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Hunchback

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Hunchback
Hunchback
Production information
Manufacturer Colonial Tractors[1]
Coventry Metal Works
Kali Yama Weapons Industries
Komiyaba/Nissan General Industries
Norse-Storm BattleMechs
Production Year 2572[2][3]
Model HBK-4G
Class Medium
Cost 3,467,875 C-bills
Technical specifications
Mass 50 tons
Chassis Komiyaba Type VIII
Armor Starshield
Engine Nissan 200
Communications System Omicron 4002 Networking Channel
Targeting Tracking System TRSS Eagle Eye
Heat Sinks 13
Speed 64.8 km/h
Armament
BV (1.0) 851
BV (2.0) 1,037[3]


1,041[4][5]


Description

The Hunchback is a respected and feared Reunification War-era street fighter that has been in production since its introduction in 2572. Built for urban combat and close range brawling, this BattleMech has the heavy armor and weaponry to stand up against any foe in the dense cover of a city environment. Its heavy armament does come at a cost: a relatively slow speed of 64.8 km/h and lack of jump jets. In the open, the Hunchback's lack of long-range weapons makes it little more than a slow moving target.[2][3]

Weapons and Equipment

The primary weapon on the Hunchback is a Tomodzuru Autocannon Mount Type 20 which can strip one and a quarter tons of armor off an enemy 'Mech in a single blow. This is paired with two Ichiba 2000 Medium Lasers and a Diverse Optics Type 10 Small Laser. All of the weapons carried by the Hunchback make it a devastating opponent at close range.[6]

Variants

  • HBK-2 
    Described as a venerable Star League-era model, this version of the Hunchback was the basis from which the Clans developed the Hunchback IIC[7] (see below).
  • HBK-4H 
    One of many variants, the 4H Hunchback is a modification of the design that uses a lighter Autocannon/10 and adds an additional two Medium Lasers. This modification increases the Hunchback's long range striking capability at the expense of raw firepower. BV (1.0) = 850, BV (2.0) = 1,067
  • HBK-4J 
    This variant changes the 'Mech's focus from short range combat to fire support by removing the Autocannon/20 and replacing it with two LRM-10 launchers and three additional Medium Lasers. This variant can act as a bodyguard 'Mech for fire support lances without degrading the mission of those lances because of its mix of LRMs and Medium Lasers. BV (1.0) = 853, BV (2.0) = 1,143[8]
  • HBK-4N 
    The 4N variant combines the qualities of the 4H and 4J. The main weapons are an Autocannon/5 and a pair of LRM-5 launchers. This makes the 4N capable of direct fire and indirect fire support. Additionally, two Medium Lasers have been added to the design. BV (1.0) = 843, BV (2.0) = 1,087[9]
  • HBK-4P 
    Also called the Swayback due to its less-exaggerated torso, the 4P Hunchback is modified to carry only energy weapons. The Autocannon/20 was replaced with six additional Medium Lasers. In order to handle the incredibly high heat load, the 'Mech has twenty three heat sinks. While this may seem like a downgrade of the design, the combined firepower of all eight Medium Lasers can do twice as much damage as the Autocannon they replaced. BV (1.0) = 960, BV (2.0) = 1,138[10]
  • HBK-4SP 
    The 4SP variant replaces the Autocannon with two SRM-6 launchers. These missile launchers provide the 'Mech with a great deal of damage capability at close range, but they do not have the same raw power as the original Autocannon/20. The 'Mech also has four Medium Lasers as secondary weapons. BV (1.0) = 854, BV (2.0) = 1,043[11]
  • HBK-5H 
    The 5H Hunchback is a Periphery upgrade of the basic design. The Small Laser was removed as well as one and a half tons of armor and three Rocket Launcher 20s were added to the design, giving it an incredible amount of close range striking capability. BV (1.0) = 901, BV (2.0) = 1,097[12]
  • HBK-5M 
    Utilising locally produced components such as the Kali Yama Big Bore autocannon and Hellion-V medium lasers, the Kali Yama-produced 5M Hunchback is a simple upgrade of the original 4G model that first saw production in 3046. The most notable changes saw the heat sinks upgraded to double-strength models, while the Small Laser has been upgraded to a Sunglow Prism-Optic Small Pulse Laser, and CASE has been added to protect against ammunition explosions. The extra weight required to add the newer systems forced Kali Yama to reduced ammunition storage to a single ton of reloads, making it unpopular with MechWarriors and spawning the unofficial HBK-5N variant. BV (1.0) = 932, BV (2.0) = 1,054[13]
  • HBK-5N 
    A very simple FWLM field upgrade of the lackluster 5M Hunchback, the 5N model simply downgrades the pulse laser back to a Small Laser and removes the CASE to carry an extra ton of reloads, retaining the double heat sinks. [13] BV (1.0) = 903, BV (2.0) = 1,041[14]
  • HBK-5SG 
    A prototype that never saw full production, the 5SG trades out the autocannon and Small Laser of the 5S for a Gauss Rifle and Guardian ECM Suite. The addition of Stealth Armor makes this Hunchback a long-range sniper that is difficult to hit. A Compact Gyro is used to make room for all of the equipment. [13] BV (2.0) = 1,577[14]
  • HBK-5SS 
    Produced by Norse-Storm, the 5SS is an upgrade to the Swayback. Based on the chassis of the 5S, it carries two MML 9s fed by three tons worth of ammunition. Three ER Medium Lasers and an ER Small Laser provide added close range damage potential. The use of a Heavy-Duty Gyro protects this fragile piece of equipment from damage. [13] BV (2.0) = 1,342[14]
  • HBK-6N 
    Kali Yama's response to the complaints about the lack of AC/20 ammunition that spawned the ad hoc 5N field refit, the 6N removes three extra double heat sinks and replaces them with three more tons of reloads. [13] BV (1.0) = 898[17] (Note that this variant is described in Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade, but is not present in the accompanying record sheets.). BV (2.0) = 1,130[14]
  • HBK-7X-4 
    This failed factory experimental variant of the Hunchback was developed by Kali Yama Weapons Industries of Kalidasa. Only four prototypes were produced in 3065, but no orders were placed for it. This experimental version of the 'Mech included CASE II, a Torso-Mounted Cockpit, Armored Gyro, and was built using a Reinforced Structure. The 'Mech was protected by 9 tons of Ferro-Fibrous Armor, and its armored and reinforced components enhanced its battlefield survivability. It was armed with a single Class 10 Ultra Autocannon carrying two tons of ammo. However, the design was considered too expensive for the reduction in firepower. BV (2.0) = 1,208[18]
  • HBK-7R 
    Designed for the Republic of the Sphere, this Hunchback is based on the HBK-7X-4. Unlike that unit however, the 7R uses a Standard Cockpit and lacks the Armored Gyro. The Reinforced Structure and CASE II systems remain, as does the Ultra AC/10 and arm-mounted ER Medium Lasers. Unlike the experimental model, this Hunchback carries ten tons of Light Ferro-Fibrous armor for protection, incorporates TAG in the head, and carries a Guardian ECM Suite to interfere with enemy electronics. BV (2.0) = 1,248[19]

