Having seen various forces on display and intrigued by the pre-game tweaks to forces mentioned in the rules I am tentatively considering investing. I think I have the modelling chops to pull it off but unlike other gaming 'periods' I am far less secure in my mind's eye of the likely results.
Have you chaps any advice for;
1) A complete novice to C20 gaming
2) Who feels not altogether woke but somewhat uneasy gaming more recent conflicts (even earlier Colonial conflicts unless the indigenous forces stand a decent chance of winning).
3) Aware of not excessively adding to the already burdensome lead mountain.
I'd like to start small ideally around a sensible but interesting retasking/customising of some old 60's civilian vehicles with a small initial outlay for conversion, as either ad-hoc transport for rebels or perhaps a religious cult. I do however like the pirates + looters combo for a rag tag militia... I also (sadly) liked the Tuareg v Mali from Cussler's 'Sahara' though the military conflicts in Mali are perhaps far too 'modern'.
I'm also not sure whether to stick with Africa or possibly expand my search into other geographical regions, possibly South America or perhaps even S E Asia... sadly the plight of the Montagnards post-Vietnam War rules them out despite PP having some lovely figures... :(
I'm also not sure whether to opt for the older rules or 'reloaded'... sensing something of a schism out there... and not being a regular gamer I don't have a preferred 'style' of play that might suit one or t'other.
Any ideas, gratefully received
Neil
Ha! :)
I had to come to the defence of Reloaded yesterday on the Facebook group. Some familiar naysayers have turned up to stick the knife in. But between Julian and myself, I think we have it covered.
OK, my tuppence to the discussion.
AK47, whilst ostensibly set in Africa, can in fact be transported to any region or country you like. South/Central America is a good one with drug cartels vying with security forces plus super power backed clientelle. It could even be transported to Sodor if you so wished. It's foundation is that you are creating 'Imagi-Nations'.
The nice thing is that there is no denegration of the worth or abilities of the soldiers, regardless of background, race or religion. Soldiers are either raw, trained or veteran - that's it. Your army can have machete weilding locals unhappy at an oppressive overlord, or trained special forces designed to go in hard and get out quickly. As always in wargaming though, the dice will fail you more often than not. It is the better general that copes with the adversity who will usually win.
Just about any car, truck, APC or tank can be utilised. Tanks either have old, standard or new guns. Really simple. You don't need to know how many forks or handles a vehicle has in order to play the game. In Reloaded you have 15 armies to choose from. If you search this forum, Julian has put together some excellent articles discussing the merits or otherwise of them, plus thoughts on army building and tactics.
Classic was/is a great game too, but Reloaded is in my opinion a considerably better game due to it's structure and mechanics. It was a revolution rather than evolution of the original. The naysayers were a vocal minority, mostly involved in the old Brixworth event ran back in the mid noughties. The ironic thing is that the event used essemtially it's own version of the rules, with altered points costs, amendments to things like helicopters and even table size. If you purchased a copy of the classic rules back then and turned up at the event, your army would most likely be wrong due to the changes in points cost for your troops, and you'd be left scratching your head at how the mechanics for certain aspects worked.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed the 2 or 3 times I attended. But the dedicated few who went to every one, and were prolific posters on the old RFCM Yahoo Group were quite hostile to the direction Martin went with the rules. There felt like there was a sense of entitlement from them for him to write the rules they wanted. That's fine - but the dozen or so players at those events were a very small portion of the AK player base as a whole.
Ultimately, no one was ever going to rip the old rules away from anyone and demand they couldn't be played. We all have a freedom of choice. But my opinion is that that small core of players didn't really give Reloaded much of a chance beyond a flip through the book and 1 or 2 games at most.
I'm sorry for rambling, but I am quite passionate about this subject! The reason I ran the AK Reloaded games day last year was to promote the rules and show just how good they are. We had 12 players and I think most enjoyed their day out in Daventry. Quite often with a set of rules, they need a public champion who will promote them across social media and draw in interested parties. It's something the Fat Lardies do. I remain convinced that their rules are intrinsically no better than any other rules available. But they are good at creating a hype around them and they recruit players hand over fist because of it.
