Editing Von Luckner

{{InfoBoxCombatVehicle
| image = Von Luckner RGilClan v32.jpg
| name = VNL-K65N Von Luckner Heavy Tank
| manufacturer = [[HartfordCo Industries]]
| production year=2612
| year reference=<ref>''[http://www.masterunitlist.info/Unit/Details/3452/ MUL online date for the ''{{PAGENAME}}'']''</ref>
| Mission = Close Range/Urban Combat
| Type = Tracked
| cost = 3,692,500 C-bills
| mass = 75 tons
| armor = [[StarSlab/4]]
| engine = [[VOX 225]] Fusion
| comsys = [[O/P 300]]
| T&T = [[O/P GRNDSTAT 50A]]
| heat sinks = 10 [[Heat Sink|single]]
| speed = 54.0
| Crew = 5
| armament =
*1x [[Autocannon/20]]
*2x [[SRM 6]]
*1x [[SRM 4]]
*1x [[LRM 10]]
*1x [[Machine Gun]]
*1x [[Flamer]]
| BV (1.0) = 663
| BV (2.0) = 1058
}}

==Description==
Designed for the original [[Star League]] after the [[Reunification War]] as a [[BattleMech]] without legs, the '''Von Luckner''' is fully capable of blasting light 'Mechs to pieces. Named after [[w:Felix von Luckner|Count Felix von Luckner]] of twentieth century [[Terra]], the Von Luckner is one of the few tanks to use a [[fusion engine]], as most vehicle-mounted reactors were stripped out for use in 'Mechs during the [[Succession Wars (History)|Succession Wars]]. Few of these vehicles remain in service, but they are very lethal, weighing more than most 'Mechs as well as boasting 11 tons of armor and overwhelming firepower.

==Weapons and Equipment==
The Von Luckner mounts an impressive array of weaponry. Its main gun is a turret-mounted [[Armstrong (AC20)|Armstrong]] [[Autocannon 20]], which can strip off more than a ton of armor in one salvo. A Holly [[LRM 10]] provides long range and indirect fire, while two [[Holly (SRM6)|Holly]] [[SRM 6]]s and a Dannel [[SRM 4]] add to its close range punch. A Ramsey [[Machine Gun]] and [[Firestorm (Flamer)|Firestorm]] [[Flamer]] provide anti-[[infantry]] capabilities. Carrying all of these weapons means that the vehicle is heavily ammo-dependent, which gives it very little to fall back on in the event of a protracted battle.  As well, the reloading system is susceptible to jamming, and missile reloads stored in the tank's hull are vulnerable to fires or critical hits.

==Variants==
* [[House Davion]] had a number of Von Luckner variants, one of which removed some of the missile systems but added an improved targeting and tracking system to the Autocannon.

*;Royal : In addition to the standard Von Luckner, the [[Star League Defense Force Royal Divisions|SLDF Royal Divisions]] also used a version from [[2761]] that was equipped with a pair of [[LB 10-X AC|LB 10-X Autocannons]], four [[Streak SRM-2]] missile launchers, a [[Small Pulse Laser]], and added an [[Artemis IV FCS]] to the LRM 10. To make room for all this equipment, an [[Fusion Engine - XL|XL Fusion Engine]] replaced the standard fusion engine. BV (2.0) = 1,261<ref name=HOKp159>''Historical: Operation Klondike'', p. 159</ref>

*;Star League: Another Star League-era upgrade had four [[Streak SRM-2]] missile launchers, a front-facing [[Small Pulse Laser]], a rear-mounted [[Small Laser]], a forward-launching [[LRM-15]] with [[Artemis IV]], and ferro-fibrous armor, primarily on the sides.BV (2.0) = 1,216<ref name=HOKp159/> <!--Editors, see Talk Page-->

*;VNL-K65W : Built Initially by the Word of Blake on Bryant, this update to the Royal Von Luckner was eventually utilized by the Republic and spread to several House militaries. An [[Ultra AC/20]] serves as the main gun, with a pair of [[Streak SRM-4]]s and a single [[Light Machine Gun]] joining it in the turret. A pair of [[Artemis IV]] enhanced [[MML-5]]s and a [[Small Pulse Laser]] are mounted in the front glacis. All ammunition is stored in a [[CASE]] protected magazine. BV (2.0) = 1,318<ref>”Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 32”, pg8</ref>

*;VNL-K70 : This [[3008]] variant of the Von Luckner is more independent of ammunition.  A [[PPC]] is added to the turret. The main gun had to be downgraded to an [[Autocannon/10]] with two of tons ammo. Both SRM-6s had to be removed in order to make these changes possible. BV (2.0) = 1060 <ref>''Record Sheets: 3039 Unabridged'', p. 137</ref>

