I was about to suggest the same idea- say most of the book is of 'questionable accuracy' but the section with the space combat was actually pulled from interviews with some of the sailors present, and so that part is mostly factual.  That way anything we don't want to be 'canon' can be discarded as the result of the author hoping to sell a few more copies, and the parts we want to keep can be the 'good parts'.

-Will

Hmm...

Well, I've got a few ideas that I came up with--see how you like 'em...:D

1) Damn, them Martians sure are manoeuvrable!

The Martians get Gyroscopic Stabiliser on all vessels without any SPACE cost, but do have to increase their DV.

2) How the hell did they hit us from that far away?

Martians can get specialist versions of the Keel Bombard. Two versions I've thought off are the Heat Keel Bombard and the Smoke Keel Bombard...:D

3) We're behind them--no, wait a minute, in front of them...

Martians have all-round Primaries--so each arc allows all primary weapons to fire in that arc.

4) Even their small craft shoot further than us!

Martian FACs are allowed to use a heat ray-type light gun.

I've got costing ideas already, but Im not sharing them with you--yet Also, if you like these ideas, Im thinking of having EITHER the gyro option OR the all-round primaries--saves them from being too uber-nasty

I like 'em all! But I do agree with wminsing in that Martians should not have FACs. Just never thought of them -- no Martian equivalent of Jackie Fisher.

That will be something they copy from us after the first encounters of the Second Invasion...

But they should have some things completely unknown to us-- after all, the only tech we've recovered has been from surface units (cylinders and walkers).

My 2-cents of ideas and thoughts on Martians...;)

Given as the Martians had to shoot the cylinders to earth, I don't believe they have a maneuverability advantage at all.  Coupled with their development of 360-arcs of fire, maneuver becomes either redundant or at least of a secondary concern.

Range...yes, they should outrange standard human weapons.  They should be using keel gun ranges for their primary heat beams.  I don't think I'd give them keel bombards at all with their other obvious advantages...why would they bother, particularly if they've eschewed projectile weapons.  Their obvious advantage in range would also tend to have them neglect light guns. 

The black smoke was sprayed out over the countryside...not shot forth. That was a red russian innovation and proved volatile to them.  Since martians don't use projectiles, there isn't a way for the smoke to penetrate the air-tight compartments of the ships...hence the thought of using secondary 'tendrils' as spines to pierce enemy armor at closer ranges (3" max. for discussion).

For a unique Martian weapon...parasite drones...in lieu of FACs.  (Think battle satellites in Starmada with a single heat ray.) 

Dan's covered the Martian FAC issue....none at first.  Agreed that they'd use a heat ray version though...maybe use the red ruskies version for this.

The Martians use the thermal shields in lieu of armor...

The thermal emitters make the martian ship choose between BTR and BAV and are equipment hits.

d'OH!!!! ><

It's what happens when you're trying to squeeze things in between meetings and returning phone calls.  :?

Alright, everybody.  Might as well go home, Todd ruined it for everybody!

Tell Todd thanks, kids......

"THHHHHHHHAAAANNNNNNKKKSSSS TOOOODDDDDDDDDDD......"

Did anybody ever read, roleplayed or boardgamed the Space 1889 series from GDW?
In this game there was an interesting martian culture along with descriptions of their (rather simple) airships.

Hm. Understand. I liked the space1889 martians. They had a very interesting culture and a great pulp factor.

Yup...and since it's been so silent...I've been tossing my energy into getting Wardogs into shape instead of Selenites and Spaniards...

Think it's bad now with the wedding...wait til when the kids start arrivin... :twisted:

No, we couldn't borrow Space 1889's Martians, but nothing saying we can't include some of the thematic issues -- we'd just have to find someplace else to be our "Africa in Space".