So, to finish a long answer to a short question - my recommendation is to play Reloaded in your own 'Imagi-Nation'. Base it on a period of interest if you like, but by making up cities and countries for your lead men to fight over, you can sanitise any bits that you are in anyway uncomfortable with.
What ever you choose to do, enjoy your gaming, play nice and keep rolling 6's. ;)
Thnaks Sean.
Better put your steel helmet on.
martin :)
I agree with Sean, I ve seen this debate on Facebook and will say yourself and Julian have defended it very well.
Like any rules when they are re written there is always something in the old version that worked better for. Something or another. That's life.
Miles
Thanks for indulging this old fogey with all your helpful responses.
Thanks, Sean, for the detailed background, that together with various other discussions and eye candy on the interweb such as Derek's Wee Toys and TMP has galvanised me...
It is certainly getting the old creative juices going... I quite like Julian's Mad-Max idea as well but I think I'm not enough of a petrolhead to pull off that look successfully
Having mentioned Clive Cussler's 'Sahara' set in Mali I am leaning more towards an 'Imagi-Nation' along similar lines - i.e a former French colony on the desert fringes... if only to use that lovely Citroen model 8/154 (shame there's not an open top version - I can just see a warlord in a shiny version much like the 1938 avions Voisin c28 cabriolet in the 2005 Sahara film). At least there is also a destroyed marker in case I get a lucky hit on the Warlord!
I'm not sure of the longevity of Tuareg cavalry in AK47 unless they were like the Poles and RPG equipped... or even of the spare Reno I kinda fancy using as a sentry box (like one was reputedly done in Afghanistan in the 1980s)... I also have a couple of unused GAZ 4 wheeled trucks 8/145 going spare (too late for my RCW). Certainly a combination of Tuareg and urban mobs/militias Vs Warlord forces really appeals... ;D
Hi Neil, The post war French army had an interesting mix of kit and vehicles. They used US supplied helmets, M8 Greyhound armoured cars, M24 Chaffees, the Hotchkis copy of the jeep also vehicles from the defeated axis including Panther tanks although I can't find any evidence of them being used outside of european France.
Good luck and best wishes,
Martin Buck
If I were to take Mali as a visual cue for my imaginary African state on the desert fringes...
Despite the French not withdrawing until 1960, and the Malian army relying on conscripts and French army veterans, there seems to have been little French kit left behind (at least not officially it would appear). Instead our friend Mr. Wiki tells us that they relied heavily on Russian materiel and expertise. They had T-34s and T-55s and Russian APCs. Of course that might mean the opposition may have had access to French equipment from over the border in neighbouring Algeria... 8)
Given the geography of 'MaliFaux' or 'Malitania' or whatever I care to call my Imaginary state on the desert fringe, transport is going to be vital to cover the large distances involved. The Warlord state will need mobility to put it's stamp of authority on the region while the rebel tribal Northern marches and to lesser extent the various scattered urban populations will also need transportation. I envisage more guerrilla-style raiding, ambush and lightning reprisals than set-to battles...
I understand it is not necessarily a given under the rules on the actual day of 'battle', but can you cost forces as fully mobile from the outset even if that cost places limitations on troop numbers?
And has anyone used horse cavalry successfully without ending up as mincemeat?
Neil
I have been doing some research into my 'Sahara' themed AK47 forces...
As suspected the Tuaregs depicted have long been fighting for (and continue to do so to this day) the right to control an independent state in the traditional Berber heartlands of the region. They were anticipating some sort of settlement with the French colonial withdrawal in the late 1950s but the region was carved up between the newly emergent states... I now have a historical point around which to pin my AK forces... The First Tuareg Rebellion or 'Alfallaga' (1962-64). Between PP, QRF and Old Glory I have now sourced sufficient troops for the different factions.
