Difference between revisions of "MechForce United Kingdom"
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| − | + | '''MechForce United Kingdom (MFUK)''' was a [[w:United Kingdom|United Kingdom]]-based [[BattleTech]] fan organization that ran for roughly 14 years. It should not be confused with the original [[MechForce North America]] that is often referred to as simply "(the) MechForce". | |
| − | '''MechForce United Kingdom (MFUK)''' was a | ||
==MechForce UK== | ==MechForce UK== | ||
| − | After the launch of the [[MechForce]] concept through | + | After the launch of the [[MechForce]] concept through MechForce North America, [[FASA]] also granted a license to the (distinct) UK national fan organization in 1987. MFUK was also open to players from continental Europe, even after the founding of [[MechForce Germany]] in 1993. |
| − | + | Despite a relatively small membership, the MFUK was very active across the United Kingdom and Europe, organizing chapters and battles among its members, attending gaming conventions worldwide, and hosting smaller conventions themselves. Their [[Comnet]] magazine ran for 47 issues. | |
| − | Bob | + | Reportedly, [[Bob Nicholls]] effectively ran the MFUK single-handed, although other members did contribute to varying degrees. MFUK was in talks with [[WizKids]] to continue its license after FASA withdrew from the market in 2001. Unfortunately, due to declining membership numbers and Bob Nicholls' deteriorating health MFUK folded in 2001. The 47th and final issue of Comnet (mislabeled as a second "Issue 46") contains the parting words from Bob Nicholls' wife, announcing that Bob Nicholl had died and closing the doors on MechForce UK under the heading "Widow Tech". |
==Membership== | ==Membership== | ||
| − | An annual membership fee was charged, for which the member received: a membership pack including a membership card, certificate of | + | MFUK membership numbers indicate that over 1190 people had joined at one time or another. |
| + | |||
| + | An annual membership fee was charged, for which the member received: a membership pack including a membership card, certificate of enrollment into their chosen faction's military, tournament rules of engagement, membership manual, and the quarterly Comnet magazine. Yearly membership 'Mechs were also presented and sometimes other small items such as posters. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Each member was encouraged to fight matches against other members and submit a pro forma record sheet of the battle to obtain a ranking within their chosen faction. Points were awarded for wins and opponents' 'Mechs destroyed or disabled. The ranks were displayed in issues of Comnet. | ||
| − | + | Within MFUK there was the opportunity for members to create their own regional based Chapters. Each Chapter had a unique name and required a minimum of four members, with one acting as a leader and point of contact. These Chapters did not have to be UK based; one Chapter, the ''B.C. Legion'', was run by [[Randall N. Bills]]. Bob's own Chapter was known as ''The Mech Force''. | |
==Publications== | ==Publications== | ||
| − | + | MechForce UK was known as a prolific producer of merchandise, house rules, scenario packs and new 'Mech designs. Although arguably official, their publications were not checked for compliance with established [[canon]] and do not meet the criteria for [[canon]] in the BattleTech universe. As such, they can be regarded as [[apocryphal]]. | |
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| − | [[ | ||
| − | === | + | *[[Comnet]] magazine |
| − | *MFUK Record | + | ===Books=== |
| − | * | + | Besides their magazine, MFUK published a range of (usually comb-bound) sourcebooks and [[record sheet]] books. |
| − | * | + | *[[MFUK Manual]] (3 editions) |
