Quickdraw

Quickdraw
Quickdraw
Production information
Manufacturer Luthien Armor Works[1]

Technicron Manufacturing[1]

Production Year 2779[2][3][4]
Model QKD-4G[1]
Class Heavy
Cost 5,514,560 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type Inner Sphere BattleMech
Mass 60 tons
Chassis Technicron Type E
Armor Riese 475
Engine Vlar 300
Communications System Garret T12E
Targeting Tracking System Dynatec 2180
Heat Sinks 13 single
Speed 86 km/h
Jump Jets Chilton 460
Armament
BV (1.0) 1,012[citation needed]
BV (2.0) 1,178[1] or 1,192[5]


Description

The Quickdraw was originally built in 2779 as a replacement for the Rifleman BattleMech, though very few had been assigned to any 'Mech regiments before the outbreak of the First Succession War in 2786. While it was unsuccessful in supplanting the Rifleman, throughout the course of the Succession Wars the Quickdraw proved itself to be a good generalist 'Mech. Packing excellent firepower, solid armor protection and above-average speed, it quickly earned the respect of many MechWarriors and status as a workhorse in every Successor State's military.[3][4]

The Quickdraw also benefited from a couple of unique design features, one of which was that its arm actuators could bend backwards as well as forwards. This allowed the Quickdraw pilot to fire all four of its lasers to the rear, improving upon its already-formidable rear-arc firepower and creating a nasty surprise for anyone attempting to sneak up behind it. The second feature was its highly articulated ankle actuators, which not only allowed the Quickdraw to keep its footing more easily on difficult terrain such as gravel, mud and ice, but also traverse gradients up to 12° steeper than other 'Mechs of its weight class. Its mobility was further enhanced with five jump jets.[3][4]

Unfortunately this same mobility was also the Quickdraw's greatest weakness, as the distinctively circular rotor housing was notoriously fragile. Targeting the ankles with weapons fire, or with a good kick while engaged in close combat, could cripple or even immobilize the 'Mech. Equipped with only thirteen heat sinks, the Quickdraw also suffered from poor heat dissipation, which limited use of its lasers in protracted firefights or in conjunction with frequent jumping. Its eight tons of armor was also less than that carried by most other heavy 'Mechs.[3][4]

Technicron eventually managed to fix the heat issue with the improved QKD-5M models, though the ankles remained a structural weakness as the price to be paid for its mobility. The newer models steadily replaced the older 4Gs throughout the Inner Sphere during the 3050s, while the original remained common among the Periphery nations and second-rate mercenary commands, and more advanced variants would continue to be produced in the years following.[6]

Weapons and Equipment

Geared towards medium and short-range combat, the only long-range weapon carried on the Quickdraw is a Delta Dart LRM-10 launcher, mounted in the left torso along with one ton of ammunition. The Quickdraw carries four Omicron 4000 medium lasers, two of which are rear-mounted in the right torso and the other two in the arms, giving it respectable close range firepower. Additionally, to capitalize on any weak points in an enemy's armor, the Quickdraw carries a Hovertec Quad SRM-4 launcher in the center torso, supplied by a single ton of ammo in the right torso.[7][4]