How comfortable are you Modern warfare chaps depicting the flags and emblems of movements of 'current' conflicts?... They would certainly add context, narrative and colour... and since I always side with the underdog I would happily game with representations of either faction. Am I over thinking this and being too Woke?
Hi Neil,
For what it is worth, it is your army, so do as you wish...
Howard
Thanks, Howard,
I guess I have an issue with wargaming conflicts within my own lifetime and this 'period' is close to that conceptual cut-off point.
I suppose every wargames force is to a certain extent someone's fantasy take on their chosen period/conflict.
My T-55 will have to be my Warlord's personal ride, since the bulk of the MBTs in the Malian army were actually T34/85s. They also relied on a lot of old wheeled Soviet APCs, 4 wheel drives and Technicals for desert work. I'm sourcing suitable Cold War Soviet vehicles from the early 60s with a smattering of French ones...
Ultimately I will have all 5 branches of the Malian military represented in the 5 AK units - Republican guard, Regular Army, Militia and both Urban and Rural versions of police/paramilitaries.
The fun bit will be adding support and heavy weapons to my Tuareg insurgency. I've sourced Tuareg Cavalry and infantry with small arms from Blue Moon/Old Glory UK, and some HMG crews from their French Foreign Legion range. The Hotchkiss MGs will go to my MexRev forces to be replaced with more modern PP support weapons...
In my own 'Imagi-Nation' there are no child soldiers, drugs, modern slavery or religious fundamentalism. Not woke, but at the same time this is wargaming for fun and not political one upmanship or chest beating.
It saves any upset, finger wagging or shaking of heads. Modern African conflict can be grim fair. I don't want that. I want silly names, things that explode and improbable odds.
However, each person must game as they so wish, and I would never criticise anyone's decisions for their own gaming. If I don't agree, I can choose to look qway or not participate.
Enjoy your gaming, saty safe and keep rolling 6's.
Thanks Sean,
I think we've all encountered the darker side of historical conflicts in our reading. The Mexican Revolution, the Russian Civil War and the Chinese Warlord era were my last expeditions into the C20 and they shared many of the aspects you've mentioned.
This will be an interesting modelling departure for me, and a further opportunity to morph/re-task some of my father's Railway modelling bits 'n bobs expanding my modelling ceiling from the 1920s up to the 1960s-70s for the first time..
Neil
I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with.
Neil,
As you are thinking of using Mali as a 'template' for your 'Imagi-Nation', you might find Mali's SIPRI's Trade Register entry of interest. https://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php (https://armstrade.sipri.org/armstrade/page/trade_register.php)
Howard
Those tank riders are particularly good, Julian!
Simon
Wow!
thanks Julian, those are inspirational/aspirational pics. I do like the tank riders but I think in the 60's the Malian military had most of the decent hardware... Maybe they could be riding a captured APC ;)
thanks for the ref, Howard - alas the Malians largely relied on 2nd hand Soviet tech with off the peg green paint jobs and interesting camo was not introduced until the 80s :(
I do need to source some arab/robed RPG toting figures - alas the Afghans/Taliban by Khurasan have too many distinctive pakol hats in the mix.
I'm going for a 60s retro version of this look from c.2012... Lots of technicals on both sides composed of Toyota land cruisers, Landrovers, Postwar Jeeps and Soviet APCs. I am prepared to stretch the conflict (which was bubbling away intermittently) into the 1970s so I can use some PP vehicles... I will also be re-tasking some civvy vehicles which is what started this off in the first place...
I will be attempting to recreate this kind of savannah scenic look. I particularly like the mud brick architectural style that characterises the sahel region with the upturned corners. I'm tempted to reuse some scenics I scratchbuilt many years ago for C Arabia which has a broadly similar mud brick style...
Neil
Quote from: Julian Bonny on August 13, 2022, 09:12:39 PM
(https://i.postimg.cc/3kYG1B8G/sahara6.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/3kYG1B8G)
Bon jeu, vive le legion !
julian
Whose table is this Julian? It's magnificent!
