The VB-43 is an offshoot of the RX-7. The VB-43 however has many design flaws that are not found in Giovanni-made mecha. The VB-43 has a bad tendency to overheat. Also its cooling system is poorly protected by its external armor. The design has been tested extensively and is basically good, it was nevertheless abandonned by the Ishtarians in favor of the more reliable and deadly Octotanks. The VB-43 are still used on the Ishtarian/Aphrodia border.
The main difference between the RX-7s and the VB-43 is the standard armament built into its frame. The Plasma ejectors and machineguns are of typical Ishtarian design: big, bulky and physically impressive.
The VB-43's flaws are known to its pilots and most of their opponents.
Model
VB-43
Crew
One, but can fit one passenger in extremely cramped condition
MDC by Location
Head *
40
Upper Arms (2)
100 each
Forearm Shields (2)
150 each
Hands (2) *
30 each
Legs (2)
120 each
Cooling Unit **
50
Reinforced Pilot Compartment
100
Main Body
200
**: Destroying the cooling unit forces the pilot to shut down the mecha immediately or have the mecha burst into a ball of fire within 2d6 melee rounds. In space, the mecha can function indefinitly even without cooling unit.
Speed
Running
50mph, however maintaining top speed for more than 2 hours will have the cooling unit destroyed. Cruising speed of 35mph can be maintained indefinitly.
Flying (space)
300mph the cold of space allow this speed to be maintained indefinitely
Height
27ft
Weight
20 tons
Main Engine
Nuclear (Fusion Reactor)
Weapons Systems
1- Forearm Plasma Ejector
Purpose
Assault
Mega-Damage
4d6 Wide shot (affects 2d6 target in a forward arc) or 2d6x10 per concentrated blast
Rate of Fire
Up to three times per melee round
Payload
Effectively unlimited, but firing more than 10 times within a minute (4 rounds), causes 2d6 points of damage to the cooling unit.
