OBT Forum

Great Abele, with your fluff we have pretty much rounded out this contest but there is still time. Here are the entries so far;

Peithon (marauder648) 60 tons – based on Gotha – 7/11 - Cloud Cobra
Phalanx (Abele) 60 tons – based on Gotha – 8/12 – Cloud Cobra
Diadochi (Abele) 75 tons – based on Eagle – 7/11 – Coyote
Haemus (Bradshaw) 60 tons – based on Visigoth – 8/12 – Cloud Cobra
Hetairoi (Bradshaw) 75 tons – based on Royal Eagle – 6/9 – Nova Cat
Agema (masterarminas/Ice Hellion) 75 tons –based on Voidseekers – 6/9 – Ghost Bear
Pelium (marauder648) 75 tons – based on Hammerhead – 7/11 – Cloud Cobra
Aretes (marauder648) 35 tons – based on Zero – 10/15 – Cloud Cobra – mass disqualified
Ogedei (marauder648) 75 tons – based on Sabutai – 6/9 – Smoke Jaguar – OmniFighter DQ

Unfortunately the last two by marauder648 don't currently qualify but if the Jags were to enter the Ogedei as an Aerospace Fighter with a Alexanderian name then their stealth Sabutai upgrade might just get consideration.

Although the Sabutai OmniFighter was a hugely hard hitting attack craft that suited the Jaguars style of combat and suited the Clan’s Trial based mode of warfare and combat.  But the fighter’s tiny fuel tanks and thin armour worked heavily against it during REVIVAL despite being almost brand new at the time of the Invasion.  Due to its short range the Sabutai was reliant on forward bases on the ground, which the Jaguars were loathed to even bother protecting, which in turn saw them being attacked by partisans.  And if launched from orbit, they only had fuel for perhaps 15 minutes loiter time over a battlefield before having to return to base to refuel and thus depriving Jaguar forces of any air cover.

And, with its limited protection, the Sabutai was also vulnerable to ground fire and even the dated weapons of Spheroid fighters were able to punch through and cause damage, causing a noticeable spike in casualties amongst Sabutai pilots, many of whom were amongst the Jaguar’s most experienced and battle hardened.  It wasn’t the warriors who were failing the Jaguar, it was their machines.

Following the Battle of Tukkayid and the Jaguar’s frantic efforts to rebuild their Tourman, the Sabutai came under investigation and the SaKhan, speaking for the still badly injured Khan, ordered that the Sabutai be adjusted to fit the battles the Jaguars faced and to reduce or eliminate its flaws.

Unfortunately this wasn’t going to be quick or easy, as the Sabutai had been designed and built with very tight tolerances and although the weapons were modular, fixing the fuel and armour issues would require an entirely new frame to be designed and built.
The project was authorized and the Scientists set about building a testbed frame, forgoing the modular fittings and equipment but having the ability to incorporate them later, albeit with more minor redesigns and ajustments to the crafts centre of gravity for this to be fully effective.

Whilst superficially it looked very similar to the standard Sabutai the testbed featured a slightly more bulky fuselage and thicker wings that lacked the Sabutai’s graceful curves but were more reminiscent of the Xerxes’ hard, jagged angles.  The base chassis was altered with a larger fuel tank capable of taking 5-tons of fuel which greatly increased its endurance and range, whilst the armour was increased to 13 tons of Ferro-aluminium.  This did mean that the armament payload was somewhat diminished, but the fighter still had a lethal punch.
Retaining the paired ER PPCs and gauss rifle of the Sabutai, the testbed gave up one large pulse laser, whilst the other was mounted in the nose.  The pair of ER small lasers covering the tail were moved to the wings whilst one ER small laser would now cover the tail.  The Gauss rifle also received an extra ton of ammunition. 
Simulations showed the craft had great promise and when it took to the air its handling was not affected and thanks to its large and powerful control surfaces and broad wing area, the fighter’s handling in an atmosphere wasn’t too different to a Sabutai’s despite the larger fuel tank and thicker armour which some pilots were worried would ruin the Sabutai’s fine aerodynamics.

