Well as mentioned a couple of days ago. Here are some 20mm Vietnam conflict figures. Typically I am starting with the US troops by which I mean no disrespect to any other nation involved. I have 3 squads of 10 for your standard US Troops. Each of the soldiers has the 7th Cavalry shoulder patch on the left arm. Which if you look really closely you will see as a black and yellow triangle with an additional "Diagonal" black stripe.
Each squad consists of a Pig gunner (M60 LMG) and a Booper (M79) Grenade launcher. I do have sufficient Bloopers to go to 2 in each squad if need be, or enough M203 grenade launchers to swap them out if need be. I did select the M79 Booper in preference to the M203 as it did have a higher rate of fire and was more common in the earlier part of the conflict. Additionally 1 squad has a shotgun (I may buy a few more at the Salute show) and while they were used think of "Bunny" in the film Platoon, I already suspect that many players if given the choice will opt for an M16. It is just a case of knowing your players. And by that I know they will want one to start with just to try it out, but will most likely prefer an M16 as the game(s) progress.
Someone is bound to ask "What rules will you use?" Well currently I am reading "FNG" by 2 hour wargames and quite like them. Many players do like them for this conflict when dealing with few figures but prefer "Charlie Don't Surf!" by Too Fat Lardies for company actions. But as I want to keep to squad level actions I do not feel the need for there purchase. Plenty of other rule sets exist of course so it is all personal choice.
All these figures are SHQ miniatures and painted a long while ago so all I have done is to re-base them and to touch them up where needed so they were never going to make the Analogue painting challenge. The basing was done exactly the same as my WW2 US Paratroops so if you flick back a dozen posts or so you will find a walkthrough of how that was done. But the bristles were not cut as short this time as I wanted a Jungle feel and not a scrubland/marsh look.
In addition to swap out figures I also Have some LLRP and special forces but I do not intend to use them at this stage simply because they are not always carrying the weapons you would think of in a squad. Far too many telescopic sights for example. And while telescopic sights were issued to first platoon then squad level it would only really be 1 a squad at the END of the conflict. So not common at all for the 67-8 period I would choose to portray.
Next time either Viet Mihn or South Vietnamese troops. But I only have a single squad of South Vietnamese troops so may have to include a vehicle to bolster the post. So the Salute shopping list may grow!!
Thanks for looking, have a great day and take care. All the best Clint
Very nice indeed, lovely figs - I'm playing with squad based elements in 15mm FoW style (but with different rules).
ReplyDeleteIf you are staying at the lower level of combat, check out the Revised Recon (by Palladium) for some great background and ideas.
Thanks Paul I will check it out. One of my problems is too many ideas though. But always willing to look at new things.
DeleteGreat work Clint!
ReplyDeleteIt's hard to be disrespectful by choosing to show the Americans first, they are the "stars" of the conflict and they look very "tacticool" - especially compared to the guerrillas.
As for the shotgun, games have trouble portraying the usefulness of short weapons in close quarters, but I am pretty sure anyone would rather fire a shotgun in a trench than 1 meter long M16.
Thanks Mathyoo. I am not sure the Americans are the stars, perhaps they are the villains. But perhaps they are the stars. It is hard to say.
DeleteI have had a rummage in an old figure box and found some more (Very badly) Painted guys with shotguns and enough more US troops for perhaps another squad, and an equal amount of local force Viet Mihn. So that at least will save me a few pennies.
They look good, Clint. Nice mix up of skin tones too.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dean. It was fought during my lifetime, but I was just a youngster so I don't remember it at all. So for skin toes I really am just going on film references, but I shall paint more Blacks in the next bunch.
DeleteA good start to your campaign.
ReplyDeleteIt is funny that I am already having 2nd thoughts about the rules. That is just so typical of me.
DeleteThanks Irqan
Great stuff Clint. An excellent start and a series of posts I'm really looking forward to. Tempting too... very tempting :-)
ReplyDeleteLOL thanks Simon. Yes More US troops on the paint table as I type this. But expect some opposition next time.
DeleteGood looking platoon Clint, well up to PM'sstandards, but for some reason the grass looks a bit "off" to me.
ReplyDeleteThanks Joe. I think I know what you mean about the grass. And I think it is because they are ranked up. This make the "Elephant grass" appear to be in rows like on Parade. But there are only so many places to put it on the bases.
DeleteBut it may well be something else.
They look good to me, Clint, although I must agree with Zabadak that the grass doesn't feel right. It's just a minor criticism and I certainly can't fault your paint work.
ReplyDeleteThank you Bryan. I think I have answered that in my reply to Joe. But that may not be the case so I shall look at the next lot a bit differently.
DeleteThey look good Clint and they make me think of the recent documentary Vietnam War in HD it was really good. I understand the grass comments but what can you do they look good to me none the less. I approve your choice of rules 2hr wargames is what I'm using for forth coming Weird WW2 in 28mm and 20mm.
ReplyDeleteThanks Robert I did not watch the documentary that you mention. There are issues with the rules but I have yet to find a set of rules that are perfect so these will do for now.
DeleteGot to agree they have turned out excellent.
ReplyDeleteJust a few more to finish off and then I am done, for now. Thanks Simon.
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