Difference between revisions of "Linesman"
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{{InfoBoxBattleMech | {{InfoBoxBattleMech | ||
|image=3050 Mauler.jpg | |image=3050 Mauler.jpg | ||
| − | |name=Linesman | + | |name=''Linesman'' |
| − | |manufacturer=[[Earthwerks Incorporated]] | + | |manufacturer= |
| + | [[Earthwerks Incorporated]] | ||
| + | ------ | ||
| + | [[Kallon Industries]] (prototype) | ||
|model=LMN-1PT5 | |model=LMN-1PT5 | ||
| − | |||
|cost= | |cost= | ||
|mass=90 | |mass=90 | ||
| + | |Tech Base=Inner Sphere | ||
| + | |mech type=BattleMech | ||
|chassis=(prototype) | |chassis=(prototype) | ||
|armor=(prototype) | |armor=(prototype) | ||
| − | |engine=GM 270 | + | |engine=[[GM 270]] |
|speed=54.0 | |speed=54.0 | ||
| − | |jumpjets= | + | |jumpjets= |
| + | |comsys= Unspecified | ||
| + | |T&T = Unspecified | ||
|armament= | |armament= | ||
| − | *4x[[AC | + | * 4x [[AC/2]] |
| − | *2x[[LRM-15]] | + | * 2x [[LRM-15]] |
| − | *2x[[ | + | * 2x [[medium laser]]s |
|BV (1.0)=? | |BV (1.0)=? | ||
|BV (2.0)=? | |BV (2.0)=? | ||
}} | }} | ||
==Description== | ==Description== | ||
| − | The '''''Linesman''''' | + | The '''''Linesman''''' is an [[apocryphal]] predecessor to the ''[[Daboku]]'' and ''[[Mauler]]''. Canonical sources have since confirmed most of its backstory in broad strokes at least, but also established that the ''Linesman'' never existed as a distinct 'Mech; canonically, it was just a nickname given to the earliest ''Mauler'' prototypes. |
| − | + | This article remains in place to describe the distinct 'Mech design that existed in apocryphal form for many years; mind that the prototype ''Mauler'' that was established as canonical in its stead differs in some aspects. | |
| − | The | + | ==Canonicity== |
| + | The ''Linesman'' (alternatively also called ''"Linienrichter"'' in German) was first published along with its background history as detailed below in ''[[Life Support (magazine)|Life Support]]'' #4, the official magazine of the (first) [[MechForce Germany]]. The German-only book ''[[BattleTech – Die Welt des 31. Jahrhunderts]]'' by [[Heyne]], the publisher of the translated German line of BattleTech novels, also mentions the ''Linesman'' and its abbreviated background history, but does not provide statistics for the 'Mech. The expanded [[Solaris VII: The Game World#Arena-Planet Solaris VII|German edition]] of the ''[[Solaris VII: The Game World]]'' box set produced by [[FanPro]] included an official record sheet for the MAL-1PT5 ''Mauler'', an exact reproduction of the ''Linesman'' in all but name. | ||
| − | + | None of the aforementioned sources meets the criteria for [[Canon]]. However, in 2023 [[Shrapnel (magazine)/Issue 15|''Shrapnel'' magazine, issue #15]], established that the early history of the ''Mauler'' was indeed essentially as described in the ''Linesman'' writeup. The key difference is that canonically, the Capellans had designated the 'Mech the MAL-1PT5 ''Mauler'' right from the beginning and ''Linesman'' was just a nickname coined during field trials. Thus, the LMN alphanumerical designation was explicitly not canonized, but refuted in canon. Also, in canon there was a sixth prototype in the field trials, the sole sample of the MAL-1PT6 subvariant. | |
| − | + | Wassili Cherenkow was not mentioned in canon, nor was the fate of any of the original prototypes beyond two of them being salvaged by [[Federated Suns]] forces on [[Beten Kaitos]] and one resurfacing in the [[Solaris Games]] in the late 3040s, piloted by [[Michael Romney]]. | |
| − | |||
| − | == | + | ==History== |
| − | The ''Linesman'' | + | The '''''Linesman''''' was a [[Capellan Confederation]] design project developed at the same time as the ''[[Cataphract]]'' around [[Introduction Year::3015]]. Its aim was to create a [[BattleMech]] from proven, domestically produced components that could be maintained and supported with relative ease by the resource-poor Confederation with its ailing industry base. |
