Nightward
12/29/01 05:17 PM
203.134.12.8
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(Subtitle: It was a long and incredibly boring day, OK?)
Type: FMN-01 Fireman
Technology Base: Inner Sphere 3050
Mass: 20 Tons
Chassis: FMN Endo Steel
Power Plant: OmniTek 140 XL
Cruising Speed: 75.6 kph
Maximum Speed: 118.8 kph
Armour: KR Flame Resistant Armour
Armament:
1 Hatchet
4 KBT Class 5 Water Cannon
Communications System: Savant Screamer 2
Targeting and Tracking System: FireTrak 8
Primary Manufacturer: General Mechanics, Incorporated
Primary Factory: Outreach
OVERVIEW
In the days of the Star League, ‘Civil Service’ 'Mechs were a common sight. Nearly every planet had access to 'Mechs like the FMN-01 Fireman, POL-01 Policeman, and SR-8 Search and Rescue 'Mechs. However, during the Succession Wars, most of these 'Mechs were equipped with weapons and sent into battle, and the factories that produced them were retooled to manufacture other Light 'Mechs-such as the Locust, Stinger, and Wasp. However, in recent years as a technological renaissance swept across the Inner Sphere, manufacturers have been able to return to the manufacture of these ‘Civil Service 'Mechs’. General mechanics, Inc. of Outreach is at the forefront of Civil Service 'Mechs and is prepared to offer them at competitive prices to planetary governments.
CAPABILITIES
Since the FMN-01 Fireman is expected to operate in densely populated areas, a primary concern was speed. The 'Mech had to able to cross long distances in a short amount of time to support conventional Fire-Fighting services. The usual method for this is the installation of Jump Jets, but since the 'Mech will be piloted by civilians rather than elite ‘MechWarriors, the company decided that it was better not to risk mounting Jump Jets on the 'Mech, in order to avoid an inexperienced pilot simply climbing into the ‘Mech and crashing into a building they were supposed to protect. A top speed of well over 100 kph allows the Fireman to quickly arrive at the heart of a blaze and begin to extinguish it.
The 'Mech’s armour is a high-quality aluminium composite. As you are well aware, aluminium absorbs very little ambient heat, even from a fire, so this makes the armour composite quite effective. To increase its fire-resistant capabilities, underneath the armour is a thick layer of Gorex material, and backed by a layer of Kevlar material to stop any burning material which penetrates the 'Mech’s armour. This allows the 'Mech to enter the very heart of a blaze in complete safety.
Although cost was a concern, the 'Mech was equipped with Endo Steel internal structure, lightening the chassis and allowing us to equip the 'Mech with a substantial payload.
For Fire-Fighting duties, the 'Mech is equipped with four KBT Class 5 water-cannon. These weapons are modified Flamers which spew fire-retardant foams and water rather than the standard naptha/pitch/napalm mixture of a Flamer. Equipped with a tank containing 3 tons of this ‘Ammunition’, the Fireman can cover an area in excess of 100 square metres in fuel in a matter of seconds. If it uses all of he cannon continually, it can deplete its stores in little over two minutes, but at the end of that time the tanks can be quickly refilled, either by attaching a hose to the 'Mech from a Fire Truck or by simply walking into a nearby body of water; the 'Mech was equipped with powerful pumps along its lower legs, allowing the tank to be refilled in slightly over a minute.
Finally, the Fireman carries a Hatchet, allowing it to hack off burning materials or chop its way through an area choked with trees or buildings to attack a fire.
VARIANTS
Some House Military outfits have purchased the Fireman, removing the Hatchet and adding two more Water-Cannon and an additional ton of space to the fuel tank. Instead of fire-retardant foam, the tank is loaded with 'Mech coolant. These units use the Fireman as a mobile coolant unit, roaming the field and spraying friendly 'Mechs with coolant to aid them.
The Marian Hegemony has also purchased some Firemen, and reports indicate that they have replaced the Fire-Retardent Foam with Flamer fuel. They are using the design as a combat vehicle.
DEPLOYMENT
Wolf’s Dragoons bought several Firemen and have deployed them across Outreach with local fire-fighting outfits. All of the Great Houses have lodged orders for the Fireman; we cannot hope to fill the orders in a resonable time, so we are conducting negotiations with other manufacturers to sell liscencing rights or employ them as sub-contractors.
COST ANALYSIS
Costing just 2,171,840 C-Bills, the Fireman is slightly cheaper than most combat BattleMechs, but offers a far greater sense of security to a planet’s populace.
The FMN-HU (House Unit) costs slightly more at 2,173,040 C-Bills, and we are prepared to offer it as a factory model.
BATTLE VALUES
FMN-01: 223
FMN-HU: 167
MY BLURB
It was an exceedingly long and boring day, OK?
I got this idea from the Com guard sourcebook, where the 8th Army’s 56th Division has modified their Firestarters to carry Water-Cannon for riot-control and fire-fighting duties.
This 'Mech counts as a Level 3 Design if it carries Water Cannon, but otherwise you can swap the Water-Cannon for Vehicle Flamers and it’s still OK. The BV for the 'Mechs was calculated as though they were carrying Flamers. The House model works a bit like those Coolant Trucks from MT. If you are playing a Level 3 game and want Coolant Systems instead of Flamers, the 'Mech is worth 356 BV in FMN-01 configuration, or 389 BV in the House model. These calculations are subject to the assumption the Coolant does not count as explosive ammunition.
I am working on a riot-control 'Mech (POL-01 Policeman) and a Search and Rescue model, inspired by Phelan Kell. I’ll post them when I get the fluff done up.
MASS BREAKDOWNS
Engine: 2.5
Gyro: 2
Cockpit: 3
Endo Steel: 1
Armour: 4.5
Hatchet: 2
4 Flamers with 3 tons of Ammo: 5
(The House model removes the Hatchet and adds two Flamers and an extra ton of Ammunition.)
ARMOUR DISTRIBUTION
Head: 9
Centre Torso: 9/3
Side Torsos: 8/2
Arms: 6
Legs: 8
LOCATIONS
Hatchet- Right Arm
2 Flamers- Left Arm
2 Heat Sinks- Each Leg
2 Flamers- Centre Torso
1 Heat Sink- Head
3 tons Flamer Ammo- Left Torso
(The House model adds an extra ton of Flamer ammo to the Left Torso and replaces the Right-Arm Hatchet with 2 Flamers. Place Endo Steel slots into empty Crits.)
Yea, verily. Let it be known far and wide that Nightward loathes MW: DA. Indeed, it is with the BURNING ANIMUS OF A THOUSAND SUNS that he doth rage against it with.
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