OOC: Event thread for the 1971 Tank Biathlon. Standard deal: Players can send two crews and one tank to compete in a timed race combined with a shooting element. Targets will simulate enemy units. An obstacle course component will also be included. It is assumed that, even if at war with one another, nations will not shoot at the competition with their vehicles.
In your post, detail the following:
- What tank you are using
- Anything that could give your tank and crewmembers an avantage, such as recent combat experience, prior intensive training, higher maneuverability, etc.
- Name at least one crewmember and provide a short background
Once enough participants have joined, I will begin rolling. Use the time in between to interact with other nations and their tanks.
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IC: With Japan declining to host the next Tank Biathlon, the onus for the new round of armor showcasing went to the SRA. After over 15 years of competition, the SRA had finally gotten what it desperately sought - to hold the Biathlon in the American Republics and show the world the glory of American progress. The chosen field was the Mojave, marked by flat land for miles around and sparse vegetation with the only thing marking the actual trial courses being makeshift tents for judges and participating tank crews and poles that delineated the boundaries. The searing heat of the July day only punctuated the difficulties that the tankers and their machines would undoubtedly face.
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The first lap will consist of a 1km timed circuit.
The second lap will consist of shooting at MBT sized targets at ranges of 1400 meters, 1600 meters, and 1900 meters. Missed targets will impose a 500m penalty lap.
The third lap will consist of a 2km endurance run with on-the-move engagement of infantry-sized targets and ATGM-team style targets to be engaged with machine gun fire only. Missed targets will impose a 500m penalty lap.
1974 Tank Biathlon
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Markus Wilding
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Markus Wilding
- Site Admin
- Posts: 1148
- Joined: 18 Nov 2018, 14:40
Re: 1974 Tank Biathlon
OOC: NPN entries.
IC:
Romania sends a prototypical tank named TR-580 (T-55AM equivalent).
The USSR sends their new T-72.
Germany sends the newest prototype, the Standardpanzer (Leopard 1 equivalent).
Mexico again brings their Jaguar (Leopard 1).
India sends the Varaha tank (Type 59-II).
Panama sends their M48 Patton.
Chad sends an AMX-30.
Both Frances submit AMX-30s.
South Italy sends the OT-70 tank (M103 equivalent).
IC:
Romania sends a prototypical tank named TR-580 (T-55AM equivalent).
The USSR sends their new T-72.
Germany sends the newest prototype, the Standardpanzer (Leopard 1 equivalent).
Mexico again brings their Jaguar (Leopard 1).
India sends the Varaha tank (Type 59-II).
Panama sends their M48 Patton.
Chad sends an AMX-30.
Both Frances submit AMX-30s.
South Italy sends the OT-70 tank (M103 equivalent).
Re: 1974 Tank Biathlon
"Hey boss, I've been thinking..."
Senior Sergeant Yuan looked down at Junior Sergeant Li from atop Hong Kong Cavalier's turret with a familiar look of 'Oh God, what now.?'
"So, the Americans are still stickin' with their roboloader, right? Even though the Cascadians caught them with their pants down, that means it has to actually work in combat, right?" Li continued, either heedless to his commander's distress, or quietly enjoying it. "And in the meantime, ol' Li dage's refit's added a robogunner-"
"For fuck's sake, stop calling it that." Yuan Zhenjin gave the half-full mess tin in his lap a forlorn look. He had just wanted to eat his mapo doufu in peace, dammit.
The more junior man shrugged. "It lays the gun automatically, and holds it steady on the move. That's like 80% of a gunner's job. It's a robogunner."
"Fine," the Senior Sergeant sighed. "Call it what you want, what's your point?"
"Well, I was just wondering, you know that new tank we're working on with the Koreans? The one with the big 120mm gun?"
"You know that project's classified."
"Yeah, I know, but everyone knows it exists," If the Junior Sergeant noticed the concentrated ray of hate his tank commander was now boring into the front of his fatigues, he wasn't showing. "Anyway, like I was saying."
"Like you were saying?"
"You think the new tank will finally have a robocommander?"
"Junior Sergeant?"
"Yes Senior Sergeant?"
"Shut the fuck up and eat your food."
Senior Sergeant Yuan looked down at Junior Sergeant Li from atop Hong Kong Cavalier's turret with a familiar look of 'Oh God, what now.?'
"So, the Americans are still stickin' with their roboloader, right? Even though the Cascadians caught them with their pants down, that means it has to actually work in combat, right?" Li continued, either heedless to his commander's distress, or quietly enjoying it. "And in the meantime, ol' Li dage's refit's added a robogunner-"
"For fuck's sake, stop calling it that." Yuan Zhenjin gave the half-full mess tin in his lap a forlorn look. He had just wanted to eat his mapo doufu in peace, dammit.