| − | + | The concept caused a polarized debate among the scientists and officers involved, until [[Chancellor]] [[Maximilian Liao]] finally stepped in. The Capellan industry would only be able to bring one of the new designs into full production, and he decided in favor of the ''Cataphract''. The ''Linesman'' design was shelved. Only five prototypes had been built. | |
| − | + | Although the design had been shelved, the five prototypes were given to [[McCarron's Armored Cavalry]] for evaluation and saw combat action during [[McCarron's Long March]] in [[3022]] and [[3023]]. They served with distinction on [[Beten Kaitos]], and one [[Earthwerks Incorporated]] weapons technician named [[Wassili Cherenkow]] was subsequently awarded ownership of one that he had piloted in a critical situation after its assigned [[MechWarrior (pilot)|MechWarrior]] had been taken out. Two of the prototypes were completely destroyed over the course of the fighting, and a third was damaged beyond repair and broken down for spare parts. The two remaining prototypes were returned to the Earthwerks facility on [[Tikonov]] after the Long March campaign. Cherenkow quit his service with Earthwerks in [[3027]] and reportedly joined [[Romano Liao]]'s personal guard with his 'Mech. | |
| − | + | Before the outbreak of the [[Fourth Succession War]], Earthwerks sold the plans for the ''Linesman'', along with the remaining prototype, to [[Luthien Armor Works]] in the [[Draconis Combine]] during the tech transfers made possible by the [[Concord of Kapteyn]]. The design, known as '''''Nainokami''''' in the Draconis Combine,<ref>In the translated German BattleTech edition by FanPro, the ''Mauler'' was officially named the ''Nainokami'', with the FedCom reporting name ''Schlagetot'' (roughly "Mauler" or "Slayer"). When [[Ulisses Spiele]] took over the German BattleTech license in 2011 they abandoned FanPro's practice of changing the official designations from the US edition, and instead used the original English names for all units.</ref> became the basis for the Combine's ''[[Daboku]]''/''[[Mauler]]'' design project. (The ''Daboku'' was not yet written into the universe when the ''Linesman'' was invented.) The outer appearance of the ''Linesman'' went essentially unchanged in the process. | |
| − | + | ==Variants== | |
| + | When it became apparent that enemy forces could close in on the ''Linesman'' to stay below the effective range of its weaponry, the designers considered to exchange the [[Ceres Arms]] [[Medium Laser]]s for [[Sunglow 2S]] [[Large Laser]]s for better defense at short range. However, this required a speed reduction and came with heat problems and no satisfactory solution could be found. While no change was implemented, these considerations already heralded the weapons layout of the later ''Daboku'' and ''Mauler'' evolutions of the basic design. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
| − | *''[[Life Support]]'', issue #4 | + | <references/> |
| − | *''[[ | + | |
| + | ==Bibliography== | ||
| + | * ''[[Battletech, Die Welt des 31. Jahrhunderts]]'', p. 441 | ||
| + | * ''[[Life Support (magazine)]]'', issue #4 | ||
| + | * ''[[Shrapnel Issue 15]]'' | ||
| + | |||
| + | |||
| + | [[Category:'Mechs]] | ||
Latest revision as of 17:33, 11 March 2024
 | Apocryphal This article's subject is only mentioned in apocryphal sources, i.e. official BattleTech products which are not clearly Non-canon but do not meet the current Canon criteria either. For more information, check the Canonicity section. |
| |
| Linesman | |
|---|---|
| Production information | |
| Manufacturer | Earthwerks Incorporated
Kallon Industries (prototype) |
| Model | LMN-1PT5 |
| Class | Assault |
| Technical specifications | |
| 'Mech type | Inner Sphere BattleMech |
| Mass | 90 tons |
| Chassis | (prototype) |
| Armor | (prototype) |
| Engine | GM 270 |
| Communications System | Unspecified |
| Targeting Tracking System | Unspecified |
| Speed | 54.0 km/h |
| Armament |
|
| BV (1.0) | ? |
| BV (2.0) | ? |
Description[edit]
The Linesman is an apocryphal predecessor to the Daboku and Mauler. Canonical sources have since confirmed most of its backstory in broad strokes at least, but also established that the Linesman never existed as a distinct 'Mech; canonically, it was just a nickname given to the earliest Mauler prototypes.
