With thirty-one different designs presented in sixteen overall concepts by seven designers the Whitworth contest was indeed a spirited one. I do have to say looking back at it all that missile carriers which embodied the Whitworth BattleTechness were higher finishers. I’d like to thank everyone who participated and hope to see you all back for the Hatchetman as well as the many more optimizations we have to come. Without further ado let’s get done to the review of the Whitworths presented herein, hope you enjoy!
DISQUALIFIED
16. WTH-2AC & WTH-2ACa (Abele)
These LB 10-X Autocannon armed Whitworths done by Abele at the instigation of Bradshaw are interesting for certain. I could certainly see them as an individual or testbed creation created by the DCMS during the Clan Invasion to deal with Elementals. I prefer the 2Aca (Fusion Engine) version as it is simpler, cheaper, and durable although the Medium Pulses of the XL version are tempting. Probably more so if it had a C3 Slave which many Kurita submissions lacked this contest somewhat surprisingly. Alas with no fluff these big gun ballistics which replace the standard missile boat has got to be disqualified. I do have to say that is difficult to imagine the Whitworth as anything other than a missile boat to be completely honest but I suppose anything is possible and the historical rifle context is nonetheless interesting.
15. WTH-2KA & WTH-2KB (Abele)
These high-tech Draconis Whitworths designed or influenced by Uncle Chandy and Hachiman Taro would have been interesting competition if completed. Both models were to be new builds presumably with EndoSteel chassis which used a Nissan 200 XL (5/8) to up the speed while adding another jump jet (5) to improve its mobility. In the same vein they incorporated ten Double Heat Sinks improving the dissipation rates for the Whitworth dramatically. Cloaked in eight and half tons of standard armor (136 factor) these machines featured near maximum protection for their forty-ton weight class. I liked how both had C3 Slaves as well which would be a major advantage for DCMS forces at this time. Not sure I liked the single battery of the LRM-15 for the 2KA but it does make some degree of sense with an Artemis IV FCS attached. Something like a Streak SRM-2 on the other torso might have really caught my attention but not bad design wise. The 2KB is my favorite of the two for its standard Whitworth dual missile battery and mixing the two isn’t a bad idea either. However, without fluff I can’t qualify you to the contest – sorry bud!
PASSABLE
14. WTH-2K (Irose)
The GaussWorth as I call was inspired by Bradshaw's call to produce a 'rifled' Whitworth after its real-life legacy but to me its BattleTech story is hard to overcome. It is difficult to see this 'Mech as anything but a missile boat even though Irose gives it his best shot here. Using a 160 XL Engine while dropping the LRMs, Jump Jets, and two Medium Lasers allows this design to mount a single Gauss Rifle. While the idea of having a slow roaming big gun on the battlefield is intriguing and perhaps even inspiring to some (I'm looking at you Hollander) it just doesn't do it for me because of the huge sacrifices made. I'd love it if it had jump jets for a bit of sniper mobility but that got squeezed out. The addition of a C3 Slave and Guardian ECM Suite are nice additions I gotta say but this Mech feels like a custom ride for a notable warrior rather than a true Whitworth variant. Nice try though!
13. WTH-4T (Irose)
I think this model suffered from part Whitworth Periphery overload and part non-missile boat Whitworth for me. Not a bad design or concept at all especially given your excellent Canopian entry which this is sort of an extension of but I'd like a little bit more foundation. Give the Magistracy a little more time to establish themselves as Whitworth users which I think works and you could certainly see this design flourish. Plus, what happened to the canon Whitworth (its widespread decommissioning) didn't really happen here in the Salient Horizon setting thereby cutting the number of available chassis for modification. Also, this one was a lot like the WhitHammer so for now I am going to say no to this submission even though the design itself is pretty solid. Hope you understand!
12. WTH-1 Ringo & 2R (Abele)
Keeping to his Blazer promise Abele gives us this model which gets away from the Whitworth's missile boating. The fluff is solid with a tale of a Draconis Mechwarrior and ironically her WTH-1 Ayoma which was more of a true Whitworth IMO. I will not judge that and I can see the BlazerWorth as a unique response to the Clan Invasion. Desperate times equal desperate measures so I can certainly see the Ringo as a one-off custom model on the Clan front. However, as a larger variant I just don't see it especially because there were other Kurita models which I thought were better. Good fluff though and solid design.