Neil,
While it may be difficult to break the habit of historical research, I think you may find it easier to use real life nations such as Mali as "vague inspiration" rather than a template on which to base army composition .
If you do, it makes separation of real life nastiness from playing with toy soldiers that much easier.
I've done this in the past by creating Imagi-Nations; Costa Guano in South America and the post Soviet state of the Central Eurasian Republic.
As they never existed, I'm free to field whatever I want or actually possess. In the CER the battle for the capital involved T-34/85s, JS-3 as well as T-55 and T-72. Costa Guano has fielded Leopard 2 and Marder apcs in the Presidential Guard.
Looking at your proposed army the first thing I thought of was Chad; you could have a government force with ex-Soviet equipment v rebels in a fleet of pick-ups and gun trucks all in Bedouin / Touaurig clothing.
Neil
Good post Neil.
An excellent suggestion, Neil.
Chad is also within the Sahel belt and subject to the same regional transport challenges... a good call on potential army composition inspiration
That level of separation from reality is important I think. I have now opted for the 'Republic of Senemal' as probably more appropriate. Senegal joined French Sudan in the Mali Federation in 1959 but broke away shortly after independence in 1960. The Tuareg of the region expected a different territorial settlement and separatists have ever since fought for the state of 'Azawad' or 'Azaway' which originally applied not just to a small N part of Mali but to the much wider Berber region that existed in the Middle Ages...
The earlier soviet wheeled transports do remind me of LRDG jeeps, Julian
I'm enjoying this kind of world building... ;D
It is recognise that most of the armies and countries in Africa fight very horrible wars.
Hence why AK is kept generic.
This also the reason the rules stop at 1990. This helps avoid enthusiasts fussing over particular statistical information that would only spoil the game.
Some armies such as Lebanese, Israeli et al are specifically mentioned as the players wanted them.
The "making things up" aspect is a great attraction to the game for me.
Not sure if there will be a V3, but we are 13 years on.
martin :)
Julian,
Thanks for both your suggestions...
Martin,
It is nice to get the basics right and since I'm pitching my 'Republic of Senemal' in the period from 1960-1979 I wanted to get at least a sampling of the vehicles most likely to be in that region. I'm not a C20 vehicle specialist so I browsed the interweb so I didn't inadvertently get any 1980s 'cuckoos' in the mix. Finding out Mali used T34/85s as well as T54/55s just gives me an excuse to get 2 different MBTs!
Neil
I think that one of the joys of AK47 (original or Reloaded) is its uniqueness. Players have a very free hand. Look at all the things the game is and isn't:
• It is realistic but also caricature.
• It is and isn't fantasy.
• It is and isn't "what if?"
• It allows any vehicles/military vehicles from, say, 1940 to date to be validly used.
• It allows just about any figure to be used.
• It allows the use of any toy that "looks right".
• It isn't geographically fixed.
• It is only loosely fixed in time.
• It allows humour of a sort that isn't always black. (Best summed up by the dead militiaman that has been run over by a tank.)
The rules are simple but effective. Name any other period that comes close?
Bankinista
That's a pretty good summary, Bankinista!
I would add: "it gives a nuanced, challenging game that's fun to play" ;)
Simon
I'm really looking forward to building up forces for both sides and exploring everyone's assessment of the rules.
I'm looking to give my T54/55 a similar paintjob to the attached... it has just come off the spray bench in an undercoat of light olive drab and looks fab already!
The Blue Moon Tuareg are alas more in the 18mm size bracket, so will have to be on separate bases to my other truer scale 15mm figures. I'll be looking to the Arab/PLO headscarved troops to provide AK equipped rebels and more modern fire support...
I just spent an enjoyable afternoon butchering a decrepit old Ford Anglia toy car which I plan to model as a burnt out roadside wreck...
Neil
I think a great thing about "AK47 Republic" paint schemes is that it's hard to come up with anything wackier than someone has already used in the real world, so anything goes!