This article remains in place to describe the distinct 'Mech design that existed in apocryphal form for many years; mind that the prototype Mauler that was established as canonical in its stead differs in some aspects.
Canonicity[edit]
The Linesman (alternatively also called "Linienrichter" in German) was first published along with its background history as detailed below in Life Support #4, the official magazine of the (first) MechForce Germany. The German-only book BattleTech – Die Welt des 31. Jahrhunderts by Heyne, the publisher of the translated German line of BattleTech novels, also mentions the Linesman and its abbreviated background history, but does not provide statistics for the 'Mech. The expanded German edition of the Solaris VII: The Game World box set produced by FanPro included an official record sheet for the MAL-1PT5 Mauler, an exact reproduction of the Linesman in all but name.
None of the aforementioned sources meets the criteria for Canon. However, in 2023 Shrapnel magazine, issue #15, established that the early history of the Mauler was indeed essentially as described in the Linesman writeup. The key difference is that canonically, the Capellans had designated the 'Mech the MAL-1PT5 Mauler right from the beginning and Linesman was just a nickname coined during field trials. Thus, the LMN alphanumerical designation was explicitly not canonized, but refuted in canon. Also, in canon there was a sixth prototype in the field trials, the sole sample of the MAL-1PT6 subvariant.
Wassili Cherenkow was not mentioned in canon, nor was the fate of any of the original prototypes beyond two of them being salvaged by Federated Suns forces on Beten Kaitos and one resurfacing in the Solaris Games in the late 3040s, piloted by Michael Romney.
History[edit]
The Linesman was a Capellan Confederation design project developed at the same time as the Cataphract around 3015. Its aim was to create a BattleMech from proven, domestically produced components that could be maintained and supported with relative ease by the resource-poor Confederation with its ailing industry base.
The concept caused a polarized debate among the scientists and officers involved, until Chancellor Maximilian Liao finally stepped in. The Capellan industry would only be able to bring one of the new designs into full production, and he decided in favor of the Cataphract. The Linesman design was shelved. Only five prototypes had been built.
Although the design had been shelved, the five prototypes were given to McCarron's Armored Cavalry for evaluation and saw combat action during McCarron's Long March in 3022 and 3023. They served with distinction on Beten Kaitos, and one Earthwerks Incorporated weapons technician named Wassili Cherenkow was subsequently awarded ownership of one that he had piloted in a critical situation after its assigned MechWarrior had been taken out. Two of the prototypes were completely destroyed over the course of the fighting, and a third was damaged beyond repair and broken down for spare parts. The two remaining prototypes were returned to the Earthwerks facility on Tikonov after the Long March campaign. Cherenkow quit his service with Earthwerks in 3027 and reportedly joined Romano Liao's personal guard with his 'Mech.
Before the outbreak of the Fourth Succession War, Earthwerks sold the plans for the Linesman, along with the remaining prototype, to Luthien Armor Works in the Draconis Combine during the tech transfers made possible by the Concord of Kapteyn. The design, known as Nainokami in the Draconis Combine,[1] became the basis for the Combine's Daboku/Mauler design project. (The Daboku was not yet written into the universe when the Linesman was invented.) The outer appearance of the Linesman went essentially unchanged in the process.
Variants[edit]
When it became apparent that enemy forces could close in on the Linesman to stay below the effective range of its weaponry, the designers considered to exchange the Ceres Arms Medium Lasers for Sunglow 2S Large Lasers for better defense at short range. However, this required a speed reduction and came with heat problems and no satisfactory solution could be found. While no change was implemented, these considerations already heralded the weapons layout of the later Daboku and Mauler evolutions of the basic design.
References[edit]
- ↑ In the translated German BattleTech edition by FanPro, the Mauler was officially named the Nainokami, with the FedCom reporting name Schlagetot (roughly "Mauler" or "Slayer"). When Ulisses Spiele took over the German BattleTech license in 2011 they abandoned FanPro's practice of changing the official designations from the US edition, and instead used the original English names for all units.