Concept Sketches

Doodling around with concepts for the 'Flowtank.'

Flowtank – Fast-moving armoured fighting vehicle capable of ground-effect, vectored thrust, wing-in-ground effect or low-level flight by means of a lifting-body shape, airfoils and powerful thrusters. Most flowtanks follow the same layout: a main body housing powerplant, turret mounting and crew compartment, flanked by aerodynamic sponsons holding fuel and propulsion systems. The powerplant is usually located at the front, behind the thick frontal armour. The middle is occupied by the modular turret mounting, auxiliary power & storage systems. The rear is a well-protected crew compartment, usually with accommodations for two crewmen. Many models can be ejected even while moving at high speeds without undue injury to the occupants. The sponsons serve as skirts to hold an air cushion and as wings to provide lift at high speeds. A retractable front and rear skirt is located underneath the engine & crew compartment respectively. The turret mounting is modular, permitting different turrets to be exchanged in a matter of minutes. Flowtanks are generally powered by conventional means, thus are unable to use Minovsky-based weaponry and defenses.