CONTENDERS
11. WTH-3D (Irose)
While I like the idea of twin LRM-15s on the old Whitworth by using a 160 XL from advanced Davion Locusts it just falls short. Reducing secondary armament to a single Medium Laser is bad enough but both these large launchers having only one ton of ammunition a piece is certainly a no no. Lacking endurance and speed I just don't care for this advanced Federated Suns variant but I did find it appropriate here. Perhaps if you could somehow justify a new build with EndoSteel instead of Ferro-Fibrous which could free up more tonnage for ammo or secondary weapons but truthfully, I doubt even that would be enough to save this endeavor. Unfortunately, the concept just doesn't work for me.
10. WTH-2 Kai series (Ice Hellion)
These seven Kurita entries are a wide variety of Whitworth upgrades which run the gambit of possibilities. They all continue to use the standard chassis, the LTV 160 Fusion Engine, and four jump jets (4/6/4) but from there they branch off. My favorite is probably the 111 with four LRM-5s and an ER Large for pretty solid fire support but I also like the 01 model as well with its C3 Slave Computer. The 03 is interesting with three LRM-5s and an SRM-6 providing a nice split in missile batteries. I question the relevance of the 02, 11, 12, and 13 models which all feature Small Pulse Lasers to ostensibly battle Elementals. Not sure how effective they would be because of their limited range, lite firepower, and the low speed of the Whitworth. I suppose such point defense does have its advantages by why not just go for more Medium Lasers? Or in the case of the 02 why not go with Medium Pulses in the arms anyway as they perfectly cover the LRM minimum range. Not bad overall but I felt that more focus may have led to better results here. Unfortunately, you got beat by other better Draconis designs here. Good tries though bud.
9. WTH-2S & WTH-2S7 (Abele)
This Elemental hunter-killer developed from a Solaris 7 duelist certainly is a very interesting concept for the Whitworth. This new build made by Edasich Mobility Systems on Aur, which appears to be an extension of their engine factory, is a cool angle in itself and one that I really am intrigued by. Only problem is you go away from their Engines for a Nissan 200 XL when I would gone to one of their own (existing or not). I do like the speed improvement (5/8) which correspondingly increases the mobility (5) of the Whitworth. Got no problem using the regular Whitworth chassis either as it would give this Motor company time to develop something more sophisticated in the future. Seven tons of ferro-fibrous armor (125 factor) isn’t bad at all and Double Heat Sinks do seem to be in order. I also like the mixed long range (ER Large and LRM-5) paired with the short range (SRM-6 and two Medium Pulses) even though it has a high heat potential. Bracket firing is no doubt in order here which is a change from the all short-range Solaris 7 model which looks nasty. Would love to have a pilot’s name who uses it possibly sponsored by Edasich would make for a good story.
NEAR MISSES
8. WTH-2D (Irose)
Splitting the LRM-10s in favor of multiple LRM-5s was the way to go for me but this Davion variant dared to be different. Using the 200 XL Engine manufactured for the Yen Lo Wang was certainly an interesting take on obtaining this advanced power plant for the Whitworth. Modifying in the Capellan March would then make some degree of sense and the general boost in mobility and speed is certainly worth it. The armament is very canon with only one Medium Laser remaining thanks to Artemis IV FCS linked to the LRM batteries in true FedCom fashion. Sticking with ten single Heat Sinks is probably the way to go as these weapons don't generate a lot of heat. Seven tons of ferro-fibrous armor provide pretty solid protection as well. Very nice job and nearly good enough for the winner’s circle but ultimately, I liked one other Davy design better.
7. WHT-2O & 2P (drakensis)
On its face this Draconis-Outworlds project here makes sense but such a technically advanced model? Weaving in Mountain Wolf BattleMechs so you could cross a Night Hawk with a Whitworth was clever. With the 240 XL Engine you easily outpace the rest of the competition here. The Jump Jets didn't get increased from four and I am okay with that as it has enough mobility to enhance its operations. Ten Single Heat Sinks can still be kept thanks to the twin LRM-10s and two Medium Lasers. Hell, I even like the fact that you added hands to this design which absolutely crossed my mind. I wish there was more ammo though and I think LRM-5 gimmick could have really worked here. I don't care for LRM carriers with a NARC In regards to the 2P and here again the LRM-5 swap for SRM-4 could have worked. Honestly, the Outworlds Alliance also held you back a bit too as I find it hard to believe that such an advanced model could have been put together here so quickly. Thank you for such an interesting and speedy concept though.
