LIU Grain Cargo Transport
The Ludgonian Industrial Union presents a transport specifically designed to move grain or related crops across the voids of space. High speeds and a large hopper make this craft the envy of farmers across the universe.
The LIU, desperate to feed its masses, terraformed an entire series of planets to be super-farms. Only one problem remained...how would the grain be transported from the super-farms to the LIU homeworlds? The LIU Grain Cargo Transport (GCT) was the answer.
The GCT is large enough to hold a substantial amount of grain, yet it is small enough to fit under the grain silos on the super-farms. It is extemely quick for a cargo ship, but it is simple enough for the farming dullards to pilot.
The GCT is divided into three sections: the cockpit, the hopper, and the engines.
The Cockpit
The GCT is piloted by two farmers. The LIU figured it was better to split the controls up so no one farmer could screw it up too much.
A husband and wife combo pilot this particular GCT.
The simple controls can be operated by anyone.
The Hopper
The GCT has a top loading hatch that allows it to hover below a grain silo and be loaded from above. Here, it is shown closed.
Here, the top loading hatch is open. Note the grates that filter out any large chunks. In the LIU, quality is more important than quantity.
The GCT's hopper holds about three tons of grain or rice.
For unloading, the sides of the hopper are lifted.
After the sides of the hopper are lifted, the farmer opens four vents and lets the grain pour out.
The Engines
The Grain Cargo Transport has four thrusters: two fusion engines and two horizontal stabilizers.
The horizontal stabilizers are mainly for steering, but they are also hooked into a computerized stabilizing system that corrects minor mistakes that the farmer pilots make. It is used often....very often.
The LIU governors stressed two things when the GCT was being designed,"It has to be fast and it has to be cheap!" These two fusion engines were the answer. They make the GCT the fastest cargo ship of its size as well as one of the most efficient. When goods can be moved cheaply, it lowers prices to the consumer and maximizes the profit for the LIU.
The Crew
Although this crew has nothing to do with the LIU Grain Cargo Transport's features or designs, they insisted in being included. Well, here you go. Happy?
Farmer Larry inspects the grates before he recieves a new load. Don't worry, his tooth loss had nothing to due with the Grain Cargo Transport.
Farmer Larry's ...ahem...beautiful wife, Magda, checks the release grates to make sure they are closed. They do not want to lose any grain on the way to the Homeworlds.
Exploded View
At the request of the High Faron Command (one of the LIU's best customers), here is a few pics of the GCT's construction. The LIU cannot release too many photos as it might jeopardize their product.
Its pretty simple, the base of the ship is a narrow series of 2X2, 2X4, and 2X6's. Two plates are attached to the base with the hopper and engine details. The cockpit is attached up front. Now, remember, the LIU has copyrighted this product.....
Note: The Grain Cargo Transport, its design, and its features are property of the Ludgonian Industrial Union. The color of any ordered GCT is subject to change in accordance with the LIU's policies or as a result of other action or events beyond the LIU's control. Not all farmer are dullards and we apologize to anyone outside of the LIU that is offended.
