"Red" Reviews: Hatchetman HCT-6D

Name: Hatchetman HCT-6D

Mech Class: Medium

Weight: 45 Tons

Tech Base: Inner Sphere

Primary Manufacturer:
Federated Suns (House Davion)

Olympiad Mechwarrior:
Sam "Mayday" Malone (Mitch)

Description:
Introduced in 3023 during the Succession Wars, the Hatchetman was a very unique 'Mech because, as its name suggests, it carries a 'Mech sized Hatchet. As well as being the first design to carry one, the Hatchetman itself was the first totally new BattleMech produced in the Inner Sphere in over a century, and was also the first production 'Mech to use a Full-Head Ejection System. Despite being first manufactured in the Lyran Commonwealth, the Hatchetman was actually designed by Dr. Banzai of the Federated Suns' New Avalon Institute of Science. Popular in both realms, following its selection as one of the standard 'Mechs of the Federated Commonwealth and with Defiance Industries unable to keep up with the increased demand for it during the Clan Invasion, the company licensed its production to Johnston Industries to supply units in Davion space.

The Hatchetman's heavier than usual weapons payload and Hatchet, combined with its jumping capability of up to one hundred and twenty meters, makes the design a monster within the confines of a city. While nearly unmatched in this niche, the Hatchetman fares less well on open terrain.

Armament: 
The 6D Hatchetman is a variant with a decidedly Davion flair. The 'Mech is powered by an extralight engine that propels the 'Mech up to speeds of up to 86.4 km/h and can jump up to one hundred and fifty meters. The 'Mech is armed with a Mydron Tornado Rotary Autocannon/5 as its primary weapon. This is backed up by a trio of Diverse Optics ER Medium Lasers and, for protection against electronic warfare systems, it has a Guardian ECM Suite.


Saffron's Analysis:  
Not a terrible design, it has a couple of features I really like.  The Rotary Autocannon is a new favorite of mine.  Having a Hatchet is always a boon in the confines of Solaris.

However there are two things that keep this mech from getting a higher rating.  First the XL engine, necessary evil, but make the mech more vulnerable to torso hits.  Second is the small ammo bin for the rotary.  In a Duel the 40 rounds would be enough, but in the Olympiad, that bin might be empty if the Hatchetman is one of the last remaining mechs.


Rating: 7 of 10





Tech Readout:
http://www.mordel.net/tro.php?a=vt&cat=Upgrades&id=1142