Custom Variants

  • HBK-4G Hunchback Hohiro 
    Assigned Jerrar's 'Mech after his retirement from the Sabres, when piloted by Hohiro Utsonomiya during the Jihad it was refitted with post-Clan Invasion technology. The addition of an Endo steel chassis and Ferro-Fibrous armor frees up weight to swap the standard AC/10 for an Ultra Autocannon/10, retaining the two ton ammo bay, carrying standard production grade Medium Pulse Lasers in the arms and a ER Small Laser in the head, adding a C3 Slave in the center torso. [21]

Notable Pilots

Related BattleMechs

  • Hunchback IIC - The Hunchback was one of the 'Mechs taken with the Star League Defense Force on their exodus from the Inner Sphere. Eventually, the Hunchback was upgraded with Clan technology and the Hunchback IIC was created. However, rather than a powerful street fighter, the Hunchback IIC mounts only thin armor and little ammunition, instead concentrating on bringing as many big guns to bear. While this may seem to be poor planning, this all-or-nothing approach is perfect for the Hunchback IIC's designed role: the glorious last stand, death, or revitalization of an aging or underperforming Clan warrior. BV (1.0) = 1,524, BV (2.0) = 1,679
  • Quasimodo - The Quasimodo was developed as a replacement for the Hunchback in 3145.[22]

Design Quirks

The HBK-7R Hunchback variant is subject of the following Design Quirks:[19]

Gallery

  • HBK-4G Hunchback

  • HBK-5M Hunchback

  • HBK-5M Hunchback

  • HBK-7X-4 Hunchback with experimental equipment

  • HBK-4G Hunchback

References

  1. ↑ Field Manual: 3145, p. 189, "Fronc Reaches"
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Technical Readout: 3025, p. 58
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Technical Readout: 3039, p. 136
  4. ↑ Record Sheets: 3039, p. 124
  5. ↑ Master Unit List: Hunchback HBK-46
  6. ↑ Introductory Record Sheets, p. 13
  7. ↑ Technical Readout: 3058, p.168
  8. ↑ Record Sheets: 3039, p. 126
  9. ↑ Record Sheets: 3039, p. 127
  10. ↑ Record Sheets: 3039, p. 128
  11. ↑ Record Sheets: 3039, p. 129
  12. ↑ Master Unit List: Battle Values, p. 110
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 13.5 13.6 Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade, p. 58
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 14.5 Master Unit List: Battle Values, p. 111
  15. ↑ Record Sheets: Upgrades, p. 85
  16. ↑ Record Sheets: Upgrades, p. 86
  17. ↑ Heavy Metal Pro
  18. ↑ Experimental Technical Readout: Corporations p. 4 - Experimental Hunchback.
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Technical Readout: Prototypes, p. 109
  20. ↑ Starterbook: Sword and Dragon, p. 41, 95
  21. ↑ Starterbook: Sword and Dragon, p. 108
  22. ↑ Technical Readout: 3145 Free Worlds League, p. 30

Bibliography

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