Suggestions for submitting your model ideas to GHQ

[Mikee]

I'd like to suggest a WW II english warship for consideration - the light cruiser HMS Sheffield. GHQ already has the last three ships of the Cities class, but these have the curved bridge. There are five more "Cities "class CLs, with mostly 'flat' bridges, that could be covered by a Sheffield model. The Cities class of CLs were a significant presence during the war, and Iwould think that fanatical collectors (like me) would want five models for their fleet.

All of the following details are from Whitley's book; "Cruisers of World War Two." Whitley says that two ships - the Southampton and Newcastle - were ordered in the 1933 programme; and three more - the Sheffield, Glasgow, and Birmingham - were ordered in the 1934 programme. My understanding from this book is that the first five ships were essentially identical, insofar as modelling purposes are concerned, EXCEPT that the 1934 programme ships had a third HACS located on the centerline aft. This suggests that Sheffield models could be converted to the two 1933 ships by cutting off the third HACS.

Looking at the modifications noted in Whitley's book, I'd suggest that the model be based on Sheffield's April - July 1942 refit. In a Sept '41 refit she had six 20 mms added, and in the Apr-July refit she had three more 20 mms added, for a total of nine. Newcastle had nine 20 mms fitted in Nov '41; Glasgow had nine 20 mms fitted in the summer of '43, and Birmingham had seven 20 mms fitted in March '42. (Southampton seems to have gone down to Davy Jones locker before there were any modifications.) If these 20 mm guns were located in the same places on the four ships, a Sheffield model would closely match three of the other four ships in the class in the '41-'42 period.

Whaddaya think?

Mikee

remember; you may be paranoid, but that doesn't mean that there's nobody out to get you.

[Donald M. Scheef]

I will enter an additional vote for Southampton class in the Consolidated Micronauts Wish List.

Don S.

[Mikee]

GHQ should consider producing the Iowa. This ship was the lead ship of a class of four, and is pretty much the only U.S.WW II BB not produced by GHQ. The Iowa served with distinction in WW II and for decades after, and in her early incarnation was a bit different than the other three Iowa class BBs.

I would suggest that this ship be based on the early version, with the old, round bridge and a gallery of three 20 mms on B turret. I think GHQ could provide this model by just reworking the bridge, and putting a gallery of three 20 mms on a new "B" turret, although there might be a few 20 mm guns in the wrong place (I can't tell for sure). Also, kit bashers could at least partially convert GHQ's Alabama to her earlier version by replacing the model's B and Y turrets with Iowa B turrets.

This seems to me to be a simple reworking of the Missouri model that could be carried out quicker and cheaper than an entirely new model would take.

Mikee

[baineblade]

Alright...well being relatively new/old here, not sure my voice'll be heard. But I have two items I would love to see come into existence with GHQ's fine run of miniatures. Now unlike most on this site, I prefer to build dioramas. The scale of GHQ's miniatures makes it possible to create large scale dioramas relatively cheaply, and one of the biggest I'm making is a Vietnam Firebase. I have always been interested in Vietnam and seeing a range dedicated to that era made me jump so high I almost came down with a concussion. So on to my two requests for GHQ.

1.) My first and highest on my "really really disparately need" list would have to be the C-123K Provider. As I understand it, this was a pivotal Supply and logistics transport during the Vietnam Conflict and is a MUST have. Not only was this aircraft highly rated and heavily used in normal operations, it was also one of many vital resupply aircraft during the Khe Sahn Siege. This aircraft was modified for short runway operations and with Vietnam it became a common sight. I understand that this would be a bit of a large kit to make, and that it wouldn't be cheap in any regard. But at the same time. This transport is an icon of the Vietnam war and it would be a shame to never see it come out by GHQ.

2.) My second request for the Vietnam line would most certainly have to be an open topped troop transport variant of the M35. Again this was an extremely common vehicle in Vietnam and carried the iconic "Deuce and a Half" title and still does to this day. It would be a shame not to include this fine fighting machine with the Vietnam line. And with the way the M35 is currently manufactured by GHQ all that would be needed would be a top half mold made for the vehicle. Which would certainly save money.

Hopefully these suggestions make it to your ear GHQ!! I love your work and am eagerly awaiting more development for the Vietnam Line! (For god's sake please! Don't leave it in the dust!!)

[iAugustus]

Here's my wishlist.

1) 6mm troops wearing greatcoats. If I'd get a to pick greatcoated Russian for Winter War would be my choice.

2) 6mm Finnish troops. Summer themed, too. Finnish involment in WWII isn't just Winter war or war during winter in general.

iA

[Der Kommandeur]

Ausin K2/Y - ubiquitous UK RAMC ambulance (and star of Ice Cold in Alex)

Morris C4 Mk 1 or Mk 2 radio van - ubiquitous signals vehicles

* * *

It would have been great to see the latter as part of a UK/Commonwealth command pack, containing the Dorchester ACV, perhaps a Humber Snipe, and some motorcycles.

Naturally I'd like to see a Bedford QL/6pdr portee. A Scorpion flail (Matilda) would be cool (could the flail be made as an addition for the Matilda II rather than a separate casting?)

Thinking of brass etched accessories, how about frame aerials for the Sdkfz 250/3?

I wouldn't be surprised to see a C47/DC3 follow some time soon. But I'd like to see something really big: an ME 323!

I'm feeling a bit smug though, because over the past couple of years I've had most of my wishes fulfilled ... even the Ju 52! And now the Fi 156 Storch and Dorchester ACV!

Thank you GHQ!

