Choose one Modern item for the 2017-18 new releases

panzergator · Post by **panzergator** » Thu Dec 15, 2016 10:30 pm

Hoth_902,

You might try what I did for M60A2s. Put out a call on this forum. My aim was to put together a complete battalion of 54 when I had only 17. Not only did the folks on this forum help me get to the first 54, I have a second battalion, as well.

Out of curiosity, what is your concept for the M551s and how many do you need? I think you have a choice between organizations that used them - several variations of cavalry/armored cavalry squadrons and the airborne tank battalion. I have 18 of the old style GHQ M551s. They are earmarked for my H-series divisional cavalry squadron, which requires 18 - 3 per platoon, 3 platoons, 3 troops.

Brand-X makes the M551 without the gun shield, however, I don't like the model very much. It looks smaller and the detail is not as good.

chrisswim · Post by **chrisswim** » Thu Dec 15, 2016 11:21 pm

Hoth_902 wrote:Wow,

GHQ certainly put me on the spot by mentioning my name. LOL. Sadly I have not given this much thought other than maybe some different versions of some existing vehicles. Some ideas are listed below.

Up armored Challenger II - Second gulf war
AAVP-7 A1 without the side armor
M-551 Sheridan without the machine gun basket on top.

the first two I am more interested in, out of the three of them. I know some of these may not be popular with everyone because they all exist in one form or another and there are certainly vehicles out there that are not represented by any version. With that said, i like having units with some variety.

I will try and put some time in on some vehicles that fit into the classification of "never been modeled". I know I have a few floating around in my head, they just escape me at the moment.

Hoth, don't we have the up armored Challenger II?
As for the AAVP-7 A1, can you just swap weapon stations, put the improved turret on the older hull?
As for the Sheridan, we used to have a GHQ M551 without the Machine gun basket, How many do you want? PM me. We can figure something out.
.
ExGGFG,
Another company that produces in the US makes the LARS, one overseas also does. Could one of those work for you, so we get something unique.
.

Hoth_902 · Post by **Hoth_902** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 12:37 am

Panzergator,

Currently I have no specific plan other than they would be nice to have. At the moment I my gaming group is not a big fan of 1/285th. Opting for 1/600 so they can do 1:1 modern games. Long story there. With that said, the only two units I am trying to form is and Armored Cav Unit, A marine Expeditionary Unit, and Stryker company. Everything else I have is just purchases of vehicles I think are cool. This is not limited to just the US. However, I probably should center my purchase around specific unit organizations to better tailor my purchases.

Chrisswim,

We have the up armored Challenger 1 but not the challenger II. I really like the looks of it.

As for the AAVP7A1 vs the LVTP-7, I guess I never thought about looking into the differences to realize that it was probably just a weapons station swap. I Guess would be a really nice tread to start. People could put things like this in it.

As for the Sheridans, I don't have a specific number of them that I need. Like I mentioned to Panzergator its more of a want and I don't know how much I want. Not to mention, I am currently in a small apartment for another three months.. So the finance minister has told me to play with what I got. So no new purchases. Maybe when I get settled in a couple of months I will hit you up and see if you are still willing to part with some.

Thanks to both Panzergator and Chrisswim for there input.

whoa Mohamed · Post by **whoa Mohamed** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 12:48 am

GHQ certainly does have the chally 2 and TES improved chally 2.....

whoa Mohamed · Post by **whoa Mohamed** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 12:52 am

Chally 2 #N130
TES #N578

chrisswim · Post by **chrisswim** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 1:01 am

7.62 wrote:Bv 206.
Over 11,000 built used by 37 Countries (just about all of NATO).

If it came down to a modern aircraft I would go for.

BAe Hawk.
About 1000 sold.

Great idea... also Patria AMV with various turret arrangements for the various countries that use the vehicle. Might have 3-4 different packs from 1 basic foundation.
.
The Tracked Rapier is made by another company, it is suitable IMHO. Not trying to offend anyone, just utilize the resources available.

The BV 206 might be made by someone else, but the one I am thinking of is too small.
The Leopard 1 Biber by Whoa is good idea. Whoa, thank you for providing the specific info on Challenger 2 TES. It is a beast!
PanzerGator had some nice ideas.
.
My fav .... Patria AMV with different turret configurations, to represent the different systems of different countries.