*;VNL-X71 Yakuza : This Von Luckner variant is frequently seen in the hands of the ''[[Yakuza]]'' of [[The Republic of the Sphere]] in Prefectures I through III. The turret carries a single [[LB 20-X]] autocannon, [[Medium Pulse Laser]], and [[SRM-4]] with Artemis IV FCS. The tank uses an XL Fusion engine to maintain a top speed of 54 km/h. The tank is protected by both [[CASE]] and thirty tons of [[Hardened Armor]], making it difficult to destroy. In fact on [[Altais]] two of these tanks destroyed a militia 'Mech lance that was searching for ''yakuza'' warehouses. Republic intelligence thinks that the Combine's [[Ghost Regiments]] are helping refit these tanks, but no evidence has come to light.<ref name=XTRO:MWp11>''Experimental Technical Readout: Most Wanted'', p. 11</ref> BV (2.0) = 1,847<ref>''Experimental Technical Readout: Most Wanted'', p. 24</ref>

*;VNL-K75N : This [[3062]] version of the Von Luckner is equipped with a forward firing [[MRM-20]] and twin machine guns. The turret carries an [[Ultra AC/20]], an [[SRM-6]] launcher, and a pair of [[medium laser]]s. BV (1.0) = 942<ref>''Combat Operations'', p. 121</ref>, BV (2.0)= 1,350<ref>''Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Inner Sphere)'', p. 168</ref>

*;VNL-K85N : This variant of the Von Luckner utilizes hardened armor and an XL engine to give itself reinforced protection. Featuring an LB 20-X AC, a pair of SRM 6s, and an MRM 10, the K85N serves as a frontline juggernaught. BV (2.0) = 1584 <ref>''Recognition Guide : Ilclan Volume 32'', p. 32</ref>

*;VNL-K90 : Utilizing the same armor and engine as the K85N, the K90 has taken an all-range approach to combat. The autocannon is replaced with a gauss rifle, and the SRMs are reduced to a single SRM 4. The extra weight is put into a Snub-nose PPC. BV (2.0) = 1688 <ref>''Recognition Guide : Ilclan Volume 32'', p. 33</ref>

*;VNL-K100 : This [[3002]] variant of the Von Luckner drops all the weapons except for the Autocannon/20 and a single SRM-6 launcher. This allows for a second Autocannon-20 to be installed in the turret, making the Von Luckner far more deadly at short range. BV (2.0) = 1001 <ref>''Record Sheets: 3039 Unabridged'', p. 138</ref>

==Design Quirks==
The VNL-X71 Von Luckner (Yakuza) variant is subject to the following [[Design Quirks]]:<ref name=XTRO:MWp11/>
* [[Difficult to Maintain]]
* [[Improved Communications]]

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Von_Luckner.jpg|Original VNL-K65N Von Luckner from ''[[Technical Readout: 3025|TRO:3025]]''
Von Luckner RGilClan v32.jpg|Von Luckner from ''[[Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 32|RG:iClan vol. 32]]''
VonLuckner.jpg|A Von Luckner in action from ''[[Technical Readout: 3025 Revised|TRO:3025 Revised]]''
Camokuritaanting.png|Von Luckner in colors of [[An Ting Legion]] from ''[[Camo Specs]]''
</gallery>

==Notes==
* Author [[Blaine Lee Pardoe]] stated in a [https://web.archive.org/web/20221102192457/https://blainepardoe.wordpress.com/2018/08/16/out-of-the-archives-the-battlemechs-i-wrote-about-or-designed/ blog entry] that, according to his memory which he admitted could be wrong, the Von Luckner was among the vehicles for which he invented the name and wrote the original background as initially published in TRO:3025, after being given only its art and game stats to work with for the TRO entry.

==References==
<references />

==Bibliography==
* ''[[Combat Operations]]''
* ''[[Experimental Technical Readout: Most Wanted]]''
* ''[[Historical: Operation Klondike]]''
* ''[[Record Sheets: 3058 Unabridged (Inner Sphere)]]''
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3025]]''
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3039]]''


[[Category:Combat Vehicles]]
[[Category:Heavy Combat Vehicles]]
[[Category:75 ton Combat Vehicles]]
[[Category:Tracked Combat Vehicles]]
[[Category:Close Range Combat Vehicles]]
[[Category:SLDF Combat Vehicles]]
[[Category:SLDF Royal Combat Vehicles]]