Able Archer/ RFR rules - Vietnam in 20mm (part 8) - The NVA infantry

The North Vietnamese infantry is one of the essentials together with the Vietcong for the war with the USA between 1963-75. Half of the figures are the new Orion NVA while the rest are old ESCI. A total of  three battalions of NVA, a full regiment, was added. 

These two B-11 107mm recoiless rifle were added to the Vietcong. The models started with very old barrels from the Ontos Anti Tank vehicle that Atlantic produced in the 70s. Then all other parts were made from scratch. The figures are ESCI and Orion.

Here you have the models before painting. The guns became bigger than they should as they departed from the old Atlantic parts which were made as toys and always big, particularly the vehicles. 

Each battalion has one more base than the VC and the 81mm mortars were scratchbuilt from EverGreen plastics. 

For the bases of the mortars I used small wheels. The figure in the middle lost its AK47 and received a mortar round. 

Next: a WW2 Japanese Aircraft carrier (finally, after many threats). 

The Soviet VVS in WW2 for Rapid Fire! rules and in 20mm size

This group of Soviet aircraft covers the entire conflict from Barbarossa up to the Berlin offensive. The models are mostly plastics (Airfix, ICM, Italeri, Eastern Express, Gribovski, Revell and Encore) with many Die-Cast (Altaya and Luppa).

Next: the NVA infantry.

Able Archer/ RFR rules - Vietnam in 20mm (part 7) - New pieces of terrain

 

Just a few more pieces of terrain and some civilians to give life to the table.

These two models came from China by Aliexpress. They are metal and intended for decoration. But at around 2 euros each and 1/72 scale they are just too good to be left behind.  A simple paint job and a base finished the lot. The "Vietnamese Buffalo" is in fact a metal Skytrex African animal and much skinier than the intended one. 

A swamp was made with some GW plants in the middle. 

From Temu came these bamboo sticks. I cut many of them in half and took the leaves from the bottom part. The left overs were spread on the base and painted in sandy colors to look like faded fallen material. 

Next: The NVA. 

The Mediterranean and N/A air battles in WW2 (British Vs Italians) for R...

The name is just an excuse to show its three parts: the British desert aircraft, the Regia Aeronautica (the original aim of the video but just too little) and a British Aircraft Carrier. The Aircraft Carrier is scratch built and the aircraft are from the usual brands plus Super Model for many of the Italian aircraft.

The Luftwaffe for Rapid Fire! rules and in 20mm size

This collection tried to get the basics of the German Luftwaffe for all WW2 periods. There are all major brands like Airfix (some from the 1957 originals) , Revell, Matchbox and several of the newer Altaya and Luppa die-casts. The darker Me262 is a Frog model from 1972 that I forgot to mention.

Able Archer/ RFR rules - Vietnam in 20mm (part 6) - Nguyen Van Bay´s mount and a new paddy field

 

Nguyen Van Bay goes on the hunt for one more US aircraft over his beloved Vietnamese rice fields. He even carries a "Kill Box" under him (eh, eh). 

The model is Hasegawa and portrays Nguyen Van Bay´s Mig-17. This Mig-17, even if outdated by US standards, was a headache for the USAF as is was quite manouverable and very dangerous in close combat due to the three cannons it had (the initial batches of F-4 Phantom didn´t have any). It had no air to air missiles and was subsonic, but somehow the Mig-17s seems to have shot down 77 US aircraft (VPAF claim, with US sources saying a bit less) in exchange for 100 Mig-17 shot down. Not bad for an aircraft from the 50s. 

Nguyen Van Bay shot seven/eight US aircraft (five, according to US sources). He seem to have been an extraordinary figures showing incredible skills while flying his Mig-17, and shooting down his enemies from a distance of only 100 meters (A-4, F-4, F-8 and F-105, at least). He was taken out of service quite quickly, the NV governament didn´t want to loose him as he was important also to teach and inspire other pilots. 

The table needs to look as Vietnamese as possible. New terrain was added as this extra paddy field made of the usual plywood and BlueBoard walls

I´m making some risky curves and angles on these paddy fields as I want to include forest patches or villages close to them. I already received plenty of bamboo sticks, the next piece of terrain to be built. 

Next: The NVA infantry and more terrain or a Luftwaffe's video. 

Able Archer/ RFR rules - Vietnam in 20mm (part 5) - The Vietcong and some new terrain

 

After a first flood of US material and men, that would have conducted to an inevitable US victory in the Vietnam war (immediatly around 1961..), some Vietcong Orion and Esci figures arrive on the battlefield for balance. In fact a recent trip to the north and to one of the last model shops in the country, Bigcat, made me restart the Vietnam period as I found the three boxes of North Vietnamese that Orion produces, the Vietcong Main Force, the Comunist Force (in fact the Local Force) and the North Vietnamese army. The figures are beautifully sculpted and extremely varied. Coupled with the old Esci they make very interesting units. PSR review of these figures was not a good one as Orion sent them some 1st test figures filled with problems which conducted to a bad review. I was lucky as I must have found later produced figures that have all these problems solved with clean and detailed castings. 

