Hector (BattleMech)

This article is about the 70-ton BattleMech. For other uses, see Hector.
Hector (BattleMech)
Hector
Production information
Manufacturer Corean Enterprises
Production Year 2471[1]
Model HOR-1B
Class Heavy
Technical specifications
'Mech type Primitive Inner Sphere BattleMech
Mass 70 tons
Chassis Corean Chassis Class 70X
Armor StarSlab/2
Engine Pitban 340 Primitive
Communications System Irian Hi-Freq
Targeting Tracking System Dynatec 400
Heat Sinks 13 single
Speed 64 km/h
Armament

BV (2.0) 949[2]


Description[edit]

The second BattleMech model introduced by the Free Worlds League, the Hector entered service in 2471,[1] only one year after the original Icarus. Built by Corean Enterprises on Stewart, it used a simple design suited for mass production and quickly became the workhorse of the Free Worlds League Military's 'Mech regiments. Limited by the Primitive Technology it was built with, the Hector's performance was generally considered lackluster. Its good top speed came at a big price; the large engine took up so much mass that the 'Mech ended up undergunned. It also had endurance problems as its twelve tons of primitive armor did not provide adequate protection to deal with heavy opponents and it also lacked enough heat sinks for its armament. Overall the Hector proved largely unpopular in its time but was just effective enough to last into the 2520s when it was taken out of service in favor of newer, better designs. No Hectors survived the Age of War, making it one of the earliest lost 'Mech designs.[2]

Weapons and Equipment[edit]

The Hector carries an I.W.W. Large Laser in each arm, giving it a respectable punch at the price of easily overheating. A curious design choice was the inclusion of Sperry Browning machine guns mounted on its upper legs. Meant to deter infantry attacks, the placement of the guns, and especially their ammo bins, in the legs had the opposite effect - enemy infantry soon began specifically targeting the Hector's legs to cripple them via ammunition explosions.

Variants[edit]

  • HOR-1C 
    A variant introduced to fix the "exploding legs" problem, the 1C replaced the machine guns and their ammo with two small lasers. It also added another heat sink, making for a more durable 'Mech overall. BV (2.0) = 993.[3]

Design Quirks[edit]

The HOR-1B Hector is subject to the following Design Quirks[2]:

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Era Digest: Age of War, p. 11: "BattleMech Tech Timeline"
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Era Digest: Age of War, pp. 26–27: "HOR-1B Hector"
  3. Era Digest: Age of War, Record Sheets, "Hector HOR-1C"

Bibliography[edit]