Skobel’s Bushman
Bushman BSH-3H
Mass: 55 tons
Tech Base: Inner Sphere
Chassis Config: Biped
Rules Level: Tournament Legal
Era: Age of War/Star League
Tech Rating/Era Availability: D/C-E-D-D
Production Year: 2588
Dry Cost: 4,808,307 C-Bills
Total Cost: 4,835,307 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1,221
Chassis: Bushman 55 Standard
Power Plant: CoreTek 275 Fusion Engine
Walking Speed: 54.0 km/h
Maximum Speed: 86.4 km/h
Jump Jets: Rawlings 55
Jump Capacity: 150 meters
Armor: Maximillian 43 Standard Armor
Armament:
1 Nightwind Large Laser
2 Delta Bolt SRM-6s
Manufacturer: Skobel MechWorks
Primary Factory: Terra
Communications System: O/P Com-211
Targeting and Tracking System: O/P 1078
Overview:
A simple design, the Bushman was introduced by Skobel MechWorks as a medium cavalry ‘Mech at the end of the War of Star League Aggression. The problems started when nobody wanted to buy the design, which was ‘too primitive’, and didn’t fit any new roles not covered by the 3 other 55 tonner of the era, the Shadow Hawk, Griffin and Wolverine.
Skobel managed to sell a small number of units to various mercenary outfits, para-military groups and corporate security units, but it never reached the point where the design would really be ‘profitable’, and it was then shelved for later use. Licenses for production were sold to minor businesses across the
Inner Sphere, but most of these companies used Bushman parts as spares for more common designs.
One group which bought the Bushman design and specs was Drakkonburn Enterprises, which was part of the Hanseatic League‘s creation. While their production numbers were small, Bushman were not uncommon in HDF and CDF.
Capabilities:
The Bushman is meant to be a cavalry / support BattleMech with average performance and a low-price point of entry, using simple parts that are easy to repair and easy to procure. Built using the same basic chassis design and myomer bundles as the 3 other common 55 ton ‘Mechs of the era (the Shadow Hawk, Griffin and Wolverine), the only part which could not easily be swapped between these designs and the Bushman was the cockpit.
Using a CoreTek 275 Engine, the Bushman can go 86kmph in a straight line while being able to jump the full 150 meters. It is decently protected with 9 and a half tons of standard compound armor, and 14 heat sinks keep it decently cool.
For weapons, the Bushman is equipped with a ‘gun-pod’ large laser, which the side of the head loads a 6-tubes SRM, resting on the shoulders of the BattleMech. The small ammo load of the SRM was decried by some, but Skobel originally believed it was sufficient.
Deployment:
The Bushman deployment history is strange, because mostly it is the history of the Griffin, Wolveirne and Shadow Hawk. The small number of them that were sold to the Star League quickly were used to fix the more common designs.
Even during the Succession Wars, whenever a production run of Bushman was released, it was purchased by the Successor States… to fix their existing machines. The few Bushman that reached the front lines did perform decently well.
During the Jihad, more corporate defense forces started purchasing Bushman in larger quantities, mostly because the Word of Blake was leaving Skobel mostly alone. Mercenary outfits also noticed this and did started enjoying some of the more modern versions of the Bushman.
Variants:
UPDATE: So I was told that Skobel didn’t ACTUALLY start on that whole Bushman thing in 2588 as I believed, but they had a darn Bushman out the door in 2481, using primitive technologies. It can only go 64kmph using an oversized 265 Fusion Engine, uses crappy primitive armor but A LOT of it (like, more than you would ever expect it to have). The main gun was a poorly-cooled Large Laser gun mount, while the shoulders already mounted a pair of 4-tubes SRMs, giving it decent punch. To be honest, AT THAT TECH LEVEL, this one is not so bad.
The first variant, the 3Hb, of the Bushman was intended to be sold to the Star League Royal Divisions in 2744. It was billed as more advanced and efficient version of their original design. As the Star League had NOT bought the original design to begin with, they were not very eager to get in on a modern, expensive and harder to maintain version of the Bushman. Still, a few test units were procured and were used during the Amaris Civil War, and a small number were taken during Operation EXODUS.
During the First Succession War, Skobel approached House Davion and offered them a new version of the Bushman that would “reflect their mentality” better. This 3D version features a pair of long-range 2-class autocannon in the gun mount, while the shoulders mount a pair of medium lasers. Even with its terrible reputation, the Federated suns preferred to keep buying the Blackjack instead.