My old Esci figures provided more or less some 50 figures while the other 50 are Orion. I made each battalion of the VC Main Force with three companies of six figures each with a command stand and an engineer stand. 

The mix of Esci and Orion gives plenty of variety. Two of the companies have LMG while another has the RPG. The old issue of some of the VC wearing the woven straw conical hat continues with the sources saying it was not used. But please, how can a VC force not use them if we could all see them clearly in Apocalipse Now? :)

The stereotyped black uniform was the most painted but a few blue grey and khaki jackets were also added as typical colors of the VC. 

The two 60mm mortars were scratchbuilt with one Orion figure and a converted Esci LMG firer each. The Regimental command stand has figures from all four boxes, three from Orion and one from Esci. 

The pieces of terrain were made from two different types of ground vegetation and plastic palm trees given to me by my friend Carlos Briz.

Next: more Vietnam or a video on more WW2 aircraft. 

The French and British aircraft for the 1940 campaign, for Rapid Fire! r...

Another project made along many years including 30 Airfix, Heller, Smer, Azur and Altaya models to go along with my four French divisons (DCR, DLM, DLC and DI) and the BEF and the British 1st Armored division.

Able Archer/ RFR rules - Vietnam in 20mm (part 4) - US infantry, new tanks, terrain and a straffing Mig

 

A combined US/ARVN force is caught crossing the paddy fields by a low flying Mig-21. Fortunately, for the allies this Mig model has no auto-cannon, only the Atoll AA missiles, if not many mothers would have received the visit of the priest and officers all carried in a olive green car... sorry, this is the consequency of watching too many times Saving Private Ryan. 

This is a four company battalion (post 1967)  of US infantry from Esci. Still missing are the HMGs, the 107mm mortar and the recoiless rifles. 

The 81mm mortars came from StreletsR and the crew are all conversions from Esci. The M-60 stand has figures with new heads as the Esci set had plenty of helmetless figures maybe inspired on the movie Apocalipse Now.

This is the 2nd M48A3 converted from a M48A2c , following the Altaya one. In fact I still have another four in the stash but all need some level of conversion as they are Israeli or German versions, missing the 90mm gun and the funny little cupola. Another problem is the fact the chassis of the M48 is one of the most time consuming of the Esci range  so this group of six will be slow to build.

 The cupola came from a PzI extra turret by Minairons and luckily I have a number of them for the other missing M48s. The figure is Atlantic. 

These Hasegawa M24 Chaffee were mostly used by the ARVN as shown here. They are painted in a two-tone of green but the mud spray ruined most of it. The figures are again Atlantic and aircraft pilots. 

The Mig-21 PF is one of the main and best  models of the North Vietnamese fighter squadrons credited with many USAF aircraft, even if both sides present conflicting numbers. This model is Altaya and was minutes from being silver sprayed as many of them were but a last minute find of North Vietnamese Mig-21PF in this kind of four tone camouflage saved me from extra trouble. Like this only the markings were repainted. 

This rice field was made from a base of plywood and small walls of BlueBoard. The water part was painted with two coats of gloss varnish. The result is OK and this type of paddy field will be made in larger numbers as most of the Vietnam scenarios needs them. 

Next: The Vietnamese VC.  

Able Archer/ RFR rules - Vietnam in 20mm (part 3) - The Altaya models

This post was quick to follow the last one as these models are ready built die-cast and of excellent quality and price. I´m a big fan of Altaya as you can have a very good model ready for the table/shelves in just a few minutes. Of course you always need some extra details, figures, dusting after thin black applied somewhere or everywhere as these ones need to be close to other models and kits from other brands. 

Altaya has these two tanks for the US/ARVN side, the M-41 Bulldog and the M-48A3. They got some mud color spray but it looks I exaggerated, specially on the M-48.

The M-35 A1 was a gun truck heavily armored for Vietnam used mostly in the convoy protection role. I just added figures and some benches for them to sit. The right side truck was made first and has Skytrex figures added while the one to the left has Esci conversions. 

Two more helicopters, a Bell Huey UH-1 Iroquois and a Bell OH-58D Kiowa. 

And these three strike aircraft, very useful in the CAS mission, a F-100D Super Sabre, a Grumman A-6E Intruder and a A-4C Skyhawk. 

All these aircraft got a "Vietnam" base with the usual green flocking but with added plastic GW vegetation. 

Next: more Vietnam. 

Able Archer/ RFR rules - Vietnam in 20mm (part 2) - Revamping the old plastic aircraft

These four old kits were built and on the shelves for decades by now. The work this time was to paint the canopies from the inside after popping them out (not possible on the helicopters due to the large number of parts which forced me to paint them from the outside) and to place crews on the helicopters.  

The firing M-60 crews of the helicopters were made from the Esci running figure. Its right leg was heated with a lighter until the figure could be placed in a seated position. Then the M1 helmets were replaced by modern aircraft helmets. 

The kits are Esci Bell 212 which are possible as they were also used in Vietnam and an alongated version of the more famous Bell Huey UH-1. For an easy distinction of both variants you have two windows in the sliding rear door in this version and only one in the UH-1. Besides, the 212 is slightly longer. 

