Tarantula

Tarantula
Production Information
Manufacturer(s)	Corean Enterprises
Production Year	3054
Model	ZPH-1
Class	Light
Cost	3,560,417 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type	Inner Sphere BattleMech
Mass	25 tons
Chassis	Corean IX
Armor	StarSlab/2
Engine	Nissan 200 XL
Comms	Garret T10B
TTS	Corean CalcMaster
Heat Sinks	10 double heat sinks
Speed	129.6 km/h
Jump Jets	Rawlings 75
Armament	1x Streak SRM-2 2x Medium lasers
B.V. (1.0)	636
B.V. (2.0)	666

Description

The Tarantula was designed specifically for a reconnaissance role. The 'Mech is built around a massive Nissan 200 extralight engine, which provides the Tarantula with a top speed approaching 130 km/h. The 'Mech is also equipped with eight jump jets which can be used to propel the 'Mech up to 240 meters allowing the Tarantula to easily navigate rough terrain. The Tarantula is armored with four and a half tons of armor, while it only carries about three quarters of the theoretical maximum armor, the 'Mech's amazing speed makes the Tarantula capable of avoiding most damage.

Weapons and Equipment

The Tarantula carries a light armament that is common to a 'Mech of its size. The primary weapons are a pair of Magna Mk II medium lasers which give the Tarantula most of its striking power. These are backed up by a Hovertec Streak SRM-2 launcher, which allows the Tarantula to find any weak spots in an enemy's armor.

Variants

• ZPH-2A 

  The 2A variant is a simple upgrade of the Tarantula that brings the 'Mechs weapons up to current standards. This is done by replacing the two medium lasers with a pair of ER medium lasers. BV (1.0) = 732, BV (2.0) = 744

• ZPH-3A 

  A variant that looks to increase the Tarantula's life expectancy in an engagement, the 3A removed the medium lasers and the Streak SRM-2 launcher, as well as one jump jet. This free weight is used to mount a pair of medium pulse lasers, two additional tons of armor to increase its protection to six and a half tons of armor. BV (1.0) = 631, BV (2.0) = 702

• ZPH-4A 

  An extensive modification of the Tarantula, the 4A removes all of the weapons, the eight jump jets that give the Tarantula its incredible mobility, and modifies the structure to use an endo steel chassis. In the place of the removed weapons and equipment an ER PPC and a C3 slave unit have been added to the design, allowing it to use friendly targeting data making it an excellent sniper. The 'Mech has also had an additional half a ton of armor added. Finally, to make up for the lack of jump jets, the 'Mech has had a MASC system added, pushing the 'Mech's speed up to 172.8 km/h in short bursts. BV (1.0) = 771, BV (2.0) = 967

• ZPH-5A 

  A Dark Age era variant based on the 4A, this Tarantula replaces the ER PPC with an ER large laser and the C3 slave unit was upgraded to a C3 boosted slave unit. It retains the MASC system and armor of the 4A. BV (2.0) = 806

Design Quirks

The Tarantula has the following Design Quirks:

• Easy to Pilot
• Extended Torso Twist
• Exposed Actuators

Notable Pilots

See Category:Notable Tarantula Pilots

Notes

• The standard ZPH-1 model is sometimes referred to as the ZPH-1A.

• In German products, the unit's proper name was translated to Tarantel. The model code was accordingly changed to TRN-1L.

Gallery

• 

  Original Tarantula from TRO:3055

• 

  Tarantula from TRO:3055 Upgrade

Bibliography

• Combat Operations
• Master Unit List
• Record Sheets: 3055/3058
• Record Sheets: 3055 Upgrade
• Record Sheets: 3055 Upgrades Unabridged
• Record Sheets: 3145 New Tech, New Upgrades
• Technical Readout: 3055
• Technical Readout: 3055 Upgrade