185 replies to this topic

[Nerts]

I hope they're vacuum toilets or things would get very messy if your mech ends up upside down.

[Pht]

Felix Dante, on 23 February 2012 - 11:25 AM, said:

I actually learned something new!

I knew I felt a disturbance in the force for some reason...

XxDRxDEATHxX, on 25 February 2012 - 06:43 PM, said:

Awesome post, man! This is now my favorite thread in the forums here.

Thanks man. If you want the original sources, go pick up TechManual, it's riddled with these sorts of technical bits and such; and the older source, Classic BattleTech Companion.

And please, stop by the http://bg.battletech.com/forums/ and drop "cray" a thank you. He wrote the stuff. I just retyped it so everyone else could get the goodness!

Sug, on 25 February 2012 - 06:54 PM, said:

There is no way I'm putting a toilet in my cockpit.

Apparently most clan mechs don't have one.

That said, hey, why wouldn't you want one? ... you do realize that you can refuel your fusion engine with pee, right? No, seriously, you can. It will separate out the hydrogen to use in the engine.

Edited by Pht, 26 February 2012 - 05:00 PM.

[Krubarax]

Great post (I read it in one go, hooah!) And I think there is quite a lot to learn from it, even for a vet.
One might wonder though, which is supposed to be concidered canon, when this text contradict the novels?

I am, among many things, thinking about how several CJF pilots was suffocated in their cocpits within 15 minutes, after their mechs were submerged in the river. (Legend of the Jade Phoenix Triology, Falcon Guard, battle for Tukayyid)

Edited by GB_Krubarax, 27 February 2012 - 10:22 AM.

[Anvil Dragon]

GB_Krubarax, on 27 February 2012 - 10:21 AM, said:

*snip*
One might wonder though, which is supposed to be concidered canon, when this text contradict the novels?

I am, among many things, thinking about how several CJF pilots was suffocated in their cocpits within 15 minutes, after their mechs were submerged in the river. (Legend of the Jade Phoenix Triology, Falcon Guard, battle for Tukayyid)

For me I just think of it like WW2 tanks with fording/swimming kits. Factory new or just refurbished things pretty much worked as advertized. Many months of dirt, sand, and mud in combat conditions and many would be later found at the bottom. It would be interesting if this comes into play. Unless you specifically leak test and if necessary repair any leaks, submerging either to cross or hide could be very iffy.

[Pht]

GB_Krubarax, on 27 February 2012 - 10:21 AM, said:

Great post (I read it in one go, hooah!) And I think there is quite a lot to learn from it, even for a vet.
One might wonder though, which is supposed to be concidered canon, when this text contradict the novels?

Given that TechManual is "the" source book for technology in the originating system, I would go with TM. Besides which, the novels at times contradict *each other.* Some stackpole explode all mechs, some don't, etc. The novels also have the incidence of author fiat used to advance the main point of the noves - story line.

Quote

I am, among many things, thinking about how several CJF pilots was suffocated in their cocpits within 15 minutes, after their mechs were submerged in the river. (Legend of the Jade Phoenix Triology, Falcon Guard, battle for Tukayyid)

Yeah... that's odd. Unless the cockpit was breached, they should have been ok for way longer than that.

[Krubarax]

In said book, they specificly say that one cockpit was breached and the mechwarrior drowned.
Several more suffocated in their cockpits after being submerged for about 15 minutes.

That sounds very unlikely so I will just write it off as a "mistake" by the author
(I mean, even if the airsupply was so limited, and the systems were somehow not functioning, what stopts the pilots from popping the hatch and just get out?)

Edited by GB_Krubarax, 02 March 2012 - 07:06 PM.

[Mech Crusader 5000]

Very good resourceful information sheet on Mech Warrior and Mech components. I greatly compliment your piece of art my friend. Good job.

[Dataman]

great post man, especially about cockpit.

you're like living in an apartment, except the fact it is a 100 ton war machine

[HeroicTofu]

I wanted to throw in my thanks for the information as well. It'll surely help me as I slowly acquire BT novels and can check out which Author's didn't do their homework!

[Whisky]

Oh man, I am dangerously interested in this. Terrible. I barely know how cars work and now I can explain in disturbing detail how a fictional war machine operates? It's bad enough I have a better idea of Inner Sphere politics then anything happening in America. Losing my grasp on reality over here.

[Lima Zulu]

Wow, that's an epic compilation of tech info!

[sadamle]

Love the effort. But you need a GF! Hahaha

[Watchit]

sadamle, on 23 March 2012 - 12:08 AM, said:

Love the effort. But you need a GF! Hahaha

really? *sigh*

[Catharsis]

After reading this, I feel like I am back in high school AP Physics class

I am definitely saving this for future reference!

[T0RC4ED]

Good info... the first couple sections were totlly mind numbing though

[Ravana]

Interesting stuff. Alot of thought went into how battletech works and alot of it is theoretically possible given some advancements in technology. The myomer bundles could probably be made today fairly easily. The harder part would be the fusion reactors since we don't yet have that much control over magnetic fields.

[Pht]

T0RC4ED, on 25 March 2012 - 02:04 AM, said:

Good info... the first couple sections were totlly mind numbing though

What in particular was "opaque?"

I tried to keep the language and such at a fairly easy level, about newspaper level.

[Jacob]

Can anyone explain why there are no tracked battle mechs?

[Trevnor]

Jacob, on 05 April 2012 - 05:50 AM, said:

Can anyone explain why there are no tracked battle mechs?

Because they would then be tanks... Also, Battlemechs are somewhat more versatile in rougher terrain than something with treads is.

[guardiandashi]

there was 1 tracked battlemech in an old battletechnology magazine.... the huntress

unfortunaltely I cannot find a picture at this time