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HBK-6K HUNCHBACK

Mass: 50 tons
Chassis: Crucis Type VI Deluxe EndoSteel
Power Plant: Magna 250 Fusion
Cruising Speed: 54 kph
Maximum Speed: 86 kph
Jump Jets: None
   Jump Capacity: None
Armor: Aldis Heavy Ferro-Fibrous with CASE
Armament:
1 Kali Yama Big Bore Autocannon/20
3 Hellion V Medium Lasers
Manufacturer: Kali Yama Weapons Industries
Primary Factory: Kalidasa
Communications System: Omicron 4002 Networking Channel
Targeting and Tracking System: TRSS Eagle Eye

Overview:
Focusing on pilot safety and making effective use of lostech the HBK-5M Hunchback debuted in 3046. While meeting all FWLM design specs many were disappointed by the new model’s lackluster performance. Excess Double Heat Sinks were the subject of many critiques which often pointed out the impossibility of overheating due to engine damage or repeated inferno round attacks. The presence of superfluous ‘freezers’ wouldn’t have been so bad if it wasn’t for the tiny ammunition load that the model possessed for its main gun. With only five rounds available for combat thanks to its single ton of ammo many Mechwarriors joked the 5M was safer for pilots, their opponents! Even the advanced tech Sunglow Prism-Optic Small Pulse Laser drew criticism for its insignificant short-range punch.
These drawbacks proved minor compared to the rise of long range weaponry like the Gauss Rifle and ER PPC which threatened to make the AC/20 obsolete. This was true at least for slow moving BattleMechs like the Hunchback which had difficultly closing range with faster XL Engine opponents fitted with distant hard-hitting firepower. The Clan Invasion and FedCom efforts to optimize their individual war machines in its wake threatened to make this venerable war machine and its main weapon increasing inconsequential on the modern battlefield. As the Marik Civil War began there were already several design proposals to address these problems. So, when Guardian Hestor Hepburn-Marik of Kalidasa wanted a deterrent against possible Lyran adventurism engineers from Kali Yama stepped forward with what would become the new 6K.

Capabilities:
The focus of the entire concept was to improve this venerable trooper’s rate of movement without degrading its toughness or raw firepower. While an Extra Light (XL) Engine promised greater speeds with lighter weight cores they were far bulkier and much costlier which made them somewhat of a liability. These cumbersome power plants also intruded on side torso space which would affect the placement of the Kali Yama Big Bore Autocannon/20. Thankfully engineers found the solution to this dilemma with the old Magna 250 Fusion Engine from the TBT-5N Trebuchet was on hand and readily available. This standard larger engine also had the added benefit of incorporating all ten Double Heat Sinks saving valuable internal space for advanced weight saving materials which would make the final product possible. Nine and half tons of Aldis Heavy Ferro-Fibrous developed for a new design still years away from production provided the maximum protection for this fifty-ton BattleMech. Cellular Ammunition Storage Equipment (CASE) located in the Left Torso was retained from the 5M to help mitigate any internal explosions during combat. The only component that would have to be newly manufactured was the Crucis Type VI Deluxe EndoSteel structure upon which the BattleMech would be built. Thanks to some foreign investment and the new TBT-7M Trebuchet chassis this obstacle would be overcome relatively painlessly. Even the larger three-ton gyroscope required to balance the new design was relatively easy to obtain thanks again to the Trebuchet. The weaponry remained largely unchanged with the exception of the additional Hellion V Medium Laser which replaced the head mounted Sunglow Prism-Optic Small Pulse Laser. Even with this upgrade the design still runs cool during the most strenuous combat situations with coolant to spare thanks to the Double Heat Sinks. The only other addition was one more ton of autocannon ammunition which augmented the staying power of the faster Hunchback’s main gun.

Deployment:
Since the new HBK-6K Hunchback was funded in part by Tai-sho Isoroku Kurita of the Draconis Combine a portion of production was slated for the Dieron Regulars. During the Marik Civil War all new models went to the Silver Hawks and 31st Marik Militia as Guardian Hestor Hepburn-Marik and Tai-sho Kurita agreed. Rumor has it the 6K designation was bestowed for the twin K (Kalidasa and Kurita) creators of this Hunchback. Its performance in combat has thus far been impressive surprising opponents with its speed and toughness. Closing much quicker than older models the 6K has devastated unwary adversaries who were under the impression it could not close distance. Those who made that mistake have not survived to tell about it.

Variant:
A future theoretical variant could drop the Ferro Fibrous armor and return to its original armor plating making way for a Triple Strength Myomer. This model would have to downgrade the head mounted Medium Laser back to the original Small Laser as well and return to ten single Heat Sinks enabling the design to ‘overheat’ and activate its new myomers. Simulations show this future variant would be even faster than the new 6K.

