the Locust, Mark 3

The third iteration of the Locust is similar to the Mark 1 in its approximate size, but holds little else in common with it (not to mention the Mark 2, which was really just a reconditioned Dragonfly). The only real resemblance it has to its forebears is that it is a helicopter.

The Locust name has been revived as a B.T.R. vehicle, a small, one-man helicopter that can be transformed into a swamp buggy in the field with just a few moments of its operator's time. The Mark 3 Locust is possessed of these vehicular characteristics:

Autocannons (a): in either mode, the Locust has access to two rotary-barrel machine guns. These guns are linked, and can fire a short burst of lead to inflict the gunner's Agility +6 damage, raised to +7 if the Locust's operator fires a continuous stream of ammunition.

Body Armor (s): while the Locust doesn't provide its occupant any protection from injury, what with the open canopy and minimalist design, the vehicle itself is built rugged. It has an effective m.s. of 8, no matter which mode it's currently in.

Communications Array (i): the Locust is equipped with a gigahertz frequency, frequency wobbler clandestine operations radio system, allowing for constant team communications. This makes for intensity 5 comm power (with a 100 mile range) that has intensity 10 signal encryption.

Flight (a): when it is in its helicopter mode, the Locust can naturally fly. It can do this with intensity 4 ability, which gives the vehicle an approximate top speed of 120 miles per hour. It's not as fast as most helicopters, but then most helicopters can't transform.

Missile Launcher (i): the Locust is armed with a singular missile launcher, which is either dead center or off to one side, depending on the vehicle's current configuration. The projectiles it launches can inflict intensity 10 fragmentary damage with each hit.

Passengers: by design, the Locust is a one man vehicle - in either mode. However, it can conceivably carry two additional Joes in a pinch, one holding on for dear life on each side, using the landing skids or swamp skis for support depending on its configuration.

Shape Change (a): the primary design feature of all B.T.R. items, the Locust can serve as one of two different vehicles, depending on its operator's needs. With just a few moments of work in the field, said operator can convert the Locust between a helicopter and swamp buggy (and back again).

Swimming (a): when it is in its swamp buggy mode, the Locust can ski along the water's surface at a respectable speed. It may do this at intensity 1 velocity, which is around thirty miles per hour - not bad considering how gummed up most swamps tend to be.

Extra Goodies:

Gi Joe directories featuring a version of the Locust: