MC GT-02 "Thunderbird"

"Large, Bulky, and not much of a looker, but that was mark 1. The mark 2 is sleeker, faster, and still keeps everything good from the older version. Though the Wyvern has replaced it, it is the Colt 1911 of the Meiyo Clan aircraft, standing the test of time with its universal capabilities and timeless design."

- Meiyo Clan Report

The MC GT-02 Thunderbird is a large transport vehicle and gunship, designed by Meiyo  as a support ship to carry all their gear.

History:
Designed as one of the first dropships for the Meiyo Clan, it was entered into Atlas for testing and selection of a new troop transport.

The original MK1 design that was SUPPOSED to be entered had a system of plumbing, ventlation, electricity, and other essential pieces, but somehow the plans were stolen of went missing, and the Meiyo Clan had to start all over again.

These plans later came up after a transport company created a new airship that had the same system of wiring as the Thunderbird MK1, even including the head electricians wiring “signature”.

This is a tactic used by many people, leaving some clue or detail that no copier would think of, but is a sort of branding in the ship itself that prevents thief's from taking credit. For example, multiple map charters added small island that don't exist, and have the name of their child or something that they can prove to the court it is theirs.

The head electricians signature was a small set of wiring in each of the transformers, with a spare wire that runs from the transformer right back into it, making it useless, but it was specifically made to form the word “Alexandra,” the name of his grandmother, who was an advocate for peace during and after the Great War, eventually sitting in on the signing of the peace Treaty in Vital. This detail was added into each transformer, and therefore proving it was his, as the company was filed for fraud and thievery of a copyrighted item.

The later went bankrupt and the business failed after people refused to buy any ships from a thief. The company was, ironically, bought up by Meiyo Clan Enterprises, the very people they stole from.

Though it was dropped in favor of other crafts for their smaller size and cost effectiveness, the Thunderbird was given the use as a civilian/militia craft, after Atlas saw its potential as a way to command units on Grimm extermination trips, as well as use them for Huntsmen academies for training, useful with its support capabilities, large rooms for attachments and multipurpose design.

The Thunderbird is still used today, but has been mostly phased out in favor of the new Wyvern, but it is still bought by Militia units and huntsman and combat schools alike for its universal nature and time tested design.

Design:
The ship itself was, when in its design phase, a large hollowed out hanger bay, with this being the base of the craft. The rear also has a dual exit system, allowing for either use of the 8 rappel ropes installed along with trap doors to reduce the risk of unwanted guests entering, or the cargo ramp that can open in three modes; the small upper part which is used mostly for emergency purposes or troop deployment, the hanger mode, where the back wall portion lowers to allow aircraft or vehicles in, or the cargo ramp, where the whole thing will lower, used for loading and unloading gear and stuff.

Once through the air locked cargo door, equipped with blast shields, you enter a small hallway that leads to a small room with stairs goin up the sides and a second cargo door, which leads into the center of the ship, where the generator, mess hall, med bay, kitchen, bunks, and armory are located. The bunks are located on the upper portion of the walkway, as well as the armory, briefing, and rec room. The generator itself is a marvel of its own, and is displayed as such behind reinforced metal X bracings, specialized durable glass, and a small shield. The engines low hum acts surprisingly like running water, soothing people in their sleep and reducing stress altogether.

After rounding that area, you go up the small stairway to another blast door and enter the communications room, which also doubles as the main command center, complete with a holographic 3D map of the area, thanks to the cameras installed on the ship to create a real time 3D image of the surrounding areas. This also includes a fully functioning radar, command center, and a powerful communications and bio-meter system, able to monitor combatants aura levels, life signs, heart rate, etc., giving them a edge in determining targets and such. Though it is harder to read enemy combatants as they don't have the specialized chips hooked up to the ship, they can still give a generalized idea of the enemies life signs. This advancement also works on Grimm, making it key for sniffing out nests and exterminating them.

Speaking of extermination, its weapons systems are also able to be manually and automatically controlled by crewmembers. With enough firepower to take down a fully staffed and heavily armed military base, it is both a mobile house and a airborne super tank. Before entering the command room, there are 2 sets of elevators, as well as an emergency ladder next to them, for transporting ammunition as well as yourself to the gun rooms. Armed with heavy cannons and missile pods, the weapons deck takes up nearly 85% of the floor underneath the main room. This area has access to its main cannon, a monstrous Black Arrow class railcannon, able to fire multiple types of shells, including its heavy 160 mm. Shells, which have been known for levelling entire mountain faces. This takes up a large amount of power, so its used only for destroying nests and other big targets. In an essence, the Black Arrow is a mini MOAB, fired from a gun at Mach 3 speeds. The rest of its armaments are listed in its profile.

Finally, after going through the command room, you can go down to where the main fabrication and research stations are located. The fabrication area is good at many tasks, producing most of the things the ship needs to fight and survive, as well as the mini laboratories ability to create chemicals and research on different things.

If you go through the door in between the elevator and ladder leading to the lab and factory, you enter the cockpit. The large, slightly cramped space does demand respect, as its 2 levels handle most of the needs of the ship, with the upper deck having the master controls, including the captains helm and chair, and the lower deck holding the rest of the systems and other pilot seats. It even has a bathroom underneath the upper deck, so pilots don't have to be gone for too long.

The ship itself is large and heavily armed, as well as holding one of the most powerful engine types in Remnant at its time, and is defended by its multiple point defense tribarrel autocannons, multiple flare systems, a heavy shielding system, 17cm(about 6.5 inches, for all my Americans out there) armor plating.

Trivia:

 * As the name may suggest, the Thunderbird is referring to the old 80s puppet TV Show, Thunderbirds are Go!(which recently got an animated reboot, good for them.), specifically paying homage to Thunderbird 2, the transport ship of the team.
 * *It also takes the dropship feel and style of the transport from Evolve, where the idea for a rappelling drop system and its rear portions come from.