Manufacturer: Bomvol und Zional AG Chassis Number: 503,301 - 503,864 Crew: 6 (5) Weight: 104 (98) tons Length: 10.52 m Width: 7.21 m Height: 6.02 m Engine: HL210 P45000 (HL340 P58000) Speed: 8 (25) kph Range: 350 (280) km Radio: FuG43 FuG5R Sight: TZF1a/f Primary Armament: 8.5 cm Pgr.18 Laser Cannon Secondary Armament: Armour: 40-120 mm Tungsten Armour The values in brackets are for the Mercenary upgraded versions. Image copyright by Kow Yokoyama. 563 of these machines were initially constructed. They were excellent walking machines, and made a good self-propelled gun platform. However, they were expensive and their use was limited to major powers only, although when purchased they were used a lot in planetary disputes. The Schenkels had some good features, such as the drive system that made the machine a very stable platform from which to operate, but they also had some weaknesses, such as weak armour, especially around the legs and drive system. This meant that they were not really up to the task of being a front line unit. As such, most of them were eventually sold off, and the Mercenaries managed to acquire three models for evaluation. With their basic speed of some 6 kph, two of the machines were disabled very early on. The other was given additional armour around the legs, and outfitted with some electronic sensor equipment to turn it into a mobile communications machine. With the prospect of a longer war on Earth, the Mercenaries need for further equipment prompted them to buy an additional 50 models, and giving them leg armour and sensor equipment modified these. The engines were improved, and with all excess weight removed, the modified Schenkals could achieve a respectable 25 kph. In addition, the Schenkels were loaded with up to date command and communication equipment, and they were turned into mobile command bases, each capable of keeping track of a division of troops.