Thunder Stallion

Thunder Stallion
Production information
Manufacturer	Arc-Royal MechWorks Kirin MechWorks I
Production Year	2850
Model	TDS
Class	Assault
Cost	9,418,350 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type	Clan BattleMech
Mass	85 tons
Chassis	Type QMA Standard (Quad)
Armor	Forged Type HH32 with CASE
Engine	Fusion 255 standard
Communications System	CH3V Series Integrated
Targeting Tracking System	Version Kappa-III TTS
Heat Sinks	14 Double Heat Sinks
Speed	54 km/h
Armament	1x LB 20-X AC 4x LRM-15s
BV (1.0)	2,099
BV (2.0)	2,306

Description

Clan Hell's Horses originally conceived of the Thunder Stallion as a totem 'Mech, along the lines of the Mandrill. After the poor performance of other totem designs, however, that aspect was downplayed to the point that only the rear legs retain any of the equine aesthetic styling that was supposed to be such an important aspect of the 'Mech. True to the emphasis on combined arms warfare that the Horses value, the Thunder Stallion is an assault 'Mech that is designed to support what would be considered secondary forces in any other Clan. Since it was designed to work with infantry, the Thunder Stallion's top speed of 54 km/h is roughly equivalent to the speed that an Elemental Battle Armor can move. The limited internal space inherent in quad 'Mechs forced the designers to use no weight-saving materials. This relatively inexpensive, durable design is protected by a whopping seventeen and a half tons of armor.

Weapons and Equipment

Ideal for working with spotters, the Thunder Stallion mounts four Type XV LRM-15 launchers and eight tons of ammunition for them. This gives the 'Mech a significant long-range punch that can be called down from behind cover. Perhaps the largest backup weapon ever is the Thunder Stallion's Type Mu LB 20-X AC. This massive gun is capable of defending against infantry or blowing holes in all but the most well-armored of opponents. Fourteen double heat sinks keep the 'Mech cooled down.

Variants

• Thunder Stallion 2 

  This variant, introduced 2877 (also known as the Fire Stallion), lessens the ammunition dependency of the Thunder Stallion. It replaces the autocannon and its attendant ammunition with a pair of Large Pulse Lasers and two additional double heat sinks to handle the increased heat from the energy weapons. BV (1.0) = 2,153, BV (2.0) = 2,575

• Thunder Stallion 3 

  Introduced during the Jihad in 3068, this variant of the 'Mech bases its capabilities on ballistic type weapons. Its main weapon is a Class 40 Hyper-Assault Gauss Rifle with six tons of ammunition. The 'Mech's alternate weapons are a single ER Medium Laser and a Class 20 LB-X Autocannon with three tons of ammunition. This variant has also been given added protection in the form of an ECM Suite. BV (2.0) = 2,667

• Thunder Stallion 4 

  Also known as "Avenging Annie", this 3138 variant is designed for front-line combat. Replacing the LRMs are a Gauss rifle, a Large Pulse Laser, two Medium Pulse Lasers, and an ER Large Laser. An XL engine and a half-ton armor reduction allows room for this armament array and jump jets. As of 3140, only one 'Mech of this variant existed, a custom Arc-Royal MechWorks refit/rebuild for Ann-Marie Dalmas, but there were indications that Clan Hell's Horses were working to duplicate it. BV (2.0) = 2,643

Notable Pilots

See Category:Notable Thunder Stallion Pilots

Design Quirks

The Thunder Stallion has the following Design Quirks:

• Cramped Cockpit

Notes

• In German products, the unit's proper name was translated to Donnerross, which literally means Thunder Steed.

Gallery

• 

  Original Thunder Stallion from TRO:3060

Bibliography

• Combat Operations
• Master Unit List: Battle Values
• Record Sheets: 3060
• Record Sheets: 3060 Unabridged
• Shrapnel, Issue 3
• Technical Readout: 3060