MechForce United Kingdom

(Redirected from MFUK)

MechForce United Kingdom (MFUK) was a United Kingdom-based BattleTech fan organization that ran for roughly 14 years. It should not be confused with the original MechForce North America that is often referred to as simply "(the) MechForce".

MechForce UK[edit]

After the launch of the MechForce concept through MechForce North America, FASA also granted a license to the (distinct) UK national fan organization in 1987. MFUK was also open to players from continental Europe, even after the founding of MechForce Germany in 1993.

Despite a relatively small membership, the MFUK was very active across the United Kingdom and Europe, organizing chapters and battles among its members, attending gaming conventions worldwide, and hosting smaller conventions themselves. Their Comnet magazine ran for 47 issues.

Reportedly, Bob Nicholls effectively ran the MFUK single-handed, although other members did contribute to varying degrees. MFUK was in talks with WizKids to continue its license after FASA withdrew from the market in 2001. Unfortunately, due to declining membership numbers and Bob Nicholls' deteriorating health MFUK folded in 2001. The 47th and final issue of Comnet (mislabeled as a second "Issue 46") contains the parting words from Bob Nicholls' wife, announcing that Bob Nicholl had died and closing the doors on MechForce UK under the heading "Widow Tech".

Membership[edit]

MFUK membership numbers indicate that over 1190 people had joined at one time or another.

An annual membership fee was charged, for which the member received: a membership pack including a membership card, certificate of enrollment into their chosen faction's military, tournament rules of engagement, membership manual, and the quarterly Comnet magazine. Yearly membership 'Mechs were also presented and sometimes other small items such as posters.

Each member was encouraged to fight matches against other members and submit a pro forma record sheet of the battle to obtain a ranking within their chosen faction. Points were awarded for wins and opponents' 'Mechs destroyed or disabled. The ranks were displayed in issues of Comnet.

Within MFUK there was the opportunity for members to create their own regional based Chapters. Each Chapter had a unique name and required a minimum of four members, with one acting as a leader and point of contact. These Chapters did not have to be UK based; one Chapter, the B.C. Legion, was run by Randall N. Bills. Bob's own Chapter was known as The Mech Force.

Publications[edit]

MechForce UK was known as a prolific producer of merchandise, house rules, scenario packs and new 'Mech designs. Although arguably official, their publications were not checked for compliance with established canon and do not meet the criteria for canon in the BattleTech universe. As such, they can be regarded as apocryphal.

Books[edit]

Besides their magazine, MFUK published a range of (usually comb-bound) sourcebooks and record sheet books.

MFUK Out.jpg MFUK CF.jpg MFUK RS8.jpg MFUK RS10.jpg MFUK RS11.jpg MFUK RS14.jpg

MFUK 'Mechs[edit]

Ral Partha produced miniatures for a number of MFUK custom 'Mech designs. This misled many fans into falsely believing them to be canonical, though neither MFUK nor Ral Partha were technically in any position to add canonical content to the BattleTech universe.

These miniatures were based around components from other (canonical) 'Mechs, fitted together to produce new figures. For example, the Iron Bear had a Koshi torso on top of Mad Cat legs, with Mad Cat missile pods and arms from an Uller. With the death of Bob Nicolls the molds and licenses for these 'Mechs were offered for sale.

References[edit]

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