Author Topic: Big Ben's Atlas  (Read 1153 times)

SD501st

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Big Ben's Atlas
« on: 06 February 2018, 07:25:48 »
This is an attempt to give a bit more character to the well known "Big Ben vs Warhawk" picture...


In my Headcanon, this Mech is a modified AS7-D, refitted just before Operation Bulldog. The only component I am not sure about is the compact gyro, I do not know if it was in production at the time.

Atlas AS7-D Big Ben

Mass: 100 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Chassis Config: Biped
Rules Level: Era Specific
Era: Clan Invasion
Tech Rating/Era Availability: E/X-X-E-A
Production Year: 3059
Cost: 15.389.050 C-Bills
Battle Value: 2.346

Chassis: Unknown Standard
Power Plant: Unknown 300 Fusion Engine
Walking Speed: 32,4 km/h (43,2 km/h)
Maximum Speed: 54,0 km/h (64,8 km/h)
Jump Jets: None
    Jump Capacity: 0 meters
Armor: Unknown Standard Armor w/ CASE
Armament:
    1  LB 20-X AC
    1  ER Large Laser
    2  LRM-10s
    1  SRM-6
    1  Medium Laser
    1  Flamer
    1  Spikes
    1  Guardian ECM Suite
Manufacturer: Unknown
    Primary Factory: Unknown
Communications System: Unknown
Targeting and Tracking System: Unknown

================================================================================
Equipment           Type                         Rating                   Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Internal Structure: Standard                     152 points               10,00
Engine:             Fusion Engine                300                      19,00
    Walking MP: 3 (4)
    Running MP: 5 (6)
    Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sinks:         Double Heat Sink             11(22)                    1,00
Gyro:               Compact                                                4,50
Cockpit:            Standard                                               3,00
    Actuators:      L: SH+UA+LA+H    R: SH+UA+LA+H
    TSM Locations: 1 LA, 1 RA, 2 LL, 2 RL
Armor:              Standard Armor               AV - 307                 19,50
    CASE Locations: 1 LT, 1 RT                                             1,00

                                                      Internal       Armor     
                                                      Structure      Factor     
                                                Head     3            9         
                                        Center Torso     31           47       
                                 Center Torso (rear)                  15       
                                           L/R Torso     21           32       
                                    L/R Torso (rear)                  10       
                                             L/R Arm     17           34       
                                             L/R Leg     21           42       

================================================================================
Equipment                                 Location    Heat    Critical    Mass 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Flamer                                       HD        3         1         1,00
LB 20-X AC                                   CT/RT     6         3/8      14,00
Medium Laser                                 CT        3         1         1,00
LRM-10                                       RT        4         2         5,00
Guardian ECM Suite                           LT        0         2         1,50
LRM-10                                       LT        4         2         5,00
SRM-6                                        LT        4         2         3,00
Spikes                                       RA        -         1         0,50
ER Large Laser                               LA        12        2         5,00
@LB 20-X (Cluster) (5)                       RT        -         1         1,00
@LB 20-X (Slug) (5)                          LT        -         1         1,00
@LB 20-X (Cluster) (5)                       LT        -         1         1,00
@SRM-6 (15)                                  LT        -         1         1,00
@LRM-10 (24)                                 LT        -         2         2,00
                                            Free Critical Slots: 11

Now to the explanations... I always thought that the medium laser barrels on the Atlas' arms were a little too big for a simple medium, so it got an ER Large instead. The AC20 was switched for a LBX20 and to make enough room in the torso, a compact gyro had to be fitted. The big cannon has also been switched to the left torso, to fit the artwork. Take a close look, there's no indication of any gun sticking out of the right torso, but the left torso's "plug port"(according to the Atlas fluff) is A LOT bigger.
I split the LRM20 into 2 LRM10's for reasons of critical space, heat(more on that later) and because very often we see pictures of Atlas' Mechs with missile tubes in both the right and left upper torso... it also enables more efficient usage of Thunder or Smoke ammunitions, if the MechWarrior chooses to bring a bin of special munitions.
The SRM6 is still there, and I added a Guardian ECM for it's obvious utility as well as a Flamer in the head, again both for heat reasons and because a fire spitting death's head is a guaranteed brown pants moment.  ;D

Both torsi have CASE installed, but because of critical space shortage, the left torso is an ammo bomb waiting to go off. The pilot is highly encouraged to close fast and fire the LRM's every turn. The slug bin for the LBX20 is also in the left torso because it will probably be emptied first.

And now to the fluff influenced parts... the picture of Big Ben clearly shows the Mech smashing through a torso section as well as the cockpit in one blow! That just isn't possible with the standard one hand punch damage of an Atlas. So... the Mech clearly needs something to boost its melee damage. And in goes the TSM! The TSM is the reason for the LRM split and the Flamer(although I don't remember my calculations anymore, it was quite some time ago). And since any weapon on the "strong arm" would clearly be scrap metal from a punch as depicted in the drawing, there's no medium laser. Instead, I added spikes to the arm for a little more melee damage and resistance to damage. Another half ton brings the Mech to the maximum amount of armor possible.

So... please comment and leave your impressions and feedback! Big Ben certainly is one of the most famous Atlas BattleMechs in BT, and I wanted to do something with it that makes it more special.  :)

« Last Edit: 06 February 2018, 08:06:19 by SD501st »

packhntr

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Re: Big Ben's Atlas
« Reply #1 on: 06 February 2018, 07:58:23 »
Well done sir!  I like it.  The design does the image justice.
If at first you don't succeed, make it worth the repairman's time!