Aeronautical propulsion

Darwindz

New member
One thing I felt the world's adrift ship design lacked was variety in propulsion methods. Only having turbines, propellers and one sail is such a tragically small part of the variety that is available. This post is to consolidate as many methods of propulsion as possible to remind the devs of the many many options that are out there. Feel free to add any I missed.
 

Darwindz

New member
Propellers
Fan:
Why limit yourself to sticking them directly on engines? Stick them on wings or even put them on the top of your craft to make a helicopter
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Screw propeller:
In real life these were found to be much less efficient than fan style propellers but they look neat.
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Multifan:
Can’t decide between a fan type propeller or a screw? Why not link a bunch of fans so it kinda looks like a screw. Two is a good start but six is better.
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Darwindz

New member
Jets
Jet: There are actually many types of “jet” engines but since they all look pretty much the same, who cares? unless...
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Propfan:
You put some of the fans on the outside you madman!
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Ramjet:
Spiky and fast as hell. So fast it doesn't even have the ability to go slow, use something else to get up to its minimum speed. See also scramjets
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Darwindz

New member
Rockets
Bell rocket:
The traditional rocket shape, you have probably seen it on the space shuttle and many other rockets.
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Aerospike rocket:
A more modern rocket design that keeps up the efficiency at high speeds and across a most altitudes
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Pulse Detonation Engine:
Chucking small bombs out the back of your ship and riding the wave is actually very effective (check out project orion) but it does tend to shake you apart if your not careful
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Darwindz

New member
Flappers
ornithopters:
Function as wings, propulsion, and rudders, all while looking like giant bird wings
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Oars:
For when you need to fly a viking longship, also good for triremes.
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Paddlewheels:
Commonly used by early steamships these things brought an end the the age of sail
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