Post by Sirrob01 on Dec 21, 2012 23:29:50 GMT -9
I don't want to clutter up the Hoard thread to much so a bit of a WIP thread for this model.
The short background I've started work on, please excuse typos and missing parts its very much a work in progress
The short background I've started work on, please excuse typos and missing parts its very much a work in progress
The Mechanical Master Mover was originally designed to assist the heavy lifting construction industries for the British empire with the building of large Metal structures and vehicles. The Mech itself was not the first designed to fill this role but it did bring a few unique features that have effectively made it the most commonly used construction/industrial mech.
Size; the mech is noticeably smaller than all other construction/industry mechs currently available this small size enables it to enter and be used in a larger array of construction sites even to the extent of being used on large reinforced scaffolding during larger builds were other models cannot be deployed. The mech can also be easily manoeuvred through Freight doors and fit inside larger construction elevators.
The triple cycle steam engine provides an excellent power to weight ratio with an ability to provide assists on projects were mechs 20% bigger are normally required.
Articulated Hand(s) the mech comes with the very first articulated hand modules although only consisting of 3 fingers and a thumb this gives the Mechanical Master Mover a surprisingly large amount of dexterity and enables it to use equipment designed to be handled by 2-3 men with ease.
Configurable arm attachments the mech has an array of easy fit hand attachments although not instantaneous to swap a knowledge Mechanical Master Mover technician can easily have a mech configured for a specialist duty within 60-120mins using one of the standardized hand/arm modules. This allows for a lower overall outlay for a company on base mech units although a slightly increased cost in specialized mechanics.
The Mechanical Master Mover mech was first noticed by the British military during the attempted invasion of London by PrussiaFrench, prior to this the Mechanical Master Mover had been dismissed as being too small to be effective on the battlefield.
The Prussian forcesFrenchlaunched an all out assault on the city of London over 40,000 Troops as well as vehicles mecha and tanks were deployed from Ironclads which had broken through the Thames Barrier under the cover of darkness. The Local military forces were outnumbered and out equipped at a ratio of almost 4 to 1 and it seemed inevitable that London would fall (at least in the short term) to the Prussia, a significant moral blow if nothing else.
The London construction and dock workers had other ideas with many jumping into their Mechanical Master Mover and starting a guerrilla campaign to harass the Prussian troops as they moved into the City. The narrow London streets turned out to be a nightmare for the larger mechanised walkers and tanks with the smaller Mechanical Master Mover often able to surprise or jump onto the larger units from warehouses in surprise smashing and bending weapons and carving into the vehicles before the Prussians could retaliate with any kind of coordinated attack.
For 2 days the London defence force and the construction and dock workers in there Mechanical Master Mover harassed and basically stalled the Prussian attack until reinforcements could arrive. At that time the general of the Prussian army called a meeting with his British counterpart who to save further damage to London agreed the invasion force could depart unharrassed.
At a very rough count the Prussians lost almost a quarter of their troops and larger heavy equipment some of which they were forced to leave behind. After this battle the military reviewed the Mechanical Master Mover and commissioned a military variant. Due to the utilitarian nature of the construction mech it was found to already be extremely durable with heavy thick plates to prevent damage during construction.
The British military did however request several minor upgrades but retained the same running gear as the civilian version so that spare parts are abundundant:
Additions
The addition of a metal visor that can be lowered down in front of the main hardened glass window although capable of withstanding significant blows it was deemed as prudent to provide maximum protection for this area.
2 specialised modular gun systems in both a left and right side configuration; a short range and deadly 8 barrel Gatling gun and a larger long range (short muzzled variant) of the12-pounder Whitworth breechloading rifle3 inch cannon. The Whiteworth only carries enough rounds for 8 shots before being depleted a secondary backup magazine of 8 shots is stored below the boiler on the back of the Mechanical Master Mover. It is very difficult for the Mechanical Master Mover to use the Whiteworth accurately on the move with most pilots preferring to stop and brace before firing and using the high accuracy of the Whiteworth Rifle like an infantryman sharpshooter. Unless surprising their opponent at close range were a miss is near impossible.
Initial trials were disappointing as existing mecha pilots were used to simply walking up the middle of the battlefield absorbing hits. However several prototypes were issued to infantry divisions which used the mechs as simply over sized troops and the MMM's true capability started to show through.
a little more to come...