Originally posted on rec.games.mecha April 11, 1997.
It's still snowing here, so as promised, here's the Vedette
modification I've been thinking about:
TC-1-LB Vedette
Tonnage: 50
Engine: 200 ICE (17 tons)
Cruise: 4
Flank: 6
Movement type: Tracked
C.C.: 2.5 tons
I.S.: 5 tons
Heat Sinks: 0
Turret Tonnage: 1.5 (rounded up for fun and ease of modification)
Armor: 160 (10 tons) (standard)
Front: 40 - 5
L/RS: 30 - 5
Rear: 20 - 5
Turret: 40 - 5
Weapons:
LB-10X T
LB ammo 10 B
LB ammo 10 B
LB ammo 10 B
Overview:
The Taurian Concordat has manufactured Vedettes under license
for years at a number of plants. Now, with the recent technological
renaissance in the Inner Sphere, the TDF has requested and received
proposals for an upgraded design. The TC-1-LB Vedette is that design.
Capabilities:
This incarnation of the Vedette differs from the "official"
New Earth Trading Company version in several key areas. Realizing
that most Taurian armored forces serve in defensive roles, the design
engineers removed the InterComBust 250 in favor of the lighter 200 -
rated engine, freeing eight tons for use in two other areas - fully
50% more armor, and the improved Imperator Code Red LB-10X Autocannon,
purchased in large numbers from StarCorps Industries' plant on St.
Ives. This weapon is furnished with three separate ammunition bins,
allowing complete flexibility with regard to ammunition type.
Although initially worried at the lack of secondary weaponry, the
additional armor protection and the plentiful ammunition supply were
enough to convince the TDF Procurement Division of the tank's
viability on the modern battlefield.
Battle History:
TC-1-LB Vedettes are just beginning to arrive in Taurian
armored units and have yet to see combat.
Cost: 1,123,750 C-Bills
So, questions/comments/flames? I tried to keep the newtech to a
minimum, for cost and availability reasons. Even so, the LB ended up
making it 200k more expensive than the 3058 Vedette and 400k more
expensive than the 3026 one, but I think that it is worth it. I used
standard armor instead of FF not only because of cost and
availability, but because 160 is plenty of armor for a medium vehicle
- if crits don't take it out, it'll last plenty long against most
mechs (and could even last a few turns against most of the book clan
mechs).