Defence Expo 2017

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Well better late than never, very last minute but we'll have a go.

This weekend the Imagi-Nation of Balzac holds it's annual Defence Expo for both vendors and customers, domestic and international.
This is the premier showcase for the Balzac defence industries, security will be raised this year but turnout is still expected to be high. Many major defence deals are sure to be announced.

All are welcome. Anyone wishing to post a photo as a participant is more than appreciated.
Anything you want to show basically (GHQ's newer models would be great to see). Any Nation, any camo, heck unpainted kit bash if you wish.
Just think of it as a one weekend show us your stuff.

Plain white back drops for indoor.



If it's on terrain I guess thats in the outside display area.
Your chance to show off your contribution to the military industrial complex.

Cheers.

I will post some photos this weekend but I'm running late on this so prob late Sat- early Sun.

[RedLeif]

Nice AAV9040 mod.

[redleg]

The ROD doesn't have anything new or spectacular to share, but they don't want to miss this opportunity to network and pick up some swag! They have 2 indoor static displays from the 5th Tank Battalion:

M1A2:


Battalion TOC with windows-based maneuver and fire support battlefied operating systems:

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The Balzac Self Defence Force is displaying most types of it's equipment at the expo.



Locally produced battle space systems have been well supported by the Balzac government. No windows based computers are used by the BSDF or gov agencies.

[chatto]

Love the CV9040 AAA mod! How did you make the radome as I am trying to do it myself but having no joy.

Just some plastic card pipe shaped to fit?

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Chatto, the AAV was the easiest of my CV90 mash-ups so far.
Simple plastic rod, left over spruce from a 1/300 Boeing 777 kit I think.
I just eyeballed the width at the time, measured them just now at 3mm dia.

Cut a piece about 1 1/2" long with a nice clean cut one end then took the edge off that end with fine sand paper. That becomes the top surface.
I then used a razor and rolled it to cut the required length again about 3mm.
Took a few attempts to get the goldielocks factor. Some too long, some too short but then found one just right and banged out a dozen real quick.
Rememberer to round off the (top surface) edge each time.

The CV9040 ARV.



This took a little more time to get the first one the way I wanted.
I used the CV90105 as the base. The crane arm is from the LAV 25 LOG, raised cupola is a cut down 120mm mortar stand.
Hatch with attached weapon set just behind the drives hatch I think came from a Humvee or the like. Square plastic scrap used for the rear deck tool box.
Then the dozer blade was a 1/300 C130 main landing gear door(closed position so not require to complete kit). everyone needs C130's so spoil yourself and get a few.
Failing that I'm sure left over GHQ helicopter brass rotor scraps could be bent into shape.



Need to get these detailed up before the end of the show.

Still working on an AMOS twin mortar based CV90 but not happy with the first attempts.

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With the Saturday evening business dealings going at full tilt in the many bars and restaurants in and around the exposition center, time for a few photos.

Sandbox International is making a name for itself with its range of services and modifications for warm and dry area operations.





Entering hall A there are several displays of engineering equipment.
Here a locally modified Leopard 2 bridgelayer of the BSDF.



Balzac received engineering and mine clearing equipment from the CofC this year.
The Husky is currently in use with the BSDF in Yer Bouti.



Part of the artillery display, the old and the new.



The move to a network centric force has promoted a growing cluster of hi tec firms to develop in Balzac. The government is backing several initiatives in this field to foster an independent home grown capability.



Comms, radar, ECM and sigint are seen as key areas.



Now back to the bar with the hot tubs..... err serious business off set negotiations.

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Police reinforcements had to be called to the Pirate Island leisure complex at about 11.00 on Saturday night.
Many delegates and guests to the defence expo had gathered for several private parties and presentations.
Pirate Island is a large indoor solar heated water park.
Even in the misted of the coldest Balzac Winter it offers respite from the cold, with dare devil water slides, a large artificial
beach complete with palm trees, wave machines even a mock pirate ship in the lagoon used for weddings and parties.
Many hot tubs, tiki bars and restaurants surround the main water feature.

It seems a package containing a large amount of used bank notes somehow fell into the main pool at the height of one of the wave machine cycles.
It may have been an accident or a even a bribe gone wrong but within minutes a foaming sea of cash was washing up on the sandy painted beach area.