The more junior man shrugged. "It lays the gun automatically, and holds it steady on the move. That's like 80% of a gunner's job. It's a robogunner."
"Fine," the Senior Sergeant sighed. "Call it what you want, what's your point?"
"Well, I was just wondering, you know that new tank we're working on with the Koreans? The one with the big 120mm gun?"
"You know that project's classified."
"Yeah, I know, but everyone knows it exists," If the Junior Sergeant noticed the concentrated ray of hate his tank commander was now boring into the front of his fatigues, he wasn't showing. "Anyway, like I was saying."
"Like you were saying?"
"You think the new tank will finally have a robocommander?"
"Junior Sergeant?"
"Yes Senior Sergeant?"
"Shut the fuck up and eat your food."
OOC Summary wrote:The Republic of China brings a Type 60 Main Battle Tank, an upgraded version of the Type 54 MBT with a new fire control system, improved tracks, and a more powerful engine. The crew are veterans of the last phase of the Second Zhejiang War, Chinese Civil War, and the 1965 Biathlon.
Last edited by Cataphrak on 06 Dec 2020, 02:53, edited 1 time in total.
Nationalism - Democracy - Social Justice
Republic of China News | Republic of China Factbook | Republic of China Stats
Republic of China News | Republic of China Factbook | Republic of China Stats
Re: 1974 Tank Biathlon
"So this is the pinnacle of American progress," the Master Corporal absently remarked, staring out over the wasteland that was the Mojave, "Sure looks the part, don't it Sarge?"
An ambiguous grunt emanated out of Sergeant Malillos, preoccupied as he was helping the loader and a couple members of the reserve team tension the tracks.
"Bit weird isn't it, coming all the way out here?"
"The hell you talking about?" a breathless Malillos came back with, finally giving his attention to his gunner.
"Well I mean, we're in the belly of the beast, right? In the middle of their den. Makes me a bit sick, to be honest."
"Listen Corporal, the only thing making me sick here is-" Malillos was saved from nearly boiling over by a great shift of sand as the driver poured out a whole load from the top-loading air cleaner.
"Sand... why did it have to be sand..."
An ambiguous grunt emanated out of Sergeant Malillos, preoccupied as he was helping the loader and a couple members of the reserve team tension the tracks.
"Bit weird isn't it, coming all the way out here?"
"The hell you talking about?" a breathless Malillos came back with, finally giving his attention to his gunner.
"Well I mean, we're in the belly of the beast, right? In the middle of their den. Makes me a bit sick, to be honest."
"Listen Corporal, the only thing making me sick here is-" Malillos was saved from nearly boiling over by a great shift of sand as the driver poured out a whole load from the top-loading air cleaner.
"Sand... why did it have to be sand..."
OOC wrote: Aragon brings a prototype VCB-105D upgrade package for their VCB-105 platform, an M60A1 RISE, boasting an improved engine, transmission, and tracks over the VCB-105B they sent last biathlon. Their main team are Royal Legionnaires and veterans of the Portuguese war as well as participants in the previous biathlon.
Last edited by Avalanche on 06 Dec 2020, 02:55, edited 1 time in total.
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Alucard Tobor
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Re: 1974 Tank Biathlon
"Why, of all things, a desert?" Sergeant Sun-Ma, gunner extraordinaire, queried the world at large. "A chance to show off, demonstrate quote-unquote American Progress, and they pick... a desert. Americans are weird."
"Well. I mean." Warrant Officer Kettering glanced up from under his sunshade. "Could be worse. They could have picked Ohio."
Sun-Ma arched an eyebrow at his TC. "What's so bad about Ohio?"
"It's Ohio. It's all Ohio. It needs no other credentials."
The gunner side-eyed his boss, before returning to bore-sighting the increasingly-inappropriately-named Snow Leopard's gun before the upcoming first found. "I reiterate: Americans are weird."
"Look on the bright side; we got that new A4 turret before getting shipped over here. Word has it it's the last big upgrade before the push for that new tank we're working on with the Chinese."
"Isn't that classified?" the loader - Master Corporal Liu - queried from inside the tank, busy making tea. Kettering shrugged.
"Not like anyone who's anyone doesn't know about it already, but sure, I guess. Hey. Anyone want to take bets on how many times the American roboloader breaks down?"
"Sucker bet." the other two responded in unison.
"Well. I mean." Warrant Officer Kettering glanced up from under his sunshade. "Could be worse. They could have picked Ohio."
Sun-Ma arched an eyebrow at his TC. "What's so bad about Ohio?"
"It's Ohio. It's all Ohio. It needs no other credentials."
