Author: christo

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Patrol Boat (VUSBX12) Spotlight

 

PBR (Patrol Boat, Riverine x2) (VUSBX12) The Patrol Boat, River or PBR, was a small rigid-hulled patrol boat that was the mainstay of Operation Game Warden. PBRs did not usually operate with the Mobile Riverine Force; their mission was to interdict illicit waterway traffic and provide intelligence to the navy. Occasionally, this mission would overlap with the Mobile Riverine Force’s mission and the two would cooperate.

Check out the Patrol Boat in the online store here…

The PBR was usually manned by a 4-man crew. Typically, a First Class Petty Officer served as boat captain, with a gunner’s mate, an engineman and a seaman on board. Each crewman was cross-trained in each other’s job in case one became unable to carry out his duties. Generally, PBRs operated in pairs under the command of a patrol officer, who rode on one of the boats.

Designed by Evan Allen
Painted by Aaron Mathie

PBR (Patrol Boat, Riverine x2) (VUSBX12)
The PBR (Patrol Boat, River) Mk II PBR

Length:

 31’ 11” (9.8m)
Beam: 11’ 7” (3.5m)
Draft: 2’ (60cm)
Displacement: 16000lb (7.25tonnes)
Speed: 28 knots (52km/h)
Crew: 4

The PBR in ‘Nam
 
PBR (Patrol Boat, Riverine x2) (VUSBX12) PBR (Patrol Boat, Riverine x2) (VUSBX12)
With a shallow-draught fibreglass hull and water jet drive, the PBR could operate in the shallow, weed-choked rivers of the Mekong Delta. The dual 180hp pump-jet drives, which could be pivoted to reverse direction, made the boat extremely fast and nimble. PBRs did not have much in the way of armour protection – just some shielding for the .50-cal machine guns and upright steel armour plates in the midships. Instead, the boats were designed to rely on acceleration and maneuverability to get out of trouble.
PBR (Patrol Boat, Riverine x2) (VUSBX12) PBR (Patrol Boat, Riverine x2) (VUSBX12)
PBR (Patrol Boat, Riverine x2) (VUSBX12) PBR (Patrol Boat, Riverine x2) (VUSBX12)
PBR (Patrol Boat, Riverine x2) (VUSBX12) PBR (Patrol Boat, Riverine x2) (VUSBX12)
PBR (Patrol Boat, Riverine x2) (VUSBX12) PBR (Patrol Boat, Riverine x2) (VUSBX12)

Contents of the PBR box
Contact the customer service team at [email protected] if you have any issues with any of the components.
PBR (Patrol Boat, Riverine x2) (VUSBX12)
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M114 155mm Firebase (VUSBX10) Spotlight

 

Includes one Gun section with three M114A1 155mm howitzers with crew & three Large six-hole bases.

Development of the 155mm howitzer M1 began during the late 1930s, when the United States Army determined it needed a new medium field artillery piece to replace the World War One vintage howitzer M1917.

Check out the 155mm Field Artillery Battery in the online store here…
The 155mm used separate loading ammunition comprised of four components: a projectile, a separate bagged propellant charge, a fuse and a primer. The propelling charge contained individual bags of powder, which could be reduced depending on the range of the target. The projectiles weighed 95lb each with the fuses placed in the base of the projectile after a ring used for shipping was removed. The primers were placed in the breech of the gun for firing. The 155mm howitzer typically fired 80% or more HE (high explosive) shells, however, it could also fire smoke or white phosphorus shells.

In 1962 the designation system for artillery changed and the 155mm howitzer became known as the M114A1 155mm howitzer. The change in designation didn’t detract from its performance in any way during the course of the conflict in Vietnam.

Gun designed by Evan Allen & Seth Nash
Crew designed by Evan Allen
Painted by Mark Hazell
The M114A1 155mm Howitzers
155mm Field Artillery Battery (VUSBX10) 155mm Field Artillery Battery (VUSBX10) 155mm Field Artillery Battery (VUSBX10)
The M114A1 155mm Howitzer in Flames Of War Vietnam
155mm Field Artillery Battery (VUSBX10) 155mm Field Artillery Battery (VUSBX10) 155mm Field Artillery Battery (VUSBX10)
155mm Field Artillery Battery (VUSBX10) 155mm Field Artillery Battery (VUSBX10) 155mm Field Artillery Battery (VUSBX10)
Contact the customer service team at [email protected] if you have any issues with any of the components.
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M101 105mm Firebase (VUSBX09) Spotlight

 

includes one Gun section with three M101A1 105mm howitzers with crew & three Large six-hole bases.

