Re: Electric planes?
Diesel-electric ships have some other pretty big benefits:
3. The engine can run at its maximum efficiency for the desired power output at all times, regardless of the needed propeller RPM
4. The thrusters can use the same generator
5. You can have "Azi-pods", which mean you don't need a rudder or thrusters at the aft of the ship.
On an aircraft, (3) is still an advantage, though I don't think fan RPM varies very much.
Biting the hand that feeds IT
