B1 Bryant Medium Tank

Arridia~ 875 - 905

After nearly six years, the first Great Desert War ended with the Humans ultimately defeating the native Tahano nation. The war had cost hundreds of thousands of men their lives, and as a result, the peace treaty that was signed limited both the Tahano and the Humans to an army of 350,000 men and no tanks or aircraft. However, the second the treaty was signed, neither faction held their end of the agreement. Peace lasted for roughly 30 years, with both sides creating weapons in secrecy and heavily expanding their armies. By the year 904, tensions once again began to rise between the Humans and the Tanaho after an oil rig explosion was found to be caused by Tahano spies. More and more disasters soon began to take place, with both sides gearing up for another seemingly inevitable war. Eventually, it would be the Tahano whom would fire the first shots.

During the 30 year time span, several tank designs were tested to both replace the now completely obsolete F1 and F2 heavy tanks, and provide a much cheaper and easier tank to produce. The most fruitful design was the B1, a small (at least in regards to size versus the F1 and F2) compact vehicle equipped with a 45mm cannon and 30mm of structural steel armor. The B1 was selected by the Armored Board and underwent several changes courtesy of the designers. Eventually, the B1 would be up-armored to 75mm and rearmed with a 75mm gun as well. A bow machine gun was added much later in development. Initially powered by a 300hp gasoline engine, the B1 would later be equipped with a stronger 450hp diesel. After all the changes were made, such as the addition of a central mounted commanders cupola and a large drivers hatch, the B1 weighed about 28 tons, 11 tons heavier than the original design. The vehicle was also equipped with torsion bar suspension and large road wheels to replace the original leaf-springs.

When trialed, the B1 reached a max speed of 50 km/h (31 mph), and could scale an incline of 45 degrees. Gunnery trials were held next. The 75mm K1 anti-tank gun could penetrate up to 142mm of 30 degree inclined armor at 100 meters and 121mm at 500 meters. At 1000 meters the penetration dropped to around 85mm and 62mm at 1500 meters. While these penetration values were sufficient, it was decided that a new armor piercing round be developed to further improve gun performance. In ideal conditions, the gun achieved a 16 round per minute burst and an 11 round per minute sustained rate of fire. Overall, the vehicle was perfect for the job and was soon accepted into production. The first vehicles rolled off the assembly line in 902. Once in service, the vehicle was dubbed "Bryant" after General Johannas Bryant who served in the first Great Desert War.

At the beginning of the Second Great Desert War, the B1 was at the fore front spearheading the first counter attacks. The gun proved deadly and the armor durable. Not a single vehicle was lost within the first month of the fighting. However, the Tahano quickly developed a new anti-tank gun, and began using them to devastating effect. Despite this, the B1 would continue to see service and further successes.


Name: B1 Bryant

Vehicle Type: Medium Tank

Weight: 28 tons

Power Plant: 450hp V10 Diesel Engine

P/W Ratio: 16.5

Top Speed: 50 km/h (31 mph)

Armament: 75mm K1 ~ 7.62mm Besa

Ammunition Capacity: 63 (Main) ~ 1500 (Bow MG)

Turret Armor: 75/50/50 (mm) (Front, Sides, Rear)

Hull Armor: 75/50/25 (mm) (Front, Sides, Rear)

Crew: 5 (Gunner, Loader, Commander, Driver, Radio Operator/ Bow Gunner)