First week didn't get too much attention, hopefully people start participating more as the weeks go on.
The rules of the thread are simple:
The Mech should fit in with the theme, or be related in some way through either the visual design or the employment on the battlefield.
The Mech should be something you draw specifically for the challenge, not something you already had lying around.
Art can be 2D, 3D, in any medium you prefer. They can be rough sketches, vector line art, full color, what have you. ALL SKILL LEVELS ARE WELCOME!!!
WIP shots are allowed, but please keep the thread clean and only poster another WIP if you have made significant progress.
This weeks theme: Marshlands. Design a Mech to operate in a swampy or wetland area
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Mech Of The Week Challenge Week 2
Started by Scodo, Nov 07 2012 10:45 PM
8 replies to this topic
#2
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- FP Veteran - Beta 1
- 16 posts
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Posted 09 November 2012 - 09:34 AM
I got a sketch started. I'm thinking it has to be light, so as not to sink into the muck, and have the engine:weight ratio to keep moving around those that get stuck. Long legs for leverage for similar reasons. Laser and AC based because missiles in thick underbrush= bad news. A flamer for good measure for smoke generation and playing havoc with enemy heat levels. I think the weapons should also be mounted higher, as opposed to mid-lower torsos, since the higher you go, the more likely you will be able to shoot over the vegetation.
#3
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- The Hammer
- 47,187 posts
ForumWarrior
- Locationclimbing Mt Tryhard, one smoldering Meta-Mech corpse at a time
Posted 10 November 2012 - 04:56 AM
Alright, should have my TRO sketch and full TRO details of my "SWP-G-4R SWAMPGATOR" up tomorrow sometime.
OK, so here is the mech, tomorrow, the fluff
SWP-G-4R SwampGator
Type: 55 ton Quadruped (Inner Sphere)
Chassis: Standard with Triple Strength Myomer
Engine: 275 XL
Walking Speed: 53 kph
Running Speed: 84kph
Jump: 60 meters
Armor: StarGuard Standard w/CASE (10 tons)
Armament:
2x 40mm Rotary Autocannon class II
1x Zippo Flamer
Communication System: Tek Battlecom w/Guardian ECM
Targeting and Tracking Computer: Garrett D2-J with Beagle Active Probe and TAG
The Swamp Gator is exactly what it looks like, a highly upgraded Scorpion Battlemech. The world of Stein's Folly is covered with huge regions of swampland, which is impassable to most conventional vehicles, and even most Battlemechs. It also has the happy fortune to be a border world between the Federated Suns, and the Capellan Confederation.
The one mech that actually excelled in marsh and swamp lands, was the Scorpion, with it's huge footpads, and four legged design minimizing ground pressure, and allow better torque and leverage. It was also a mech that the Federated Suns had been long phasing out of use, due to it's many limitations, and general unpopularity. So Myers Heavy Industries bought up all the existing chassis from House Davion for a song, allowing them to outfit the local Militia, and a private Merc Unit, with a couple dozen Scorpion mechs. Several were also too badly worn out for use, and so those went into the shop, to see if they were salvageable.
Born from their work was the SwampGator MK1, mounting PPCs in place of the Rotary ACs on the current model. By using a totally redesigned cockpit and command couch, the brutal ride has been all but eliminated. Also added, to enhance mobility, and to help get it out of a bind, are a set of Jump Jets built into it's belly. To protect them from damage and getting clogged in mud, the vector control units actually fold the exhaust vents into the belly, until needed. The TSM was added to enhance speed in the open field, and also give it the extra strength should it start to get mired in swamp mud.
The low profile makes it ideal at recon, and scout hunting, able to go hull down for concealment. this is enhanced with an advanced ECM suite. Then to further improve it's ability to detect threats in the clutter that is a swamp. an Active Probe was mounted, and a TAG designator to allow it to bring in fire support should it find itself in trouble. Realizing that not all users were worried about swamps, the decision to purchase Garrett D2-J Fire Control computers from Kallon Industries allow it to function phenomenally well in an Anti-Aircraft role as well, it's paired RAC2s able to swat most aircraft with a few burst. Finally, it mounts a Zippo Flamer to deal with infantry, and to clear terrain/cover it's tracks as needed.
OK, so here is the mech, tomorrow, the fluff
SWP-G-4R SwampGator
Type: 55 ton Quadruped (Inner Sphere)
Chassis: Standard with Triple Strength Myomer
Engine: 275 XL
Walking Speed: 53 kph
Running Speed: 84kph
Jump: 60 meters
Armor: StarGuard Standard w/CASE (10 tons)
Armament:
2x 40mm Rotary Autocannon class II
1x Zippo Flamer
Communication System: Tek Battlecom w/Guardian ECM
Targeting and Tracking Computer: Garrett D2-J with Beagle Active Probe and TAG
The Swamp Gator is exactly what it looks like, a highly upgraded Scorpion Battlemech. The world of Stein's Folly is covered with huge regions of swampland, which is impassable to most conventional vehicles, and even most Battlemechs. It also has the happy fortune to be a border world between the Federated Suns, and the Capellan Confederation.
