MI-3 Taipan

The MI-3 Taipan is a versatile and robust mechanized infantry unit designed by PXE to act as a frontline infantry unit that could have the flexibility of a normal soldier or hardsuit, but have the firepower of a light tank or mechanized unit. They are somehwat expensive, but when deployed, they can turn the tide of a battle.

Spoiler:

The MI-3 Taipan is armed with a HARC-5 on its right hand and an ARC-2 on its right wrist. The HARC-5 can provide heavy fire support in the form of an extremely powerful rotary cannon. It can tear right through shields and armor within seconds. The ARC-2 can be used to cut down enemy infantry forces.  

Spoiler:

On the left hand is a FT-4, a massive long-range and long-duration flamethrower that can be used to destroy hordes of enemy troops and/or vehicles. It can also melt through armor or be used as a close-range melee weapon. The left wrist is equipped with a grappling hook which can be used for climbing. These drill through the outer layer of the climbing surface, making it very versatile in any environment.  

Spoiler:

The back of the MI-3 contains two rockets, which are, in this case, AGM-4's, to take out large amounts of infantry or armored/mechanized units at once. These can be switched with other missiles.  

Spoiler:

MI-3's are often deployed as elite units, but are commonly seen on the battlefield as well. They are equipped with advanced sensory and communications equipment which is essential for recon work. Jump jets are also mounted on the Taipan, allowing it to jump higher or be used for atmospheric drop. The Taipan's motors and servos are nearly silent and highly advanced, allowing it to avoid detection in addition to moving quickly and flexibly through any environment.  

Specifications:  

Model: MI-3 Taipan
Manufacturer: PXE
Produced: 2605 - present
Cost: 5100 SPXC  

Affiliation: PXE Army
In service: 2605 - present
Roles: infantry support, reconnaissance, advanced infantry, drop troop, anti-armor (limited), urban specialist (but pretty much any environment its needed in, it can be operated in), anti-air (limited)


Armaments:
x1 HARC-5
x1 ARC-2
x1 FT-4
x2 AGM-4's
grappling hook

Defenses:
0.9 cm - 1.8 cm absorbic armor
0.2 cm hyperthermal armor
0.2 cm hypothermal armor

ASG-2
HTSG-2
DSG-1 prototype

Communications:
FIS-XXX
DIS-XXX
SIS-XXX
CIS-1
CIS-2
CIS-3
CCIS

Intelligent Systems:
PANS

Maximum Speed: 60 km/h (approx. 37 mph)

Powerplant: LBMCEG-1

Lxf:

The idea of using the chicken walker style legs and not normal legs came from a MOC I found. The head's "unique" appearance I got (the idea not design) from a MOC also.  

I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. I love the weapons, especially the flamethrower, though I'm not really happy with the missiles. I also really like the communications array and the leg joints.  

-PXR

I'm not so sure about the leg design, but the actual detail on them is absolutely stunning! The mech is overall extremely detailed and well designed; I absolutely love it!

@Tetra: Thanks! Glad you like it? And if you mean the joints of the legs (connectors) than I definitely know what you mean. Still need to think of a way to better armor them.

NICE...  but "to take out large amounts of... armored/mechanized units at once." THAT IS INSANELY OP! :p Anyways, it's still a really good build! I like the design!

@Dino: Not necessarily the largest ones. And plus, the scorching shrapnel and fragments would burn through armor or sever the legs of a mech. Of course, its limited by other conditions but in general, that's what would happen. Anyway, thanks.

I can see it cutting through infantry, and certainly lightly armored vehicles, but medium/heavy vehicles should give it more trouble.

Just wait until it goes up against my (yrt to be designed) Mobile Suits.

@Dino: Yeah. More trouble. Once its out of missiles, that HARC-5 is going to need some time to cut down armor.

@J-red: Don't even think about it. Still, I can't wait to see it.

This is more like a hardsuit, right? Not a full on mech?

@J-red: Its a mech. A RC mech with intelligent assist systems. I have hardsuits though, and that would be the MI-2 Anaconda.

Sweet mech! The legs do look a little funky, but that just makes this thing more unique. Nice work!

@Spud: Thanks! Do you mean the shape or design? Anyway, thank you.

I meant that the knees bending outwards gives the mech a sort of bow-legged look, but honestly it's not a very big detail. As great as this mech is already, I think you could seriously boost the cool factor if you made the body a bit taller and beefed up the shoulders. They look disproportionately small to my eyes.

Agreed on the shoulders, but by lengthening the body, the legs would look too short IMO.

^ Mm, maybe... On the other hand, I've never been able to make a decent mech, so what do I know?

@Dino & Spud: Both of your suggestions are noted. I will try to boost the shoulders ASAP, but no promises on the body.

Ah - So... they're larger than a minifig, but not mech sized (though they are mechs) Mobile Suits that are several stories high but can manuever with lightning fast reflexes should be able to cut through them quick. XD

@J-red: Lightening fast? Wouldn't those break the user's bones if its too fast for their normal reflexes (unless its like those AMP suits from Avatar ). These things are maneuverable. Think of them as...mini mechs. There. These things can jump several stories high. And excel at about everything except cheapness.

Spoiler:

So, here is the long overdue MI-3B Taipan. It was modified mainly due to the events during the Second Mukaran War. With PXE MI units rapidly losing battles in multiple fronts throughout Kahi Point, PXE engineers decided to modify the Taipan, due to its already very versatile and robust frame. Changes included new pistons to increase the arms' flexibility, bulkier shoulder armor, a modified missile rack while allowed it to carry more powerful missiles (AGM-5's), jump jets allowing it to better handle dropping and shoulder-mounted armaments: two new ML-4's carrying small HYR-3's and two ARC-3's. While most of these modifications were geared specifically to deal with the Mukaran threat, the Taipan's much better performance convinced PXE commanders to keep the changes.

Nice! I love it!

@Dino: Thank you! Glad you like it.

What? I didn't comment on this? Though I did....


Anyway, I really like the variant; it solves most of the problems the original had (well, I think it does, anyway; I forget a lot about the last one. )

@Tetra: I think you did... Anyway, thank you very much!