Freelance Traveller

Bushman-class Utility Grav Vehicle

designed by Ken Murphy

This article appeared in the January 2012 issue of the magazine

Craft ID:  Bushman Grav Utility Wagon, Type AV, TL 10, MCr3.803115
Hull:      7/18, Disp=8, Conf=4SL, Armor=4E, Hull +11,
           Loaded=69.246 tons, Unloaded=52.556s tons
Power:     2/2, Fusion=8.2Mw, Exc=0.1728Mw, Dur=30 Days
Loco:      2/2, NOE=140kph, Cruise=744 kph, Top=978 kph, 
           Top Vacuum=992 kph, Thrust=0.827 G, Space Agility=1,
           Atmospheric Agility=+6/+6/+7.
Comm:      Radio=Very Distant x1
Sensors:   Headlights x12, Magnetic=Very Distant x1,
           Neutrino=Directional x1, Passive EMS=Very Distant x1,
           Active EMS=Distant x1
Off:       —
Def:       -2 in Space Combat
Control:   Computer=0/fib x1, Special=HUD x1, Env=Basic Env, BasicLS,
           Grav Plates, Inertial Comp, Airlocks x2
Accomm:    Crew=1 (Driver); Seats=Roomy x14, Cramped x2.
Other:     Cargo= 15.7826 kl, Fuel= 8.856 kl

The Bushman has been one of Fenris Corporation’s staples, a rugged grav vehicle designed as a gunbus for low-intensity conflicts, and popular with military forces for more than a hundred years. Its robust construction soon had it being used, with various modifications, in a number of different venues, including exploration.

Today, though still occasionally built for its military role, the Fenris Bushman has become one of the most popular, high-end civilian grav vehicles to be found within the Imperium. While there are many imitators, few come close to matching the attention to detail and craftsmanship found in the Bushman. Each vehicle is made to order, with each triple-stitched, ultra-durable leather-covered, ergonomic seat built with a specific individual’s dimensions in mind (when such seats are used by others, they will adjust to a default setting that still remains comfortable for an estimated 95% of the human race).

All handles, grips, knobs, levers and the like have a simple, spartan elegance, and are cast from durable crystaliron fabricated in a default faux brushed pewter finish, or one of several different, customer-specified patinas. The Fenris Corporation’s simple glyph is inscribed on a small, 2cm-diameter disc recessed into the access panel to the vehicle’s glove box. Noble customers will sometimes have their own coat of arms mounted there instead.

The Bushman’s angular, large, boxy chassis, with its thick, ablative-covered corners and heavy bumpers, comes to a blunted point at the front end, and, its large, glasteel composite windscreen and many large windows allow one an almost uninterrupted view from inside the vehicle.

While intended for the civilian market, the grav wagon’s thick chassis still provides occupants with protection against weapons fire up to and including even that TL5 staple, the Heavy Machinegun.

The front of the passenger cabin has a trio of seats (one for the driver, obviously) side-by-side. A trio of seats is in the following row, with a third and fourth row made up of four seats each.

Inside, at the rear of the vehicle, on either side of the rear airlock doors are a pair of large equipment lockers. Mounted to each wall near the locker is a less-comfortable, fold-down seat.

The driver and any passengers may access the vehicle through the airlock on the vehicle’s left side, with a trio of steps jutting from the hull to assist, or through the wide airlock at the rear of the vehicle, using the heavy rear bumper as a step up.

A TL10 standard, this sturdy vehicle can routinely be encountered anywhere, and has been used as the basis for other vehicle designs as diverse as ambulances, mobile vendors, and mobile workshops.