American Command Units

After sometime away from 6mm gaming completing an American Civil War  project in 15mm, I now have some Modern American units completed. The MERDC cammo pattern is based on an article by Steven Zaloga, originally published in Military Modelling. I was fortunate to find a copy at the Grimsby club, for those interested a PDF can be found on this site  http://www.hobbyhavoc.com/oldhavoc/index.php?topic=1230.0 . At the club we have all decided to base our armies around 1985. This was an interesting time for the Americans as they were undergoing another structural organisation as well as introducing new equipment and transitioning from MERDC to NATO 3 colour camouflage. Because of this you see plenty of older equipment in MERDC and newer equipment in a basic Forrest Green factory finish, as the NATO scheme wasn't officially adopted till about '86/'87. Its this mix of old and new I've tried to depict in my units.
First up is the CO stand on a 40mmx40mm base and consists of a a H&R M113, M577 and a Hummer personal carrier.

CO Stand

CO Stand

CO Stand

 Next are the FAO and FAC stands based on 2 pence pieces. These consist of 2 FIST-V artillery observer vehicles  and a air liaison team in a Hummer. The FIST-V is identical to the Improved TOW vehicle so this is the model I've used.

FAOs and FAC

FAOs and FAC

Next; American Armour.    

WIP| American units part 2

First up are a battalion of M2 Bradley  Infantry Fighting Vehicles (USM 10).

M2 Battalion and HQ

 

The HQ is an M2 and an M577 and a couple of figures.

HQ M2 and M577

 

Close up of the M2 Bradly by Heroics and Ros.

M2 Bradley

M2 Bradley

 

To go with the M60 tank battalions are an infantry battalion in M113s (USM11).

M113s and HQ

The HQ is an M113 and an M577

HQ M113 and M577

Two battalions worth of infantry all from "US Infantry in new helmets" (M10)

Infantry battalions

The infantry are supported by , from front to back, TOW ATGWs, Heavy Machine guns And Dragon ATGWs.All are from "US Infantry Support-New Helmets"(M11)

Support Weapons

They also have indirect fire support from some mortar carriers. Two types are used, the medium M125(USM54), and the heavier M106(USM20).

M125 and M106

Also available are a number of anti tank units. The older M113+TOW(USM16) and the newer M901 Improved TOW Vehicle(USM15).

M113+TOW(front) and M901 ITV(rear)

To support both the Armour and the Infantry are a company of engineers in M35 trucks(USM40)

engineer company

Heavier engineering equipment comes in the form of an M728 CEV(USM33), an M88 ARV(USM35) and a M60 AVLB(USM37).

M728 and M88

M728 and M88

M60 AVLB

M60 AVLB with bridge removed
 

Finally all are supported by the artillery. this consists of M901A1 SPGs(USM25) and an M110 A2 SPG(USM22)

M109s and single M110

M109A1s
 

That's all the US models on my work bench at the moment, hopefully they'll be ready for a game in January 2013! Still in a bag are a couple of M10 warthogs and 2 Huey Cobras once they're on their flight stands I'll post some pictures. Still need to order three MLRS rocket launchers and some recce and that should be about it.

WIP | American units part 1.

After much deliberation I  decided to do an American Army circa 1985 as an opfor to my Soviets. The rules we use at the Grimsby club are the Cold War Commander rules by Peter Jones, and my units are organised with these rules in mind. The orbat I've used is adapted from one listed on the Fire and fury site . All the orbats on this site are easily adapted to CWC, the Soviet ones being very good.  My units are all based in the same way, on 2mm precut mdf, from Warbases. I've found them to be consistent quality wise and their service is also excellent. All the models listed are Heroics and Ros.  

 First up is the CO, Forward Air Controller and Forward Artillery observer.The Co stand consists of an M113 (USM11), an M577(USM14), a Hummer Personnel Carrier(USM42) and 3 figures from the US infantry in New Helmets set (M10) on a 40mmx40mm base. The FAC is a Hummer Personnel Carrier on a 2 pence piece. The FAO come in two types, one is an M113 the other is an M901 Improved TOW Vehicle(USM15) converted into a Fire Support Team(FIST) artillery observer vehicle. This is identical to a M901, it just has more aerials! All on 2p pieces.

CO, FAC and FAOs


 

Looking at the orbat, the Americans didn't seem to go very big on air dfence units. The priciple air defence unit consists of  M730 Chapparral(USM31) and Stinger teams in Hummers. The Stinger teams are from US Infantry Support-New Helmets(M11). The vehicles are mounted on 20mmx40mm bases and the stinger teams on 20mmx20mm bases.



M730 Chapparrel and Singer teams in Hummers

M730 Chapparrel and Singer teams in Hummers

 

 As the US Army was undergoing a number of changes in the mid 80s, with the gradual introduction of new equipment and a general program of improvments, I've organised my Armour accordingly. The most modern tank in the US invantory is the M1 Abrams(USM02). Iam going to have two HQs per tank battalion to give them some flexability. The HQs are an M1 and an M577 on a 30mmx20mm base.

M1 tank battalion and HQs

HQ(M1 and M577)

M1 company

M1

M1

The tank the M1 was to replace was the M60A3(USM05). In the mid 80s both types were still in use so;

M60A3 tank battalion and HQs
 

HQ (M60A3 and M577)

M60A3 company

M60A3



M60A3

Next post the Infantry, Artillery and supports.



WIP | US MERDC cammo.

Just started an American force for CWC as additional opponents for my ever growing Soviet hordes. Since I decided to go with a force organised for around about '85, the majority of the units will still be in MERDC. Here are some pics of some H&R M109A1s (code USM 25).I quite like the look of the MERDC but I'm not sure if it's not looking a bit "busy".

 

 

 

Also on the work bench are a couple of H&R KA27 "Helix B" naval helicopters, (code SMA404).

 

 

 

 

Lurking in the back ground is an HQ stand for  my Mech infantry consisting of a M577 and an M2 Bradley, both H&R (code USM 14 and USM 10 respectively).