The M2A1 105mm howitzer was the mainstay of the United States artillery units during World War Two. First entering production in 1941, it quickly gained a reputation for its high degree of accuracy and exceptional firepower.

Check out the 105mm Field Artillery Battery in the online store here…
Despite being developed during the 1920s, the gun didn’t enter go production due to the surplus number of World War One vintage 75mm field guns that were still in service. The project was put on hold till the United States entered World War Two in 1941. Designated as the 105mm howitzer M1, further refinements were made during the course of the war with various designations. However, in 1962 the designation system for artillery changed and the 105mm M2A1 howitzer became known as the M101A1. The change in designation didn’t detract from its performance in any way during the course of the conflict in Vietnam.

While the M101A1 howitzer has been retired by the United States military; it continues to see service with many armed forces spanning the globe.

Gun designed by Karl Cederman
Figures designed by Evan Allen
Painted by Mark Hazell
The M101A1 105mm Howitzers
105mm Field Artillery Battery (VUSBX09) 105mm Field Artillery Battery (VUSBX09) 105mm Field Artillery Battery (VUSBX09)
The M101A1 105mm Howitzer in Flames Of War Vietnam
105mm Field Artillery Battery (VUSBX09) 105mm Field Artillery Battery (VUSBX09) 105mm Field Artillery Battery (VUSBX09)
105mm Field Artillery Battery (VUSBX09) 105mm Field Artillery Battery (VUSBX09) 105mm Field Artillery Battery (VUSBX09)
Contact the customer service team at [email protected] if you have any issues with any of the components.
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M109 (155mm) Spotlight (VUS150)

 

Includes one M109 (155mm) Self-propelled gun with M108 (105mm) option, four Vehicle commander figures

The M108 (105mm) and M109 (155mm) are the latest self-propelled artillery pieces in the US Army. Initially, the lighter M108 was preferred for its ability to carry more ammunition and the relative ease of resupply. Later they were phased out in favour of the more effective M109, as the supply problems were reduced when operating from fire support bases.

Check out the M109 (155mm) in the online store here…
Deployed in static firebases they provided long-range fire support for troops put in the field as well as much-needed defensive firepower when PAVN troops came out of the jungle.

Designed by Tim Adcock
Painted by Andrew Agutters

The M109 (155mm) in ‘Nam
 
The M108 (105mm) in ‘Nam
 
M109 (155mm) M109 (155mm) (VUSBX08)
M109 (155mm) M109 (155mm)
M109 (155mm) M109 (155mm)
M109 (155mm) M109 (155mm)
M109 (155mm) M109 (155mm)
Contents of the M109 (155mm) Box Set
Contact the customer service team at [email protected] if you have any issues with any of the components.
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M113 Platoon Spotlight (VUSBX07)

 

includes four M113 plastic sprues with options for M113, M113 ACAV, M125 (81mm), M106 (4.2in) & M132 Zippo, four M113 Commanders, four M113 Drivers, four Optional M125 / M106 crew & one M113 decal sheet.
Extensively used in Vietnam, the M113 proved to be a solid workhorse capable of breaking through the heavy jungle and transporting infantry through to enemy positions.

