GHQ Models Forums

As discussed in last year's non-Micronaut Wish List, here is a thread to try to match Donald's excellent work on focussing the Micronaut requirements in the 1/285 arena.

The rules are :

- You can pick 5 items in each category.
- Categories are WW2, W47, Cold War/Vietnam and Ultra-Modern (all 1/285 scale - includes aircraft and 1/285 boats).
- You can also pick 1 new range (ie WW1).
- You can change your picks whenever you like, but if you pick new items then old ones are deleted.

It will be helpful if people can be specific as some collation might be necessary. For example, if someone asks for 'WW2 Russian Artillery Gun Tractor' and another asks for 'Voroshilovets Gun Tractor', they may be asking for the same thing. Ideally people will look at the list and adjust their entry so that we end up with 2 votes for the gun tractor rather than 2 entries with 1 vote each.

Secondly, it may be worth considering sales potential to GHQ. Is the item from a popular period or army? Is the piece of equipment exciting Does the item unlock future purchases ie would you buy a second battalion if they produced a nice brigade command pack? Is there a particular item missing that stops you buying from a particular range? Would voting for 'British Engineers WW2' this year mean that GHQ are more likely to produce that pack of 'Italian Engineers WW2' that you've always wanted in future? How easy would it be for GHQ to produce?

I will periodically update the list as votes come in but it should look something like this :

Period Votes Nation Item Note

New Range 1 Generic Modern Stowage Packs

Ultra-Modern 1 Britain Ajax Tank
Ultra-Modern 1 Britain Tank Transporter Oshkosh 1070F 8 x 8 tractor truck and a King Trailer GTS 100 seven-axle semi-trailer
Ultra-Modern 1 China Dongfeng Mengshi Chinese HMMWV
Ultra-Modern 1 Generic 2-door Toyota Hilux Pickup For technicals
Ultra-Modern 1 Russia T-15 APC

WW2 1 Britain Auster Observation Aircraft
WW2 1 Britain Bailey Bridge Combat Command Similar to US bridge pack
WW2 1 Italy Italian Command Pack 508 CM Coloniale staff car & radio truck/office body
WW2 1 Russia Churchill 'Funnies' add-ons Bullshorn plough, Fascine & Cradle, SBG Bridge & Bobbin (similar to Sherman Accessories pack)
WW2 1 Russia Voroshilovets Tractor


I know some of you can't be constrained to just 5 per category so please feel free to start the usual Wish List but I will only add items in this thread to the Consolidated List.

My nominations...

EDITED 17 Jan 2020

ULTRA-MODERN

US - M1 tank turret test bed. In the early 1980s, the Armor Board tested the concept of putting 3-man crew below the hull top, either all three sitting side by side at the front or with driver In front and gunner and commander In turret. The hull top was thickened and the turret minimized. If you search internet for "M1 tank turret test bed, you will see pics. Look carefully at hull, because the Brits did something similar with Challenger. Both are interesting, both were waaaay before Armata. And the Armata is why I put the US M1TTB in the Ultra-Modern era.

UK - Ajax scout and infantry vehicle.

COLD WAR/VIETNAM

US - M577 CANVAS EXTENSION (old-style (70s-80s) - stand alone no vehicle, so we can just add them to the M-577s we already have when emplaced or remove them to move. My preferred version of the extension is the one in use from the late 1960s at least through 1st Gulf. I have extensive experience serving with it, it was in service for at least 25 years, and was used at both battalion and brigade level in armor, mechanized, and artillery units. In wargaming Cold War combat, it is essential to represent emplaced command centers. There were 6 M577s in each H series TOE tank and mech battalion, and 8 in the J series, the arty brought one to tie into the TOC, and there were often more hooked in to a brigade headquarters. Armored Cavalry squadrons had them at troop level, as well. I have only seen a picture of ONE extension like the one issued by GHQ, and it was a 15mm model. I could EASILY be wrong, but I just find no evidence for the GHQ model in available internet pics and I never saw one while on active duty or around military posts - my wife served until 1998. I have seen a new model that is the approximate size of the one I am familiar with, and I would be willing to accept that. Until then, I will make my own or purchase them from another company that might make them. I'm stubborn about this and I apologize, but I am just not going to purchase any of the rump 577s. A bn TOC might see S-3 and S-2 track back to back, the arty fire support 577 alongside one or the other. The signal 577 at another location, the mortar 577 with the mortars, and the medic 577 with the aid station, a total of 6 bn 577s plus the arty track. J series battalions had 8 M577s. The version of which I speak spans AT LEAST 40 YEARS of service in the US Army. Used by at least the German and Israeli armies, as well. That ought to count for something.

