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[*Corilithian Armoured Evolution: Extract Chimera IFV*]
…Written by Corilithian Armoured Union scribe, Harion Talo.
…Corilithia I, Corilithian Armoured Union Administration Building.
… 999050.M41 Standard Imperial Dating System.
The Chimera IFV, the standard transport used by the Emperors mechanized regiments and independent companies. A vehicle which has been deployed all across the Imperium and an armoured fighting vehicle that has seen all the enemies of man; those from without and from within.
It should be noted that this scribe has never seen war with his own eyes and as such the details recorded are of the opinions of those who have served in His majesties service. The vehicles widespread use is even known to spread into the other tendrils of Imperial service, detailed accounts state of vehicle numbers being used by the Holy Inquisition, Sisters of Battle, the Adeptus Arbities, the Adeptus Mechanicus and the Adeptus Astarties. It is a vehicle which has stood the test of time, similar to the venerable Leman Russ Battle Tank and her variants but time has not been kind. Corilithian committee consisting of representatives from the Adeptus Mechanicus of the Seventh, numerous high ranking members of the Imperial Guard, members of my own organisation and thousands of letters from vehicle operator's; surviving or otherwise.
It is hard to tell, the state of the Imperium fluctuates daily. Planets falling or being reclaimed, troops dying by the millions, it's a startling thought. Typical Corilithian Chimeras are, at current, constructed as per universal STC. The most common variant being the M1A2 Chimera.
A designation given to the armoured vehicle by the Tech Magos of the Seventh. The M1A2 is armed with the traditional turret Multilaser, hull mounted Heavy Bolter and cupola mounted Heavy Stubber; complimented by a protective gun-shield.
The gun-shield was missing on the M1A1 variant and was installed as a stopgap after numerous reports of vehicle commander losses when manning the armament. Front armour protection is modest, generally thick enough to deflect or absorb shots from 'medium' munitions for example: enemy Autocannons, Missile Launchers, Battlecannons or xeno equivalent. Side and rear armour are minimalistic at best, ordinance testing performed by the Corilithian Armoured union has produced frightening results. With armoured units being penetrated by rapid bolter fire,
reports again have shown other stop gaps performed by experienced crews themselves. With armoured crews forging side and engine plates out of flakboard, or other localised building material such as timbers, corrugated iron and even going as far as building wire-mesh boxes filled with sandbags. The M1A3 has attempted to rectify this drawback with the addition of armoured side-skirts to the hull and turret basket.The M1A1 and its variants have had a famed history. Though its proposed replacement has taken its numerous adjustments and continued to improved upon them. Corilithian Armoured Union has worked tirelessly to expand the vehicles turret basket for up-gunning; introducing an Autocannon as standard complete with a coaxial Heavy Bolter. The rear turret plate has mounting available for additional external stowage bins similar to Leman Russ Tanks, or power generators similar to the Astarties Predator Annihilator.
Current weapons testing proves promising and production models are already being allocated to forming regiments or those returning that seek retrofitting. This latest model is simply referred to as the M2A1 Chimera, with alternate variants currently undergoing manufacturing.
Original model drawn by 2kuhl4you, edited by me.… Corilithian M2B1 Chimera, the first variant of the new series. As seen it has replaced the now standard autocannon with an anti-armour lascannon. Current doctrine states that 1 vehicle out of every squadron must be of model B. This vehicle is still under factory primer and is currently missing its smoke launchers and armoured side-skirts.Planned production models are as follows:
- M2A1: The new standard for Corilithian Mechanized Infantry units, equipped with new standardized Autocannon, coaxial Heavy Bolter, and cupola mounted Heavy Stubber; with matching gun-shield. The introduction of a gun mantlet has added modest protection to the turrets frontal armour and the continuation of armoured side-skirts is widely believed to be a median of providing additional thickness without compromising the vehicles weight or classification.
- M2B1: The second vehicle designed under new Corilithian Mechanized Doctrine. Replacing the new turret Autocannon with that of a Lascannon allowing vehicle crews; and to an extent attached squadrons units or allocated infantry squads, further anti-armour abilities.
- M2C1: In place of a troop compartment the M2C1; otherwise know as M2 Command is equipped with additional navigational, long-range and back-up communication equipment. This communication equipment is powered by its own dedicated generator, which allows the vehicle to maintain contact with command units up to the regimental level.
This scribe would like to point out a design oversight with the development of the M2C1 and to an extent the M2B1 combat vehicles. It should be noted that enemies can easily identify command units by the large whip antennas mounted on the rear turret plate. As with the M2B1 enemy heavy armour could easily single out and eliminate anti armoured units before retaliation, leaving the rest of its squadron defenceless. In a sense.- M2D1: The second variant lacking a troop compartment, instead this variant trades its coaxial Heavy Bolter for an additional Autocannon. More so a light tank, designed for heavy suppression or driving off low lying aircraft with its twin barreled Autocannons. Its crew compartment has been converted to hold additional ammunition and its more powerful drive core.
- M2E1: The brother of the D1 and similar in comparison to the A1 and B1. This Chimera has replaced its coaxial Heavy Bolter for an additional lascannon, a fast vehicle designed to strike at enemy armours flanks with its twin-linked AT firepower.
- M2F1: Otherwise known as the Chimera Calliope, its turret weapons have been reduced to a pair of twin-linked Heavy Stubbers in order to accommodate its new primary armament. The Chimera is fitted with 8 Hunter Killer Missiles in a raft-like array mounted above its turret, rigged to fire in rapid succession at any target designated by its commander. Trading out its transport compartment for additional munitions storage.
- M2G1: Also known as the Chimedon. The Chimedon is armed with a turret-mounted Conqueror Cannon for added firepower, giving its company supporting fire comparative to that of a Leman Russ. Trading out its transport compartment for additional shell storage.
- M2H1: A variant designed for punching through prepared positions or slagging heavy vehicles at close range. The M2H1 replaces the standard Autocannon for a Multimelta.
- M2I1: An uncommon variant employed almost exclusively to the Adeptus Mechanicus. The M2I1 Chimera retains its transport capacity, with its only difference being in turret weaponry. Swapping out the standard Autocannon for that of the rare Plasmacannon.
[*End Extract*]
