Bezugnehmend auf die bekannten Umbauten von MechForce UK wurde nach dem Ende von FASA (2000/2001) mit Delph vom damaligen Hamburger Fantasy Shop "Haus der Fantasie" ein Projekt initiert in dem das Ziel war weiter Nachschub für BattleTech-Fans zu generieren.
Aufbauend auf der Arbeit von Delph erschienen zeitnah zehn Modelle, die dann über den Shop auf mechforce.de vertrieben wurden.

Das folgende Modell stammt aus diesem Projekt, welches mit den Bekanntgaben zu MechWarrior Dark Age bzw. Classic BattleTech beendet wurde.

Catapult CPLT-K2

Technical Readout

Overview:
The CPLT-C1 Catapult was produced by Hollis Incorporated in a limited production run between 2561 and 2563 under a special military contract with the Star League. It was officially classified as a close-support vehicle, designed as a second-line defense with strong offensive capabilities.
Early models of the Catapult were equipped with no close support weapons, but the most current versions carry four medium lasers for close support.

Capabilities:
The Catapult is equipped with the reliable Holly missile systems, in this case mounting two racks of 15 LRMs each. This gives the Catapult a range of nearly 630 meters, capable of destroying an enemy from a long distance without risking opposing fire.
On those occasions when the ´Mech is engaged at close range, it is more than able to defend itself with its four Martell medium lasers. The ´Mech does lack an effective anti-infantry defense system, however, because it was designed as a second-line fire-support system. Also, its lack of manipulative hands is a drawback in close combat situations.
The Anderson Propulsion 21 jump jets have been a problem for the Catapult ever since their installation. If used extensively, the system tends to break its conductive housing. This in turn vents some of the jet exhaust directly into the ´Mechs interior, leading to overheating. In 2566, the Star League Quartermaster Corps ordered a recall, but many units never came in to receive the replacement systems. Some models are therefore equipped with an Anderson Propulsion 25, which does not share the same design difficulties.
The ´Mech´s emergency pilot escape system is a side-firing escape hatch instead of the very common roof hatch system. This can cause some damage to the MechWarrior, but is generally considered safer overall in an emergency situation.

Battle History
With the fall of Star League, many Catapults disappeared with General Kerensky. Those remaining were mainly with the Capellan Confederation, where Hollis Incorporated was manufacturing them on the planet Corey. At the time war broke out, the facility was geared more for a newer model and for repair parts. Though a massive bombing attack all but leveled the facilities, many Catapults were still in the hands of House Liao.
House Davion made an attempt to capture a Liao arsenal containing several Catapults on the planet Ward during the autumn of 2904. After a number of long and drawn out battles, Davion eventually took several badly damaged Catapults for their own forces.
In 2934, House Marik attacked Hsien within the Capellan Confederation, hoping to secure the world´s freshwater supplies. Defending were several Catapults stationed on Hsien with Liao´s 15th Dracon in a defensive action against the Marik aggressors. Piloting a Catapult, Lieutenant Martin Davis led a command lance for the 15th Dracon against the Marik aggressors. His Mech´s jump capabilities combined with its long-range fire support allowed Martin to hold the attacking force at bay for several days of fighting outside the village of Transe. He also discovered the inherent difficulties of the Anderson 21 jump jets when his overheated several times in combat.
House Steiner once possessed several Catapults, as they were attached to the Skye Rangers 4th Regiment based on the Lyran Commonwealth planet Deia. In 2990, Redjack Ryan led a daring raid on Deia, catching the 4th Regiment off guard. One of the Catapults was destroyed, another was scrapped for parts after the battle, and yet another is still unaccounted for. This tends to support a report that Redjack Ryan has a functional Catapult in his arsenal.
One of the few known House Kurita Catapults was engaged in the battles for the planet Hoff against House Davion, where they lost the Mech. The Draconis Combine has one Catapult assigned to Brion´s Legion, but no others are reported with any regular Kurita unit.

Variants
There were several different production runs of the Catapult, and these produced two variations of the Mech. Most common of these is a Catapult with two Holly LRM-20s and nearly double the ammunition, but with only two Magna small lasers for defense and close support.
Another version was created by House Kurita technicians, who modified the basic Holly chassis as well as armor placement. The weaponry has also been changed to make the Mech more of a close combat system. The Kurita variant has five more heat sinks, two PPCs, twin machine guns, and two medium lasers. Despite this, the Catapults lack of hands makes it better at fire support than at close-range combat.

Notable Mechs & MechWarriors
Lieutenant Conan Davis
Son of Martin Davis, Lieutenant Conan Davis is currently assigned to his father´s alma mater, the 15th Dracon. After Martin Senior died from wounds received in battle, his Mech was passed to his oldest son Conan. The Catapult is a standard model, but its left torso armor has some severe damage. The engine also has chronic difficulties, and the Mech suffers from the flawed jump jet design. As commander of a heavy recon lance, Lieutenant Davis has nevertheless proved his own skill and that of his Catapult in the battles for Gan Singh against House Marik forces.

MechWarrior Walter Finney
Walter is currently assigned to House Davion´s Syrtis Fusiliers 5th Regiment. His Catapult is in perfect running order, despite much action seen in several campaigns against Kurita along the northern front of the planet Breed. Initially a member of the Dispossessed assigned to the infantry, Finney was fortunate enough to discover a battered but salvageable Catapult during the fighting near Galatia. His prowess in combat has since earned him respect from enemies and friends.

Deployment
As a member of the attack lance of the 21st Centauri Lancers, Janice has won a reputation as a cold-blooded killer who will risk much to win a battle. Because she will plunge into combat against any odds, her Mech is in constant need of repair. In her favor, however, is the fact that her Mech is equipped with the Anderson 25 jet propulsion system and thus is not plagued with overheating the way many other Catapults are.