Check out M113 Platoon in the online store here…
The M113 APC (armoured personnel carrier) was developed to fill the same role as the WWII M3 half-track carrying infantry up to the edge of the battlefield safe from artillery and long-range fire.
In Vietnam, the mechanised infantry battalions used their M113 ‘tracks’ much more aggressively.
Plastic M113 designed by Will Jayne
Crew designed by Evan Allen
Painted by James Brown
The M113
The M113 with Okinawa Turret
The M113 with M40 106mm Recoilless Gun
The M113 with M134 Minigun
The M113 ACAV with .50 cal MG
The M113 ACAV with Mk 19 40mm MG
The M132 Zippo
The M125 (81mm)
The M106 (4.2in)
Contents of the M113 Platoon Company Box Set
Please contact the customer service team at [email protected] if you have any issues with any of the components.
Description of Components
a. 4x Plastic weapons sprues. b. 4x Plastic hull components sprues.
Description of Components
A. 4x M113 Commander figures.
B. 2x M113 mortar crew figures
C. 2x M113 mortar crew figures holding mortar projectile.
D. 1x M113 Driver head sprue.		  1x M113 decal sheet.
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M48 Patton Spotlight (VUS041)

Includes one M48 Patton Tank with optional MG & .50 cal Cuploa MG upgrades and crew figures

The M48 Patton tank was completely modernised version of the WWII M26 Pershing heavy tank, designed to fight Soviet tanks on a nuclear battlefield. Oddly, many of the lessons of WWII had been forgotten and the M48 lacked a stabiliser and was likely to catch fire when penetrated. Its impressive anti-tank capability was of little use in Vietnam.Much more useful was the M336 canister round, popularly known as ‘beehive’, filled with 1281 steel pellets that turned the tank’s main gun into a giant shotgun. The crews often moved the commander’s machine-gun from inside the cupola to on top of it, added another for the loader.

Check out the M48 Patton in the online store here… 
The M48 tanks went just about anywhere in just about any season, and their firepower proved decisive in battles like the relief of Fire Support Base Gold. There the tanks led a relief column through dense jungle and arrived, guns blazing, ‘just like the late show on TV, the US Cavalry came riding to the rescue’.

Designed by Evan Allen
Painted by Mark Hazell

 
The M48 Patton in ‘Nam

The Contents of the M48 Patton Box Set
Contact the customer service team at [email protected] if you have any issues with any of the components.
Description of Components
a. Tank commander figures Type A.
b. Tank commander figures Type B.
c. Tank commander figures Type C.
d. Tank commander figures Type D.
e. .30 cal MGs.
f.  .50 cal AA MGs
g. Cupola MGs.		 h. Hatch sprues.
i. Searchlight / vision ring sprues.
k. M41 90mm main guns.
l. Right-hand side tracks.
m. Left-hand side tracks.
n. Resin M48A3 turrets & hulls.
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OH-6 Loach Spotlight (VUSBX04)

 

includes two plastic OH-6 Loach sprues, two Door Gunner figures, two plastic Flight Stands, one OH-6 Decal sheet & eight Rare earth magnets.

The OH-6 Cayuse was quickly nicknamed the ‘Loach’ after its initial designation LOH (Light Observation helicopter). Its high speed, manoeuvrability, and small size made it an excellent scout helicopter, even though much of its work was done at low speed while flying at or below treetop level.

Check out the OH-6 Loach in the online store here…
Armed with a M134 minigun and a M60 machine-gun, the OH-6 Loach could still deliver a nasty sting of its own.

Designed by Will Jayne
Painted by James Brown
The OH-6 Loach
The OH-6 Loach in ‘Nam
Contents of the OH-6 Loach Box Set
Contact the customer service team at [email protected] if you have any issues with any of the components.
Description of Components
a. 2x Plastic OH-6 Loach component sprues.
b. 2x Plastic flight stands.
c. 1x OH-6 Loach decal sheet.		 d. 2x Door gunner figures.
e. 8x Rare earth magnets.
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Special Force Patrol (VUS782) Spotlight

 

Includes six two-man Special Forces teams and six two-hole small bases.

To their opponents, the elite Navy SEALs (Sea, Air, and Land) were known as the “Men with Green Faces”, owing to their camouflage face paint. They come silently at night to steal away political leaders, collect intel, destroy supplies, and then disappear.

