Difference between revisions of "Linesman"

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==Description==
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'''''Linesman''''' was a [[Capellan Confederation]] design project developed alongside the ''[[Cataphract]]'' around [[3015]]. It was built from proven, domestically produced components with the aim of creating a [[BattleMech]] that the Confederation could be maintained and supported with relative ease in the Confederation.
  
==Description==
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The concept caused a polarized debate among the scientists and officers involved, until [[Chancellor]] [[Maximilian Liao]] finally stepped in. Since the Capellan industry would only be able to bring one of the two new designs into full production, he decided in favor of the ''Cataphract'' and the ''Linesman'' design was shelved after five prototypes had been built.
Built from proven, domestically produced components, the '''''Linesman''''' was a [[Capellan Confederation]] design project developed alongside the ''[[Cataphract]]'' around [[3015]]. The ''Linesman'' concept caused a polarized debate among the scientists and officers involved, which prompted [[Chancellor]] [[Maximilian Liao]] to step in. Since the Capellan industry would only be able to bring one of the two new designs into full production, he decided in favor of the ''Cataphract'' and the ''Linesman'' design was shelved after five prototypes had been built.
 
  
The prototypes were given to [[McCarron's Armored Cavalry]] for field testing and saw combat action during [[McCarron's Long March]] in [[3022]] and [[3023]]. They served with distinction on [[Beten Kaitos]], and [[Earthwerks Incorporated]] weapons technician Wassili Cherenkow was subsequently awarded ownership of one he had piloted in a critical situation after its assigned MechWarrior had been taken out. Two prototypes were destroyed completely over the course of the fighting, and a third was damaged beyond repair and salvaged for spare parts. The two remaining prototypes were returned to the Earthwerks facility on [[Tikonov]] after the Long March. Cherenkow subsequently quit his service with Earhwerks in [[3027]] and reportedly joined [[Romano Liao]]'s personal guard with his 'Mech.
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The prototypes were given to [[McCarron's Armored Cavalry]] for field testing and saw combat action during [[McCarron's Long March]] in [[3022]] and [[3023]]. They served with distinction on [[Beten Kaitos]], and [[Earthwerks Incorporated]] weapons technician Wassili Cherenkow was subsequently awarded ownership of one he had piloted in a critical situation after its assigned MechWarrior had been taken out. Two prototypes were destroyed completely over the course of the fighting, and a third was damaged beyond repair and salvaged for spare parts. The two remaining prototypes were returned to the Earthwerks facility on [[Tikonov]] after the Long March. Cherenkow subsequently 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 a prototype, to [[Luthien Armor Works]] in the [[Draconis Combine]] during the tech transfers made possible by the [[Concord of Kapteyn]]. The design eventually became the basis for the ''[[Daboku]]''/''[[Mauler]]'' (renamed ''Nainokami'' in the German edition of BattleTech). The outer appearance of the ''Linesman'' went essentially unchanged in the process.
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Before the outbreak of the [[Fourth Succession War]], Earthwerks sold the plans for the ''Linesman'', along with a prototype, to [[Luthien Armor Works]] in the [[Draconis Combine]] during the tech transfers made possible by the [[Concord of Kapteyn]]. The design eventually became the basis for the ''[[Daboku]]''/''[[Mauler]]'' (also known as ''Nainokami''<ref>In the translated German BattleTech edition by FanPro, the ''Mauler'' was named the ''Nainokami''; the ''Daboku'' was not written into the universe yet.</ref>). The outer appearance of the ''Linesman'' went essentially unchanged in the process.
  
 
==Variants==
 
==Variants==
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==Canonicity==
 
==Canonicity==
As of yet, the ''Linesman'' (''"Linienrichter"'' in German) has not appeared in a [[canon]]ical publication.
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As of yet, the ''Linesman'' (''"Linienrichter"'' in German) has only appeared in a [[apocryphal]] publications, i.e. in sources that are official BattleTech products yet do not meet the current criteria for [[Canon]].
  
 
It was first published along with its background history in [[Life Support]] #4, the official magazine of the (first) [[MechForce Germany]].
 
It was first published along with its background history in [[Life Support]] #4, the official magazine of the (first) [[MechForce Germany]].
  
The German-only book ''[[Battletech, Die Welt des 31. Jahrhunderts]]'', an official publication by [[Heyne]], the publisher of the translated German line of BattleTech novels, that nevertheless does not meet the criteria for Canon, mentions the ''Linesman'' and its (shortened) background history, but does not provide statistics for the 'Mech.
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The German-only book ''[[Battletech, Die Welt des 31. Jahrhunderts]]'' by [[Heyne]], the publisher of the translated German line of BattleTech novels, mentions the ''Linesman'' and its abbreviated background history, but does not provide statistics for the 'Mech.
  
 
Further, the expanded German edition of the [[Solaris VII: The Game World|Solaris VII Boxed Set]] produced by [[FanPro]] included an official record sheet for the MAL-1PT5 ''Mauler'', an exact reproduction of the ''Linesman'' in all but name.
 
Further, the expanded German edition of the [[Solaris VII: The Game World|Solaris VII Boxed Set]] produced by [[FanPro]] included an official record sheet for the MAL-1PT5 ''Mauler'', an exact reproduction of the ''Linesman'' in all but name.

Revision as of 05:31, 24 November 2016

Linesman
Linesman
Production information
Manufacturer Earthwerks Incorporated/Kallon Industries (prototype)
Model LMN-1PT5
Class Assault
Technical specifications
Mass 90 tons
Chassis
Armor
Engine GM 270
Speed 54.0 km/h
Jump Jets none
Armament
BV (1.0) ?
BV (2.0) ?

Description

Linesman was a Capellan Confederation design project developed alongside the Cataphract around 3015. It was built from proven, domestically produced components with the aim of creating a BattleMech that the Confederation could be maintained and supported with relative ease in the Confederation.

The concept caused a polarized debate among the scientists and officers involved, until Chancellor Maximilian Liao finally stepped in. Since the Capellan industry would only be able to bring one of the two new designs into full production, he decided in favor of the Cataphract and the Linesman design was shelved after five prototypes had been built.

The prototypes were given to McCarron's Armored Cavalry for field testing and saw combat action during McCarron's Long March in 3022 and 3023. They served with distinction on Beten Kaitos, and Earthwerks Incorporated weapons technician Wassili Cherenkow was subsequently awarded ownership of one he had piloted in a critical situation after its assigned MechWarrior had been taken out. Two prototypes were destroyed completely over the course of the fighting, and a third was damaged beyond repair and salvaged for spare parts. The two remaining prototypes were returned to the Earthwerks facility on Tikonov after the Long March. Cherenkow subsequently 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 a prototype, to Luthien Armor Works in the Draconis Combine during the tech transfers made possible by the Concord of Kapteyn. The design eventually became the basis for the Daboku/Mauler (also known as Nainokami[1]). 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 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.

Canonicity

As of yet, the Linesman ("Linienrichter" in German) has only appeared in a apocryphal publications, i.e. in sources that are official BattleTech products yet do not meet the current criteria for Canon.

It was first published along with its background history 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, mentions the Linesman and its abbreviated background history, but does not provide statistics for the 'Mech.

Further, the expanded German edition of the Solaris VII Boxed Set produced by FanPro included an official record sheet for the MAL-1PT5 Mauler, an exact reproduction of the Linesman in all but name.

It is generally held that the Linesman was meant to give 3025-era players a chance to play a contemporary version of the popular Mauler.

References

  • In the translated German BattleTech edition by FanPro, the Mauler was named the Nainokami; the Daboku was not written into the universe yet.