US - GOER, M-520 Cargo (4 cargo, crane to convert 1 if desired, to recovery)
US - GOER, M-559 Fuel Service
The GOER series of logistics haulers entered service on a trial basis in Vietnam and performed well. The cargo, fuel service, and wrecker version served in tank battalions throughout the 70s, along with its articulated little brother, the M561/M792 Gamma Goat. They were amphibious to a degree and maneuverable cross-country. Performance suffered on hard roads because the only suspension was their oversized tires. They could develop a bounce traveling at speed, which was only 31 mph, which resulted in loss of control. The lack of protection for the driver in the cab would result in fatality, something experienced by my unit. Although some mech battalions had more 5-ton trucks in lieu of GOERS, they served in tank, mech, and arty units where I was. We had problems with parts, and often had to locally procure any we could from Caterpillar distributors in country. We had GOERS in both USAREUR and Stateside units.

UK - Conqueror heavy tank, in service 1955-1966, over 15 years. As with the U.S. M103 heavy, Conqueror's role was to reinforce the mediums in standard armoured regiments. They were issued in a basis of mine per tank regiment and employed in platoons of three. Conqueror's role was to take on the Soviet JSIII. Limited numbers, but significant to the defense of West Germany in the early Cold War. Ultimately, the U.S. Army only used one 72-tank battalion in Europe, also employed in platoons of three and distributed throughout the main battle area with the same mission as Conqueror, although there were more Conquerors sent to Germany than M103s.

'47 PERIOD

US - Tank, M48A1. The current M48 models are significantly different from the A1. The back deck of the A1 is all grill. The solid back deck came to later models to reduce the heat signature. It's range was so limited that a rack was installed at the rear lip of the back deck which carried 4 55gal fuel drums. The rack and drums were intended to be jettisoned as the tank entered combat. That rack will complicate the model and won't be used in battle, anyway. It also may mean only 3 tanks per pack instead of 5. Do I really need the racks? Nope. I can do without them and get my M48A1 battalion cheaper, with more likelihood it will be produced. The 70-mile range of that model makes consideration of logistics a little more important and it contributes to the tail end of the '47 series or the beginning of the Cold War. M48A1s can be seen at Checkpoint Charlie in the 1961 Berlin Crisis, so they would have been center mass if things had gone hot. They were used in tank battalions as well as cavalry units. They were everywhere! And the Cold War could just as easily have gone hot in the Fifties as the 70s or 80s, except that Eisenhower was President and he was a lot smarter about these things than his successors. (Yeah, I know Kennedy was President during the Berlin Crisis, but Ike was Prez during most of the 50s. Kennedy's inexperience might have led to war on several occasions, but he had Ike for advice and JFK kept learning. We were lucky). A PENTOMIC ERA VEHICLE!

Heres my Canadian nominations

MODERN
AVGP Grizzly
AVGP Cougar
AVGP Husky
Leopard 2A4 CAN
Lynx Recon vehicle
Modern Canadian Infantry
Modern Canadian Heavy Weapons
Modern Canadian Infantry on Snowmobiles
Canadian Rangers (w/ether a Lee Enfeild No 4, or the Colt Canada C19 rifles.)


WW2
Sherman Skink AA tank
Crusader MK 2 AA tank

I appreciate the organization that’s going into this thread, and since GHQ listens, we may get better traction doing it this way. I only do world war two land units so I have a small list of picks:

Stowage (road wheels, tires, rolls of Barbwire, boxes, crates, bags, Oil drums/cans, etc.)
Sdkfz 253 observation vehicle
Italian command pack (see description in previous post)
Engineers - German
Engineers - UK

Thanks for taking this project on, CG2!