Check out the Special Forces Patrol in the online store here…

Designed by Evan Allen
Painted by Aaron Mathie
SEALs usually patrolled on their own, but they did sometimes work with larger forces for major operations. Typical patrols were seven men and a South Vietnamese interpreter, but the full platoon could be deployed if a big mission came up.
Navy Seals (VUS782)
Navy Seals (VUS782)
 Navy Seals (VUS782)
Navy Seals (VUS782) Navy Seals (VUS782) Navy Seals (VUS782)
Navy Seals (VUS782) Navy Seals (VUS782) Navy Seals (VUS782)
Navy Seals (VUS782) Navy Seals (VUS782) Navy Seals (VUS782)

The Special Forces in ‘Nam
Navy SEALs had a great deal of leeway with their uniforms so that they could better accomplish their mission. Many wore the Tigerstripe camouflage uniform typical of special forces in Vietnam.

Many SEALs wore denim jeans due to their hard wearing in the damp battlefields of the Mekong.
Head gear was always soft (never helmets) and varied greatly, such as bandanas, berets, or boonie hats. SEALs painted their faces in camouflage colours to blend into the surroundings. This earned them their nickname by the enemy: “Men with Green Faces”.

 Navy Seals (VUS782)

Contents of the Special Forces blister pack
Contact the customer service team at [email protected] if you have any issues with any of 
the components.
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US 4.2″ Mortar Platoon (VUS717) Spotlight

 

  includes two Mortar sections each with two M30 4.2in mortars and crew, one Small three-hole base & four Large six-hole bases.

The M30 4.2in (107mm) mortar first entered service with the United States Army in 1951 as a direct replacement for the M2 107mm mortar. Despite being twice the weight of the M2 (305kg vs. 151kg), the M30 enjoyed greater range and an increase in killing power when compared to its predecessor.

Check out the 4.2″ Mortar Platoon in the online store here…
Due to its weight, the M30 was often mounted in vehicles such as the M113 where it could offer mobile fire support to hotspots on the battlefield. When mounted on the ground, the base plate had to be dug-in and covered in sandbags in order to stabilise it. But even with these measures, the recoil caused when the weapon was fired would cause the base plate to shift therefore drastically reducing accuracy.  What’s more, rate of fire was also reduced while the crew were forced to recalibrate the sights with the aiming stakes.

In many cases these were discarded for the lighter and more mobile M29 81mm mortar to allow the platoon to accompany the battalion on combat operations.

Designed by Evan Allen
Painted by Steve London
The M30 4.2in Mortar Teams
4.2" Mortar Platoon (VUS717) 4.2" Mortar Platoon (VUS717)
The M30 4.2in Mortar in ‘Nam
4.2" Mortar Platoon (VUS717) 4.2" Mortar Platoon (VUS717)
4.2" Mortar Platoon (VUS717) 4.2" Mortar Platoon (VUS717)
4.2" Mortar Platoon (VUS717) 4.2" Mortar Platoon (VUS717)
Contact the customer service team at [email protected] if you have any issues with any of the components.
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US Mortar Platoon (VUS715) Spotlight

 

Includes one Command M16 Rifle team, two Mortar sections each with two M29 81mm mortars and crew, one Small three-hole base & four Medium four-hole bases.

By 1952, the M1 81mm mortar which had served US armed forces during the Second World War and into the Korean War had been superseded by the M29 81mm mortar. The M29 offered an increase in range and portability due to a reduction in weight when compared to the older M1 (42kg vs. 62kg).

Check out the Mortar Platoon in the online store here…
This lighter design meant that crews could quickly move into position and set-up without much difficulty. The reduction in weight also meant the crew could carry a more abundant supply of ammunition into action with them and therefore increase the effectiveness of fire missions. The increase in range also allowed teams to engage targets at distances less susceptible to small arms fire.

In many cases, the lighter and more mobile M29 81mm mortar was the weapon of choice over large calibre weapons such as the M30 4.2in mortar.

Designed by Evan Allen
Painted by Steve London
The M29 81mm Mortar Teams
Mortar Platoon (VUS715) Mortar Platoon (VUS715)
The M29 81mm Mortar in ‘Nam
Mortar Platoon (VUS715) Mortar Platoon (VUS715)
Mortar Platoon (VUS715) Mortar Platoon (VUS715)
Mortar Platoon (VUS715) Mortar Platoon (VUS715)
Contact the customer service team at [email protected] if you have any issues with any of the components.