Cold War Infantry

pmskaar · Post by **pmskaar** » Sun Jan 06, 2019 9:48 pm

This year I will be working on doing some Cold War vehicles and infantry to play some games using Fist Full of TOWs 3 and maybe some other similar rules sets as well.

Currently, GHQ makes many of the vehicles for this period 1945 - 1989 but there are not that many dedicated infantry packs except for maybe late Cold War Americans and Russians. Everything else such as the British, Germans, and French are basically Post Cold War - contemporary.

Any suggestions on what to use for Cold War infantry for the British, West Germans, and French? I would prefer to use GHQ if at all possible but would possibly consider other manufacturers as well.

What about the '67 and '73 Arab-Israeli Wars? I plan to use the earlier Russian modern infantry plus the recently released Cold War Russian Heavy Weapons pack to represent Egyptians and Syrians for this time frame. Maybe not perfect but not too bad.

What about the Israelis since GHQ only makes them for the more contemporary period?

Thoughts?

whoa Mohamed · Post by **whoa Mohamed** » Mon Jan 07, 2019 5:38 am

Use the Vietnam American infantry for up to 1985. After that use the modern packs .
BUT NOT THE NEWEST ONES!
Same for the Russian. Packs.

pmskaar · Post by **pmskaar** » Mon Jan 07, 2019 6:49 am

Thanks for the suggestions so far.

For pre 1984-85 American infantry, the American Vietnam infantry would be okay except that some of the guys are a bit oversize and wearing uniforms with rolled up sleeves.

The M-79 Grenade Launcher was being phased out in the early 70s with the M-203 taking its place. There are no TOW or Dragon troops in the Heavy weapons Vietnam American Infantry pack. I think these started coming into units in the early to mid 70s as well.

The American Vietnam infantry is very nicely sculpted though. I think my friend Begemot used some of these to represent mid 70s troops. If GHQ does not care to do earlier American troops in Europe from the mid 60s to early 80s, maybe they could at least do a Cold War weapons pack with the TOW and Dragons and some 203 Gunners plus Mortars and MGs.

Are the Third World Warriors appropriate for the W. Germans. I read somewhere that they were not too bad for that purpose. Are the heavy weapons good there or are they too modern for the 1970s and 80s?

I'm still wondering about the modern British and French infantry. Are these too modern in look for the Cold War period of the 70s and 80s?

How about the modern Israelis? Are the current ones too modern in look for those of '67 and '73.

While I would love GHQ to do more Cold War infantry and heavy weapons for other nationalities, I am still curious what to use in the meantime. Yeah, I realize these are only about 1/4" tall and hard for my 60 something eyes to see all the details unaided but just trying to get a feel for what some of you might use.

Thanks so far for the input from Whoa Mohammed and Cama. I appreciate the dialogue so far.

Pete

pmskaar · Post by **pmskaar** » Mon Jan 07, 2019 9:49 am

Thanks Cama!

So you think the Third World Regular Infantry would work for Brits too? I know the W. Germans basically used the American steel pot helmet but I thought the British were a bit different in the look.

I do appreciate your input.

Pete

CG2 · Post by **CG2** » Mon Jan 07, 2019 3:37 pm

No, the helmets and the webbing are all wrong - the only thing close is the rifle. The British used the 'SLR' which was a semi-auto version of the Belgian FN. Other weapons were Carl Gustav, Bren gun (re-chambered to 7.62mm), GPMG and the Sterling SMG. The mortar from the current British set is OK. GHQ doesn't really have anything close - other manufacturers do have a very good range in this area however.

I would also dispute that the current British set is anything like contemporary - only 1 item from the Support weapons set is even still in service now and this is the big obstacle to me buying the GHQ 'Modern' British line.

pmskaar · Post by **pmskaar** » Tue Jan 08, 2019 5:56 am

Thanks for your input CG2.

So basically, for the British infantry for the Cold War, there is nothing really close that GHQ produces that would fit into the 1970s and 80s.

I also remember someone else lamenting that there is a need for contemporary British infantry as well.

Is there anyone out there, besides me, that would like to see some Cold War infantry for:

1. British
2. W. German
3. Pre-1985 American
4. French
5. East German w. their distinctive helmet type.
6. Pre-1980s Russians in jackboots.

Let me know what you think about these possibilities.

Thanks.

Pete

pmskaar · Post by **pmskaar** » Tue Jan 08, 2019 10:35 am

Thanks again for your input, Cama. So +1 for a line of specific Cold War infantry.

Anyone else out there doing Team Yankee or other Cold War era rules in 6mm and would like to see more infantry from this time frame?

