OBT Forum

Our usual three suspects who I really can not thank enough for all their great ideas out did themselves again during the busy Christmas week. There were six designs presented in total with only one failing to qualify. I admit that the Maori being featured so prominently in this challenge’s outline it was going to be an uphill struggle for any competitors. However, we got some good rivals for the Nova Cat OmniFighter slot. I was surprised that no one went for a Cloud Cobra storyline involving their shared possession of Brim or the Rossei Cloister. But that is neither here nor there. Lets take a look at who finished where in the final Quicksilver Aerospace Challenge.

N/A. Kalmyk (Abele)
One of this contest’s two zombie entries is this 70 ton entry which was our heaviest. I had expected somebody to try their hand at this weight class because of the Pulsar (aka the Nova Cat). It is powered by the 280 Fusion Engine (6/9) from the Guillotine IIC which itself is being modularized into the Crazy Horse. Using the Kalmyk name is a solid choice with its ties to Russia is very Clan like. It compares well to the Jagatai as you point out with 14 tons of ferro aluminum armor (268 factor) which is three more tons of protection than its predecessor and has a 5 ton fuel tank compared to four for the original. To be fair the Jagatai has 2 more base heat sinks than the Kalmyk which uses a base of 13 (26). The trade off comes in pod space where this Zombie has 29 tons set aside for weapons and equipment ten less tons then its forerunner. Unfortunately it has no fluff and no weapon configurations meaning that the design fails to qualify. It is a promising entry however and one that could serve the Clans some time in the future.

5. Viking (drakensis)
This 50 ton design based on the Samurai aerospace frame is an able entry on the lighter side of this contest. Working with their Snow Raven neighbors on Circe is a solid fit and cooperation on industrial development there only makes sense. Using a 250XL Engine (7/11) from the Huntsman OmniMech to power this proposal is an excellent choice. Including 19 (38) base Heat Sinks on this fighter makes it an excellent platform for energy weapons. While this does reduce the overall pod space available to just 15.5 tons for weapons and equipment it seems enough. The configurations provided are excellent although I would prefer one with 2 ER PPCs, 3 ER Mediums, and an aft mounted ER Small. I do think Prime with its 3 ER Larges is very Nova Cat. With 8 tons of fuel for extended operations it can remain aloft the longest of any fighter here. Only 8 tons of Ferro Aluminum (153 factor) are included for protection but it is the smallest fighter presented. With the lowest base cost of just under 7 million C-bills and with Prime Configuration coming in at over 8 million C-bills it is the cheapest submission. Perhaps the coolest thing is the Viking name which really kicks ass. What sinks the battleship here is the Turk which is so similar (50 tons with a 250XL) it really begs the question why do I need this fighter? Really took the wind out of your sales pitch. Sorry drak.

4. Seljuk (Abele)
Along with the Maori we had another retread from Contest 23 – the 65 ton OmniFighter. The Seljuk finished fourth there and could well have made a better showing here. I did like this first Nova Cat aerospace design which was heavily back by the Wolf Clan to create a “Linebacker” type Fighter. I would have liked to have seen a tweak to the existing fluff similar to what masterarminas did with the Maori here. Something that would have acknowledged past events especially in reference to its scaled down Jagatai frame. This second version could have benefited greatly from more lead time and past development. Plus I would have loved to hear Crusader allegations of favoritism to get this Wolf backed project into production. I am sure with that this design powered by the massive 390XL Engine (8/12) from the Linebacker would have drawn attention and possible backing from the Ice Hellions and Khan Asa Taney. With 11 tons of ferro aluminum (211 factor) and 23 tons of pod space this design may have been too fast however to win. Also while the modifications made to configuration A and D are energy based the elimination of the Arrow IV based H was unnecessary. That was a unique configuration that I liked. So thanks for reposting this contender Abele but with its high cost it just was not what I was looking for here. Plus if the fluff was revised it would have done then fourth.

