Hunchback HBK-SFT

         The HBK-4G Hunchback is a heavy-hitting fighting vehicle. Serving in medium and assault lances of many regiments of the Successor States, it has earned a distinguished fighting record. Designed in early 2572, the Hunchback continues as a popular vehicle both in House Liao and House Kurita regiments. It is also used extensively by House Marik armed forces.
         The Hunchback is widely known for its streetfighting abilities in the confined spaces of urban battles. With its massive firepower at close range and its two heavy battle fists, it is more than a match for many heavier ‘Mechs.

         The Hunchback is armed for short- to medium-range combat. At medium ranges, its combined armament of two Ichiba 2000 medium lasers and its massive Tomodzuru Type 20 autocannon mount can rip through even the heaviest armor. At close ranges, the powerful autocannon and the Diverse Optics Type 10 small laser make it very dangerous to attack the Hunchback
         From a defensive point of view, the Hunchback’s armor fits its tonnage class. The medium amount of armor carried plus the immense close-in firepower ensure that it will overcome many other medium ‘Mechs. Too many MechWarriors, however, consider the Hunchback a match for heavy ‘Mechs, only to find that its armor just does not have the staying power for extended combat with the behemoth heavy models.
         The ‘Mech’s maneuverability and heat dispersion are also average for a medium machine. Unfortunately, its large Tomodzuru Type 20 autocannon creates so much heat when fired that a pilot must take great care to avoid buildup.

         During the Battle of Pike IV in 3012, Right’s Medium Lance of Pasquesi’s Battalion led the assault on the city of Paramus. The two Hunchbacks of the unit were first into the city, and began to tear apart the light ‘Mechs left as a screen by the 42nd Armored Lightning Regiment. As Pasquesi’s assault lances came charging into the central business district, they saw the two Hunchbacks of Right’s Lance in a fistfight with two Crusaders. A third Crusader leaned drunkenly against a skyscraper, its center torso shot through. Before Pasquesi’s heavy ‘Mechs could come to the aid of the Hunchbacks, the ‘Mechs had eliminated both their adversaries. One Crusader had a punched-in head section, and the right leg of the other had been ripped off with a point-blank autocannon shot.
         During the attack on New Ivaarsen in October 3021, House Kurita’s Fifth Galedon Regulars charged their assault and medium lances against the Davion defense position outside the fortified city of Twin Peaks. Organized as city-busters for this campaign, the Fifth Galedon unfortunately lacked enough ‘Mechs with long-range projectile weapons, as the Kurita commander never expected that House Davion could set up an effective defense outside the city.
         The Hunchbacks and other ‘Mechs of the Kurita assault lances were ordered to force their way into Twin Peaks, but the charge was short-lived. Peppered with Davion’s long-range missile and autocannon fire, many Galedon ‘Mechs were disabled before getting halfway to the city gates. Unable to return effective fire, first one, then many MechWarriors turned their ‘Mechs around, and charged for the nearest cover. The defenders held Twin Peaks until substantial Davion reinforcements arrived, then forced the Fifth Galedon Regulars to retreat.

         Because of the serious heat buildup associated with use of the Type 20 autocannon, most variations of the Hunchback design have dropped this weapon in favor of smaller weapons systems. Some of these include SRM six-racks, LRM five- and ten-racks, increased numbers of medium lasers, and smaller autocannon. Indeed, a variety of weapons variations exist throughout the Successor States. Eliminating the Type 20 autocannon from the Hunchback makes it almost an entirely new ‘Mech. Because of this, many warriors refer to aHunchback with no AC-20 as a “Swayback”, as removal of the massive weapon totally alters the ‘Mech’s torso.

Commandant Isoroku Kurita
         Commander of the First Regiment, Sun Zhang Academy Cadre, lsoroku Kurita swears by the Hunchback and would not consider piloting any other. An expert in urban ‘Mech combat, he is Takashi Kurita’s nephew. He is presently more of an instructor than a front-line MechWarrior, however. lsoroku has taken part in over 30 engagements and destroyed 22 ‘Mechs while commanding his Hunchback, the Murakumi (Cloud-Gatherer). For example, he spearheaded the assault on the city of Barnstable in the Fourth Battle of Harrow’s Sun. In that foray, he suffered head injuries when his Hunchback was knocked down by the rubble from a building collapsing nearby. While recuperating from this injury, he was given command of a cadre regiment.

Captain Shawn Phillips
         Commander of House Liao’s Phillips’ Company of Ling’s Battalion, 15th Dracon Regiment, Shawn Phillips is a serious and deadly MechWarrior in his Hunchback, the Retribution. Orphaned at a young age by a Davion counterattack on his home planet of Lincoln V, he was adopted by a sergeant in the repair section of the 15th Dracon Regiment, which was then stationed on Lincoln V for R & R.
         Phillips learned BattleMech combat from the ground up, first helping to repair damaged ‘Mechs, then rebuilding those destroyed but shipped back from the front. Phillips built his own Hunchback from spares and cannibalized parts, and so the design is unusual. The Type 20 autocannon has been replaced with two SRM six racks (15 shots each) and two arm-mounted medium lasers. This mixed bag of weaponry has caught many opponents by surprise over the years.