BattleMech Technical Readout
Name/Model: Tunderbolt ('The Jug') TDR - 5SL
Designer: shadow01
Source(s): Custom Mordel.Net Units
Technology: Inner Sphere
Technology Rating: D
Tonnage: 65
Role: Brawler
Configuration: Biped BattleMech
Era/Year: Succession Wars / 2864
Rules (Current): Introductory
Rules (Era): Introductory
Rules (Year): Introductory
Total Cost: 5,416,235 C-Bills
Battle Value: 1,407
Chassis: Earthwerks TDR
Power Plant: Magna 260
Walking Speed: 43.2 kph
Maximum Speed: 64.8 kph
Jump Jets: None
Jump Capacity: None
Armor: Ryerson 150
Armament:
1 Magna Hellstar PPC PPC
1 Delta Dart LRM 15
3 Diverse Optics Type 18 Medium Lasers
1 Olympian Flamer
Manufacturer: Earthwerks Limited
Primary Factory: Tikonov
Communications: Neil 8000
Targeting & Tracking: RCA Instatrac Mark IX
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Overview:
The Thunderbolt started production in 2491 as a planetary-assault 'Mech, and in fact was one
of the heaviest 'Mechs that could be produced at that time. Since then the 'Mech, known
affectionately as the T-Bolt or sometimes as the Thud, has had its classification changed as
larger 'Mechs were built.
With its varied arsenal, the Thunderbolt remains one of the best-armed 'Mechs, making it
capable of serving in many roles. It is also an incredibly well-armored 'Mech, rivaling or
exceeding the amount of armor carried by some assault 'Mechs. One downside to the armament
is poor heat management. The Thunderbolt is also noted for featuring an exceptionally roomy
cockpit.
The original TDR-1C Thunderbolt was the first BattleMech of Earthwerks Limited, as produced
from their new plant on Tikonov.
The TDR-5SL is a further downgraded refit and a factory model of the now impossible to build
model 5LS. The ER Large Laser and the Starfish Small Pulse Lasers were swapped for anPPC and
an Olympian Flamer used in the venerable Flea. The standard Delta Dart LRM-15 and the
Diverse Optics medium Lasers were retained. They are noticeably less accurate than the
original Lost T-Bolt-modell 5L's more advanced weapons. The Heatsinks remained standard
models, but were upped to sixteen. The heat management issues remained.
Production of even the 5SL started in 2870 and continued to the end of the Third Succession
War.
Capabilities:
The T-Bolt is a classical Brawler. A line unit, typically assigned to battle lances. They
may be slower than Skirmishers. However, they compensate for this with long-range weaponry
and more or heavier armor. Most often assigned to assault missions, they also serve to
protect the slower Juggernauts.
Considered poor performers in mobile or long-term battle scenarios, they do well in
defensive roles or assaults on geographic locations, such as fortresses. Their escort role
for Juggernauts can be reversed, with good effect upon similar enemy 'Mechs, especially when
paired up with one or two other Brawlers. They are also effective at forcing Snipers and
Missile boats from stationary positions and for holding the line against a charging enemy.
Because of its eclectic weapons mix, the Thunderbolt does not have just one primary weapon.
Its longest-range weapon is a Delta Dart LRM-15 missile launcher mounted in the left torso
fed by a two-ton reload bin in the center torso. Next in its long range arsenal is a Magna
hellstar PPC mounted in the right arm, which provides the Thunderbolt with respectable
medium to long-range firepower. As ranges close, the Thunderbolt is able to bring its three
Diverse Optics Type 18 medium lasers into play. All three medium lasers are mounted in the
left torso. Finally for anti-infantry work the Thunderbolt has oneOlympian Flamer in the
left arm.
While an impressive arsenal, the Achilles' heel of the Thunderbolt is its miserly sixteen
heat sinks which cannot cope with firing so many heat-intensive weapons. Thunderbolt pilots
must take extra care to manage their heat levels lest they shut down or cause their ammo to
cook off, and many will prefer to fight within bodies of water to better cool off their
'Mechs.