The gunner side-eyed his boss, before returning to bore-sighting the increasingly-inappropriately-named Snow Leopard's gun before the upcoming first found. "I reiterate: Americans are weird."
"Look on the bright side; we got that new A4 turret before getting shipped over here. Word has it it's the last big upgrade before the push for that new tank we're working on with the Chinese."
"Isn't that classified?" the loader - Master Corporal Liu - queried from inside the tank, busy making tea. Kettering shrugged.
"Not like anyone who's anyone doesn't know about it already, but sure, I guess. Hey. Anyone want to take bets on how many times the American roboloader breaks down?"
"Sucker bet." the other two responded in unison.
Korea brings a 2M65A4 Leopard [Leopard 1A4]. The crew are participants in the 1965 Tankathlon.
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Markus Wilding
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Re: 1974 Tank Biathlon
Thankfully Ingersleben and the crew of Group Therapy didn't have to drive too far to get to this year's event. Being just a day away by rail (discounting any wanton Sons of Liberty attacks of course) was definitely easier to stomach than traveling by sea or air to go to Mexico or one of the more exotic locales offered at previous events, not that Ingersleben had ever been there. She'd never quite gotten used to the California heat, though. She was a proper Ohio girl who received her fury from God in the righteous form of tornadoes and improbable snowstorms. Blazing hot heat that was inescapable without removing your own skin was downright heretical and un-Communist.
Maybe with the actual M65A2, Armor Board would give them a fucking air conditioner.
Maybe with the actual M65A2, Armor Board would give them a fucking air conditioner.
OOC Summary wrote:The SRA brings a prototypical M65A2 (T-64B with no ATGM). The crew are veterans of Operation Whistleblower and participated in the 1971 Tank Biathlon.
Re: 1974 Tank Biathlon
"Ho-lee fuckin' shit I love our engineering department," Hendricks rattled off perhaps for the hundredth time today whilst fulfilling his critical tasks of loitering and complaining about the weather. Hendricks and his crew were veterans of a variety of climates from their lengthy record of mercenary work, but Hendricks himself had preferences he loudly exclaimed to anyone within earshot, in a vain hope that he could perhaps be deployed to a jungle again. Of course the vehicle Madagascorp had sent Hendricks to demonstrate at the biathlon had AC, Madagascorp provided plenty of refreshments to the crew, and he could have simply given the contract to the next crew team down the line, but none of these things stopped Hendricks' hatred for the damnable heat.
Meanwhile, the Madgascorp encampment as was customary in many events they attended or held, served food and drinks at low* prices out of their tents whilst military salesmen milled about, sweating constantly and buying low* priced drinks from their coworkers.
Meanwhile, the Madgascorp encampment as was customary in many events they attended or held, served food and drinks at low* prices out of their tents whilst military salesmen milled about, sweating constantly and buying low* priced drinks from their coworkers.
OOC Summary wrote:Madagascorp brings a prototype of its upcoming Merkava series, internally designated a Merkava PMK1.
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Markus Wilding
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Re: 1974 Tank Biathlon
OOC: Round 1 results.
China's Type 60 finishes with an excellent time.
Aragon's VCB-105D finishes with an average time.
Korea's 2M65A4 throws a track, leading to an abysmal time.
The SRA's M65A2 also throws a track, leading to an even slower time than the Korean team.
Madagascorp's PMK1 finishes with an average time.
Romania's TR-580 finishes with an abysmal time.
The USSR's T-72 suffers an overheat and finishes with the worst time in the lap.
Germany's Standardpanzer sets the pace.
Mexico's Jaguar 1 finishes with an average time.
India's Varaha suffers a transmission failure and cannot compete in subsequent events due to needing to be evacuated for repair.
Panama's M48 finishes with a time just ahead of Korea and the SRA.
Chad's AMX-30 finishes with a mediocre time.
The French Commune's AMX-30 finishes with a mediocre time.
The French Republic's AMX-30 breaks its track, leading to a horrendous time.
South Italy's OT-70 finishes with an average time.
Standings
China's Type 60 finishes with an excellent time.
Aragon's VCB-105D finishes with an average time.
Korea's 2M65A4 throws a track, leading to an abysmal time.
The SRA's M65A2 also throws a track, leading to an even slower time than the Korean team.
Madagascorp's PMK1 finishes with an average time.
Romania's TR-580 finishes with an abysmal time.
The USSR's T-72 suffers an overheat and finishes with the worst time in the lap.
Germany's Standardpanzer sets the pace.
Mexico's Jaguar 1 finishes with an average time.
India's Varaha suffers a transmission failure and cannot compete in subsequent events due to needing to be evacuated for repair.
Panama's M48 finishes with a time just ahead of Korea and the SRA.