Variants

  • QKD-4H 
    First introduced in 2847 and popular among pilots who prefer more firepower in the forward arc, the 4H variant essentially swaps the SRM-4 launcher with the two rear-firing medium lasers.[1] While a time-consuming process, it is a straightforward procedure and can be done in the field by any competent tech support facility. Otherwise, the 4H is identical to the 4G model.[3][4][6] BV (1.0) = 1,006; BV (2.0) = 1,242[8]
  • QKD-5A 
    The 5A seeks to give the Quickdraw more endurance during protracted missions where resupply is not guaranteed. Introduced in 3002, the LRM-10 launcher and its ammunition is replaced with two more forward-firing medium lasers and four additional heat sinks. Despite the extra heat sinks the addition of more energy weapons only aggravates the heat dissipation problems of the original model, requiring pilots to be even more careful in how they use their weapons.[1][3][4] BV (1.0) = 1,070; BV (2.0) = 1,196[9]
  • QKD-5K 
    The 5K Quickdraw is an upgraded variant using Star League technology produced by Luthien Armor Works in 3049. Carrying the same weaponry as the 5A model, its use of seventeen double heat sinks solves the problem of excessive waste heat. It also uses ferro-fibrous armor, giving the 5K superior armor protection to the 5A model, with no added weight. BV (1.0) = 1,170; BV (2.0) = 1,265[10]
  • QKD-5K2 
    A simple modification of the 5K's weapons array introduced in 3057, the rear-firing medium lasers are remounted to fire forward. The SRM-4 is then mounted to be fired rearward. BV (2.0) = 1,312[11]
  • QKD-5M 
    Technicron's replacement for the original 4G model, the 5M was introduced in 3049 as an answer to the original's heat problems by replacing the thirteen normal heat sinks with double-strength versions. It also improved the design's defenses by swapping out the regular armor with Kallon FWL Special ferro-fibrous and installing CASE for the LRM ammunition. The space necessary for these upgrades was provided for by removing the SRM launcher for a one-shot Hovertec SRM-4 Launcher, a disposable missile launcher more commonly found on VTOLs, hovercraft and similar combat vehicles. The loss in sheer short-range firepower is more than made up for by the other upgrades to the design.[6] BV (1.0) = 1,142; BV (2.0) = 1,237[6]
  • QKD-8K 
    The 8K variant of the Quickdraw brings it up to 3062 weapons standards. The 'Mech is built using an endo steel chassis and is armored with eight and a half tons of ferro-fibrous armor. The 'Mech's arsenal has also been stripped and upgraded, carrying four forward-mounted ER medium lasers and an MRM-30 launcher, a compromise between the LRMs and SRMs of past models, supplied by two tons of ammunition.[14][15][16] BV (1.0) = 1,375;[17] BV (2.0) = 1,583[18]
  • QKD-8P 
    The -8P is based on the experimental -8X. The major differences are the removal of the stealth armor and the head turret. This reduces production cost considerably, but leaves the head-mounted PPC unable to cover the Quickdraw's retreat. The other advanced systems, including the torso cockpit, remain. The 8P also uses the same handheld weapons as the 8X. BV (2.0) = 1,598[19]
  • QKD-9M 
    This variant is protected by light ferro-fibrous armor. Each arm carries a single large laser which is tied into a targeting computer. The left torso also carries a single LRM-15 with three tons of ammunition in a CASE II–protected bay. A TAG system allows it to call in artillery strikes. BV (2.0) = 1,690[20]
  • QKD-9G 
    With a light engine, Ferro-Fibrous armor and Clan-equivalent endo-steel, the 9G Quickdraw is a short-range combat specialist using a combination of both Clan technology and Inner Sphere technology. A pair of standard ER Medium Lasers are mounted forward while a pair of regular Medium Laser protects the rear, all coupled to a targeting computer. A pair of Streak SRM-4 and a single Streak SRM-6 built to Clan specifications allow for a strong short range punch. It also mounts a MASC and a Supercharger giving it bursts of speeds that can match, or exceed, most light mechs. BV (2.0) = 2,224
  • QKD-C 
    The C is a modified version of the 5K Quickdraw first fielded in 3053. One of the rear-facing lasers is replaced with a C3 slave unit, allowing it to work as part of a C3 lance.[6] BV (1.0) = 1,124;[21] BV (2.0) = 1,225[10]

Custom Variants

Handheld weapon packages developed for QKD-8X are divided into heavy, twelve tons, and light, six tons, and include:
  • Heavy LRM weapon - An LRM-20 and one ton of reloads clad in a single ton armor. BV (2.0) = 236[22][19]
  • Heavy LB-X weapon - An LB 10-X AC with a half-ton of reloads protected by a half-ton of armor. BV (2.0) = 174[22][19]
  • Heavy Streak weapon - A trio of Streak SRM-4s with a single shared ton of reloads clad in two tons of armor. BV (2.0) = 248[22][19]
  • Heavy rotary AC weapon - A rotary AC/5 with a ton and half of ammo protected by half a ton of armor. BV (2.0) = 310[22][19]
  • Heavy Thunderbolt weapon - A Thunderbolt 10 clad in two tons of armor and supplied with three tons of reloads. BV (2.0) = 239[22][19]
  • Light autocannon weapon - A light AC/5 with half a ton of reloads protected by half a ton of armor. BV (2.0) = 82[22][19]
  • Light anti-infantry weapon - Five machine guns and a vehicle flamer supplied with half a ton of machine gun ammo and one of flamer reloads, clad in one ton of armor. BV (2.0) = 64[22][19]
  • Light laser weapon - A single medium laser cooled by three heat sinks and covered in two tons of armor. BV (2.0) = 110[22][19]

Apocryphal Variants

Apocryphal Content Starts

The information after this notice comes from apocryphal sources; the canonicity of such information is uncertain.
Please view the reference page for information regarding their canonicity.