The thirteen tons of armor protecting the Thunderbolt, although no longer the most carried
on a 'Mech, is still impressive given the fact many current assault models sport less
protection than this ancient design. The thirteen and a half ton fusion engine powering the
Thunderbolt gives it a maximum speed of 64.8 km/h.
Variants:
Thera are no know variants or field modifications.
Notable MechWarriors:
Jia Yawen was raised alone by her mother, a MechWarrior in the Red Lancers. Yawen received
training in her mother's Thunderbolt TDR-5SL from an early age, resulting in intimate
familiarity with the machine. Yawen later piloted her mother's Mech, also serving in the
Lancers. She does not allow any but the best MechTechs to work on it.
For most of his career, Colonel Pavel Ridzik piloted the ancestral Thunderbolt of his family
that began service in the twenty-sixth century. It was downgraded to modified TDR-5SL
specifications by the time he took charge of it and had a Quickdraw's left arm grafted on in
2991. After Ridzik's assassination, his 'Mech passed to the Second Republican Guard.
Anatole Zaotski is a Mechwarrior in Hobarts Lance 2nd company, 1st battalion of the fourth
Tau Ceti Rangers. He`s piloting a Thunderbolt TDR-5SL in the raid of An Ting in October
3022. There he clashed with McKinnons Raiders of the 7th Crucris Lancers in the fight for
Depot 217.
Gabriel Quinn is a Captain in the 2nd Battalion of Freemont's Cuirassiers of the Sarn
Reserves and pilots a T-Bolt TDR-5SL. She was born 2980 on Ingersoll. Once the most
decorated of all Capellan lance commanders, the Mechwarrior defied orders in 3013, when she
was in the Red Lancers and part of a company-sized death squad, which hit the planet Truth
to massacre between 3.000 and up o 50.000 men, women, and children of religious dissidents
on March 25, 3013. When the real nature of the raid on the city of Baxter became clear,
Quinn refused to open fire on the civilian population. She also refused to believe the
hastily manufactured intelligence report that Baxter’s inhabitants were Davion
subversives. As a result of her humanitarian stand and insubordination, Quinn was imprisoned
on Ridzik’s order and languished on a Capellan prison world for two years.
She is a political nonentity who narrowly escaped death by the last-minute intervention of
Tormana Liao. In consideration of her previous record as a junior officer, Quinn was
released and returned to active duty, but has been banished to the outermost border of the
Sarna Commonality tothe planet Johnathan.
In the decade since her release, Quinn has managed to keep a low profile politically, while
secretly ecruiting active anti-Liaoists. She continues outwardly to serve the Capellan
state, while inwardly looking for a chance to cause harm to House Liao by whatever means
present themselves. She is a bright, energetic woman with a flair for the daring. Quinn has
received the Liao Sunburst of Gallantry (3002), the Liao Grand Cordon of Merit (3004), the
Liao Cluster of Conspicuous Heroism (3010), and seven citations for wounds received un-
der enemy fire. She is a very skillful weapons repair technician.
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Equipment Mass
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Internal Structure: Standard 6.50
Engine: 260 Fusion 13.50
Walking MP: 4
Running MP: 6
Jumping MP: 0
Heat Sinks (Single): 16 6.00
Gyro: Standard 3.00
Cockpit: Standard 3.00
Armor Factor: 208 13.00
Type: Standard
Internal Armor
Structure Value
Head: 3 9
Center Torso: 21 30
Center Torso (rear): 11
R/L Torso: 15 24
R/L Torso (rear): 6
R/L Arm: 10 20
R/L Leg: 15 29
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Weapons and Ammo Location Critical Tonnage
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LRM 15 (Ammo 16) CT 2 2.00
LRM 15 LT 3 7.00
3 Medium Lasers LT 3 3.00
PPC RA 3 7.00
Flamer LA 1 1.00
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Alpha Strike Statistics
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Point Value (PV): 36
TP: BM, SZ: 3, TMM: 1, MV: 8"
Damage: (S) 2 / (M) 3 / (L) 2, OV: 1
Armor (A): 7, Structure (S): 5
Specials: IF1
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