So, maybe one more thing to add to Bankinista's list - no need to adhere to any paint scheme for figures or vehicles, if you don't want to!
Simon
They are very versatile figures, Julian - good for PMCs too.
Simon
I'm looking for some more infantry in local dress with less combat gear. I've just added a smattering of Irregular Afghans to the mix - turban heads, AKs and RPGs... and more in scale with PP figs. I may well add some PP Arab/PLO in due course... I do like the idea of head swapping hardened militia, Julian ;D
Seemingly most soviet APCs etc were in Russian olive livery. The Malians added names and historic events to their vehicles in white lettering so I may well copy that idea... they even used PT-76s as de-facto MBTs so I have one on order from Skytrex to add to my motley assortment.
Olive drab is a little incongruous in a desert theatre I'd have thought. In the film 'Sahara' the vehicles had two tone camo (tan and brown I think?) I'm doing some essential 'research' watching it now for inspiration!
Neil
Neil,
I've settled on doing all my AK47 "Western" kit in green ("Russian green" works well, ironically) and all the Soviet-sourced equipment in sandy yellow.
It may not be strictly accurate (although just try and prove it!) but it keeps things simple for me in terms of what I include in a given force and which model is on which side!
Simon
Just to add a note on headscarf's. You can use green stuff to make up headscarves, it is a bit tricky.
When I get a chance I will post some pictures up in the next couple of days.
Miles
I have tried 'tweaking' 15s with green stuff but had far more success in the larger scale. I would be most interested to see how you got on, Miles.
Neil
Have assembled and undercoated my Panhard today. I was expecting it to be bigger somehow. What an odd vehicle! Kinda like putting a tank turret on a FIAT panda! :o
In the best spirit of AK I re-tasked the other half of the Glencoe Models 1:100 aircraft set I got my Wright Flyer from... The Ryan 'Spirit of St. Louis' is now being used as a former 1930s mail plane now ageing spotter plane for the Rebels.
Those PP Panhards are lovely models though, and respond well to ink and drybrush.
Simon
Don't get me wrong, its a beautiful model and I can see it will ink and drybrush beautifully. At least it is bigger than a BA 64!
My Senemalese security force welcomes the additional hardened fire support in case the locals get a bit frisky about the latest tax rises... 8)
Neil
Winnebago a la Congo!
Seeing 'World's Most Dangerous Roads' I can't see them getting very far!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uzC1VCYLPl8
Neil
Had a successful week off adding to my AK stash rooting through my Dad's old railway modelling scraps for scenic ideas and materials...
A scratchbuilt tank-compatible girder bridge as a suitable objective
A burnt out car (Ford Anglia)
2 corrugated tin shacks
The makings of 4 rectangular saharan style adobe buildings
A square adobe blockhouse for my planned customs post/checkpoint.
I also had a go at sculpting some K-rails out of styrofoam scraps.
I find visualising the terrain helps to set the scene and with the backstory/narrative of my Imagi-Nation 'the Republic of Senemal'.
Meanwhile the forces are growing with each passing order through the post...
Neil
The Piggie Sudan buildings would also look nice.
I have a selection of European style colonial buildings to go alongside my usual shacks and shanties. A lot of them with flat roofs because Julian likes them.
:D
Loving the images... particularly as I'm casting about for paint schemes and arrangements of potential technicals to pit against the FdS APCs
Most of my buildings will be flat rooved. I'm liking the idea of the MexRev and Sudan buildings...
I hadn't thought of the PP Dervishes as potential sources of mounted Tuareg! ::)
There are plenty of options in the PP ranges... oh boy, looks like I'll be keeping Martin busy for a while longer!
Hmm, the Clive Cussler novel 'Sahara' has an abandoned FFL fort in it. My wife also keeps asking me whether I will model the abandoned ironclad!
