Perhaps some people have noticed, but for the most part no one I have asked has seen this thing on Labyrinth. This is odd, even to me, as it is right in front of us for most of the match. Then again, so are the guns of our enemies. So, I suppose it is reasonable. What I am speaking of is the wrecked airship of an unfamiliar design just below 'The World' capture point. It is very different from any of the ships we have, yet contains elements from a few of them.
It seems to be a frigate-type ship, lighter than a Galleon, but power to burn with five engines. With four turning engines, it could indicate a rapid turning speed. The armor looks relatively heavy, indicating it could take almost Galleon-level beatings. The heavy cage at the bow and heavy keel (hidden but outlined) indicates a design for ramming.
The two front guns seem to point about 30 degrees off the bow, giving it pretty good forward firepower with limited guns, and weak to the sides... though as I look at the image again, the platform has an oddly unnecessary shape. I think it is possible that two more guns may have been mounted directly behind the ones I have marked, bringing the light gun count to 4. These would point straight out to the sides. If so, one crew could easily switch between the two guns, making for some interesting tactics. I don't think trifectas would be possible.
One of the more interesting aspects is a large, square platform on the upper deck. To me, this looks like an attach point for a heavy gun deck (no longer there due to salvage). This means the ship likely had a heavy gun pointed out the aft of the ship.
From the wreckage around it, I am guessing it had a large, cigar shaped balloon like the Goldfish. The ship balance seems back further, meaning the hull would stick out further than the balloon. This supports the 'ramming ship' theory. Given the heavy armor, it likely had very slow vertical movement.
The entire helm is missing (again, likely to salvage), but the marked area seems most likely. All stairs and ladders are missing as well, though it is easy to guess where they likely were.
The only confusing thing is how the crew get to the large main engine. It seems very out of the way, but also designed differently. Perhaps the engine is internal and higher up in the hull, and the large shaft is driven by belts or gears. This would place the engine between and slightly behind the forward turning engines.
On to the heart of the matter. This ship intrigues me, and I plan on 'rebuilding' it in Blender as a side project. If anyone else has idea about it, what decorations it would have had, what the balloon looked like, etc, feel free to post them.
