TECH FILE 2: ROCKET ASSAULT GYROBIKES
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Rocket Assault Gyrobikes, an eccentric and exclusively British invention, first appeared during the Dieppe raid of 1942. |
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Rocket Assault Gyrobikes, an eccentric and exclusively British invention, first appeared during the Dieppe raid of 1942. |
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Size: 3 Armor: 2/4/6 Maneuver: +1 Sensors: None Fire Control: -3 |
Crew: 1 Move: 5/9* Deployment Range: 50 km Communications: None Threat Value: 12 |
Perks and Flaws: Exposed Crew Highly Flammable Improved Off-Road Smoke Launchers (AUX) |
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Weapon Browning .30 MG Grenades |
Arc FF FF |
S 1 - |
M 2 - |
L 4 - |
Ex 8 1 |
Acc 0 0 |
DM x2 x6 |
# 1 1 |
Ammo 100 3, AI |
The Mk. I Gyrobike was armed with a machinegun fixed in a nacelle forward of the rider's right leg, as well as a grenade launcher (the same model carried on British walkers of the time period) on the opposite side. Both weapons were actuated by safety-locked triggers on the handlebars of the motorcycle.
The gyrobike pilot may also actuate a smoke grenade dispenser mounted to the rear of his seat. This last-minute modification was added at Lt. Cmdr. Dewey's request, in conjunction with his idea to use the bikes to spread confusion behind enemy lines.
Mk. I Gyrobike rocket engines may be fired twice. Each burst may be used to launch the vehicle into the air (when ramps are unavailable, the pilot may attempt a Driving test against a threshold of 4 to "pop a wheelie") a distance of 4 MU or to propel the vehicle along the ground at increased speed. Such a burst results in a ground move of 15, but the gyrobike pilot must succeed in a Driving test against a threshold of 5 if he moves through anything but road spaces. Failure results in automatic Light Damage.
Mk. I Gyrobikes grant their drivers a +1 bonus to Dangerous Terrain tests due to their inherently forgiving nature and unusual balance.
The Mk. II Rocket Assault Gyrobike ("Vanessa")
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Size: 3 Armor: 2/4/6 Maneuver: +1 Sensors: None Fire Control: -3 |
Crew: 1 Move: 5/9* Deployment Range: 50 km Communications: None Threat Value: 16 |
Perks and Flaws: Exposed Crew Highly Flammable Improved Off-Road Smoke Launchers (AUX) |
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Weapon Sykes Viper Projector Grenades |
Arc FF FF |
S 1 - |
M 2 - |
L 4 - |
Ex 8 1 |
Acc 0 0 |
DM x4 x6 |
# 1 1 |
Ammo 4 3, AI |
The Mk. II Gyrobike, introduced in late 1942, featured a significant armament retrofit. The fixed machine-gun of the Mk. I was removed and replaced with a four-barrelled device called a Sykes Viper Projector. Each Projector tube was like a miniature electrically-fired mortar, loaded with a small rocket-assisted projectile with a useful range equal to that of most small arms. The SVP projectiles carried more punch than bullets, but were noticeably less powerful than ordinary grenades.
The Mk. II Gyrobike saw limited service with Commando units and was also used during joint UK/US field trials in Canada. United States Army officers and theorists, after viewing tests of the Gyrobikes, concluded that they were an audacious idea not entirely suitable for use with then-current American combat doctrine.
All features beside the SVP are identical to the Mk. I Gyrobike.
The Mk. III Rocket Assault Gyrobike ("Lucy")
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Size: 3 Armor: 2/4/6 Maneuver: +1 Sensors: None Fire Control: -3 |
Crew: 2 Move: 3/6/9* Deployment Range: 65 km Communications: None Threat Value: 19 |
Perks and Flaws: Exposed Crew Highly Flammable Improved Off-Road Smoke Launchers (AUX) |
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Weapon Sykes Viper Projector Grenades Sidecar .30 MG |
Arc FF FF F |
S 1 - 1 |
M 2 - 2 |
L 4 - 4 |
Ex 8 1 8 |
Acc 0 0 0 |
DM x4 x6 x2 |
# 1 1 |
Ammo 4 4, AI 150,ROF1,AI |
The Mk. III "Lucy" model Gyrobike, introduced in early 1943, was the first to carry a sidecar. Technicians with Combined Operations Command had to construct a special, flexible shock-absorbing cradle in order to link the sidecar with the main body. Furthermore, they hit upon the idea of adding small retro-firing compensation rockets beneath the main chassis to cushion the impact of landing. These single-shot devices required a great deal of fine-tuning, but veteran handlers of earlier Gyrobikes swore that they made landings almost pleasant.
Because the retro-rockets are necessary for a successful landing, the Mk. III Gyrobike may be launched into the air only once, though it carries enough fuel for three "bursts" of speed. The other two bursts may only be used to travel along the ground. A horizontal burst will give a Mk. III a speed rating of 12 rather than 15.
In addition to the standard armament of the Mk. II, the Mk. III carries an air-cooled .30 machine-gun on a forward mount, to be manned by the occupant of the sidecar. The petrol tank has also been slightly increased in size, and an additional close-range grenade has been added to the bike's complement of weapons.