Flashman

Flashman
Flashman
Production information
Manufacturer Defiance Industries[1]

Renault-Prime[1]

Production Year 2701[2]
Model FLS-8K[1]
Class Heavy
Cost 17,831,624 C-bills
Technical specifications
'Mech type Inner Sphere BattleMech
Mass 75 tons
Chassis FLS/HV-1
Armor Kemplar 5000
Engine GM 375 XL
Communications System Faust/Calliope FM-4 (Defiance);

Duoteck 195 (R-P)

Targeting Tracking System TharHes Ares-7 (Defiance);

Faust/Shinji AT/TS (R-P)

Heat Sinks 15 double
Speed 86 km/h
Armament
BV (1.0) 1,409[3]
BV (2.0) 1,779[1][4]


Description[edit]

The Flashman is an underrated heavy 'Mech, commonly called a "flashbulb" by MechWarriors for its heavy-energy configuration. The Flashman, which was first introduced in 2701, is a 'Mech that is capable of engaging an enemy for extended periods of time with little resupply. This made it one of the most prized 'Mechs in a commander's arsenal during the Star League and saw heavy use by line regiments, typically in a "fire brigade" role for heavy and assault lances. During advances it would stay to the rear to protect against ambushes and provide fire support for its lancemates.[5][6]

Towards the end of the Star League, several divisions had battalions composed of nothing but Flashmans, and thanks to its popularity these 'Mechs saw frequent use on the front lines. When the League dissolved, the design spread amongst the Successor States but fewer than 500 Flashmans were still operational at the start of the First Succession War. Their heavy use during this fighting saw many destroyed and production of new 'Mechs abruptly stopped in 2796 when Renault-Prime Industries on Wasat was destroyed. The Flashman was saved from extinction thanks to Defiance Industries, which was able to acquire the schematics and produced a downgraded version at their Hesperus II plant.[4][7]

Thanks to the fact that they owned the only remaining Flashman factory and could replace their combat losses, the Lyran Commonwealth remained the largest user of Flashman 'Mechs throughout the Succession Wars, at least until the unveiling of the Com Guards. ComStar also supplied examples of downgraded Flashmans to the Draconis Combine as part of Operation Rosebud. Following the recovery of the Helm Memory Core, Defiance Industries was able to restart production of original-model Flashman 'Mechs in the 3050s and built new variants for ComStar. After the Word of Blake seized control of Defiance Industries they also produced new variants which were supplied to their Militia for the Jihad.[4][7]

Defiance returned to Lyran control after the Jihad, following the collapse of the Republic of the Sphere which resulted in a cornucopia of buyers hungry for cutting-edge 'Mechs. Defiance would update the Flashman with Clan-tech weaponry to allow it to survive against any foe of equal weight, either Inner Sphere or Clan.[8]

Weapons and Equipment[edit]

The primary weapons on the Flashman are three Selitex Radonic Large Lasers mounted in the right arm, left arm, and center torso. These are backed up by five Ichiba 3000 medium lasers, one mounted in each arm coaxial to the large lasers, one in each side torso, and one which is mounted in the rear of the 'Mech to ward off attackers. The Flashman also carries a Buzzsaw anti-missile system with one ton of ammo in the right torso to defend against missile attacks and a Zippo Mark X anti-personnel flamer in the head, to deter infantry attacks.[5][6] Clan Invasion era models used more alternate components but otherwise matched the specs of the Star League version.[4]

The use of a Faust/Shinji AT/TS targeting-tracking system gives the Flashman a level of accuracy few can match, while fifteen double heat sinks give it an effective heat management system. The 'Mech is also notable for using an extralight engine which makes it fast for its size, though not at the expense of protection thanks to thirteen and a half tons of armor.[5][6]

Variants[edit]

