USMC Information Thread

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militaryfanatik
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Post by militaryfanatik »

I was gonna start out building an MEU and decided to go bigger(1:1). I am using MARINE by Tom Clancy as well.

Thanks for the help with the figs shortround70.

Somewhere I thought I read that the USMC was using M1A2s. I will have to go back an check again. If I am wrong then I have some mods to do. The only reason I got M1A2s was because of the MCBS.

Again thank you for all the help.

skypig53
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HIMARS

Post by skypig53 »

Was wondering if anyone had tried scratch building the new HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System). The Marines are leaning heavily towards a MRLS type arty and doing away with the towed stuff. I work with a guy who was in Afghanistan that said they had them out there. Right now there is a single Btn equipped solely with HIMARS. Look it up on FAS, pretty cool stuff, but I'll bet the hardcore/oldschool arty guys are putting up a pretty big fight in favor of the M777. I'm going to scratch build one using half a MRLS launcher and mounting it on a modified M-1083 5-ton. If anyone has tried it already, maybe they could give some good tips. If anyone is interested I'll post my progress.

http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land ... 001220.htm


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Semper Fi

1ComOpsCtr
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Post by 1ComOpsCtr »

A few better pictures for your conversion is at...

http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/himars.htm

System seems to work well while being air/sea transportable. Its a two part lift for the heavy lifters for a full load but I understand you can do a 3/4 load in one go.

Will
"He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster." - Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche, 1844-1900

chrisswim
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Post by chrisswim »

I have the truck wishing to use. Another guys German 3 axle or perhaps 2 axle truck. What suggestions do you have for the box/launcher?

Any and all ideas are good.

tstockton
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Post by tstockton »

Gentlemen,

A question for consideration...

If I am reading this thread correctly, the USMC is considering replacing its "conventional" artillery with "rocket based" artillery (I am unsure of the proper term here...). While (to me, anyway) it seems that the "rocket-based" artillery would be more expensive on a per-round basis, would the advantages over the "conventional" artillery justify the cost? And what would some of those advantages be?

Or are we looking at another potential problem, comparable to what the Air Force went through in the 50's and early 60's when "everbody knew" the missile would replace the gun in air-to-air combat... only to find out that there is, indeed, a continued need for the gun aboard modern fighter aircraft?

Of course, sometimes the "experts" are right -- for example, witness the demise of the battleship as the "Queen of the Oceans"... But on the other hand, there are times when the "latest and greatest" just doesn't turn out the way the "experts" think it will...

I look forward to learning more about this topic! Thanks in advance for making me just a wee bit smarter than when I'm posting this!

Regards,
Tom Stockton
"Well, I've been to one World's Fair, a picnic, and a rodeo, and that's the stupidest thing I ever heard come over a set of earphones. You sure you got today's codes?"

-- Major T. J. "King" Kong in "Dr. Strangelove"

redleg
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Post by redleg »

I would think that HIMARS would be used in conjunction with cannon artillery, not as a replacement for it. Perhaps the GS battalions in the artillery regiments will go rocket? Rockets are great, but they lack some of the flexibility of cannon. There are rockets out there to deliver HE, submunitions, and mines, but it is more time consuming to switch rocket packs. With a cannon you can throw whatever ammo you have into the breech (which includes smoke and WP) and send it down range. You can also mix and match projectiles in your basic load to suit the situtation whereas (as far as I know) the rocket packs are all of the same rocket type. Plus you can put the rounds closer to friedly troops with a cannon.

But then again, I don't have my finger on the pulse of the artillery anymore. Perhaps these issues have been addressed and overcome. Still though, watching and hearing cannon bang away is very appealing in a primitive, brutal sort of way.

-Mike
Last edited by redleg on Mon Nov 06, 2006 6:30 am, edited 1 time in total.

skypig53
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Post by skypig53 »

I've been doing some snooping on google. I guess the Marine are going to have a mix of M198, M777 and HIMARS and eventually phase out the M198 in favor of the M777. Not to mention this baby: http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/mfss.htm

As far as some advantages of HIMARs:

1. Mobility- Its self propelled, the Marines haven't had SP arty since the Palladin I believe. It should also be air/externally transportable by the upcoming CH-53K model being designed as we speak. Imagine a convoy of these stopping, aiming (all computerized and automatic), firing a volley, and driving away to the next firing point. Towed arty just can't keep up, as far as current operations. If we ever duke it out with Iran, N Korea, China, Russia, ie the big boys. Any and all artillery will be in high demand.

