Apollo (StarDrive)
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- This article is about the apocryphal ultralight BattleMech. For other uses, see Apollo.
 | Apocryphal This article's subject is only mentioned in apocryphal sources, i.e. official BattleTech products which are not clearly Non-canon but do not meet the current Canon criteria either. For more information, check the Canonicity section. |
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| Apollo | |
|---|---|
| Production information | |
| Manufacturer | Irian BattleMechs Unlimited |
| Model | APL-1J |
| Class | Ultralight |
| Cost | 965,310 C-bills |
| Technical specifications | |
| Mass | 15 tons |
| Chassis | Irian Chassis Class 15 |
| Armor | Riese-230 |
| Engine | DAV 90 |
| Communications System | Irian Longtalker II |
| Speed | 91.1 {sic} km/h |
| Jump Jets | none |
| Armament | |
| BV (1.0) | ? |
| BV (2.0) | ? |
Description
Designed around the end of the 26th/beginning of the 27th century as a substitute for other scout 'Mechs, the Apollo was an attempt by House Marik to save costs. The design was very successful, comparing favourably to the heavier and more expensive Stinger (though lacking jump jets), and many thousands were built. As of 3025, less than two thousand APL-1J Apollos are thought to remain, relegated to rear-area House units or mercenary units and found even in the Federated Suns and the Draconis Combine.
Armament
The APL-1J Apollo carries two I.W.W. medium lasers and a Voelkers machine gun with a ton of ammunition. Its three tons of armor are respectable, equalling heavier light-class scout 'Mechs such as the Stinger.
Variants
Some individual APL-1J Apollos are believed to have been equipped with jump jets to alleviate what is perceived as the design's greatest problem. Such refits would be field modifications, however; no official variant exists.
Canonicity
The APL-1J Apollo was only ever described in StarDrive. Since this magazine is not currently counted among the canonical sources for BattleTech, the 'Mech itself is not currently considered canonical either.
Notes
- The maximum ground speed given for this 'Mech is slightly lower than normal for its mass and engine rating (91.1 instead of 97.2 kph), but this has no impact on its game stats.
- Although no proper Design Quirks are given for the design (Quirk rules having been published more than twenty years later), the machine gun is noted for its tendency to jam due to its delicate feed mechanism: Any damage to the center torso requires an avoidance roll of 5+ or the gun is jammed until cleared by a tech.
- The APL-1J Apollo seems to be another attempt at what was tried with the less successful FLE-14 Flea (originally the TRP-1 Trooper) roughly a century earlier already.
- Not to be confused with the APL-series Apollo medium BattleMech.
Bibliography
- StarDrive (pp. 10-12)