  • FLS-7K 
    A far cry from the fast and deadly 8K Flashman, the 7K model is a downgraded version that was produced by Defiance Industries in 2796 after the destruction of the Renault-Prime factories, using a blueprint that was acquired prior to the factory’s destruction. The advanced extralight engine was no longer being produced though, and with a standard Vlar 300 the design now has a top speed of only 64.8 km/h. In addition, the center torso laser and AMS was also removed and the double heat sinks replaced with standard versions. The design now carries two arm-mounted Thunderbolt A5M large lasers, five Defiance B3M medium lasers and a Coventry Volcano flamer. Surprisingly, the armor protection has not been sacrificed in any way, which has resulted in the 7K being more durable than the SLDF version due to its lack of an XL engine. The 7K used the Faust/Calliope FM-4 communications system and the TharHes Ares-7 targeting and tracking system.[1][7] Following the reintroduction of the 8K production of this model ceased.[4] BV (1.0) = 1,192[9], BV (2.0) = 1,480[10]
  • FLS-9C 
    The 9C, a complete overhaul of the Flashman produced by Defiance Industries for ComStar in 3061, carries three ER large lasers, four medium pulse lasers, a medium laser, and an improved C3 computer. In order to accomplish this, the armor on the design has been upgraded to ferro-fibrous and the 'Mech now has an Endo Steel chassis.[1] BV (1.0) = 1,393[12][13], BV (2.0) = 1,779[11]
  • FLS-9M 
    This second Word of Blake variant, introduced in 3070 and built for House Marik forces loyal to the Blakists, is less flashy than the 9B but still effective. Like that variant, the 9M utilizes an Endo Steel chassis and a Light Engine, although it is a smaller engine with a top speed of 64 km/h to enable this Flashman to mount paired Heavy PPCs. Unfortunately its heat dissipation system is strained to the limit just to keep up with the powerful cannons. Up close, four medium lasers and four medium pulse lasers deliver withering firepower, while the addition of a Small Laser seems an afterthought.[1] BV (1.0) = ??, BV (2.0) = 1,895[11]
  • FLS-10E 
    Intended to bring the 'Mech up to the highest possible standards, during the final years of the Dark Age era Defiance would refit the Flashman with a fully Clan-tech weapons array[8] - a Clan ER Large Laser in each arm and the center torso supported by a Clan ER medium laser in each arm, forward facing in each side torso, as well as an additional one rear-facing in the left torso. A Clan ER small laser is in the head and an Inner Sphere-grade anti-missile system and single ton of CASE II-protected ammo round the 'Mech out. Built upon an Inner Sphere-grade Endo Steel frame and a shell of Reflective Armor, eighteen IS Double Heat Sinks and a Clan-grade 375 XL Engine fitted with a Supercharger allows the 10E to rapidly close and overwhelm any foe quickly. BV (2.0) = 3,349[14]
  • FLS-C 
    Produced by the Draconis Combine in 3063, this variant was based on the 8K models they received as part of Operation Rosebud. The only difference with this variant is the removal of the flamer to carry a C3 slave unit.[1] BV (1.0) = ??, BV (2.0) = 1,774[11]

Design Quirks[edit]

The Flashman has the following Design Quirk:[15]

Notable Pilots[edit]

Notes[edit]

  • In German products, the unit's proper name was altered to Feuerteufel, which instead means as Fire Devil. The model code was accordingly changed to FRT-8L.

Gallery[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 Technical Readout: Succession Wars, pp. 140–141: "FLS-8K Flashman"
  2. ↑ MUL online date for the Flashman
  3. ↑ Combat Operations, p. 129
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 Technical Readout: 3050 Upgrade, p. 215
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Technical Readout: 2750, p. 44-45
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Technical Readout: 3025 Revised, p. 92-92
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 Technical Readout: 3039, p. 272-273
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 24, p. 12 "Flashman"
  9. ↑ Combat Operations, p. 131
  10. ↑ Record Sheets: 3039, p. 159
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 Master Unit List: Battle Values, p. 96
  12. ↑ Combat Operations, p. 123
  13. ↑ Record Sheets: Upgrades, p. 126
  14. ↑ Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 24, p. 25, "Flashman FLS-10E"
  15. ↑ BattleMech Manual, p. 91 Design Quirk Table - Flashman Entry.

Bibliography[edit]

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