Thanks

Pete

Cav Dog · Post by **Cav Dog** » Tue Jan 08, 2019 9:42 pm

I would add:
Chinese and N Koreans for the Korean War
Updated US weapons for the Korean War i.e. super bazookas, recoilless rifles etc
Israeli and Arab infantry suitable for the 67 & 73 wars
SADF infantry for Angolan Civil War

chatto · Post by **chatto** » Wed Jan 09, 2019 8:17 am

The British Infantry kit can work for LATE cold war as the L85 started to come into use towards the end. But that is about the best you have for the moment.

West Germans are possible with the current "Third World Warriors" kit - they come with:
G3 rifles.
RPG-7 that can, in a pinch, act as Panzerfaust-44's until a proper substitute is made.
LAW rockets.

The heavy weapons pack has
MILAN missiles
MG3 machine gunners in the prone.
Snipers (Don't remember them in my packets, huh, must be a new addition!)

The other weapons like PKMs/ Mortars/ Mistral launchers etc can always be intermixed with other elements for generic fighters

But yes, I personally have been chomping at the bit for some new Cold War US, British and Germans (West and East). Although I won't hold my breath...

pmskaar · Post by **pmskaar** » Sun Feb 10, 2019 10:11 pm

Thanks for the input Chatto. Sorry I'm late with my reply but I wanted to revisit this topic again.

I would love to see some late 60s early 70s Israeli infantry for the '67 and '73 Wars. GHQ only has the modern Israelis right now which are not right for the period.

East German Infantry would be great with the distinctive helmet style.

Soviet motor infantry in the jackboots and light or no packs. My friend tells me that there is not much room in the BMPs for lots of extras like the heavy packs.

Earlier British, W. German, and French infantry.

I did order some Third World Regulars to stand in for my West Germans until GHQ decides to do a proper 70s and early 80s pack.

Is there anyone else that is interested in more Cold War infantry?

Pete

MechCommander · Post by **MechCommander** » Mon Feb 11, 2019 2:23 am

Would be interesting to see some Cold War Canadian infantry armed with The Blowpipe SAM launcher and driving in 70s era ski-doo snowmobiles.

madman · Post by **madman** » Mon Feb 11, 2019 4:20 am

I hope I don't get in "the doghouse" for my suggestions but for infantry I have a lot of brand H&R. Recently they seemed to be coming out with '80s period infantry with country specific kit. Unfortunately they are off line for a couple months(?) due to relocating (including their listings for some reason). I have a lot of cold war era infantry of thier's from 30 odd years ago and the quality of the sculpts from the day would not pass today's muster. However they have been quickly updating their line(s) and the sculpts I have received lately have been very good. Not GHQ level but, as you said, suitable for my "almost" 60 year old eyes.

OBe · Post by **OBe** » Sun Feb 17, 2019 6:44 pm

I believe that it's OK to mention another company's stuff, but it's not cool to post a link.
H&R's new moulds are indeed a step up from their old versions.
It does seem a little remiss of GHQ to not do the 50-80's infantry, especially since they are trumpeting the fact that Flames of War and Team Yankee are very suited to 6mm and especially GHQ miniatures.
It wouldn't take a lot to finish off the holes in the mid-Cold-War lines, especially the infantry. There are only a few major vehicles left in the line (Conqueror, Stalwart anyone...??)
Without being too critical, some of the new releases have been odd.....Humber Mk 1? Really....??
Before anyone gets too antsy about me being critical, I've bought in excess of 4K GHQ figures over the years, so I think I'm a pretty committed customer. I just think some of the latest releases have either been ho-hum or just plain weird......
Rant over.

madman · Post by **madman** » Sun Feb 17, 2019 7:26 pm

OBe wrote:I believe that it's OK to mention another company's stuff, but it's not cool to post a link.
H&R's new moulds are indeed a step up from their old versions.
It does seem a little remiss of GHQ to not do the 50-80's infantry, especially since they are trumpeting the fact that Flames of War and Team Yankee are very suited to 6mm and especially GHQ miniatures.
It wouldn't take a lot to finish off the holes in the mid-Cold-War lines, especially the infantry. There are only a few major vehicles left in the line (Conqueror, Stalwart anyone...??)
Without being too critical, some of the new releases have been odd.....Humber Mk 1? Really....??
Before anyone gets too antsy about me being critical, I've bought in excess of 4K GHQ figures over the years, so I think I'm a pretty committed customer. I just think some of the latest releases have either been ho-hum or just plain weird......
Rant over.

I probably have about the same, if you consider a platoon of infantry equals a platoon of vehicles. Probably half GHQ, half H&R (mostly infantry with some vehicles from the days before GHQ made them), a smattering of CinC and Scotia and a dogs dinner of other manufacturers covering odd balls or sci fi (like the OGRE minis or Superior's old giant sci fi tanks which I use as "other" OGREs). My bad I forgot the In Service and Croissant minis as he was helping me with my potential master making back in the day. BTW does anybody have contact info for him? I lost track of him 30 years ago when he sold off Croissant and moved to Oregon(?). Thank you.

Stehen