discuss amongst yourselves....

[boogieshoes]

so today's question is:  where do you think air transport falls on the line of economical shipping options?  there are obviously trade-offs depending on circumstances, but in general, what do you think?  justify your answer.

the background:  lukejaywalker is fleshing out some background for a steampunk novel, and has decided not to have airplanes, although he does have dirigibles.  i told him that i thought airplane technology would have been developed even if, as he surmised, WW1 happened in 1890, and the US went into a severe economic depression for 30-40 years due to European powers defaulting on their loans.  one of the reasons i gave him was that air shipping was actually pretty darned economical for certain goods and services, better than trains and automobiles, even, although i don't know that they'd ever outrank ocean ships in economics.  now... i'm not so sure of my position, and it's bugging me, and i turn to you, my flist, to help me sort this out.

i still maintain that airplanes would be more economical than dirigibles for shipping, and that given that the majority of the research was done, the railroad industry would spur the development of gas-powered engines (which are needed for flight), thus fixing any lack produced by setting the Great War earlier than usual.  the rest of my arguments... i'm just not sure.


discuss, people, i want to see wild speculation in the comments!

-bs

Comments

[lwj2.livejournal.com]

Presuming the development of internal combustion engines in Leo's world, something like the Spruce Goose might be viable for small air cargo.

Large heavy stuff would go trans-oceanic more cheaply on ships, whether steam or diesel. Trans-continental, I'd say rail is the least expensive option, again either steam or diesel.

[boogieshoes.livejournal.com]

i'm pretty sure that no matter what, if he sets his breakpoint at 1890, internal combustion engines will become available. the research is already there. *ponders more*

-bs

[thecrazyfinn.livejournal.com]

You need IC engines for dirigibles. The biggest argument in favour of them is a lack of jet engines and no Hindenberg-analog disaster (which is what killed dirigibles off in real life).