Originally posted on rec.games.mecha December 13, 1996
HCT-5TC Hatchetman Tech Base: Inner Sphere 3055 (Level 2) Tonnage: 45 Engine: 225 10 Cockpit: 3 Gyro: 3 I.S.: (Standard) 4.5 J.J.: (5 m.p.s) 2.5 Heat Sinks: 11(22) 1 Armor: 144 9 Head: 9-3 CT: 20/7-14 L/RT: 15/7-11 L/RA: 14-7 L/RL: 18-11 Weapons: Hatchet RA 3 ER PPC RT 7 Med. Laser LT 1 Med. Laser CT 1 Critical placement: CT: Jump Jet Med. Laser LT: double heat sink Med. Laser RT: double heat sink ER PPC RA: Hatchet LL: 2 Jump Jets RL: 2 Jump Jets Overview: Contrary to the opinions of Davion Intelligence, Taurus Territorial Industries has been manufacturing HCT-3S Hatchetmen at its plant on Taurus since the mid-3030s. Now, with the advent of recovered Star League technology, TTI has rolled out its new, improved HCT-5TC Hatchetman. Leaving most systems essentially unchanged, TTI has succeeded in addressing many of the HCT-3S's flaws without sacrificing any of its capabilities. By replacing the troublesome autocannon with a new TTI ER-PPC, the engineers at TTI were able to replace the underpowered GM 180 fusion engine with a new model, the GM 225, increasing the mech's top speed from 62 kph to over 83 kph. This, coupled with an additional 3 tons of Durallex Medium armor and the range advantage of the ER PPC over the autocannon give the HCT-5TC the ability to survive in environments previously off-limits. The additional heat buildup of the ER PPC is compensated for by the addition of double strength heat sinks, and the two medium lasers are moved from the arms to the torsos, allowing greater flexibility in close combat. Also, without any ammunition-dependent weapons, the HCT-5TC is much easier to keep in the field for long periods of time. The amount of advanced design materials was purposely kept to a minimum, in order to aid in the repair process and speed the design into the production phase more rapidly than would otherwise have been possible. This has the side effect of keeping the cost increase low, allowing the TDF to purchase a much larger complement of the machines.