Neil
Just as well I spotted some Tuareg separate heads in the Colonial range in time for my next order - you kept that quiet! Now I can headswap some militia with RPGs... ;D
Neil
I know what you mean - a part buried ironclad would make a good vantage point/fop/hardpoint - much like the abandoned sub in Nausicaa/Valley of the Winds!
I already have a border post/check point, village, fuel depot and bridge on the books... on top of acacia trees, Tuareg tents/yurts...
And then of course there's the armed forces themselves... and the veehicles and support weapons.
Looks like I'll be set up till Christmas at this rate! ;D
Neil
Julian,
I'd better finish painting them first before they all die miserably then! ;D
Neil
Even more remarkable considering victory points have a dice roll element. I'm very much enjoying AK47 and introduced 2 new players to the game last week. They had a blast.
fun fact. Those MexRev players out there who have invested in some prickly pear cactus models can legitimately use them in AK. Opuntia apparently are an invasive weed in Kenya now having been imported into S Africa as a crop. The Locals are now having to come to terms with this new plant and its food and farming potential.
Neil
An entirely new departure for me. The furthest into the C20 that I have ventured until now is 1922!
Neil
I like the moggie medley with heavy weapons 8)
Neil
I've noticed AA weapons mounted on lorries... are these for use against ground targets too like the German 88mm and 'Dushkas'...
I've been eyeing up the ZPUs on the PP website (lovely looking models) but discounted them since I am unlikely to have much in the way of Aerials... I saw a photo of a ZPU-4 and a PT-76 at a Malian checkpoint c.2012 and just assumed the ZPU was intended for aerial targets... Am I being too hidebound in my thinking?
Neil
Thanks for the clarification, Julian - yet another thing to add to my wish-list! ;D
Hypothetic situation for my Imagi-Nation, the former French colony now the 'Republique de Senemal'...
- FFL continue to have assets in the region and surrounding area.
- French-backed business is being targeted by separatist rebels in a bid to protest against rapacious foreign mineral exploitation and embarrass the current Junta who ceded the mining rights and promised 'security' in exchange for generous 'voluntary contributions' to the regime.
- The Junta ousted the first democratically elected pro-French govt. for being too conciliatory with factions wanting self-determination. It is unpopular internally and externally and backed by the Soviets (anti-French).
Q. Do the FFL;
1) target the separatists with focused strikes/reprisals
2) seek to provide security for the mining companies
3) seek to support the Francophile former govt. in exile? (thus attempting to destabilise the Junta)
Needless to say I'm eyeballing the PP FFL figs and musing on scenarios for continued French 'interference' in the region...
This hearkens back to the similar situation in Mexico and the US Punitive expedition against Villa BUT the FFL did support the incumbent pro-French regime in Chad...
Neil
A warm warlord welcome awaits you on the border with La Republique de Senemal!
a little vignette to show w.i.p. on the developing Dictatorship forces with scratch-built tin shacks, border post, security fencing and K-rails...
Thanks, Julian
And for the plug on the FB forum... I am an occasional FB lurker but now I have an excuse to visit more often!
Hopefully I'll have my Tuareg VW camper Technical off the drawing board by the Sept deadline 8)
Neil
Hee hee - I like it! Mine will be far less well designed... more like guys poking their heads out with HMGs and RPGs...
Neil
A stab at an Objective close to my heart... the wreck of the CSS Texas. Online sources quote an overall length of 217ft and a beam of 46ft. The film version had the standard sloped rectangular casemate far longer and with more gun ports than actually reported. Sources state the Texas had a far shorter, octagonal design occupying approx. 1/3 of the overall length. Armament was 2 pivot guns covering the 3 fore and aft ports and 2 guns on the sides. That means I can just squeak it onto a 9 x 6" template... 1) The core casemate on a level keel out of exp poly cut to shape, and 2) heeled over and buried up to the gunwales... the poly offcuts will be used as the base for dunes... Card cladding and detailing to follow... I'm considering using a cylinder of lead foil crumpled to create the separated wrecked smokestack. I'll use Plasticard or balsa to recreate any exposed wooden decking and fat track pins the mooring cleats...