This is the Skyraider A-1E by  Monogram, a CAS slow aircraft that could deliver a heavy payload on the target.

The F-105 Thunderchief was the main strike bomber so heavily used that almost half of the 800+ were lost at Vietnam. The model is Revell. 

Next: More Vietnam, namely the Altaya models 

Able Archer/ RFR rules - Vietnam in 20mm (part 1) - Terrain and first model

 

Recently Tim King started to make a revamped Able Archer Rules closer to the principles of the (even) faster Rapid Fire Reloaded called Able Archer Reloaded. This fact sparked again my interest on the Cold War period so I started to pile up once more figures, vehicles and aircraft for Iran-Iraq war, Angola, Lebanon and particularly the period I had less stuff, the Vietnam War. 

After some piling up and stash organisation for Vietnam I saw a number of nice videos by Little Wars TV and other wargamers and modellers for the sake of inspiration and took my old books on the subject from the shelves. I had to clean the dust after that as some 20 years already passed since my last raid into Vietnam.

 I had no terrain for South East Asia and my first task was to make some patches of forest that looked exotic enough for Vietnam. The material was already in my stash for years as I used Games Workshop jungle terrain and some nice plastic vegetation I found in  Chinese shops. Another good thing about these patches of forest is its usage in the WW2 TOE of the Pacific.

This one is made only of GW plastic vegetation. Some stones were used for extra weight in all stands. 

The Chinese plastic vegetation was cut into pieces of around 10 cm to 20cm and mixed with the GW pieces. 

This is the "20cm" variant. What I wanted was some vegetation stands with an exotic look that can also be mixed with the European/North American vegetation as Vietnam has a prolific mix of evergreen and deciduous forests to bamboo and mangrove forests, for a total of 1500 types of woody plants (!). 

These are the different types of vegetation that GW offered at least some 10 years ago. Looking on the pet shops is also a good solution as they also have this type of plastic vegetation specially in the aquarium part. 

A view from the lot. What will have to be done, after mixing with the European/North American types, is to make the mandatory paddy fields and bamboo forests. 

This was my first Vietnam build maybe 40 years old but still in good shape, a Matchbox Bell Huey AH-1G Cobra that can be used from 1966 on many actions as a support for the other great achievement of Bell, the UH-1 "Iroquois". Recently I took out the figures and painted the canopy from the inside, which gives a good shine to the canopy and doesn´t erase any detail from the frame. 

Next: More Vietnam. 

The Slovak Fast Brigade at Lipovec 1941 in 20mm for Rapid Fire! - Part 7: The small cars, new unexpected airplanes and some artillery

 

Making the Slovak Fast Brigade is a funny project as you can´t find many types of vehicles or guns in one place something that forces to look everywhere from plastic, resin, scratch or 3d. In this post you can find a bit of all of them. 

These ones came from Poland (Martola Model Shop) from a 3d resin brand called EMP  which, among dozens of others, has (L to R) these Tatra T82 (instead of Tatra T27 as pointed in the RF! Blue book) with the  20mm oerlikon AA, the Tatra T-72  and the Tatra 57k. The models are true beauties with very easy to clean resin debris from the 3d printing process. The interior of the Tatra 82 is very complete but I prefer to close all windows with pieces of plastic card. I did the same on the other two vehicle´s windshields as they were very detailed but also fragile. The barrel of the 20mm Oerlikon broke  and had to be replaced by a drilled piece of plastic. 

These two, a Letov S-328 and an Avia-534 from KP were very kindly sent to me by the RF! expert Alan McCoubrey. These two are very handy, an extra Avia-534 is always good as the Fast brigade had around 36 of them (three squadrons). The Letov S-328 was also missing in my collection as the one I had was sent to Poland 1939 disguised and converted as a Polish  reconnaissance aircraft. The only change I made in these two was the markings that were hand painted and the two figures on the Letov which came from the Hasegawa Kawanishi H8K. 

The Tatra T82 was used as an AA mobile platform. Not sure it was used in this way in mid 1941 but there is visual confirmation of it around 1943 at least. The figures are Hat WW1 Ottomans with Esci British paratroopers heads which is (I realised that pretty late) the best  plastic heads for the Slovaks. 

This photo is from 1943 and it shows a 20mm AA gun on top of the Tatra T82 (caption says it)  and that is why our masters mention the 20mm AA being towed/carried on top of Tatra T27 and not T82...

The Tatra T-72 will go for the Mixed Reconnaissance Force HQ and the Tatra 57k will be carrying the observation team of the 11th Artillery Regiment.

One more FtF Praga RV was used to pull the 75mm mountain gun of the infantry battalion. This time I camouflaged the truck with the same colors used in the Slovak tanks as shown in Tank Power magazine No 471. 

The 75mm mountain gun was scratchbuilt from an Irregular Miniatures barrel and some Revell XVII century wheels.  The carriage came from an old Airfix 25pdr heated and twisted until in place. The shield and other small details were made in plastic card. 

The crew is again Hat Ottomans with Esci paratroopers heads. The netting on the helmets is no problem as its barely invisible after two coats of paint.  

Next: wether Vietnam or more Slovaks