From MechWarrior 5: Heroes of the Inner Sphere Expansion Pack:

  • QKD-4P 
    This variant of the Quickdraw comes with a single medium laser mounted in each arm and each torso, along with an SRM-4 in the center torso. This variant has EWAP and EWCM installed in the left torso along with 5 jump jets, 2 in each torso and 1 in the center torso.[23]

From MechWarrior 5: Call to Arms Expansion Pack:

  • QKD-5P 
    Introduced in 3024, the 5P retains the left arm and right torso medium lasers, the latter now forward facing, but replaces the missile launchers in the left and center torsos with a medium laser each. The weight saved from these changes allow the variant to mount a heavy axe in the right arm.[24]
  • QKD-SC Scrapper 
    This 3029 Hero 'Mech piloted by Rasalhagian Solaris Games warrior Signe Hague was focused on melee combat in the arenas. The Scrapper mounted an SRM-6 in each side torso, retaining the SRM-4 and medium laser in the left arm, with the rest of the weapons removed to mount a medium trench blade in the right arm.[24]

From MechWarrior Online:

  • QKD-IV4 
    While there are no indications that "The Ladykiller" Ivy Upsalom piloted anything other than a standard model, in MechWarrior Online the IV-Four Hero 'Mech features lostech not commonly available during the Third Succession War. Built around a 240-rated XL engine with just two jump jets and clad in ferro-fibrous armor, while the IV-4 is less mobile it instead carries decidedly un-Quickdraw-like armament - an AC/5 in each arm supported by an SRM-6 in each torso and a pair of medium pulse lasers in the center torso. Fitted with eleven double heat sinks, two tons of autocannon rounds and two of SRM reloads are carried.[25]
  • QKD-ID Desperada 
    The Quickdraw Legendary 'Mech, the Desperada carries a right-arm mounted Gauss Rifle fed from a single ton of reloads and supported by a pair of Light PPCs in each side torso. This loadout is made possible by a 250-rated Light Fusion Engine fitted with two jump jets an is built around an endo steel frame and clad in light ferro-fibrous armor.[26]

Apocryphal Content Ends

Design Quirks

The Quickdraw has the following Design Quirks:[27]

Notable Pilots

See Category:Notable Quickdraw Pilots

Notes

  • In German products, the unit's proper name was altered to Paladin. The model code was accordingly changed to PLD-4N. This should not be confused with the Solaris VII 'Mech, PAL Paladin.
  • In French products, the unit's proper name was translated as Vif-Argent, or literally quicksilver (mercury).

Gallery

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Technical Readout: Succession Wars, pp. 114–115: "QKD-4G Quickdraw"
  2. MUL online date for the Quickdraw
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Technical Readout: 3025, p. 80
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 Technical Readout: 3039, pp. 144–145: "QKD-4G Quickdraw"
  5. Master Unit List entry for Quickdraw QKD-4G
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade, pp. 68–69
  7. Classic BattleTech Introductory Record Sheets, p. 17
  8. Record Sheets: 3039, p. 143
  9. Record Sheets: 3039, p. 144
  10. 10.0 10.1 Master Unit List: Battle Values, p. 142
  11. Record Sheets: 3050 Unabridged (Inner Sphere), p. 154
  12. Technical Readout: 3085, p. 191
  13. Record Sheets: 3085 Unabridged — Old is the New New, p. 91
  14. Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade, p. 68
  15. Record Sheets: Upgrades
  16. Record Sheets: 3050 Upgrade (Inner Sphere), p. 125
  17. Record Sheets: Upgrades, p. 104
  18. Master Unit List entry for Quickdraw QKD-8K
  19. 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 19.4 19.5 19.6 19.7 19.8 Technical Readout: Prototypes, p. 119
  20. Record Sheets: 3145 New Tech, New Upgrades, p. 137
  21. Record Sheets: 3060, p. 165
  22. 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 22.4 22.5 22.6 22.7 22.8 Experimental Technical Readout: Corporations, pp. 5–6
  23. MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries, Heroes of the Inner Sphere
  24. 24.0 24.1 MechWarrior 5: Mercenaries, Call to Arms
  25. Quickdraw Hero 'Mech IV-Four
  26. Quickdraw Hero 'Mech IV-Four
  27. BattleMech Manual, p. 94: BattleMech Quirk Table - Quickdraw Entry

Bibliography