Originally posted on rec.games.mecha March 24, 1998
This was originally going to be a [sensible design], but it doesn't follow the original weapons scheme much. I designed it when I realized what a great 40-tonner the Watchman really is. The premise is a big part of the [not-so-sensible] disclaimer. WTC-6D Watchman Background ---------- The government of the Federated Commonwealth surprised many observers when it gave the Taurian Concordat the plans to one of its new mech designs, the WTC-4M Watchman. Even more shocking was the FC's generous technical and financial aid, which enabled the TC to construct a completely new mech factory, located on Taurus, to produce the Watchman. Many within the Taurian Concordat suspected some kind of plot or scheme, but such was not the case; when the factory was completed, the FC withdrew all of its technicians and completely ceased to meddle in Taurian affairs. The Taurian Defense Force, however, was not so pleased. Many within the TDF refused to pilot a "Davion mech." The High Command did not want to lose a potential quality mech design, but did not want brand-new mechs sitting unused. Moreover, due to the fanfare surrounding the donation of the new factory, the Taurian government was unwilling to simply sell all of the mechs it produced. (Besides, they were not very expensive.) At last, a solution was reached. Taurian engineers proposed a complete redesign of the WTC-4M. The result: the WTC-6D Watchman. Overview: --------- For centuries, Taurian engineers looked with envy at the Davion WHM-6D Warhammer variant. For political reasons, it was impossible for Taurus Territorial Industries to convert its WHM-6R line to manufacture -6D Warhammers; but now, with the advent of advanced construction techniques, TTI would be able to produce a mech that was almost as good as the WHM-6D for a fraction of the price. The WTC-6D Watchman was completely redesigned, starting with an endo steel chassis (manufactured in the brand new TTI construction facility orbiting Taurus.) Its single heat sinks were exchanged for doubles, and its weapons were all discarded in favor of the weapons array of the WHM-6D. Its armor was also upgraded to ferro-fibrous. Unfortunately, space and tonnage restrictions mandated the removal of the mech's jump jets and CASE system. Capabilities ------------ The WTC-6D Watchman keeps the maneuverability of a medium mech and mounts the firepower of a heavy mech. Its twin PPCs allow it to engage at long range, and its pair of medium lasers and pair of small lasers give it potent close-range firepower. The mech's double heat sinks allow it to fire most of its weaponry without overheating, and its ferro-fibrous armor gives it nearly as much protection as it had originally while saving a ton. WTC-6D Watchman Tonnage: 40 Engine: 200 fusion 8.5 Walk: 5 Run: 8 Jump: 0 IS: Endo Steel 2 (5LA,7LT,2LL) Cockpit: 3 Gyro: 2 JJ: none 0 HS: 10(20) 0 (1LT, 1RT) Armor: 134 (ff) 7.5 (5RA,7RT,2RL) Head: 9-3 CT: 18/5-12 L/RT: 15/5-10 L/RA: 12-6 L/RL: 19-10 Weapons: PPC LA 7 PPC RA 7 Med. Laser LT 1 Med. Laser RT 1 Sm. Laser LT 0.5 Sm. Laser RT 0.5 Includes all arm actuators Basically, the idea was to make a line-of-battle mech that was small. It doesn't really have to be a Watchman, but recent conversations here made that a convenient choice. Comments?