V5.00ˆLocustLCT-5Pû  +%SCC AAÀ@ML 1 1 2 1 1— 6 x  4Magna Firestar   444   âÿ0Ú The Gooney Bird, or the LCT-1P, was always considered a bit of a boondoggle by Achenar Battlemechs. However, with the recent discovery of the Star League memory core, some enterprising engineers looked at the Marik revised Locust, and decided to try and apply some advanced technology to the Gooney Bird, to perhaps make it a viable threat to the Clans. In this, they had amazing success, turning the once mocked "Gooney Bird" into an amazingly tough and light sniper. In turning back to the original Locust's purpose, the engineers first replaced the engine with a 160 XL model. Though bulkier, there was no ammunition risk with just the PPC as a weapon. Then, they used endosteel for the chassis, giving the Gooney Bird a more streamlined appearance, particularly when combined with the ferro-fibrous armor. Double heat sinks were used to help dissipate heat, and a mammoth ER PPC replaced the older model, negating the minimum range problems and allowing the Gooney Bird to snipe from all ranges.Ë The new Gooney Birds quickly saw action, as the 2nd F-C RCT was in action against the Jade Falcons in a border skirmish. Recognizing the "Gooney Birds" from their intel data, they completely underestimated the mechs, until several advanced PPC blasts disabled two clan Dashers. When they knew the fight was on, the remaining mechs of the recon Star attempted to battle against the striker company, but were swarmed by the more heavily-armored Gooneys. 8 In 3064, some members of the NAIS experimented with placing an advanced targeting computer inside one of the Gooney Birds. Though this required the removal of a fair amount of armor, the reduction of speed didn't merit the conversion, at least to the design team, and production of the LCT-3P was continued.êLeftenant Allison Edwards The inheritor of the "Albatross", one of the first Gooney Birds ever created, Leftenant Edwards was the recepient of one of the upgraded Gooneys when the Jade Falcons destroyed her mech on Twycross. Now back with the Fifth F-C RCT, Alison leads her strike lance with style and panache, often faking her speeds to look like an unmodified Gooney until the timing is right to ambush her opponents. This trick worked well against the Clans on several occasions.à The new, improved Gooney Bird is currently being mass produced by Achenar, the line revitalized as it is shipped not only to the Federated Commonwealth units, but also the Draconis Combine and select mercenaries as well.ŠFrom TRO 3025, entered by Thom Distribution from RS 3025/3026, entered by Josh Helton, aka Maverick. Modified by Malakim - 3/2/2004 [ none ]Achernar BattleMechs New AvalonLTV 1/Star Slab Bergan VII Garret T-10BO/P 911 (Unknown)