GHQ Models Forums

hi

i am in the process of ordering several units and atleast one combat command pack,
I'll be focusing on the modern micro armor, especially from 1970 to 1990 units

now here is the problem, i suck at making my own rules, although i can adjust some
to make it easier on me and or wife, is there a simple rule set?

i normally played axis and allies miniatures but i quit after it started to get out of hand
atleast imho it was, so thats about the only experience i have with miniatures

thanks for any positive input

From the sound of it. you might want to try Cold War Commander (from the people who made blitzkrieg commander). I've heard ambush alley is good too depending on the scale of game you want to run.

LuftwaffeFuehrer,

While I can't say I have much knowledge on Modern (even pre 1990) I can say welcome to the addiction. Please state after me: My name is ____________, and I am a MicroArmor addict. *insert applause and a sobbing*.

In all seriousness there are some great people who can help but be patient on waiting fro the replies they will get to you.

I prefer the GHQ rulesets for both WWII and Modern. If you ever want to try it out let me know. I'm a bit south of you in Milford, have run a game at the Whiz in westborough and normally play out of the Hobby Bunker in Malden.


I completely agree about the addiction, well over 600 stands and counting.

Are you already decided on your unit scale?

I generally prefer to play 1-to-1 unit scale, where one tank model represents one tank. But most of the newer rulesets seem to be written for 1-to-several unit scales, with 1-to-platoon (one model represents a platoon of 3 to 5 vehicles) appearing to be the most popular.

At 1-to-1 I don't have any rules to recommend. I too am looking. The ruleset I use for WW2, Mein Panzer, is written to cover the modern period as well (one of the reasons I bought it). But there is no modern equipment data book yet. Hopefully some day ...

I'll be interested to see anyone else's recommendations.

There is a modern 1-to-1 ruleset available online ... can't remember the name at the moment, but I'm sure someone (maybe even me?) will come up with it shortly. The rules I'm thinking of are put out by a Yahoo! Groups team of volunteers -- they are a major update to the Challenger modern rules from the 1990s. I played the Challenger rules in their several versions (original, Challenger II, and Challenger 2000), and was never satisfied. In particular the game went VERY slowly the moment the shooting started. I haven't played this new and improved rendition yet, but it might be worth checking out.

Another modern 1-to-1 ruleset called AirLand Battle is available for free download from Mobius (an occasional visitor to this forum). I have looked these rules over, but never played them. I played the WW2 version called PanzerWar several times. These rules are excellent, with amazing detail and research. But they are best suited to small unit actions (platoon vs. platoon, or maybe company at the most) due to the level of detail involved. And ... I would not recommend these for a beginner. Mobius has done a great job of devising clever ways to manage complexity, but these rules strive for great detail, and are not easy to learn.

For 1-to-several, you would be well advised to consider the GHQ rules available on this site. From all I have heard/read, folks who play those rules find them pretty quick to learn, and lots of fun to play.

Good luck, and good gaming.

I've been surfing the web looking at the free downloads with 1-1 scale in mind. I found Land and Airborne Assault, 1950 to present, and looks pretty good but has a ton of stuff to look through to work up your force, appears to use 2D6 with a nice simple hit system once you work out the details.. That could be a good thing for some. Another set is called Threat, and appears to use percentile dice, but is only 15 pages long, and assumes you know what weapons your tank or infanry unit has, as the tables are all by gun type. Not much other stuff to go with it. Do a web search for these and you will find their websites. There are lots more out there. I was hoping to find Mein Panzer moderns, after a friend had played what must have been a playtest version at a convention a few years ago. We were disappointed to find there wasnt an official module out for it yet. Since our focus is on the mid-late 70s for now, we may just update the Forgotten Heroes Piquet module to cover M-60s. Much of the rest of the weapons systems out at that point are allready covered, and my Vietnam troops will do just well. I just need to make up a Soviet force to oppose them.

LuftwaffeFuehrer,

I started playing and collecting micro armor over 19 years ago. It is a fun investment and can be traded amongst other collectors for item that you might need to complete specific units. Check out the Forum. Lots of these members have great ideas. Hope to see you around and if ever over in So Cal Los Angeles. PM me for info on shops that have GHQs products as well as other unique items.

Welcome to the Hobby!!

thank you all for your help, so far i've decided to order two of the combat packages
that way i get started pretty easily, and im looking at the German Command and the
Iraqi command

the German, will be acting as Spanish troops for the most part with me while
the Iraqi one will be acting as either middle eastern countries or as small, less
powerful European forces.

i'll keep looking at the Land air assault one since that one looks the most appealing
at the moment

if anyone has any advice as to how to start my collection(what to buy, etc)
it will be very well received

edit: this will be done for a later time than what i had initially planned, i was at first planning U.S Vietnam forces with Hueys, but after reading around i found this to be
much better for me

If you do Spain, in the 1970s, you will want M47 tanks, M47E1 and M47E2 as I recall. Spain used them with 105mm L7(M68) rifled guns. Not sure about cutting off the barrels and putting new ones on.... When we played they died quickly, so use similar to tank destroyer... would not stand up to the rigor of battle.

French VBC hulls from the other guys with LAV 25 turrets will get you close to the Spainish Recon vehicle from Santa Barbara. AMX30B2 tanks and AMX 10P will be needed. Later Leopard 2 and Leopard 2A5/A6. I have not come up with an ASCOD yet that I am happy with.

That should get you started for Spainish forces 1870-1990 or so.

Hey Chrisswin, thanks for the info on the M47E1 and M47E2 useage by the Spanish in 70's and onward.
So, other than the guns, I take the difference beween the E1 & E2 was in the power plants and in other minor adjustments, correct?
About how many tanks were converted are we talking about?
Are they really that bad in combat even with the 105mm guns installed?
With what the Isralies managed to do with the Sermans in they used and rebuilt, this seems a little suprising?
I take it that the turret and hull armour were just not up to the job?
But using them as assult guns does seems to negate the advantage of rotating turret, does't it?
By the way, were't the Turkish and Iranian Armoured Forces also going to re-gun and re-engine their M47's at about the same time?
I think in the Irianain case the Revolution got in the way, correct?
As for the Turkish forces, I believe the Cyprus Invasion got in their way?
Both events did not sit well with the US at the time, so we cut them off from parts!
Anyway, Chrisswin, thanks again.
Spock1

My guess is engine and some improvements, sighting, fire control, etc. I have not read much about the tanks.
The 105mm will do fine. How does an M60 do, or M48/105? Just weak armor package when compared to newer vehicles, which makes sense, or why have newer vehicles produced and deployed?

As a tank destroyer, use/play as a tank, do not expect to withstand ATGM shots and main gun shots from 100mm, 105, 115, 125, 120, etc.

Cannot answer about the Turkish and Iran situation. Know Iran did not fly the F14 after several years, due to parts.

If Spain 'fought' France, or went to North Africa, the 105mm would do fine. The E2 package would be a better package, but I do not recall the features (lazy now, do not want to pull out a few books to read[although google M47E1& E2]).

Delighted to share with some scratch build ideas/items on the AFVs, etc.

I would suggest Cold War Commander as well. It is designed to be a platoon level game, but with some minor tweaking it can represent games from Fire Team level on up to about Brigade.

It is an easy sytem to learn, and the games can be fought to completion in 2 hrs usually. Also, it has the bonus of being fully contained, no supplemental info required.