Buster

Buster
Production information
Manufacturer	Bluth Corporation
Use	HaulerMech
Model	BV XXI
Class	Medium
Introduced	2615
Cost	2,001,000 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type	Inner Sphere IndustrialMech
Mass	50 tons
Chassis	Unspecified
Armor	Hughes CommerWeave II
Engine	GM 150 ICE
Communications System	Doering Hi-Def Mk II
Targeting Tracking System	None
Heat Sinks	None
Speed	54 km/h
Armament	2x Lift hoists 3x Cargo bays
BV (2.0)	228

Description

The Buster IndustrialMech was created by the Bluth Corporation in 2615 and by 2795 was so popular that several factories across the Terran Hegemony produced it. The Buster was particularly popular with heavy mining operations, where it could easily load the massive output of a mine into transports quickly. Many DropPorts also used the Buster to load and unload DropShips. The ability to move cargo with more finesse than a vehicle, combined with the leg mounted track system, allowed the Buster to navigate tight spaces.

The introduction of the Powerman family forced the Buster from the number one sales spot. The lawsuits between Bluth Corporation and Sitwell Corporation, the Powerman's producer alleging industrial espionage, trade secret infringement, and other various charges eventually destroyed Bluth Corporation. The Buster remains in production around the Inner Sphere.

The latest member of the Buster family, the Buster XXI was introduced in 3060. This version is equipped with tracks and industrial TSM which makes it even more effective.

During the Jihad, the Word of Blake created several Buster IndustrialMech-MODs for use by the Blake Protectorate Militia. Some desperate forces also armed their Busters to oppose BattleMechs. These MOD versions were all equipped with advanced fire control and double the armor protection of the standard Buster, but it was still commercial armor, so this increased protection was negligible.

Weapons and Equipment

As an IndustrialMech, the Buster has no armament. However, for its role as LoaderMech it has a lift hoist in each arm, and a five ton cargo bay in the left and right torso. The center torso also has a one ton cargo bay, allowing the Buster to carry eleven tons of cargo internally.

Variants

• XV 

  This earlier version of the Buster lacks tracks and industrial TSM, but is otherwise identical to the Buster XXI. BV (2.0) = 222

• Buster (AC)/Buster XV-M HaulerMech MOD 

  This variant replaces the lift hoists and cargo bays with an AC/5 in the right torso and an LRM-10 in the left torso, each fed by one ton of ammunition. Five single heat sinks are added to manage the new heat. BV (2.0) = 443

• Buster (PPC)/Buster XV-M-B HaulerMech MOD 

  This version puts a PPC in the right torso, completely filling the cargo bay that was mounted there. and 10 single heat sinks are added to allow the PPC to fire. This version of the Buster removes the lift hoists, but keeps the two ton cargo bay in the left torso. BV (2.0) = 475

• XV-M-C HaulerMech MOD 

  One of two variants first seen in use by the Word of Blake Protectorate Militia, this Buster was equipped with a Gauss rifle with two tons of ammunition, backed up by two RL-10s. BV (2.0) = 726

• XV-M-W 

  Another Word of Blake variant, this model carries a single LB 10-X autocannon with one ton of each ammunition type. Unlike the other Buster MODs, it is also equipped with an ejection seat. BV (2.0) = 713

• XXI-M 

  This Dark Age modification simply removes the cargo bays and lift hoists, replacing them them with a pair of SRM-2s and one ton of ammunition in each side torso. Seven single heat sinks are also provided. This Buster also retains the industrial TSM and tracks of the civilian version. BV (2.0) = 504

• Gauss-Buster MilitiaMech 

  A Dark Age refit used by the Mississauga Militia, the Gauss-Buster uses a right torso-mounted heavy Gauss rifle with one ton of ammunition, heavy industrial armor, and an advanced fire control system. To power the rifle without an internal fusion engine, the Gauss-Buster depends on a cable-linked external power source, making it effectively a lightly mobile turret. BV (2.0) = 675

Design Quirks

The BC XXI Buster features the following Design Quirks:

• Easy to Pilot
• Gas Hog
• Non-Standard Parts

Notable Pilots

See: Category:Notable Buster Pilots

Notes

• The image of the Buster was first introduced in Record Sheets: Vehicle Annex, IndustrialMechs & Exoskeletons, not the associated Technical Readout.

• Stats for the "armed" Buster first appeared in Historical: Operation Klondike and Record Sheets: Operation Klondike. These armed versions would be revisited and later added to the Technical Readout: Vehicle Annex, Revised and its later published Record Sheet book for IndustrialMechs and Exoskeletons

• Being called the "Buster" and built by the Bluth Corporation is an obvious out-of-universe reference to the popular TV series Arrested Development, featuring the Bluth Family (and their self-named Corporation) of which Buster Bluth is a member.

Gallery

• 

  Buster HaulerMech from RS:VA I&E

• 

  Buster HaulerMech MOD from TRO:I

• 

  Gauss-Buster MilitiaMech from XTRO:Caveat Emptor

Bibliography

• Experimental Technical Readout: Caveat Emptor
• Master Unit List
• Record Sheets: Operation Klondike
• Record Sheets: Vehicle Annex, IndustrialMechs & Exoskeletons
• Technical Readout: Irregulars
• Technical Readout: Vehicle Annex
• Technical Readout: Vehicle Annex Revised