Peregrine

The Peregrine is a Falcon-Class Airship built by the WHS Aerial Transport Company for use by the British Military.

It is the newest ship in the fleet and due to its multiple propellers, sails and revolutionary Steam Jet Engine is the fastest War Balloon in use.

As with all Falcon-Class ships it has a Etherium filled balloon encased inside a lightweight metal cage. This cage supports the many sails that give the Peregrine the appearance of a Lionfish. The rear of the cage supports the main propeller and mounted on the front is a metal nose-cone shaped to resemble a falcon's head.

Two rotating wings with embedded propellers provide extra stability and maneuverability for the airship. These wings fold up when the ship is in its Shed.

Suspended below the balloon is the ship's Basket. The Basket can accommodate four passengers, seated one behind the other. The first two seats face forwards and the first person controls the ship's steering mechanisms. The final two seats face backwards and the person in the rear seat controls the Steam Jet Engine (SJE) that is housed between the Basket and the Balloon. This engine also warms the Etherium inside the balloon providing the ship with extra lift. Two long cylindrical water tanks are mounted on the underside of the basket, connected by copper pipes to the SJE.

The people in the two central seats control the weapon systems on board the Peregrine. There are two harpoon gun mounted on the underside of the basket, one forward-facing and one rear-facing. These harpoons are designed to puncture enemy balloons. The Falcon's Head nose cone also contains a flame-thrower device in which a jet of Etherium from the balloon can be fired forward and ignited. This is a last-resort weapon as there is the risk that a backdraft could actually ignite the Etherium within the balloon itself. On the underside of the balloon there are two 'legs' which are usually folded up underneath the basket. During aerial combat these legs can be lowered and their claws can be used to puncture balloons.

The basket also contains two mounted crossbows which the middle two passengers can use. Crossbow bolts are stored in a compartment underneath the passenger benches.

The main tactic for the Peregrine is to fly above the enemy and then swoop down, using its weapons to puncture the enemy's balloon.

The Peregrine flown by Russell is named The Defying Gravity