In the past, the process to train new Axel pilots typically involved a significant amount of simulator time before candidates moved on to piloting real machines. These trainer types were almost always under-armored medium axels of the day, typically with their midsections given large panoramic windows in place of the head camera units. This trend was fairly successful in getting many axel pilots trained, but when the UEPC was organizing their own training school they desired a specialized axel for this purpose. The B3-A Bali was not the ideal machine, but it was the cheapest one pitched to the UEUA for training purposes, and was ultimately accepted.





The Bali is unique in the milieu of axels by having a cockpit with side-by-side seating. Two-seater Axels were rare as it was, the most popular of which was the BK-47B with tandem seating having the gunner stationed before the pilot. The side-by-side method was proposed to allow instructors to guide and direct candidates personally, but the designer seemed to overlook the off-center nature of the Bali's cockpit was disorienting to new pilots. Many graduates that trained on the Bali found the seating arrangement problematic, feeling more like a ground motor car than up-rated power armor.





Nearly three hundred Bali were built, but only a quarter of them saw service as trainers. The design was better suited for commercial and industrial work, where it competed with industry Axels. The B3-A also saw service commercially; being one of the few modern axels to see commercial service overlapping with military service. Ultimately the B3-A remained in servicefor decades, with cadets continuing to suffer the awkward piloting arrangement.







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The Bali has been in existance for a long while, only having scrappy sketch lineart for a drawing. Decided to re-draw it leading up into this past weekend and just finished it now. It's a bit dorky I know, but it's supposed to be that way. Awkward and unpleasant.