Here is my wish list:

Modern
Generic Modern Stowage
Modern Civilian Vehicles
US M1074 Palletized Load System
US Q36 Firefinder Radar
US Q37 Firefinder Radar

New Range
Bring the combat commands back!

Updated list - if one of you is wondering why all his items aren't there, either he can't count or Canadians really do have more than 5 fingers on their hands like my American friends claim....last 5 only listed!

Period Votes Nation Item Note
Cold War/Vietnam 1 Britain Humber Pig with turret
Cold War/Vietnam 1 USA GOER, M-520 Cargo 4 cargo, crane to convert 1 if desired, to recovery
Cold War/Vietnam 1 USA GOER, M-559 Fuel Service
Cold War/Vietnam 1 USA M577 Canvas Extension (old-style (70s-80s)) No vehicle, just the tent!
Cold War/Vietnam 1 USA Q36 Firefinder Radar
Cold War/Vietnam 1 USA Q37 Firefinder Radar
Cold War/Vietnam 1 USA XM-803 tank
New Range 1 Generic Re-introduce Combat Commands
Ultra-Modern 1 Britain Ajax Tank
Ultra-Modern 1 Britain Tank Transporter Oshkosh 1070F 8 x 8 tractor truck and a King Trailer GTS 100 seven-axle semi-trailer
Ultra-Modern 1 Canada Canadian Heavy Infantry Weapons
Ultra-Modern 1 Canada Canadian Infantry
Ultra-Modern 1 Canada Canadian Infantry on Snowmobiles
Ultra-Modern 1 Canada Canadian Rangers Lee Enfield or Colt Canada C.19
Ultra-Modern 1 Canada Lynx recon vehicle
Ultra-Modern 1 China Dongfeng Mengshi Chinese HMMWV
Ultra-Modern 1 Generic 2-door Toyota Hilux Pickup For technicals
Ultra-Modern 1 Generic Civilian Vehicles
Ultra-Modern 1 Generic Modern Stowage Packs
Ultra-Modern 1 Russia T-15 APC
Ultra-Modern 1 USA M1 tank turret test bed
Ultra-Modern 1 USA M1074 Palletized Load System
W47 1 USA M48A1 tank No fuel drums
W47 1 USA M51 Heavy Recovery Vehicle
W47 1 USA M59 Personnel Carrier
WW2 2 Italy Italian Command Pack 508 CM Coloniale staff car & radio truck/office body
WW2 1 Britain Auster Observation Aircraft
WW2 1 Britain Bailey Bridge Combat Command Similar to US bridge pack
WW2 1 Britain Churchill 'Funnies' add-ons Bullshorn plough, Fascine & Cradle, SBG Bridge & Bobbin (similar to Sherman Accessories pack)
WW2 1 Britain Crusader Mk.2 AA
WW2 1 Britain Engineers
WW2 1 Canada Sherman Skink AA
WW2 1 Generic WW2 Stowage packs
WW2 1 Germany Engineers
WW2 1 Germany SdKfz253 Observation Vehicle
WW2 1 Russia Voroshilovets Tractor

Sorry CG2, when it comes to getting models for the Canadians, they often get the short end of the stick and i tried to get much Canadian stuff as best as i could.

Commonwealth purchase orders in hand.