6. WTH-OK (fabulousorcboy)
This Kurita short range variant was absolutely fantastic reaching back to the Black Whitworths of the Amaris Dragoons and reminding me a lot of my 2M concept but just with short range missiles. Upgrading to a standard 200 Fusion Engine really makes a lot of sense perhaps more so with this up-close weaponry. Your component sourcing was also spot on eluding to near future designs quite appropriately. The design and fluff are both excellent but I am very sorry to say you got beat out by one other Draconis Whitworth. However, what I'm happy to report is this variant will live on as part of another winning design. I hope to see you designing here again because you did a very nice job your first time out.
WINNERS
5. WTH-2D (Takiro)
Narrowly beating out WTH-2D by Irose for the top overall Davion spot is my Streak SRM version put together by Team Banzai and NAIS. This super accurate urban combat master would be a deadly opponent for even the Clans in close confines and could serve as a valuable test bed for new technologies like the InnerSphere Streak SRM-6 for example. I do have to say the original concept featured more goodies but alas I just didn't have the tonnage for it all as the design work progress. As a result, this was my least favorite Whitworth that I designed but still a pretty solid high-tech missiler. Given its firepower and accuracy I think it is appropriately placed at fifth.
4. WHT-2M (Takiro)
My first and favorite Whitworth concept bought this BattleMech to the Free Worlds League and Mercenaries at large. Tying into my Hunchback upgrade, and giving me the idea for another, the 2M is a capable fire support variant for Marik forces fighting in their Third Civil War. Only Ferro-Fibrous and Double Heat Sinks make it a lostech design which even with its larger leftover Hunchback 200 Engine it is cheap. I'd love to use fabulousorcboy's WTH-OK as a variant for this model especially based on masterarminas' design. Swapping some or all of the LRM-5s for SRM-4s would make for an even better variant. But as are this simple two LRM-5 downgrades for each LRM-10 combined with the replacement of the 160 LTV with the Nissan 200 is a winner to me.
3. WTH-C & 2C (Irose)
These Canopian Level 1 and 2 designs derived from the BattleTech Shattered Dawn original are fantastic in their story and design. I could certainly see the Magistracy engaging in such industrial espionage to obtain the Whitworth during the Star League era and just now coming back to it following the Clan Invasion. I think it works and would expand this BattleMech's proliferation into the Periphery plus there is the design itself. Simply replacing one of the LRM-10s and a Medium Laser with a PPC is pretty freaking solid and the 2C just takes it to another level. I could certainly see this Mech involved in the liberation of Canopian worlds from the Free Worlds League yoke during the 3rd Marik Civil War. Nicely done for the bronze!
2. WTH-7D (Irose)
The most innovative design of the contest was the so-called WhitHammer from the Davion Draconis March. Built to mimic the larger heavy BattleMech right down to the addition of a spotlight it certainly fits the region's needs at this time. While the 160 XL Engine is a bit advanced for the Old Duke and Robinson I could see it worked in because of some advanced Locust being built at this time. This Medium Doppelganger might just scare of some drunken raiders by a well delivered salvo. While other Whitworths who didn't feature missiles (even though this one has an SRM-6 pack) do well in this contest this one is an exception I feel. It really fits the setting and is a pretty clever use of equipment. Silver medal!!
1. WTH-2K series (masterarminas)
The relation between the LRM-5 and SRM-4 was not something I drew at the start of this contest. The way that these three Whitworth variants made use of these two missile systems almost interchangeably makes me think of a proto-OmniMech effort by InnerSphere technicians. Not sure I loved the 200 XL Engine here but with all the goodies you can add (half ton armor, two extra munition tons, and a CASE in each torso) it is pretty hard to argue against. I am sure House Kurita would want to maximize its operational ability in light of the Clan invasion. Only thing I would have liked to have seen which could have improved it overall is a C3 system. Overall though the concept is quite solid and definitely my winner for the Draconis variant of the Whitworth. Gold medal!!!