When the ilKhan declared the Quicksilver Trials to be open and requested submissions for a ‘high end’ fighter, the Smoke Jaguar Scientists, who were still at least 9 months away from having an omni version of the redesigned Sabutai (to be called the Ogedei) in service due to ongoing tests with various omni-pod configurations and the need to redesign the flight computer.  They realised they had a perfectly viable ‘standard’ fighter for deployment, and once the redesign for omni-pods was complete any produced in Jaguar service could be quickly adapted.

To fit with the ‘second line nature’ the fighter was renamed the Parmenion after one of Alexander the Great’s most favoured generals and presented to the ilKhan for the Quicksilver Trials.


Ogedei Prime
Base Tech Level: Standard (Clan)
Level          Era
-------------------
Experimental    - 
Advanced        - 
Standard      3145+
Tech Rating: F/X-X-X-D

Weight: 75 tons
BV: 3,114
Cost: 11,497,063 C-bills

Movement: 6/9
Engine: 300 XL
Heat Sinks: 21 [42]
Fuel Points: 0/400 (5.0 tons)

Structural Integrity: 7
Armor: 249 (Ferro-Aluminum)
            Armor 
-------------------
Nose           71 
Left Wing      60 
Right Wing     60 
Aft            58 

Weapons            Loc  Heat 
------------------------------
Gauss Rifle        NOS    1   
ER PPC             LWG   15   
ER PPC             RWG   15   
Large Pulse Laser  NOS   10   
ER Small Laser     AFT    2   
ER Small Laser     LWG    2   
ER Small Laser     RWG    2   

Ammo                     Loc  Shots 
-------------------------------------
Gauss Rifle Ammo [Clan]  NOS      8 
Gauss Rifle Ammo [Clan]  NOS      8 



Very nice marauder648!

Thanks Abele, sorry I overlooked those changes.

Let me fix the list one more time for marauder648's changes.

Peithon (marauder648) 60 tons – based on Gotha – 7/11 - Cloud Cobra
Phalanx (Abele) 60 tons – based on Gotha – 7/11– Cloud Cobra
Diadochi (Abele) 75 tons – based on Eagle – 6/9 – Coyote
Haemus (Bradshaw) 60 tons – based on Visigoth – 8/12 – Cloud Cobra
Hetairoi (Bradshaw) 75 tons – based on Royal Eagle – 6/9 – Nova Cat
Agema (masterarminas/Ice Hellion) 75 tons –based on Voidseekers – 6/9 – Ghost Bear
Pelium (marauder648) 75 tons – based on Hammerhead – 7/11 – Cloud Cobra
Aretes (marauder648) 35 tons – based on Zero – 10/15 – Cloud Cobra – mass disqualified
Parmenion (marauder648) 75 tons – based on Sabutai – 6/9 – Smoke Jaguar

That is nine entries by four designers (one of those a team) for five Clans (5 Cloud Cobras, 1 Coyote, 1 Ghost Bear, 1 Nova Cat, 1 Smoke Jaguar). Truly a high end free for all! Very nice job guys but there is still almost two days left. Room for more if you like or time for corrections still. 

Very nice Bradshaw, I'll add it to the list. Still another day left if anyone else wants to jump in!

Less than six hours remain here folks!

With the existing high end Aerofighters thus far placed at 25-ton increments [25-ton Sogdiana, the 50-ton Granicus, and the 100-ton Halicarnassus] the natural advantage probably goes to the 75-ton frame. It is fifteen tons heavier and will no doubt possess more firepower and armor then its 60-ton competition. I’ll also be looking at existing components (frame, engines, weapons, etc.) again that each Clan putting the design forward has available. Vital to your entry will be the availability of existing frames as outlined by marauder648. Creation story was likewise a factor as was the Alexanderian names of each craft. Lastly but most importantly superior performance will be the determining factor in this contest. So, lets get started with a bottom to top review of the craft entered in this contest.