Type: Hunchback
Technology Base: Inner Sphere - Level 2
Tonnage: 50

Equipment                        Mass
Internal Structure:         EndoSteel         2.5
Engine:            250            12.5
Walking MP:         5
Running MP:         8
Jumping MP:         0
Heat Sinks:            10 (20)            0
Gyro:                           3
Cockpit:                         3
Armor Factor:            169            9.5

Internal Structure   Armor Value
Head            3         9
Center Torso         16         27 / 5
R/L Torso         12         20 / 4
R/L Arm         8         16
R/L Leg         12         24

Weapons and Ammo      Location      Critical   Tonnage
AC/20            Right Torso      10      14
Ammo (AC) 10      Left Torso      2      2
CASE            Left Torso      1      .5
Medium Laser         Right Arm      1      1
Medium Laser         Left Arm      1      1
Medium Laser         Head         1      1

Desinger's Note: Screw what TPTB say, I'm designing a Hunchie that can use a Gauus!


While the Draconis Combine still lacked a facility¹ that could produce the Gauss Rifle, they still had a source courtesy of the Free Worlds League. This allowed the engineers at Luthien Armor Works' new factory on Abiy Adi to design a medium weight 'Mech featuring the most powerful weapon available to the armed forces of the Inner Sphere. When initial applications lead to multiple incident in which the Mech toppled to ground after firing the new weapon. LAW engineers went to work to solve the problem. After several tension-filled weeks they came upon a solution. It was neither novel nor difficult. They changed the mounting location from high on the torso down to a position just above the waist. Much like how the auto-cannon on the Orion is mounted. After a dozen test shots, the only side effect was a twisting of the torso rearwards with no toppling or balance effects. There's was much joy and drinking of sake by the engineers whey their solution worked. The 'hunchbacked' aesthetic is now gone with the new location of the main weapon, but rest of the chassis is still reminiscent of the original Hunchback

The Imperator Dragon's Fire Gauss rifle is fed by a two-ton magazine and is mounted CASE protected torso. Additional weaponry consists of a quintet of a variety of Victory Industries-produced lasers. 10.5 tons of standard is more than sufficient to keep the new Hunchback on the field. The only constraint appears to be when the ammo runs out.



Hunchback HBK-5G

Mass: 50 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Chassis Config: Biped
Rules Level: Tournament Legal
Era: Clan Invasion
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-X-E-D
Production Year: 3054
Dry Cost: 8,328,500 C-Bills
Total Cost: 8,368,500 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1,541

Chassis: Komiyaba Type XI-M Endo-Steel
Power Plant: Magna 250 Fusion XL Engine
Walking Speed: 54.0 km/h
Maximum Speed: 86.4 km/h
Jump Jets: None
    Jump Capacity: 0 meters
Armor: Starshield Standard Armor w/ CASE
Armament:
    1 Imperator Dragon's Fire Gauss Rifle
    2 Victory Heartbeat Medium Pulse Lasers
    2 Victory 23R Medium Lasers
    1 Victory Throb Small Pulse Laser
Manufacturer: Luthien Armor Works
    Primary Factory: Abiy Adi
Communications System: Sipher Security Plus
Targeting and Tracking System: Eagle Eye 400 XX

================================================================================
Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Endo-Steel                    83 points                2.50
    Internal Locations: 2 CT, 2 LT, 1 RT, 3 LA, 2 RA, 2 LL, 2 RL
Engine:             XL Fusion Engine             250                       6.50
    Walking MP: 5
    Running MP: 8
    Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sinks:         Double Heat Sink             10(20)                    0.00
Gyro:               Standard                                               3.00
Cockpit:            Standard                                               3.00
    Actuators:      L: SH+UA+LA+H    R: SH+UA+LA+H
Armor:              Standard Armor               AV - 168                 10.50
    CASE Locations: 1 RT                                                   0.50

                                                      Internal       Armor     
                                                      Structure      Factor     
                                                Head     3            9         
                                        Center Torso     16           23       
                                 Center Torso (rear)                  8         
                                           L/R Torso     12           18       
                                    L/R Torso (rear)                  6         
                                             L/R Arm     8            16       
                                             L/R Leg     12           24       

================================================================================
Equipment                                 Location    Heat    Critical    Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Small Pulse Laser                            HD        2         1         1.00
Gauss Rifle                                  RT        1         7        15.00
Medium Pulse Laser                           RA        4         1         2.00
Medium Laser                                 RA        3         1         1.00
Medium Pulse Laser                           LA        4         1         2.00
Medium Laser                                 LA        3         1         1.00
@Gauss Rifle (16)                            LT        -         2         2.00
                                            Free Critical Slots: 12

BattleForce Statistics
MV      S (+0)  M (+2)  L (+4)  E (+6)   Wt.   Ov   Armor:      6    Points: 15
5          4       4       2       0      2     0   Structure:  2
Special Abilities: CASE, SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA



1 - Sarna.net has no known facility in the DC that produces the Gauss rifle listed on their site.

Six right out of the gate Abele, very nice!

Looking forward to seeing them Abele!

Can't wait to see some fluff Bradshaw!

Very good Abele!

Gotten pretty quiet here

I have a "good" idea but I need to find time and to fluff it.