| − | * | + | * ''[[Outreach and Beyond]]'' scenario pack |
| − | * | + | * ''[[Clan Force]]'' scenario pack |
| − | * | + | * ''[[Inbound]]'' scenario pack |
| − | * | + | * ''[[Record Book One: Personalities Mechs]]'' |
| − | *[[ | + | * ''[[Record Book Two: Light Mechs]]'' |
| − | * | + | * ''[[Record Book Three: Medium Mechs]]'' |
| − | *[[ | + | * ''[[Record Book Four: Heavy Mechs]]'' |
| − | *[[ | + | * ''[[Record Book Five: Assault Mechs]]'' |
| − | *[[ | + | * ''[[Record Book Six: Vehicles]]'' |
| − | * | + | * ''[[Record Book Seven: 3055 Refits Mechs]]'' |
| − | *[[ | + | * ''[[Record Book Eight: Members Mechs I]]'' |
| − | * | + | * ''[[Record Book Nine: Members Mechs II]]'' |
| − | * | + | * ''[[Record Book Ten: Wolf Dragoon's]]'' |
| − | * | + | * ''[[Record Book Eleven: Gray Death Legion & Kell Hounds]]'' |
| + | * ''[[Record Book Twelve: UK & US Newsletter Mechs]]'' | ||
| + | * ''[[Record Book Thirteen: Onslaught]]'' | ||
| + | * ''[[Record Book Fourteen: MechForce Germany Mechs]]'' | ||
| + | * ''[[Record Book Fifteen: 3025 Refits from Dilbert's Irregulars]]'' | ||
| + | * ''[[Record Book Sixteen: Strength of the Bear]]'' | ||
| + | * ''[[Record Book Seventeen: Inner Sphere 3063 Field Upgrades]]'' | ||
| + | *Construction Cribb Sheet | ||
| + | *Mech Warrior Cribb Sheet | ||
| + | [[File:MFUK Out.jpg|100px]] [[File:MFUK CF.jpg|100px]] | ||
[[File:MFUK RS8.jpg|100px]] [[File:MFUK RS10.jpg|100px]] [[File:MFUK RS11.jpg|100px]] [[File:MFUK RS14.jpg|100px]] | [[File:MFUK RS8.jpg|100px]] [[File:MFUK RS10.jpg|100px]] [[File:MFUK RS11.jpg|100px]] [[File:MFUK RS14.jpg|100px]] | ||
| − | ==MFUK 'Mechs== | + | ===MFUK 'Mechs=== |
| − | [[Ral Partha]] produced miniatures for a number of MFUK custom 'Mech designs | + | [[Ral Partha]] produced miniatures for a number of MFUK custom 'Mech designs. This misled many fans into falsely believing them to be canonical, though neither MFUK nor Ral Partha were technically in any position to add canonical content to the BattleTech universe. |
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| − | + | * ''[[Tree Frog]]'' | |
| + | * ''[[Wind Coyote (BattleMech)|Wind Coyote]]'' | ||
| + | * ''[[Iron Bear (BattleMech)|Iron Bear]]'' | ||
| + | * ''[[Wotan (BattleMech)|Wotan]]'' | ||
| + | * ''[[Hades (BattleMech)|Hades]]'' | ||
| + | * ''[[Hydra (BattleMech)|Hydra]]'' | ||
| + | * ''[[Warmmer]]'' | ||
| + | * ''[[Lykophos]]'' | ||
| + | * ''[[Falcon Eyrie (BattleMech)|Falcon Eyrie]]'' | ||
| + | * ''[[JagerMech IIC]]'' | ||
| + | * ''[[Dreadnought (BattleMech)|Dreadnought]]'' | ||
| + | * ''[[Katyusha]]'' | ||
| + | * ''[[Command Timber Wolf]]'' | ||
| + | * ''[[Mackie]]'' | ||
| − | + | These miniatures were based around components from other (canonical) 'Mechs, fitted together to produce new figures. For example, the ''Iron Bear'' had a ''Koshi'' torso on top of ''Mad Cat'' legs, with ''Mad Cat'' missile pods and arms from an ''Uller''. With the death of Bob Nicolls the molds and licenses for these 'Mechs were offered for sale. | |
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==References== | ==References== | ||
<references/> | <references/> | ||
| − | [[Category: | + | |
| + | [[Category:Battletech Media Franchise]] | ||
Latest revision as of 10:17, 15 September 2023
MechForce United Kingdom (MFUK) was a United Kingdom-based BattleTech fan organization that ran for roughly 14 years. It should not be confused with the original MechForce North America that is often referred to as simply "(the) MechForce".
MechForce UK[edit]
After the launch of the MechForce concept through MechForce North America, FASA also granted a license to the (distinct) UK national fan organization in 1987. MFUK was also open to players from continental Europe, even after the founding of MechForce Germany in 1993.