Modern micro armor
Patria AMV - different turret options.used by half dozen countries.
French PVP

Latest Update :

Period Votes Nation Item Note

Cold War/Vietnam 1 Britain Humber Pig with turret
Cold War/Vietnam 1 USA GOER, M-520 Cargo 4 cargo, crane to convert 1 if desired, to recovery
Cold War/Vietnam 1 USA GOER, M-559 Fuel Service
Cold War/Vietnam 1 USA M577 Canvas Extension (old-style (70s-80s)) No vehicle, just the tent!
Cold War/Vietnam 1 USA Q36 Firefinder Radar
Cold War/Vietnam 1 USA Q37 Firefinder Radar
Cold War/Vietnam 1 USA XM-803 tank

New Range 1 Generic Re-introduce Combat Commands

Ultra-Modern 1 Britain Ajax Tank
Ultra-Modern 1 Britain Tank Transporter Oshkosh 1070F 8 x 8 tractor truck and a King Trailer GTS 100 seven-axle semi-trailer
Ultra-Modern 1 Canada Canadian Heavy Infantry Weapons
Ultra-Modern 1 Canada Canadian Infantry
Ultra-Modern 1 Canada Canadian Infantry on Snowmobiles
Ultra-Modern 1 Canada Canadian Rangers Lee Enfield or Colt Canada C.19
Ultra-Modern 1 Canada Lynx recon vehicle
Ultra-Modern 1 China Dongfeng Mengshi Chinese HMMWV
Ultra-Modern 1 Finland Patria AMV
Ultra-Modern 1 France Petit Véhicule Protégé
Ultra-Modern 1 Generic 2-door Toyota Hilux Pickup For technicals
Ultra-Modern 1 Generic Civilian Vehicles
Ultra-Modern 1 Generic Modern Stowage Packs
Ultra-Modern 1 Russia T-15 APC
Ultra-Modern 1 USA M1 tank turret test bed
Ultra-Modern 1 USA M1074 Palletized Load System

W47 1 USA M48A1 tank No fuel drums
W47 1 USA M51 Heavy Recovery Vehicle
W47 1 USA M59 Personnel Carrier

WW2 2 Italy Italian Command Pack 508 CM Coloniale staff car & radio truck/office body
WW2 1 Britain Auster Observation Aircraft
WW2 1 Britain Bailey Bridge Combat Command Similar to US bridge pack
WW2 1 Britain Churchill 'Funnies' add-ons Bullshorn plough, Fascine & Cradle, SBG Bridge & Bobbin (similar to Sherman Accessories pack)
WW2 1 Britain Crusader Mk.2 AA
WW2 1 Britain Engineers
WW2 1 Canada Sherman Skink AA
WW2 1 Generic WW2 Stowage packs
WW2 1 Germany Engineers
WW2 1 Germany SdKfz253 Observation Vehicle
WW2 1 Russia Voroshilovets Tractor

FWIW, here goes:

UltraModern USA M8 Buford Armored Gun System http://www.military-today.com/tanks/m8_buford.htm This stands a good chance to be the US Army's next light tank for use in Infantry and perhaps Stryker Brigade Combat Teams.

UltraModern USA AMPV (Turretless Bradley) Basic Version. http://www.military-today.com/apc/turre ... radley.htm) Replacing the M113 in all its versions.

UltraModern USA AMPV (Turretless Bradley) Mortar version.

UltraModern Germany Lynx infantry Fighting Vehicle http://www.military-today.com/apc/lynx_ifv.htm

UltraModern Finland/Sweden AMOS dual mortar System. http://www.military-today.com/artillery/amos.htm The pictured vehicle is based on a Patria Armored Fighting Vehicle, but the turret can be integrated on a variety of different platforms including the CV-90 as well as a patrol boat.

I'm not sure what the start time is between modern/ultra modern but here goes.
Ultra modern
Israeli D9 Armored Caterpillar
Israeli AF markings decal sheet
Vietnam/Cold war
USN A6A/B Intruder
USN F4A/B Phantom
USN A4 Skyhawk
USN F8 Crusader
USAF F105 Thud
Korean Air
USN F9F Panther
USN F2H Banshee
USAF F84

Hi Intruder123,

Good question! I would suggest that the dividing lines should be :

- W47 - 1945-1953
- Cold War/Vietnam - 1954-1991 (Dien Bien Phu overrun May 1954)
- Ultra-Modern - 1992 onwards (Berlin Wall came down in 1991)

Everybody happy with those?

Berlin Wall came down at the end of Nov, 1989.

Yes, you're absolutely right! 1989 as the cut-off then?