Dress Rehearsal

I’m planning on hosting a game this coming Sunday to get in some practice using the rules with the latest (well, 1990s) in high-tech American kit. This will be the first time we’ve tried combined arms ops with the M1 Abrams and the M2 Bradley so I’m keen to find out quite how lethal they are in Arc of Fire.

The Abrams has fantastic armour, it’s fast and it gets all kinds of plusses when firing. The Bradley has fire-power coming out of its ears with a 25mm chain gun (a high rate-of-fire autocannon) and long-range TOW anti-tank guided missiles.

An interesting tactical note is that we will be using the early 1990s Bradley squad organisation. This has a six-man dismount element that doesn’t breakdown into mutually supporting fire teams. The contemporary doctrine assumed that the Bradleys would provide fire support while the dismounts manoeuvred.

This is all very well in theory and the Bradley has plenty of firepower but in the very nature of things terrain that suits infantry often doesn’t suit armoured vehicles. It’s not difficult to conceive of a situation where the infantry enter terrain where the Bradleys can’t easily or safely follow.

Another factor in the big game will be ammunition supply. TOW missiles are bulky (and expensive) so the Bradley doesn’t carry many. To give them the best chance of hitting you need to stand off and engage enemy armour at a distance – not particularly compatible with providing close support to the infantry.

So despite having huge firepower and the ability to engage enemy forces at long range, Richard Baber (our NATO commander) will have some very interesting tactical choices to make.

Government Air Support

As a semi-detached member of the eastern bloc, Andreivia often pursued an independent line in arms procurement.  Contacts with Argentina led to the purchase of some aged A4 Skyhawks for use by ground attack squadrons of the Andreivian Air Force.  By the early 1990s a single squadron was still flying.

The model is a cheapo kit I picked up for 99p from my local Wilkinson's Hardware a few years ago.  Only now has it been lined in and acquired Andreivian markings. 

I originally tried putting Israeli roundels on the wings and painting over them but I couldn't get adequate coverage to hide the stars.  I ended up scraping off the decals and using the faint marks they left as a guide to paint in the yellow circles by hand.  The serial number is from an old kit decal.

Flying Stand

I've just finished a flying stand that can be used to carry aircraft as they roar over the Tuzkhur Valley.

  

The idea is pinched from Simon Miller's "Crimson Bat" model for Gloranthan Hordes of the Things.  Basically it's a foamcore and card model based on a CD.  The building contains a few dozen unwanted lead figures and a load of tile grout to give it some stability.  

 

The chimney extends into a variable height flying stand that's made from one of those extendible magnet things - like a car aerial and designed to pick up metal objects from inaccessible spaces.  

Each of my aircraft has a small magnetic coin glued to its underside (I use Latvian 1 Santims pieces but modern British pennies will do the job too).   This allows you to mount the aircraft securely on the stand at any appropriate height from about 15 to 60 centimetres.

This final pic shows an Andreivian Air Force A4 Skyhawk flying low over a typical Andreivian house.

When I get some better pics done this will be my entry to The Guild's scenery group build.

Guide to AoF tweaked

I've edited the Intro to Arc of Fire posting (beginning of May).  Our Senior Assistant Vice President in charge of Rules Consultation (Mike Reese) pointed out that I got the section on "Moving Out Of Turn" wrong.  It's now fixed.

Thanks Mike.  You'll be listed in the credits!

 

NATO Air Support

I went over to visit my parents in Merseyside this weekend and that meant a chance to pop over to what used to be called "The Model Shop" (now Kit Stop Models) in Birkenhead.  I used to go in there as a kid when I remember it as an Alladin's cave with Airfix and Tamiya kits all over the place.

Generally, it's a mistake to go back.  The shop is now bright and airy, and fairly well stocked but no longer has the magic of the old place.  Or am I just getting old?  Still, had a nice chat with the owners and have promised it won't be another 30-odd years before I go back again.

I had in mind to pick up maybe an A10 Thunderbolt to provide the NATO forces with air strike capability.  As it happens I decided to pay half the price and get a Jaguar GR1A from Revell.  I'm going to start building it tonight.  Photos when I get it finished.

    

Beware TV Crews

It may not be long until the U.N. bring a resolution about for a limited UN force to enter Andreivia ,meanwhile, news agencies are clambering to cover the conflict.

Recently sighted was this CNN news crew. If you notice they have painted their SUV white with large TV markings on it hoping they aren't targeted. The 3 members of the crew are all wearing blue coloured body armour for protection.

So much stuff!

Last night I had an email from Ian Shaw (of the Deeside Club and SOTCW) offering to lend yet more modern kit for the game. Frankly I am overwhelmed by all the offers of toys to play with - we now have more offered than we can possibly use!

My plan is to use at least one item from each person. I'm also going to publish a "Cast and Crew" list for the game. I'd like to ask all participants to make sure I have their full name so I can make sure everyone gets due credit.

The main need now is for players! Of course you can turn up on the day (either day) and play but I'd also like to hear from people in advance. Comments here or via the SOTCW Forum or mailing list, the Deeside Defencers list or The Guild are a good way to contact me.