The Hanseatic League had a number of Bushman in reserve, built by a local manufacturer. The 3HL model is a short range brawler and militia mech. The gun-mount has triple medium lasers for great short range punch, combined with shoulder mounted 4-tubes SRM. The opposite arm of the gun-mount mounts a pair of machine-guns similar to what you would have on a Stinger.
Later models
After the Clan Invasion, Skobel tried to sell the Bushman AGAIN, this time to the Draconis Combine. Using an endo-steel chassis and CASE, it replaces the main gun with an ER Large Laser for more range. The shoulder mounts can use both 6-tubes SRM or 10-rack MRM in an easy to swap module, targeting the DCMS introduction of these new missiles. A Guardian ECM improves the ‘Mechs electronic warfare capabilities. Sadly, the DCMS decides to invest into more Wolverines instead.
As the FedCom Civil War started, Skobel approached both sides of the fight with the 4A. A far more expensive and fancy model, this one packs a Large Pulse Laser in the gun mount for close range engagements, combined with 2, Artemis IV-guided SRM 6. The armor is replaced with ferro-fibrous to protect the new XL engine, while a sword is also carried. Still, nobody wanted to buy this new model outside mercenaries and specialist units.
Even LATER models
Skobel didn’t care who bought their products, they wanted to sell the Bushman. When the WoB militia called for new designs, they made the BSH-3C. Using an endo-steel chassis and Clan ferro-fibrous (along with a Clan grade CASE II), they made a machine that was too fancy for the WoB Militia and not fancy enough for the Shadow Divisions. It features C3i computer made by Apple. The gun-mount is from ER Large Laser, while the shoulder mount MML 5s able to shoot SRMs and LRMs. Against infantry, you also have a pair of Light Machine Guns.
Trying to still salvage the design, a Bushman with a Partial Wing was designed for the Republic of the Sphere. The gun-mount is equipped with a Large Re-Engineered Laser, while the shoulders have MML 5s. The body is made of endo-composite rather than endo-steel to keep costs “down”. A few of those were used during the Battle of Terra against Clan Wolf.
Speaking of Clan Wolf, as Alaric Ward needed to rebuild his Touman, Skobel approached him to, of course, sell him a new version of the Bushman. This one still features a Partial Wing, but the shoulder launchers are replaced with ATM-3s. A suite of Active Probe and ECM are also equippped to improve it’s EWAR capacities. For contingencies, the opposite arm to the gun mounts an ER Medium Laser and a Micro Pulse Laser against infantry.
Notable ‘Mechs & MechWarriors:
Bascoe’s Bushmen:
Captain Jerold Bascoe was a mercenary captain during the Second Succession War, working in the Periphery and border worlds of the Lyran Commonwealth and Draconis Combine. Bascoe used 3 Bushmen as command ‘mech for his company’s lances, while the rest of the unit was composed of smaller ‘Mechs. A lot of his clients wondered what was wrong with his Griffins. Bascoe disappeared at the end of the 2nd Succession War, nobody knowing where he went.
Demi-Precentor Talbot:
Demi-Precentor Talbot used a Bushman during the Battle of Tukayyid, against the counsel of his commanding officer. He had a surprising 1 kill of a Hellbringer OmniMech, along with 7 Battle Armors, before his ‘Mech was destroyed by a Summoner.
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Equipment Type Rating Mass
——————————————————————————–
Internal Structure: Standard 91 points 5.50
Engine: Fusion Engine 275 15.50
Walking MP: 5
Running MP: 8
Jumping MP: 5 Standard
Jump Jet Locations: 1 CT, 1 LT, 1 RT, 1 LL, 1 RL 2.50
Heat Sinks: Single Heat Sink 14 4.00
Heat Sink Locations: 1 LT, 2 RT
Gyro: Standard 3.00
Cockpit: Standard 3.00
Actuators: L: SH+UA+LA+H R: SH+UA+LA+H
Armor: Standard Armor AV – 152 9.50
Internal Armor
Structure Factor
Head 3 9
Center Torso 18 23
Center Torso (rear) 6
L/R Torso 13 19
L/R Torso (rear) 5
L/R Arm 9 14
L/R Leg 13 19
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Equipment Location Heat Critical Mass
——————————————————————————–
SRM-6 RT 4 2 3.00
SRM-6 LT 4 2 3.00
Large Laser RA 8 2 5.00
@SRM-6 (15) CT – 1 1.00
Free Critical Slots: 32
BattleForce Statistics
MV S (+0) M (+2) L (+4) E (+6) Wt. Ov Armor: 5 Points: 12
5j 2 2 0 0 2 0 Structure: 5
Special Abilities: SRCH, ES, SEAL, SOA, SRM 1/1/0