DQ. Aretes (35 tons - marauder648 - Cloud Cobra)
Unfortunately, this design is well below weight requirements of the challenge and has to be disqualified. However, it is a very feasible entry based on the Star League Zero which is a big plus and using a 280 XL Engine (presumably from Star Adder which uses it on the Assassin IIC and Ranger BattleMechs) this fighter can move at a rate of 10/15. With 5 tons of fuel (400 points) it has average size tanks for normal ranged aerospace operations and ten tons of Ferro-Aluminum armor (192 factor) provides excellent protection for its size. It’s all energy arsenal of an ER PPC in the Nose and an ER Medium Laser in each Wing would provide a good punch for its size which would not require any reloading. However, with 10 [20] Double Heat Sinks it can not Alpha Strike and the pilot would have to monitor overheating. An Active Probe is a nice addition to seek out any opposition and gives the craft a heavy scout feel to me. Not too shabby, hopefully a standard fusion engine model debuts in a future challenge but for now I have to say DQ.

9. Macedonian Lion (75 tons - Bradshaw - Coyote)
First off, I didn’t care for the name and then basing this fighter on the swept wing Deathstalker was a second big minus for me. I wanted to look at existing air frames in storage for rapid activation of older but usable fighters joining new production models. Reading up on the Deathstalker I doubt the SLDF took any on the Exodus (20 were made originally and mothballed apparently on Andurien) although the plans would be available. The Coyotes would only be able to produce this at a secondary facility meaning slow rate of production. The using of a 375 XL Engine from the now proliferating Mad Cat is a plus however to me as the Coyotes have it and this fighter can move at a rate of 7/11 with it. A standard 5 tons of fuel (400 points) is again average size and 16.5 tons of Ferro-Aluminum armor (316 factor) give this entry great protection. Along with Anti-Missile Systems nose and aft I have to say this is one of the most well protected designs in this contest a definite bonus. Dual mounted ER PPCs mounted in the nose provide the bulk of this craft’s firepower with a Streak SRM-6 nicely supplementing it. The 18 [36] Double Heat Sinks cool that weaponry and movement nicely even have enough remaining for an ER Small Laser in the Wing. These weapons are likely for strafing if I read Bradshaw correctly which might not be a Clan like design approach especially from the hidebound Coyotes. Granted they are a changing and the rear facing Streak SRM-4 would discourage any would be pursuit. I would say this is a design ahead of its time and perhaps in the future something may emerge from it but for now it was a ninth-place finish here.

8. Haemus (60 tons - Bradshaw - Cloud Cobra)
Using the 360 XL Engine made by their Star Adder allies from their Hellfury and Blood Asp OmniMechs this Cloud Cobra Heavy Aerospace Fighter would be the fastest around traveling at 8/12 thrust values. The frame basis is probably the biggest drawback as the Visigoth is not a cached fighter and has to be acquired from the Jade Falcons. The design itself seems pretty good with a 6 ton fuel tank (480 fuel points) for slightly higher than average range and 15 tons of Ferro-Aluminum armor (288 factor) provides solid protection for this proposed 60-tonner. The weaponry is aligned in a very interesting fashion on this design as well with no wing mounted weapons. An ER PPC and four ER Medium Lasers are all mounted in the nose creating a focused hard hitter which thanks to its 18 [36] Double Heat Sinks can Alpha Strike while maintaining Thrust with overheating. An ER Medium Laser and an ER Small Laser in the aft discourage any would be pursuer. With all of its weapons being energy based there is also no need to reload. Pretty good design but like the Lion above ahead of its time, I think it could be the basis off a pretty solid future fighter. I can definitely see it flying around the Quicksilver Institute on Strana Mechty.

