StarDate 3/2
Record Sheet:
Wombat MK.I
Wombat MK.II (Super Wombat)
Powered by Enstrom Bell turbines, the Wombat is able to move onto the pickup site at speeds up to 370 kph.
When attacked, the GMBh series is able to double its speed by activating a pair of Tyton Megar B ramjets which feed to a single exhaust port at the rear of the craft.
The Wombat is designed to operate on a hostile battlefield. In addition to heavy armor, the Mk.I is equipped with four Sperry Browning machine guns mounted on the upper access ring. This gun mount rotates and elevates to provide top cover for the craft. Limit switches are built in to eliminate the possibility of shooting off the upper tail rotor assembly.
In addition to the four machine guns, the Wombat Mk.I carries two Magna light lasers mounted in the wing roots. Because of a heat buildup problem, these lasers can only be used when the craft is moving, since the lasers can use the moving air to cool down.
The Mk.II is equipped with only two machine guns on the access ring. Additionally, the Mk.ll is equipped with two short-range missile launchers which replace the shortrange lasers. These launchers are mounted below the wing roots.
Another difference between the Mk.I and the Mk.Il is that the Super Wombat is equipped with door gunners. These door gunners use a variant of the Krupps Invicta Slayer modified for this aircraft's defense role. The door gunners reduce the evac capacity of the Mk.II to eight. Both variants are used throughout known space. The illustrations in this technical readout are of the Mk.I, which is more widely produced.
Application:
The GMBh is designed to remove downed combatants from any battlefield. To aid in this mission, the Wombat has a high positive buoyancy ratio, enabling it to land on water to rescue downed aircrews in addition to medevacing ground troops.
Availability:
Because of the widespread need for a capable rescue/medevac lifting body, the Wombat is used throughout known space. There are also reports that some of the GMBh's have been transported to the frontier.
There is a problem with the ramjets that the Wombat uses. These jets are prone to damage when used in dirt-laden air. If the ramjets are not maintained or have been damaged, the vehicle loses its sprint capability.
Notable Aircraft and Aircrews:
Jammin' Jenna
A Medevac ship attached to House Davion. "Jenna" is piloted by Jenna Johnson, a former SPR-H5 aerospace fighter pilot. When a series of traumatic injuries proscribed her from returning to her fighter, Jenna was assigned as a medevac pilot.
Initially outraged at the "demotion", Jenna and her crew have distinguished themselves as one of the top S/R crews in the field.
On Jenna's third mission, her Wombat was jumped by a pair of SYD-21s. Johnson forgot her role as a rescue pilot and fought back, downing one of the Seydlitz fighters and driving off the other. Stift1y fined for her action, Johnson's Wombat sports her "ships downed" insignia below her "warm bodies rescued" bands.
The "Jammin' Jenna" is well maintained but looks slightly tattered because of its flamboyant and aggressive pilot.
Valhalla's Van
Piloted by Peter Warner, the "Van" has made more rescue pickups than any other Wombat. Warner and his crew are mercenaries, who do rescue pickups for the reward. The "Van" is a welcome sight on any battlefield because the crew works so hard to save the injured. There is some speculation that this is done because the "Van's" crew gets paid for delivering warm bodies only. The "Van" is maintained in top shape because of the success of those who crew her.
Deployment:
The GMBh-I is usually deployed where there is access to a full-size forward aid station. When forced to operate away from one of the specialized forward aid stations, the GMBh-I has an advanced range of 700 km. This enhanced range reduces to eight the number of passengers the vehicle is able to carry.
The GMBh-II is deployed to support a MASH unit. The extended travel time and distance is the reason that this aircraft is more heavily armed.
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