Nautica wrote:MO ( and this is based on what everyone pointed out about there being no hard evidence or print to say one way or the other and base merely on the progression of the cyclone ) Yes. The 57 is meant to replace the 52. Everything ( save for armor ) is an upgrade over the 52.
Yes the -057 is meant to replace the -052 in infantry/heavy infantry roles, but it is not mentioned as replacing the -052 in emergency/survival roles.
Nautica wrote: The Cyclones came much, much later. Yes?
According to the 2E RPG (and RT.com's old Infopedia) the models in question (-038, -041, -05#) are late 2020s or later developments, but the sequence leaves the -01#/-02# series that could have been in the same role (I don't have Marines, but I've picked up that they did have Cyclones in service from these series numbers). Which likely means that the Cyclone could have been considered way back when.
Nautica wrote:How many variants of the Alpha are there? According to the book you have what? I, H, and Z? Then the shadows and the super shadow according to the cannon.
There are 5 that we know of, but the Z and X/S (Shadow) plus a drone (series, shadow) are said to be more recent developments. Even the Super system (which is more of an add-on I think than a distinct model) is "new". If the Genia Prototype (FTS graphic novel) is included, we get 6.
While the cargo bay is effectively know as the Cyclone Bay, that does not mean it was always known as such. The bay could have been used for other cargo missions (MR-40 is old, or another mecha we don't know about is used in this role, but replaced by the Cyclone later), though given various issues with the Alpha design one has to wonder if that is the best use of the volume EVEN if you put a Cyclone in it.
Part of the problem is timeline related in wanting to do certain things for RT that just did not have to be done that require additional effort to make work/sense.
Nautica wrote:All that said, I put this to you. That there were 2 earlier Alpha designs and an earlier beta design that did not have said Cyclone Storage Bay. One of which was a two seater. That said. Is it a stretch to say the latest alpha designs didn't add a compartment or even a hard point to carry said HRG-70?
There is no canon evidence for a two seater Alpha, Sentinels in its various forms has been de-canonized, about the only thing that remains is the "broad strokes". The Cargo Bay is not an ideal place to put a second seat, you would more likely have a customized cockpit/nose section.
The problem with adding a compartment to store the HRG-70 is where are you going to put it, and what are you potentially giving up for it? Not to mention is it really necessary for the role the Cyclone is to perform when carried by another mecha as a emergency/survival unit?
Nautica wrote:I do have a cyclone quastion maybe someone can assist me with. Did the VR-52 replace the 38S and R? It's armor is and improvement but the speed is dropped. Wouldn't the 30 series still be superior for scout/recon? and is any of the 50 series equipment compatible or vise versa?
In all likely hood the newer versions will replace the older versions in some missions, but not necessarily others. The VR-057 is slated to become the new heavy infantry model of Cyclone, the VR-041M is the only medic Cyclone, and the VR-038 is still in use for certain missions. As for equipment compatibility, based on the Silverback I would say that they are for the most part, but it probably isn't done much for a variety of reasons.