7. Agema (75 tons - masterarminas & Ice Hellion - Ghost Bear)
I have to sight framing issues here again with this design based on the Voidseeker which was inspired by the Stingray. Unfortunately, this frame while it may be in storage on a very limited basis it needs a lot of work to get it ready here. Other than that it is a solid design which uses a 300 XL Engine most likely from the Kirghiz which the Bears produce allowing the fighter to move at a rate of 6/9. A 5 ton of fuel tank (400 points) is pretty average size and 14.5 tons of Ferro-Aluminum armor (278 factor) is damn good protection. Engineered as a deadly strafing machine with 4 Medium Pulses mounted in the Nose and each wing it is pretty nasty. The Double Heat Sinks at 24 [48] can barely keep up with this rate fire especially when factoring in movement. An ER Large Laser mounted in the Nose can deal with extreme range threats while 2 ER Small Lasers located Aft dissuade pursuers. Again, heat is a factor here so pilots have to choose their weapon fire well but they don’t have to worry about ammunition thanks to the entire arsenal being composed of energy weapons. Really good design and love the teamwork guys but the frame really spoiled this one for me.

6. Parmenion (75 tons - marauder648 - Smoke Jaguar)
This attempt to improve on the Sabutai which is an excellent Quicksilver story is great but using an existing frontline frame really knocked it down for me. A 300 XL Engine for this Jaguar creation is perfect as the Sabutai, the Mad Dog, the Kirghiz, the Dire Wolf, and new Champion IIC are all produced by the Clan. This power plant enables the fighter to move a rate of 6/9 thrust and now with 5 tons of fuel (400 points) it has a greater range than its forebearer. Also, an increase from the Sabutai were 13 tons of Ferro-Aluminum armor (249 factor) which improves the overall protection. An impressive big gun arsenal of a Gauss Rifle (16 shots) and Large Pulse Laser mounted in the Nose along with ER PPCs on each in the Wing is ably cooled by 21 [42] Double Heat Sinks overheating while overthrusting. ER Small Lasers located on the Wing and Aft provide nice supplemental firepower for strafing or rear defense. This really is a fine design which I hope will continue to be refined unfortunately here it was the best of the rest or those designs with frame issues.

5. Diadochi (75 tons - Abele - Coyote)
Based on the Eagle which is a big plus and using a 300 XL Engine most likely from the Kirghiz which the Coyotes produce this fighter can move a rate of 6/9. With a 5-ton fuel tank (400 points available) this design had normal range for an aerospace fighter which is protected by 14.5 tons of Ferro-Aluminum armor (278 factor). Pretty darn good so far and with twin ER Large Lasers supported by dual ER Medium Lasers in the Nose as well as a Large Pulse Laser and a Medium Pulse Laser in each Wing it has a solid energy-based arsenal. 25 [50] Double Heat Sinks do a pretty good job at dissipating the waste heat from this weaponry but pilots have to select their fire carefully. An additional Medium Pulse Laser in the Aft discourages rear pursuers and like the wing mounted lasers is inherently accurate. All in all not too shabby Abele but your fluff down playing this design in favor of the Phalanx did sort of pour cold water on the design a bit. Still it was the best Coyote proposal and good enough for a fifth-place finish.

4. Peithon (60 tons - marauder648 - Cloud Cobra)
One of the original proposals based on the Gotha which were two big pluses here. Using a 300 XL Engine which the Cobras don’t manufacture and would need to trade for is a bit of a problem but this power plant is pretty popular. With this wide spread availability and its ability to achieve a 7/11 thrust I think the design overcomes this shortcoming and creates greater story possibilities. This Design over Engine Availability theme repeats itself with the final four and I think you’ll agree it is justified. A 6-ton fuel tank (480 fuel points) is slightly higher than average and 14 tons of Ferro-Aluminum armor (249 factor) was better than the Phalanx. An ER PPC and 2 ER Medium Lasers in the Nose along with LRM-15s (16) with Artemis IV FCS and an ER Small Laser in each Wing are also hard hitting than its other 60-ton competitor but with 15 [30] Double Heat Sinks I had heat concerns. Firing both ER PPCs puts you right at the threshold and doesn’t even factor in movement let alone other weaponry. While I liked the ER Medium Laser and ER Small Laser mounted Aft for a hard-hitting rear defense those heat issues really kept up at night. Ultimately, I flipped on the Peithon which was originally third because of these concerns, sorry marauder648.