The one mech that actually excelled in marsh and swamp lands, was the Scorpion, with it's huge footpads, and four legged design minimizing ground pressure, and allow better torque and leverage. It was also a mech that the Federated Suns had been long phasing out of use, due to it's many limitations, and general unpopularity. So Myers Heavy Industries bought up all the existing chassis from House Davion for a song, allowing them to outfit the local Militia, and a private Merc Unit, with a couple dozen Scorpion mechs. Several were also too badly worn out for use, and so those went into the shop, to see if they were salvageable.
Born from their work was the SwampGator MK1, mounting PPCs in place of the Rotary ACs on the current model. By using a totally redesigned cockpit and command couch, the brutal ride has been all but eliminated. Also added, to enhance mobility, and to help get it out of a bind, are a set of Jump Jets built into it's belly. To protect them from damage and getting clogged in mud, the vector control units actually fold the exhaust vents into the belly, until needed. The TSM was added to enhance speed in the open field, and also give it the extra strength should it start to get mired in swamp mud.
The low profile makes it ideal at recon, and scout hunting, able to go hull down for concealment. this is enhanced with an advanced ECM suite. Then to further improve it's ability to detect threats in the clutter that is a swamp. an Active Probe was mounted, and a TAG designator to allow it to bring in fire support should it find itself in trouble. Realizing that not all users were worried about swamps, the decision to purchase Garrett D2-J Fire Control computers from Kallon Industries allow it to function phenomenally well in an Anti-Aircraft role as well, it's paired RAC2s able to swat most aircraft with a few burst. Finally, it mounts a Zippo Flamer to deal with infantry, and to clear terrain/cover it's tracks as needed.
#4
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- 42 posts
Member
Posted 10 November 2012 - 01:16 PM
modred189, on 09 November 2012 - 09:34 AM, said:
I got a sketch started. I'm thinking it has to be light, so as not to sink into the muck, and have the engine:weight ratio to keep moving around those that get stuck. Long legs for leverage for similar reasons. Laser and AC based because missiles in thick underbrush= bad news. A flamer for good measure for smoke generation and playing havoc with enemy heat levels. I think the weapons should also be mounted higher, as opposed to mid-lower torsos, since the higher you go, the more likely you will be able to shoot over the vegetation.
A lot of those are the same points I was thinking.
#5
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- 42 posts
Member
Posted 10 November 2012 - 02:22 PM
Here's my mech for this week.
The Moorhen
35 tons
2 streak SRM2
2 medium laser
2 small pulse laser
Beagle Active Probe
It has long legs with strong shocks for balancing on uneven surfaces, and the arms are hung very low and away from the body to lower the center of gravity. All 4 toes on the feet can collapse straight down when the foot lifts to slide easily out of thick mud.
The Moorhen
35 tons
2 streak SRM2
2 medium laser
2 small pulse laser
Beagle Active Probe
It has long legs with strong shocks for balancing on uneven surfaces, and the arms are hung very low and away from the body to lower the center of gravity. All 4 toes on the feet can collapse straight down when the foot lifts to slide easily out of thick mud.
#6
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- 1,214 posts
Member
Posted 12 November 2012 - 09:59 AM
OK, my mech for this week was a VERY FAST (for me) sketch, going on the idea that a swamp mech would need to be lightweight and small. I actually messed up and the sketch ended up being about half the size I wanted! Ooops, hard to put detail in when they're itty bitty. Anyway, here is the Swamp Beetle:
OK, I had some more time than I expected and I matured the Swamp Beetle idea a bit further. I'm actually PROUD of this one:
Antenna like a Stag Beetle's horns, truncated arms to aid in maneuvering in dense plants, swamp grass hanging off the chassis and weapons. I was tempted to try a 6-footed Beetle, where the two existing arms remain the weapons and then the existing legs are removed for the Beetle equivalent of a Centaur. Just didn't think that would make sense in a marsh.
OK, I had some more time than I expected and I matured the Swamp Beetle idea a bit further. I'm actually PROUD of this one:
Antenna like a Stag Beetle's horns, truncated arms to aid in maneuvering in dense plants, swamp grass hanging off the chassis and weapons. I was tempted to try a 6-footed Beetle, where the two existing arms remain the weapons and then the existing legs are removed for the Beetle equivalent of a Centaur. Just didn't think that would make sense in a marsh.
Edited by Daekar, 13 November 2012 - 07:01 AM.
#7
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- 2,382 posts
Member
Posted 12 November 2012 - 10:40 AM
Very nice guys I hope their is more participation.
#8
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- 1,214 posts
Member
Posted 13 November 2012 - 07:02 AM
Bishop... just for the record... you're disgustingly and envy-makingly good at this! 
#9
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- 42 posts
Member
Posted 13 November 2012 - 03:05 PM
Daekar, on 13 November 2012 - 07:02 AM, said:
Bishop... just for the record... you're disgustingly and envy-makingly good at this!
I agree, cool beans on your swamp beetle too. Good job visualizing the theme.
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