Experimental Technical Readout: 1945

XTRO1945.jpg
Experimental Technical Readout: 1945
Product information
Type Technical Readout (PDF)
Development Herbert A. Beas II, with assistance from Randall N. Bills
Primary writing attributed to Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)
Pages 56
Cover Artwork Ray Arrastia (cover design & layout)
Illustrations (photos used under Creative Commons license)
Publication information
Publisher Catalyst Game Labs
Product code E-CAT35APR21
First published April 1, 2013
MSRP Free
Content
Era Pre-Spaceflight/Second World War
Dark Age era (preface)
Series Experimental Technical Readouts
Preceded by Experimental Technical Readout: Boondoggles
Followed by Experimental Technical Readout: Royal Fantasy

Description[edit]

Published as the 2013 April Fools gag, the twenty-first entry to CGL's PDF-exclusive mini-Technical Readout or TROlet series, Experimental Technical Readout: 1945 (abbreviated XTRO:1945 or XTR:1945) is a Technical Readout-style presentation of various combat vehicles and conventional fighters from the Second World War, complete with BattleTech stats and game rules. The fluff write-up and notable pilots descriptions are nonfictional. It adds game and construction rules for using the units in their own era, as well as the Age of War and beyond.

Canonicity[edit]

Previous April Fools publications were tongue-in-cheek publications that were not canon. This is notably different for XTRO: 1945 though, since the Second World War is part of BattleTech history as well (with BattleTech history deviating from real history only around the year 1986). Because of the essentially nonfictional content, all units and people mentioned within XTRO:1945 are inherently canonical.

XTRO:1945 was confirmed as "Pretty canon"[1], with the caveat that its canonicity "might sharply drop" if the material was found to create inconsistencies with established canon, or "if it's used as a crutch to make a point about BT weaponry functionality in the 31st century".

Line Developer Herbert A. Beas II himself described it as "pseudo-canon"[2], pointing out that the BattleTech universe is not, in fact, our real world.

Product Description[edit]

“ Humanity’s Finest Hour

Long before mankind reached out for the stars, the nations of Terra waged generations of war against one another. While each conflict underscored the barbarism and technological savvy of the human species, the Second World War stands out as the most epic and critical of them all. Locked in battle on land, sea, and air, World War II spared few as the Allied nations fought to hold back the imperial ambitions of the Axis powers.

Experimental Technical Readout: 1945 samples a number of designs that played a key role in the largest, and perhaps most critical conflict in Terra’s pre-spaceflight history. Representing the military capabilities of the mid-twentieth century powers, most of the designs featured in this book are obsolete even by the standards of the Age of War, their weapons and armor rendered completely ineffective long before the days of the BattleMech. But if you’re going to insist on using the anyway, statistics are included for 24 iconic vehicles and warplanes of the Second World War, complete with special rules that make them ready for play—either against each other, or against thirty-first century tech in BattleTech games where you need a chuckle.

”

Contents[edit]

Notes[edit]

  • The picture going with the T-34 tank is that of a T-34-85, though the stats describe a standard T-34 and not the modified T-34-85.
  • The Macchi C.202 Folgore is misspelled as Fulgore in the entry header and on its record sheet, but spelled correctly in the text.

References[edit]

  1. ↑ By writer Paul in this posting on the official BattleTech forum
  2. ↑ In this posting by Herbert A. Beas II on the official BattleTech forum

See also[edit]

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