Turns out to be a faster build than I first thought
Neil
Neil,
I like the idea... watching with interest :)
Howard
CSS Texas after a card shell and applications of scrap plasticard decking and panelling to simulate the reinforced cladding... any poor joins will be either filled or obscured by sand and debris etc.
Next up mooring cleats, gun ports, some laddering, a couple of deck hatches and detailing the wheelhouse, maybe vestigial handrails before liberal applications of exp poly dunes and scree followed by sand and gravel scenic scatter...
Looking forward to how this one is going to turn out, Neil!
Are you going to add rivets that we can all count? :D
Simon
Looking at examples like the CSS Cairo I can't make out whether the vertical panels are overlapping metal plates or just sleepers bolted to the framing - either way I am going for the general look rather than accuracy. There are many speculative reconstructions of the Texas anyway - so no rivets, Simon.
I AM looking forward to experimenting with a 'distressed' lead foil cylinder for the smokestack... ;D
Neil
Meanwhile my first experimental homegrown oil drum rolls off the production line...
8mm square styrofoam blocks shaved into octagonal sections and smoothed with sandpaper into cylinders and cut into 10mm long sections. The ribs are shaped using a pencil...
Neil
Its the pale green version of the high density polystyrene pink styrofoam insulation board beloved by GW terrain modellers... when sanded it goes to an almost white colour
Neil
On a minor note, I have 3 Panhard A/Cs for my Tuareg rebellion; an AMD 178B, an AML and an EBR. I thought I'd give them nicknames and paint them on the sides in the time honoured tradition... Because of their various sizes I was contemplating calling them the 3 bears and in deference to their French origins the French versions of 'Baby Bear', Mama Bear' and 'Papa Bear'...
Then I started thinking about other popular trios such as Huey, Dewey and Louie.
Anyone out there got any more ideas?
Neil
.
Quote from: sukhe_bator (Neil) on September 20, 2022, 06:09:42 PM
On a minor note, I have 3 Panhard A/Cs for my Tuareg rebellion; an AMD 178B, an AML and an EBR. I thought I'd give them nicknames and paint them on the sides in the time honoured tradition... Because of their various sizes I was contemplating calling them the 3 bears and in deference to their French origins the French versions of 'Baby Bear', Mama Bear' and 'Papa Bear'...
Then I started thinking about other popular trios such as Huey, Dewey and Louie.
Anyone out there got any more ideas?
Neil
.
The fox, the wolf and the horse? A traditional French fairy story.
Neil
'Renard', 'Loup' and 'Cheval'.... I like that combo, that's definitely food for thought :D
Thx, Neil
Neil
Asterix, Obelix and Dogmatix?
Athos, Porthos and Aramis?
QuoteAthos, Porthos and Aramis?
Very tempting, Sean, but I think Neil's fairy tale animals win and particularly apt for fast and speedy A/Cs
If I had another trio the musketeers would definitely be contenders
Neil
I am doing mine in 6mm, post Civil War USA set in 2030-2050s. Lets me adjust stuff to more comfortable setting for me. Am a US citizen in the States. Cause Troop quality is the biggest factor and gear is generic. I built a UN Mission for United States using Brigade Models Hammer's Slammers Army Pack for it. Gives me everything I need to make a futuristic EU/UN Army. My biggest stumbling block is keeping the rest of the armies from being mirrors in gear.
A big shout out for the Lancia lorry 8/148. It is a beautiful resin sculpt and will make a lovely addition to my motley collection of WWII and PostWar vehicles for my Tuareg Alfellaga...
Neil
Neil,
I have a couple of those Lancia trucks, they were used by the Italian army until the early 1960's.
A good choice for africa.
Best wishes,
Martin Buck
I gather the Lancia's were still in operation until the 1960s so it seemed a logical choice. I also have a couple of Latil M7s and an M8 armoured car on order. They were popular with the French Foreign Legion who policed the Saharan area. They can help spice up the Alfallegan forces.