Chad's AMX-30 finishes with a mediocre time.
The French Commune's AMX-30 finishes with a mediocre time.
The French Republic's AMX-30 breaks its track, leading to a horrendous time.
South Italy's OT-70 finishes with an average time.
Standings
- Germany
- China
- Aragon
- Mexico
- Chad
- South Italy
- French Commune
- Madagascorp
- French Republic
- Romania
- Panama
- Korea
- SRA
- USSR
- India
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Markus Wilding
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Re: 1974 Tank Biathlon
OOC: Round 2 results.
China's Type 60 hits all targets with a great time.
Aragon's VCB-105D misses the 1600 and 1900 meter targets and does a 1km penalty lap.
Korea's 2M65A4 misses the 1900 meter target with a missed followup shot, leading to a 1km penalty lap.
The SRA's M65A2 hits all targets in record time.
Madagascorp's PMK1 hits all targets with a great time.
Romania's TR-580 hits all targets in an average time.
The USSR's T-72 hits all targets in great time.
Germany's Standardpanzer narrowly falls short of the SRA's time.
Mexico's Jaguar 1 misses the 1900 meter target and does a 500m penalty lap.
Panama's M48 hits all targets in good time.
Chad's AMX-30 hits all targets in good time.
The French Commune's AMX-30 misses all targets including followup shots, leading to an embarrassing time.
The French Republic's AMX-30 misses the 1600 and 1900 meter targets and performs a 1km penalty lap.
South Italy's OT-70 suffers from a lethargic crew that fails to load the gun correctly, leading to a horrendous time.
Standings
China's Type 60 hits all targets with a great time.
Aragon's VCB-105D misses the 1600 and 1900 meter targets and does a 1km penalty lap.
Korea's 2M65A4 misses the 1900 meter target with a missed followup shot, leading to a 1km penalty lap.
The SRA's M65A2 hits all targets in record time.
Madagascorp's PMK1 hits all targets with a great time.
Romania's TR-580 hits all targets in an average time.
The USSR's T-72 hits all targets in great time.
Germany's Standardpanzer narrowly falls short of the SRA's time.
Mexico's Jaguar 1 misses the 1900 meter target and does a 500m penalty lap.
Panama's M48 hits all targets in good time.
Chad's AMX-30 hits all targets in good time.
The French Commune's AMX-30 misses all targets including followup shots, leading to an embarrassing time.
The French Republic's AMX-30 misses the 1600 and 1900 meter targets and performs a 1km penalty lap.
South Italy's OT-70 suffers from a lethargic crew that fails to load the gun correctly, leading to a horrendous time.
Standings
- China
- Germany
- Madagascorp
- SRA
- Chad
- Mexico
- USSR
- Aragon
- Panama
- Romania
- French Republic
- Korea
- South Italy
- French Commune
- India
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Markus Wilding
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Re: 1974 Tank Biathlon
"Goddamn Raumer, where the hell did that shooting come from?"
"Listen man, I had a lot of free time over in France, got it?"
Ingersleben sighed and kicked her driver in the back of the head. This heat was already unbearable enough. She didn't need a bickering crew to add to this ridiculous clown show. "Cool down, Marks. Get in the shade and take a break. And Raumer, keep it up. Next round we need every possible advantage, especially if the Chinese keep up the pace. We should be getting at least top five while we're here."
"I dunno, ma'am," Raumer said, shrugging. "We're kind of out of the running for that unless that Chinese thing blows up. Or the German tank bites the dust. You think either of those are gonna happen?"
"Stranger things have," she replied, unbuttoning her hatch. Had to get out of this damned thing for a while. The Panamanians were doing their usual maintenance - poorly, she noted - while the Indians had already left save for a handful of observers that sweltered in their tent. At least she had that going for her. Everyone else hated this heat as much as she did.
"Listen man, I had a lot of free time over in France, got it?"
Ingersleben sighed and kicked her driver in the back of the head. This heat was already unbearable enough. She didn't need a bickering crew to add to this ridiculous clown show. "Cool down, Marks. Get in the shade and take a break. And Raumer, keep it up. Next round we need every possible advantage, especially if the Chinese keep up the pace. We should be getting at least top five while we're here."
"I dunno, ma'am," Raumer said, shrugging. "We're kind of out of the running for that unless that Chinese thing blows up. Or the German tank bites the dust. You think either of those are gonna happen?"
"Stranger things have," she replied, unbuttoning her hatch. Had to get out of this damned thing for a while. The Panamanians were doing their usual maintenance - poorly, she noted - while the Indians had already left save for a handful of observers that sweltered in their tent. At least she had that going for her. Everyone else hated this heat as much as she did.