2. Accuracy- I believe the rockets are GPS guided to the target and then release HE cluster munitions over the target area (anti personnel) or just impact or air burst like a normal arty round. If you have 3 or 4 batteries of these things firing 1 or 2 rockets a piece you should get the job done the first time.

3. Commonality- If the Army has it and the Marines have too it works out for everyone. Joint Ops, parts, funding, training, etc.

4. It also goes well with the Marine Corps and its light weight, low footprint, expeditionary, high speed, keep it simple type of warfighting.

5. Let's face it, it looks cool and the acronym is kinda catchy too. Go ahead, say it HIMARS......HIMARS.

As for what to use. The HIMARS sits on a M1083 or 84 5 ton truck that the US Army uses. I'm not sure if its the long bed variant or not. If I was a betting man, I'd say that once the system is proven and the Marine Corps goes "all in" it will get mounted on the new 7 ton truck (that, of course, niether GHQ nor CinC make yet.) For the launcher the only thing remotely close is the Army's current MRLS. The launcher on it has 2 sections of six rockets while the HIMARS has one section of 6. I plan on very carefully cutting the MRLS launcher in half and getting creative with my dremmel tool and a sanding disc to bevel the edges. I'm not sure what to use for the mount or carriage unless I just make it with the launcher in the down position. Thats my plan anyway.

Semper Fi

redleg
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Post by redleg »

Could you guys post some pics if / when you get a HIMARS put together? I have it on my list of things to kitbash / scratchbuild, but it's near the bottom. Perhaps I could move it up the list a little bit and we could share some lessons learned in HIMARS construction.

skypig53
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Post by skypig53 »

If you're reading this, thank a teacher. If you're reading this in English thank a veteran.
Thankyou and God bless you to all the vets out there and...

Happy 231st birthday to the United States Marine Corps. The few and the proud since November 10th 1775. OOHRAH!
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jb
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Post by jb »

Happy Birthday to you Sempir Fi'ers out there!
The United States thanks you Marines...
John

echoco
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Post by echoco »

HI I have a question, how often are the UH1N used? and what are they used for the most?

I'd like to use one for my firce I just want a plausable excuse to include it in my force.

Now if only GHQ can make a miniature for one (preferably with the doors open).

pmaidhof
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Post by pmaidhof »

Per the USMC Fact Files:

The UH-1N is a twin-piloted, twin-engine helicopter used in command and control, resupply, casualty evacuation, liaison and troop transport. The Huey provides utility combat helicopter support to the landing force commander during ship-to-shore movement and in subsequent operations ashore.

The aircraft can be outfitted to support operations such as command and control with a specialized communication package (ASC-26), supporting arms coordination, assault support, medical evacuation for up to six litter patients and one medical attendant, external cargo, search and rescue using a rescue hoist, reconnaissance and reconnaissance support, and special operations using a new navigational thermal imaging system mission kit.
S/F
Pete

jb
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Post by jb »

voltigeur wrote:For the 13 man Marine Rifle Squad using GHQ infantry. I have figured out the following needs.

Each infantry sprue contains 9 figures add to that 2 SAW's from the Heavy weapons pack. Unless you want to spend alot of money I would order the individual sprues.

After adding the 3 SAW.s yoru at 12 men then add the kneeling NCO from the weapons pack and your done. (you won't have figures for all the 203's but you will be spending alot of money and waisting alot of figures to get those 2 soldiers) If your doing MP's and Engineers you may be able to justify it.

For the weapons platoon you should have enough MMG's to equip a company in one pack and enough to cover the 60mm mortar section.

We usually had 2 Dragons attached to us from the Battalion Weapons Company you would have enough in one pack to do that attachment. Will need more weapons packs if you try to do a Battalion.
What exactly is the weapons mix for the squad, then the platoon,and of course company? I am going to do an up to date Iraq thing . Inquiry minds needto know...
John

Timothy OConnor
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Post by Timothy OConnor »

A book on a Marine corps action has just been re-released in paperback called "Ambush Alley". It's the story of a marine battalion's fight through Nasiryah during the initial advance into Iraq. Lot of good organizational and operational info. If you haven't read it I highly recommend it. Good info on everything from squad to battalion-level tactics.

Tim

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