Can the AT-ST Fire Backwards?

Aaron · Post by **Aaron** » 2005-04-14 02:26pm

Ok, Can the AT-ST rotate it's side blaster and concussion grenade launcher to fire behind it? And can the cabin be rotated to face the rear?

My answer:

Possibly. Despite any evidence to prove my theory, there doesn't seem to be any technical reason why theguns couldn't be rotated to face the rear or the cabin turned to cover the rear arc.

Deathstalker · Post by **Deathstalker** » 2005-04-14 02:57pm

Looking at a picture of the At/ST, it looks like the side guns can rotate 360, able to engage targets to the rear. The cabin is more difficult to determine. In one picture, it looks like the cabin cannot be turned to the rear, because the main guns on the chin hang down to far and stick out to much to clear the legs. It looks like the chin guns are limited to a 160 degree arc of fire to the front. In another picture, it looks like the chin guns can just barely clear the legs and rotate to face the rear. There also seems to be a power cable leading from the engine to the chin guns, which could limit cabin movement. The cable looks like it will allow only so much movement to the right, and if the cabin can turn to the rear it would have to do so by only moving to the left.

Aaron · Post by **Aaron** » 2005-04-14 03:01pm

Well having the side guns able to fire to the rear makes sense for a scout vehicle. I have always had my doubts about the cabin because of the placement of the chin guns.

*Edit: However, the cabin can tilt forward and back and from side to side a fair bit, maybe enough for the chin guns and power feed to get clear of each other?*

Deathstalker · Post by **Deathstalker** » 2005-04-14 03:11pm

The designers may have figured that if a threat to the AT/ST got behind one, the crew wouldn't be able to bring the cabin around fast enough to engage said threat. I think the cable is more limiting than guns. My AT/ST model is buried some where or I would try it. The model doesn't have the cable though. It may be quicker to just turn the whole vehicle. AT/STs presumably operate in wingman formation, although there was a breakdown of this procedure at Endor. Appearantly someone didn't tell the crew that when you are buttoned up, you stay buttoned up, until someone outside clears your blind spots.

Aaron · Post by **Aaron** » 2005-04-14 03:13pm

Deathstalker wrote:The designers may have figured that if a threat to the AT/ST got behind one, the crew wouldn't be able to bring the cabin around fast enough to engage said threat. I think the cable is more limiting than guns. My AT/ST model is buried some where or I would try it. The model doesn't have the cable though. It may be quicker to just turn the whole vehicle. AT/STs presumably operate in wingman formation, although there was a breakdown of this procedure at Endor. Appearantly someone didn't tell the crew that when you are buttoned up, you stay buttoned up, until someone outside clears your blind spots.

Yes it would seem that "Legion of my best troops" was a bit of an over statement.

Deathstalker · Post by **Deathstalker** » 2005-04-14 03:16pm

The other security breakdown was the shield complex commander not asking for an operating number when the call came in for reinforcements.

Appearently the best and brightest were assgined to the first DS, because they remembered to ask.

Aaron · Post by **Aaron** » 2005-04-14 03:18pm

Deathstalker wrote:The other security breakdown was the shield complex commander not asking for an operating number when the call came in for reinforcements. Appearently the best and brightest were assgined to the first DS, because they remembered to ask.

Maybe the operating number was sent automatically using the AT-ST's radio? But that doesn't make much sense from a security standpoint.

Deathstalker · Post by **Deathstalker** » 2005-04-14 03:21pm

The number wasn't sent automatically when Solo made the call from the detention block. Only thing I can think of was Solo remebered that they might need a code and beat it out of one of the survivors. "Give me the code or the Wookie plays scramball with your head!"

Aaron · Post by **Aaron** » 2005-04-14 03:34pm

Deathstalker wrote:The number wasn't sent automatically when Solo made the call from the detention block. Only thing I can think of was Solo remebered that they might need a code and beat it out of one of the survivors. "Give me the code or the Wookie plays scramball with your head!"

That would fit his style, and he seems to make things up as he goes along. Doesn't he make a comment in one of the movies to that effect as well?

Deathstalker · Post by **Deathstalker** » 2005-04-14 03:43pm

Cpl Kendall wrote:That would fit his style, and he seems to make things up as he goes along. Doesn't he make a comment in one of the movies to that effect as well?

Only thing I can think of was Chewy getting upset because he was losing to R2 and Solo made the "rip peoples arms out of their sockets" remark.

Can I ask why you were wondering about the fire arcs of the AT/ST?

Aaron · Post by **Aaron** » 2005-04-14 03:48pm

Deathstalker wrote:
Only thing I can think of was Chewy getting upset because he was losing to R2 and Solo made the "rip peoples arms out of their sockets" remark.

Can I ask why you were wondering about the fire arcs of the AT/ST?

Just because it's a scout and a scout should be able to engage targets behind it as it's running back towards friendly lines. Stravo's PT firing arcs thread gave me the idea.

Deathstalker · Post by **Deathstalker** » 2005-04-14 03:56pm

Well, if the cabin is turned to the rear, it must be hell for the pilot to try and steer the damn thing!

Obviously in a tank or truck, the driver still faces forward, even if the turret is to the rear. A walker is hard enough to drive, with out the added hassle of doing everything backwards!

I don't think it should have been called a scout transport, it should have been support transport. I get the impression it's primary mission was to clobber infantry, and take care of the light work left by AT/ATs. Scout troopers on speeder bikes seem to make far more effective scouts, being highly mobile, relativley quieter and difficult to see. It's hard to miss a nearly 9 meter walking chicken that makes a lot of noise.

Aaron · Post by **Aaron** » 2005-04-14 05:55pm

Deathstalker wrote:Well, if the cabin is turned to the rear, it must be hell for the pilot to try and steer the damn thing! Obviously in a tank or truck, the driver still faces forward, even if the turret is to the rear. A walker is hard enough to drive, with out the added hassle of doing everything backwards! I don't think it should have been called a scout transport, it should have been support transport. I get the impression it's primary mission was to clobber infantry, and take care of the light work left by AT/ATs. Scout troopers on speeder bikes seem to make far more effective scouts, being highly mobile, relativley quieter and difficult to see. It's hard to miss a nearly 9 meter walking chicken that makes a lot of noise.

Thats all very true. Perhaps I would do well to ignore the designation. Lucas and his terms often do not make sense, for example ARC-170, Agressive Recconisance Craft. Thats kinda a contradiction in terms!

Stark · Post by **Stark** » 2005-04-14 08:59pm

The ATST hips are flexible. It's possible it could 'poke it's head up' to turn the cabin further.

Aaron · Post by **Aaron** » 2005-04-14 11:19pm

Stark wrote:The ATST hips are flexible. It's possible it could 'poke it's head up' to turn the cabin further.

One of them does a manouver similar to that in ROTJ after it gets pelted with rocks from Ewok catapults.