The ZB fills a different niche to the Hotchkiss. You don't set up a ZB on a tripod then continuously fire for several hours, nor do you try and give each squad a Mle. 1914. We could modify the ZB to fill that role (heavier barrel, high-precision milled receiver, belt feed, tripod mount, etc.) but in doing so we're making it less suitable as something that can be manufactured in large quantities and given out at the squad level.
The advantage to the Hotchkiss is we're operating outside a license agreement. ZB might not be happy if we start selling their gun abroad (and thus start competing with them), or if it is allowed, they'll take a cut of the profits. The Mle 1914 can legally be copied and sold and there's nothing the French can do about it. To be clear, I think we should do both, I just see advantages to this.
Yeah I'm just mentioning it now so we remember for later. Once we've gotten our infantry weapons purchased/in production, though, I'd like to work on adapting the Hotchkiss into a gun that can be used on aircraft or as a light AA piece, and a 37 mm version for use as medium AA (similar to what the Italians did).
Anyhow, proposed plans, very open to revision:
[ ]Plan: LMGs and embedded police
-[ ] Dock her and assess her alongside.
-[ ]
Kutulo*
-[ ] Production Licensing: Machine Guns - Attempt to buy the rights to produce a machine gun design. Include a weapon available in 1931 as a Write-In. Some will be easily acquired, others will be immediately refused. (
12-Month Investment. Initial production will be low-rate, and improve over time.)
--[ ] Write-in: ZB vz. 30 chambered in 6.5x50mmSR Arisaka with a 30 round detachable box magazine
-[ ] Write-in: The Veterinary office will conduct basic field tests, agricultural surveys, and number crunching to determine the logistical constraints on future projects to employ horses, donkeys, mules, oxen, and other field animals as part of the military's operations.**
-[ ] Write-in: Attach a Carabinieri Liaison Officer to each Carabinieri detachment acting outside the combat chain-of-command. They are to act as a representative of the central government; provide arbitration, policing, and protection of the rights of the citizens overseen by the detachment (with the rest of the Carabinieri detachment being used as the "stick"); limit corruption in the Carabineri's pay chain to prevent their use as "hired muscle"; and try and keep the soldiers from straying too far from the rules & regulations.
[ ]Plan: MMGs and embedded police
-[ ] Dock her and assess her alongside.
-[ ]
Kutulo*
-[ ] Write-in: Reverse-engineer the Type 3 machine guns currently in service and begin production of a copy at Reewiin's state arsenal now that Hotchkiss's patent on the design has expired. If feasible, make limited alterations to the design based on field reports, to improve performance, and/or to reduce cost.
-[ ] Write-in: The Veterinary office will conduct basic field tests, agricultural surveys, and number crunching to determine the logistical constraints on future projects to employ horses, donkeys, mules, oxen, and other field animals as part of the military's operations.**
-[ ] Write-in: Attach a Carabinieri Liaison Officer to each Carabinieri detachment acting outside the combat chain-of-command. They are to act as a representative of the central government; provide arbitration, policing, and protection of the rights of the citizens overseen by the detachment (with the rest of the Carabinieri detachment being used as the "stick"); limit corruption in the Carabineri's pay chain to prevent their use as "hired muscle"; and try and keep the soldiers from straying too far from the rules & regulations.
*Lagh Kutulo is a river in Reewiin.
**Borrowed from
@Potato Anarchy, with the addition of oxen.
