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On Riders: Shape and Armor
>From: David Zink <zink@Panix.Com>
>Subject: Re: C. J. Cherryh List
>Date: Fri, 4 Jun 1993 09:17:46 -0400 (EDT)

Onno Meyer wrote:
>   __________________________        ____________________________
>  /                         |        |                          |
> /__________________________|        |__________________________|
>    hull (a)                             hull (b)
> 
> Assuming the same length for both hulls and a 45 degree angle in hull (a),
> model (a) needs about 50% more armor than hull (b).

This is wrong: since what matters is the visible cross-section, they
each require the same amount of armor.  Since hull a is slanted,
however, its true thickness will be less.  This can simplify design
issues.

		Hull A				Hull B
     __________________________        ____________________________
    /////                     |        |||||                      |
   /////                      |        |||||                      |
  /////                       |        |||||                      |
 /////                        |        |||||                      |
/////_________________________|        |||||______________________|

From this direction =====>   each is five deep, but from this direction
\
 \
  \
   \   |
    \  |
     \ |
______\|

Hull A is much thinner, therefore engineers need be less creative in
attaching the material.

Riderships may also be more prone to skimming the edges of atmospheres.
Especially the thin atmospheres of moons.

	-- David