3. Masamune (drakensis)
This 65 ton Zombie is a very interesting proposal based upon House Kurita’s Shilone which builds upon a theme. For Quicksilver Contest #24 Abele based two Nova Cat OmniFighter proposals on the Slayer. I do have to believe that this is something very Nova Cat including their canon tendency to join with the Combine. I really like the angle of recycling their design for Clan use and this is another solid example. Using what is left of LexaTech on Irece is a fascinating concept in itself. So combining that with Shilone creates a very interesting proposal. Using the 260 Fusion Engine (6/9) allows good performance, a nice piece of fluff with foreshadowing a possible Battle of Chatham, and a homeworld design source. Don’t know if your aware of it drak but this design is very similar to the Diamond Shark Ammon which also uses a 260 Fusion Engine and has a 5 ton standard fuel tank. The big difference between the two designs is armor with this one fielding 9.5 tons of Ferro Aluminum (182 factor) while the Ammon has almost 5 more tons devoted to protection even though it is lower grade regular armor. With 34 tons of pod space and 10 (20) Heat Sinks there is a lot of possibilities however. Many of the configurations do remind me again of the Ammon although I do like C with all them missiles. You have made your case for this fighter's name and the Masamune name is good I originally thought it was for the sword smith. My mistake. Still a pretty good entry all things considered especially when looking at the price tag. Thanks for presenting it!

2. Huron (Abele)
This 55 ton entry based upon the Arapaho and tied into the Comanche/ Mohawk design was very well done. Tied to an original Coyote effort this upscaled Hellcat II frame that involved several Goliath Scorpion museum pieces also gets the Snow Ravens involved to with a 220XL Engine (6/9) from the Bashkir. That is a lot of Clans working together and I really do not have a problem with that. Love the design history and the Huron name. The way the fluff goes back to build upon Quicksilver designs of the past is just plain awesome. With 30 tons of pod space for weapons and equipment you have really got a lot of options here. I like the configurations a whole hell of a lot. Many of them rely on energy weapons and pack a punch. D is completely outside the box but I love it with its advanced electronics, missiles and long range Ultra AC. With 10 tons of ferro aluminum (192 factor) it has good protection and the price tag of 7 to 9 million C-bills is not that bad. The major let down for me was the 5 ton fuel tank which provides only standard range. I did want a little more with this entry. Still a great entry and fun read.

1. Maori (masterarminas)
This retread from Contest 23 – the 65 ton OmniFighter answers some unresolved questions for the Goliath Scorpions. With the Nova Cats coming along to bail out the Scorpions it seems like an excellent partnership. This Clan Lucifier built using the frame of an Ammon and a new Consolidated 195XL Engine (5/8) was a superior concept when first proposed. Both the Ammon and the Extra Light Fusion Power Plant needed a lot of development along the way. Something I think they have gotten plus you have included concern (possible failure) about the frame’s integrity in the fluff. It has solid defenses with 14 tons of ferro aluminum armor (269 factor) and an integral ECM Suite. This along with 7 ton fuel tanks for lengthy operations allows it to fill a special niche no other Clan OmniFighter can. With 36 tons of pod space for weapons and equipment it has an arsenal that rivals some heavy fighters. Plus the price is right with a 7 to 10 million C-bill tag. While the name is still a little Diamond Shark it is still pretty good plus I could see them getting involved with this design again. Congrats MA you just edged out the competition.

Once again I would like to thank everyone involved in the Aerospace Contests. They were thoroughly enjoyable, very competitive, and helped to form a great new fighter force for the Clans. Great job guys! With at least two of our premier designers away on vacation I am postponing the start of the next series of Quicksilver Trail for at least one week. Over that time I’m gonna be developing the Quicksilver Vehicle Challenge.

Well done MA

It's a reference to the Japanese warlord Date Masamune rather than the swordsmith Gorō Nyūdō Masamune.

Ah very good, I withdraw my critique and have revised my original review. So the Viking dropped to fifth with the Masamune and Seljuk moving up a spot each.

I was really disappointed to find the Viking had the same tonnage and engine as an existing OmniFighter, the Turk. Duplicating another Clan fighter destroys any chance it had and I was considering it for the win believe it or not. In the end there is really no difference between those 50 ton OmniFighers. Yes the Turk has slightly more armor but it can match the Viking in almost every other capability.

Don't get me wrong. I like the Viking and using the 250XL from the Nova Cat Huntsman is a good idea but together it is just a Turk with more fixed heat sinks, greater dedicated fuel reserves, and less armor. I could even argue that the Turk could do a better job because it is more flexible in regards to pod space.

It would be interesting and nullify any duplication if a 300XL or a 200 XL was tried.

I did not even notice the duplication till last night when I was reviewing the designs in comparison to existing fighters. Before that I had the Viking neck and neck with the Maori.

Yeah it was a crazy week drak, don't sweat it. Not a bad idea on the surface.