Neil
I'm looking at the pack of smaller Recoilless rifles and wondering whether some could be adapted to small vehicle mounting as seen in photos of jeeps, landrovers etc. I'm familiar with the stick mountings for HMGs but this probably requires some macgvvering.
I'm reserving the larger RRs for Pickup and Lorry mounting...
Neil
I'm pretty sure I've seen folks do that, Neil, and feel certain you'll come up with something very nice!
Simon
Thx for the vote of confidence, Simon.
I just tried separating the tripod feet of a small recoilless from the base and carefully bending the front leg down... It works!
I had thought to remove the two rear feet entirely but they straddle the gap between the front seats of the GAZ 469 and can be pinched into place and glued creating a pintle with room enough for passengers. It looks far more in scale than trying to retro-fit the supersize RR.
Had a great time adapting my Blue Moon Tuareg MG'ers... being from the '20s they come with a separate Hotchkiss MG but I've cut back the rear legs of the AK .50 cal. mounting and trimmed the base of the seated crewman so they practically touch. A little green stuff to create robe folds covering where the rear tripod feet are missing and they are good to go. ;D
Neil
Neil when I made my 1/600th Texas I did the superstructure in Green stuff in one. As you say it's a lot smaller than the others and trying to do it in plastic card at that scale, just didn't work.
Miles
Hi Neil,
I did these for the "Classic" version. they need repainting, WW2 Jeeps with the large recoilless rifles mounted in them. I can't remember exactly how I did it but it involved cutting the base down and epoxy adhesive.
(https://i.postimg.cc/6706YKm5/IMG-20211213-121659.jpg) (https://postimg.cc/6706YKm5)
Best wishes,
Martin Buck
Thx, Martin. That's still really useful.
My 2 rebel Toyotas and a WWII vintage 6 wheel jeep now have the large RRs and a GAZ469 one of the smaller versions... My other vehicles now have a mixture of crew operated HMGs and unmanned versions on stick mounts
Always useful to see how others have mounted weapons on Technicals and passengers... I just spent an interesting afternoon 'kneecapping' and 'ankle biting' with clippers and scalpel to make the passengers fit various vehicles... :o
I'm now trying to figure out how to fit a ZPU1 on some sort of flatbed lorry...
Neil
I have been brooding on this and on the FB forum...
Meet 'Asterix' and 'Obelix', my latest and last additions to my FFL forces.
I have a couple of assorted lorries from BPM on order to make up my 3 vehicle liability convoy
Anyone have any ideas of a notional ideal composition of a militia unit? I know this is a chicken and egg question but I'd welcome some ideas
I understand if I go for a cavalry option at an extra 2pts/base they have the mobility but cannot dig in...
Neil
Hi Neil,
For Reloaded my militia units are 8 small arms bases, 4 RPG bases and 1 or 2 support weapons (HMG or mortar). If points are tight I will reduce the number of small arms bases first, the RPGs are quite useful.
Militia units need to be large.
Best wishes,
Martin Buck
I can never get my little men coordinated enough to set up heavy weapons... RPGs are indeed very useful!
Simon
Thanks Martin,
I've seen elsewhere using the max number of 4 RPGs and thought to follow suit, with perhaps an HMG and Mortar. I'm on track to have 20 bases of small arms and about 10 bases of cavalry so was looking at having 2 units of infantry with carriers/technicals and a unit of cavalry. Not being able to mix the Blue Moon Tuareg (that are 18mm) has upset my figure calculations particularly as I need dismounts...
Neil
Hi Neil,
Not being able to mix figures from different manufacturers can mess up our plans, we've all been there.
Hi Simon,
You need to get your militia on the table and set up in a template that gives cover or dug in early in the game. Let your better quality troops run around causing trouble and softening up the enemy for the assault that will secure the objectives.
Best wishes,
Martin Buck
Yep...sit them on an objective...dug in if you can and forget about them!