Hoth_902 · Post by **Hoth_902** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 2:22 am

Whoa Mohamad,

Ok, I acknowledge my mistake by not posting a picture of the specific model/version I was looking for. While you are correct, there is a challenger 2 and a Challenger 2 TES, The version I am interested in is shown below.

This vehicle is right in between both of those. I know I am splitting hairs and I know its probably not a version many people care about or need. I also know there are other vehicles that have never seen the light of day in GHQs line up and need to be filled, but I like it and would love to have a few.

panzergator · Post by **panzergator** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 3:59 am

This is for Hoth_902 regarding your cavalry organization for M551s.

You'll require 18 M551s (plus a number of M113s, mortars, and M577s) for a divisional cavalry squadron. For the regimental squadron (3 squadrons in the regiment) assigned in Germany, you'll need 54 (different MTOE). Remember that a US troop is a company equivalent and a squadron is battalion-sized. The US regiment is always a container for squadrons (battalions), unlike the British practice, where a regiment is a battalion-sized mounted organization. A US division was authorized one cavalry squadron (more might be assigned or attached). The armored cavalry regiment was usually a corps-level asset. In Germany, there were two regiments, the 2nd and the 11th (reflagged after Vietnam - previously the 14th). The armored cavalry regiments provided a covering force, delaying the Soviet advance while the main battle area units got set. They needed more firepower for their mission. That is why each platoon had 6, rather than 3, M551s. They gave up two scout tracks and their infantry platoon for them. ACR troops also had 3 M113A1s for ground surveillance radar sections. ACR squadrons also had a tank company - 17 M60A1s.

There's more, but those are the basics. In Vietnam, cavalry units started out with M48s. Some units traded them for M551s, others retained the tanks. I think the 11th just had six M113s for their platoons.

Cavalry units started out with scout secitions and leaders mounted in M114s, but as it was discovered that they were underpowered, had lousy ground clearance, and the engines tended to catch fire (it was a Chevy 283), they were replaced in Vietnam with M113s. Replacement in Europe didn't take place until Creighton Abrams became Army Chief of Staff and ordered them out.

Let me know if this is what you are intending and I will send you details

Conal M. · Post by **Conal M.** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 4:11 am

B52 Stratofortress if doable

whoa Mohamed · Post by **whoa Mohamed** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 1:27 pm

Hoth
you can certainly vote for whatever you wish sir.

BattlerBritain · Post by **BattlerBritain** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 6:47 pm

I like the idea of a pack of mixed stowage items for AFVs.

Tarpaulins, rucksacks, boxes, wheels etc would be good.

Maybe some tank crew torsos to glue onto turret hatches, to show un-buttoned?

av8rmongo · Post by **av8rmongo** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 8:12 pm

BattlerBritain wrote:I like the idea of a pack of mixed stowage items for AFVs.

Tarpaulins, rucksacks, boxes, wheels etc would be good.

This would be an awesome addition! it would have applicability across WWII lines as well, not just modern. Like many others I've tried various experiments to DIY but they've never been quite satisfactory.

av8rmongo · Post by **av8rmongo** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 8:25 pm

Thinking about it some more I think the external stowage pack is about the only thing I would be interested in. I think I'm kinda done with micro armor. I can't remember the last time I bought a pack of tanks, oh wait it was the BW Puma I think... Anyway, with four large boxes of around 8,000 miniatures sitting in my basement, untouched and unused, for the last year and a half the idea of buying more seems silly at times. The only time I've touched them was to paint a few and modify turrets with magnets. But I think I would buy a bunch of external stowage bits and "personalize" many of the vehicles. That might inspire me to go down the diorama path more or maybe just more macro photography with the miniatures.

In the mean time if anyone wants to bulk purchase micro armor...

Hoth_902 · Post by **Hoth_902** » Fri Dec 16, 2016 10:33 pm

Since it is gaining momentum, I will gladly throw my vote behind modern external storage. Spare tires, tank road wheels, fuel cans, amo boxes would all be great. Who would not want a tank that looks like this in their stable.