Police already on site locked down all exits but many newly wealthy party goers soon decided to convent their windfall into tangible goods.
Huge amounts of rum, beer, Bar-B-Q'd chicken and meat pies made their way onto Pirate Island in the lagoon in a mass buying spree.
The pools filter system soon became blocked by the floating cash, then the food fight started.
The two swinging rope bridges to the island area seem to have failed or was cut down.
Pandemonium ensued,
Order was restored by about 03.00 am but by then the damage had been done.
The complex has been roped off as a health hazard.
Acting detective Peter Modplod of the Balzac police said.
"It is a real mess in there, we are still finding people duct taped to palm trees and parts of the pirate ship".
"The main pool will need to be drained and it looks like some kind of game involving mars bars being launched down the tallest water slide to see who could get the greatest range will need a major clean up."
"There seems to be remarkable few injuries but it is hard to tell with everyone pretending to have a wooden leg and an eye patch!"

" You often hear about slush funds being used in defence dealings but this must be the first time it has been publicly seen".
He added that no one had come forward to claim any of the money yet but the police do no think it was a case of money laundering.

The show continued Sunday with some display booths short handed and many of the military delegates making a late start.

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Balzac is in the market for a new long range air defence system.
Current equipment includes the Crotale NG on a 6x6 and the short range RBS70. Both systems operate in tandem with the Saab Giraffe radar units.
The new lightweight 3D Giraffe 1x seen here has just come into service. Small enough to fit on a 4x4 and airmobile.



From the North of the Country 19 Group is represented by a Leo 2A6 and a CV90
from 191 Mechanized Battalion.



Also a Leo 2A4 and M113 from 192 Mechanized Battalion.



From the South of the Country 7 Group (Operational Maneuver) is represented by a Leo 2A6 and a CV90 from 72 Mechanized Battalion.



Also XA-360 and XA-203 from 71 Motorized Battalion.



The new 8x8 is just coming on line with 30 accepted by the Army so far.



Locally the P4 Group of the central area sent a Leo 2A4 and M113 from
42 Mechanized Battalion.



The Leo 2A6 and CV90 of 41 Mechanized Battalion are formed up on the local training area for a fire power demonstration on Monday.
Military and Government delegations from several Countries have been invited to attend.

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Balzac SOG 6x6 Land Rover. (real beat up looking at the photo, I need to strip & paint this one soon).



A Chinese company was at the show. They spent a lot of time with the Yer Bouti delegation who are looking to modernize on a budget.



I know, not a GHQ but there is some interest in these kind of transports on the forum.



The show concluded on the Sunday and was deemed a success but attendance was down on last year, mainly due to the economic climate at the moment.

A big thanks to all who visited.
A special thanks to the members of ROD 5th Tank Battalion and their dog "Scud" who was a great hit with everyone.

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Monday saw invited guests taken to the Tylenol-Toque training area.
The yearly full spectrum firepower demonstration took place in the afternoon with the support of 41 Mechanized Battalion (with attached artilary and engineers).









41 Mechanized Battalion also provides a tank company to 18 Group Goatland which are stored on the Island at this time.

(PS most of the Leo 2 and CV90 are still just in base coat and will get a green wash soon, I hope!)

[paul]

Looking good. Now you need a couple more battalions to get that brigade.

[redleg]

Fantastic expo and firepower demonstration! Thank you for hosting this event! Count the ROD in for next year too!

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Looking good. Now you need a couple more battalions to get that brigade.

We're way passed that Paul.
While Balzac will never be a super power on par with some of the OCD fueled empires that I know are out there. It will continue to be a moderate voice of reason able to repel any attack even from a larger and qualified opponent.

The pointy end stands at 126 Leopard 2's at the moment well supported across land sea and air.

5 Mechanized Battalions
2 Motorized Battalions
1 Light/air-mobile Battalion
1 Goatland Battle group (working up)
1 Marine Group

+ Home Guard and war reserve.

[chrisswim]

Enjoyed the show immensely. Saw a photographer coming around, he had some pics. Just must not have been published.
.
By touring the show, one learns a lot. Balzac had many booths spread throughout convention center. Watching the Balzac military build their force structure, capability, reach, scale and scope is critical to peace in the region.