Not really complaining...

[workerBee]

... about mecha/walker designs because reality of the survivability of same in a modern environment isn't a consideration but why the semi-anthropomorphic rifle on the arm thing?  Even a sword/axe looks more "realistic" (well, not really,) to me.  I mean a turret for 360 targeting, fixed forward for assault designs, maybe a WW2 "Grant/Lee" look for some purpose but the rifle on the arm thing (as cool as it is, which is really "why", I know,) just always jars me when I see it.

That said, a very "classic Cool" (or is it "kewl"?) design from Khurasan.

Yes, just a bit schiz today...

Gracias,

Glenn

who didn't want to sully the thread already existing

[Inso]

Argumnets about mecha design are as pointless as trying to explain why one religion is better/worse than another.

I am in the 'hands with cuff mounted weaponry' camp BUT some mechs do look cool with a big rifle too...

...It all depends on design and how the rifle is held.

In my mind, mechs are cool in all their forms but in reality, there are so many problems with anthropomorphic mechs that they can never be properly argued as a valid form of support vehicle.

I really like VOTOMs mecha and they have rifles... but some of the Gundam mechs have rifles that are so massive that they look ridiculous...

Hmm... it's a conundrum...

[The_Beast]

Ever since I heard engineers explain that, with 'fly-by-wire', two legs are easier than four to move, I've tempered my general distaste of anthropomorphics, but that has bothered me as well, though I suppose 'the operator handles the controls better' is dumb enough to be accepted.

Now, not seeing me resolved with the whole transformer thing soon. Right up there with Sailor Moon's costume-changing magic word 'makeup'.

Ranting over.

Doug

[Cherno]

Some of the classic Mecha designs, like the "Phoenix Hawk" from the original BattleTech, were taken from Anime series that were not about giant robots piloted by normal humans, but rather they were more like powered armor for giant humanoids, so that explains some of them.

[Mathyoo]

I was never a mecha guy myself, but what I'd like is plain old 2 legs and a turret on top...Company B or someone produces this awesome stuart tank on legs - thats what I like!

[MrHarold]

It allows their weapons to be modular. Also, you could then set the weapon down and manipulate things, or move things, or what have you.

If the weapon breaks you just pick up another one.

If it works well on humans, it probably works well with human form factors

[Glitzer]

Let's consider you would have to mount a turret capable of wielding a .308 Win Rifle in a backpack for a human. Do you belief it would turn out superior to a hand-held one?

Smaller powered armours propably work very well with handheld guns and larger ones will simmply not be able to stand due to physics anyways.

[King Tiger]

I prefer the ghost in the shell Kenbishi Industries HAW-206 Type-18 Tank as a mech with gun, its a Mecha and a tank and has the main gun in a nice classic turret

[Elbows]

Some of the classic Mecha designs, like the "Phoenix Hawk" from the original BattleTech, were taken from Anime series that were not about giant robots piloted by normal humans, but rather they were more like powered armor for giant humanoids, so that explains some of them.

Yes and no.  Robotech (Macross) was one of the few animes that produced an almost logical purpose for having large humanoid robot war machines (because honestly, in about 98% of the situations a tank would be preferable).  They produced the human-piloted war machines in large scale to battle a race of aliens which was humanoid, but stood between 40-60' tall.  The idea was to battle them on their own terms (see stuff like Pacific Rim etc.).

I suppose, by geeking out a little bit you can see the reasoning.  If facing a 40-60' tall humanoid, guns will only get you so far.  If an opponent got too close and all you had was cannons/barrels/weapons, you'd be at a serious disadvantage, so having hands was a must.  Note that the other mecha (destroids) were built just as most people stated here...walking legs with huge weapons.  Only one of the destroids featured hands, because it was intended for close actions, boarding, and eventually riot/policing actions amongst the supersized humanoids.

The destroids were walking tanks/artillery.  No hands, etc.  Just a turreted torso with huge guns/missiles mounted to it.  I'd still argue a tracked version of the same vehicle would be as good if not better.    I think my belief in tracked vehicles though is based on today's understanding and capabilities in producing legged walking machines.  I am sure if we had some gyro breakthrough that made robot maneuvers super simple I'd change my tune.



In most designs I do think it's a versatility thing.  Look at the VOTOMs as previously mentioned.  Predominantly hand-fired weapons with additional rocket pods/systems which could be attached to shoulder/back mounted hardpoints.  I think VOTOMs (very small in scale compared to most mecha) point to a certain reality that I like.  They seem to be armored fighting power armor, but are also built as environmental suits.  If exploring the solar system, why not have a protective environmental suit adapted to the rigors of space...yet capable of being used in combat.  In many instances you may not need or even use weapons.  You may simply be doing patchwork on the hull of a ship, etc.  Having hands and the ability to discard useless weaponry makes it's a much more versatile product.

[Dr Mathias]

I prefer the ghost in the shell Kenbishi Industries HAW-206 Type-18 Tank as a mech with gun, its a Mecha and a tank and has the main gun in a nice classic turret

Agreed. When I saw the mech in the closing museum scene in the first Ghost in the Shell movie I was 

I love the designs in the whole series, for just about anything.