[Charlie Niner]

I would love to see some modern Canadianized equipment.
The LAV III would be a great addition since it is so heavily being used in the Kandahar region of Southern Afghanistan. Futher more I believe the Irish and Saudis use similar vehicles. Next it should be fairly easy to produce the LAV III since its hull is similiar to the Stryker and its turret is similar to the LAV 25. To get even further use of the LAV hull, you could produce the TUA (Tow Under Armour) turret. This turrent can also be used for all those mid 90s UN/Nato fans who want to have an M113 TUA that was so heavily used in Bosnia/Croatia/Kosovo

Finally the RG31 Nyala, would be a great addition, to Canadian builders, and people interested in South African vehicles. What convoy is complete without an APV like the Nayala, it is currently in use in Afghanistan, and was even used in Bosnia

[warrior]

I'd suggest a small set of photo-etched skirts ("schurzen") for Pz.IIIs, Stg.IIIs and Panthers.

[RaccoonEmpire]

How about vehicles from the 1950's and 60's?

Early Cold War machines like the American M41, M44, M52, M53, & M55 SP artillery, The M-103 tank destroyer, and M114 recce vehicle, and the M75 & M59 APCs. Lots of those SP guns ended up in the armies of NATO members and other nations that got U.S. military aid, and some would be useful for a Korean War setting.

Having some missile types would also be kinda cool, like the American Honest John & Lance missiles and the Soviet FROG systems.

Other vehicles to consider, the Soviet OT-55 flamethrower tank, the T-44 tank, the UAZ-69 (2P26) tank destroyer and early model BRDM tank destroyers(2P26, AT-2, & AT-3 types), and a SU-130 assault gun. The British Conqueror heavy tank would be great for a 1956-1963 U.K. army.

For WW2 gamers how about the German "Landwasserschlepper"?

[Cav Dog]

M41 VN15 Walker Bulldog is in the current catalog...

The rest sadly not,

yet!

[Hobilar]

What he said! Count me in for more of these too.

(I started writing my own, but he said it better)

Hello!

1. Middle Eastern & African Irregular Infantry
For the forseeable future the Middle East and Africa are going to be the actual combat theatre of operations for US and other western forces. For better or worse an arc stretching from Africa to the Middle East and Central Asia contains huge amounts of natural resources coveted by the west and growing economies such as China and India (see The Pentagon's New Map for an excellent discussion on this topic).

You already have central asia covered with the Afghan infantry and African regulars with your bush troops. And Russians will fill in for many middle eastern regulars such as Syria.

But we gamers have no irregular forces for this critical theatre which will be THE theatre of operations for the next decade+. I suppose there are two options here. A generic pack of civilians in modern dress which could fill in for any irregulars in north Africa, Iraq, Lebanon, etc.

BUt I would prefer two packs, one for Africa (light civilian dress, many without shoes, etc.) and one for Lebanon/Iraq (with some figures (not all) in appropriate Arab head scarf.) You can probably provide an appropriate selection of troops in a single pack each since heavy weapons would be very limited.

2. Military Contractors/Modern Mercs
A pack of modern mercs in a variety of dress including bush hats, helmets, etc. Again, this could be a single pack since heavy weapons would be limited but this pack is as crucial for modern war as the packs above.

In any case these new packs could be complemented by your existing products since these "troops" would use vehicles such as your technicals and buggies as well as cast off cold war equipment.

Most importantly, in our local group I've found a lot of enthusiasm for gaming along the lines of "AK-47 Republic", but set in modern/near future scenarios rather than the 60s/70s. People really enjoy our assymetrical scenarios using your Afghan militia and troops such as Americans mounted in Strykers. It's the high quality and size of your modern infantry figures that make these infantry-focused games possible! I've even written a set of home grown rules and campaign background called "Afraqistan" which has caused our members to dust off their aging cold war armor!

Our problem is that we lack the appropriate irregular infantry figures to really pull this off (ie Middle Eastern and African armed civilians and Mercs). These are the actual conflicts going on now in the near future (eg Lebanon 2006, Iraq, north and east Africa, etc.) but we can't game them since we don't have the infantry figures! Help!

Thank you for your consideration,

Tim

PS Not sure if you want these as posts or PMs so I did both. Sorry for the repetition!

[RaccoonEmpire]

Another type of mini I'd love to see for my "Cold War Nightmare" collection would be sets of 1960's U.S. Infantry with deployed M-28 "Davy Crocket" nuclear artillery systems...the ultimate infantry heavy weapon stand.

Sergeant controlled nuclear weapons...it'll make takin' that hill easier and makes for a fun surprise for game board opponents.

Jeep mounted would also be fun.

[Orion320]

The M 4 High Speed Tractor would be an excellent addition to the US WWII line. It was a widely used prime mover for both the M2 Long Tom (US 71) and the M1 8" Howitzer (US 79). Produced as two pieces, the model's interior could be detailed to a high degree. It is a long overdue addition to the line.

Orion

[av8rmongo]

Hey as long as we're getting supersized infantry for super detailing can we get some done up in NBC/MOPP gear?

Paul

[chrisswim]

Charlie Niner.... the Stryker is a LAV III. Used by about a dozen countries.

Please make Finnish Patria AMV, used by Finland, Poland, soon to be South Africa, Slovenian forces will use it, Croatia, Macedonia, United Arab Emirates (BMP-3 turret), possibly Czech Republic (no longer planning to use the Pandur II). Various turrets and armaments are available.

Also the GTK Boxer for the Germans and Dutch. How about the French ABCI 8X8.

Finnish Patria AMV 8X8
German GTK Boxer 8X8
French ABCI 8X8


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