Despite a relatively small membership, the MFUK was very active across the United Kingdom and Europe, organizing chapters and battles among its members, attending gaming conventions worldwide, and hosting smaller conventions themselves. Their Comnet magazine ran for 47 issues.
Reportedly, Bob Nicholls effectively ran the MFUK single-handed, although other members did contribute to varying degrees. MFUK was in talks with WizKids to continue its license after FASA withdrew from the market in 2001. Unfortunately, due to declining membership numbers and Bob Nicholls' deteriorating health MFUK folded in 2001. The 47th and final issue of Comnet (mislabeled as a second "Issue 46") contains the parting words from Bob Nicholls' wife, announcing that Bob Nicholl had died and closing the doors on MechForce UK under the heading "Widow Tech".
Membership[edit]
MFUK membership numbers indicate that over 1190 people had joined at one time or another.
An annual membership fee was charged, for which the member received: a membership pack including a membership card, certificate of enrollment into their chosen faction's military, tournament rules of engagement, membership manual, and the quarterly Comnet magazine. Yearly membership 'Mechs were also presented and sometimes other small items such as posters.
Each member was encouraged to fight matches against other members and submit a pro forma record sheet of the battle to obtain a ranking within their chosen faction. Points were awarded for wins and opponents' 'Mechs destroyed or disabled. The ranks were displayed in issues of Comnet.
Within MFUK there was the opportunity for members to create their own regional based Chapters. Each Chapter had a unique name and required a minimum of four members, with one acting as a leader and point of contact. These Chapters did not have to be UK based; one Chapter, the B.C. Legion, was run by Randall N. Bills. Bob's own Chapter was known as The Mech Force.
Publications[edit]
MechForce UK was known as a prolific producer of merchandise, house rules, scenario packs and new 'Mech designs. Although arguably official, their publications were not checked for compliance with established canon and do not meet the criteria for canon in the BattleTech universe. As such, they can be regarded as apocryphal.
- Comnet magazine
Books[edit]
Besides their magazine, MFUK published a range of (usually comb-bound) sourcebooks and record sheet books.
- MFUK Manual (3 editions)
- Outreach and Beyond scenario pack
- Clan Force scenario pack
- Inbound scenario pack
- Record Book One: Personalities Mechs
- Record Book Two: Light Mechs
- Record Book Three: Medium Mechs
- Record Book Four: Heavy Mechs
- Record Book Five: Assault Mechs
- Record Book Six: Vehicles
- Record Book Seven: 3055 Refits Mechs
- Record Book Eight: Members Mechs I
- Record Book Nine: Members Mechs II
- Record Book Ten: Wolf Dragoon's
- Record Book Eleven: Gray Death Legion & Kell Hounds
- Record Book Twelve: UK & US Newsletter Mechs
- Record Book Thirteen: Onslaught
- Record Book Fourteen: MechForce Germany Mechs
- Record Book Fifteen: 3025 Refits from Dilbert's Irregulars
- Record Book Sixteen: Strength of the Bear
- Record Book Seventeen: Inner Sphere 3063 Field Upgrades
- Construction Cribb Sheet
- Mech Warrior Cribb Sheet
MFUK 'Mechs[edit]
Ral Partha produced miniatures for a number of MFUK custom 'Mech designs. This misled many fans into falsely believing them to be canonical, though neither MFUK nor Ral Partha were technically in any position to add canonical content to the BattleTech universe.
- Tree Frog
- Wind Coyote
- Iron Bear
- Wotan
- Hades
- Hydra
- Warmmer
- Lykophos
- Falcon Eyrie
- JagerMech IIC
- Dreadnought
- Katyusha
- Command Timber Wolf
- Mackie
These miniatures were based around components from other (canonical) 'Mechs, fitted together to produce new figures. For example, the Iron Bear had a Koshi torso on top of Mad Cat legs, with Mad Cat missile pods and arms from an Uller. With the death of Bob Nicolls the molds and licenses for these 'Mechs were offered for sale.