3. Phalanx (60 tons - Abele - Cloud Cobra)
A big plus with this design is that it was based on the Gotha one of the Star League’s originals and thus very available for Clan upgrade. To repeat myself using a 300 XL Engine which the Cobras don’t manufacture and would need to trade for is a bit of a problem but this power plant is pretty popular. With this wide spread availability and its ability to achieve a 7/11 thrust I think the design overcomes this shortcoming and creates greater story possibilities. This Design over Engine Availability theme repeats itself with the final four and I think you’ll agree it is justified. A 7-ton fuel tank (560 fuel points) gives the craft higher than average range while 13.5 tons of Ferro-Aluminum armor (240 factor) provides solid protection. With an ER Large Laser and 2 ER Medium Lasers in the Nose along with LRM-15s (16 shot a piece) and a Small Pulse Laser in each Wing the fighter has good long-range firepower. Combining this reach with its speed you have a very nice interceptor here. 17 [34] Double Heat Sinks cool this forward arsenal on overthrust quite nice and there is a Medium Pulse Laser located Aft for accurate rear defense. Plus, I love the name which is also significant as a few Clans name their second line units Phalanxes. Better range, heat dissipation, and name caused this design to jump the Peithon for third place. Great job Abele!

2. Hetairoi (75 tons - Bradshaw – Nova Cat)
The first entry was one of the best based on the SLDF Royal Eagle which is a major plus. Again, it uses a 300 XL Engine which the Clan does not manufacturer and would have to trade for which in my estimation is very possible. Moving at a rate of 6/9 isn’t that bad and with a 5-ton fuel tank (400 points) it has pretty average range. Sixteen (16) tons of Ferro-Aluminum armor (307 factor) is almost overkill for protection as this thing can take a real beating. What I like most from this big brawler is its 4 ER Large Lasers in the Nose and 5 ER Medium Lasers in each Wing. An ER Small Laser in the Aft completes this all energy arsenal which is quite impressive and very Nova Cat in approach. It sort of compares to the Supernova and Nova OmniMechs with all these lasers. With 25 [50] Double Heat Sinks this design must bracket fire in order to perform effectively but damn I like it a lot. Great job Bradshaw but one was better!

1. Pelium (75 tons - marauder648 - Cloud Cobra)
Based on one of my Star League favorites, the Hammerhead, which is a big plus that I really liked even better than the Eagle. Using a 375 XL Engine which again the Cobras don’t make and have to obtain in some fashion provides me with a Quicksilver tie (story opportunity). The proliferation of the Timber Wolf (Mad Cat) and the creation of the Yen Lo Wang OmniTank saw a dramatic increase in the manufacturer of the 375 XL Engine. While Wolf may have been the first Diamond Shark, Nova Cat, Star Adder, and Coyote all now make this power plant which can move this fighter at a rate of 7/11. With stocks of Hammerheads in storage and the Cobras availability Primary Production Slot manufacturing and introduction of this model would be quick. Five (5) tons of fuel (400 points) is the norm and 13.5 tons of Ferro-Aluminum armor (259 factor) is pretty darn solid protection. Love the Gauss Rifle (16) in the Nose and the bigger plus of a semi-modular mount which can swap out this big nickel driver for an Ultra AC/20 or an LB 20-X AC. This is a fantastic touch and feature of high-end Quicksilver BattleMechs which often have quick swaps like this. Then you add an ER Large Laser and SRM-6 (15) in each Wing along with an ER Medium Laser mounted Aft for rear defense and you get quite an effective arsenal. With 16 [32] Double Heat Sinks these 75 tonners can dissipate most of their heat effectively but can’t quite fire everything repeatedly. Still love this one the best folks, congrats on the win marauder648!!

Well folks that is it for aerospace challenges this year and hopefully we can get back on track some time after the new year as it has been a lot of fun. We will probably pick up right here where we leave off with lower end craft which will fill out the second line aerospace fighters of the Clans. Thanks again gang and once again I apologize for the delay in reviewing all your great submissions. Happy Holidays to all!

It was cool most definitely bud and I really wanted to see Master Hellion win this one too bud but....