Articles – Page 8 – Vietnam Miniatures Game

Posted on December 3, 2017April 16, 2018 by

Assembling the ATC(H) (VUSBX14)

Follow this guide to correctly assemble your ATC(H). For metal and resin models like this one, we recommend you use cyanoacrylate ‘Super Glue’.

GF9 Super Glue is available in the online store…

Contact the customer service team at [email protected] if you have any issues with any of the components.

Step 1. Add the bow to the hull (you don’t have to glue this part).	Step 2. Glue the pilot’s deck to the hull.	Below. Hull assembled correctly.

Step 3. Glue the guns into their turrets.	You have the option of replacing one of your Mk 16 20mm guns with a Mk 19 40mm Grenade MG, so four turrets are provided.

Below. Fully assembled ATC(H)

Happy modelling!

Posted on December 3, 2017July 19, 2023 by christo

Armored Troop Carrier (H) (VUSBX14) Spotlight

Includes one Armored Troop Carrier boat, with options for the ATC(H) and ATC(H) Aid Boat.

The ATC boats converted from LCM-6 landing craft developed in the 1950s for ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore use. The converted LCM designs added 0.25 inch armor plating in many areas to protect the superstructure from critical damage caused by rockets.

Check out the ATC(H) in the online store here…

The upgraded armored ATC made up about half of the river craft deployed by the United States during the Vietnam War, in effect making the ATC the “workhorse” of the river war. Some ATCs had helicopter decks added and became ATC(H).

The ATC

Length:	56’ 1” (17m)
Beam:	17’ 6” (5.3m)
Draft:	3’ 6” (1m)
Displacement:	155,000lb (70 tonnes)
Speed:	8.5 knots (16km/h)
Crew:	7

The Armored Troop Carrier (H) in ‘Nam

ATC Tent plug-in Special Order (VSO112)
The ATC(H) includes the helipad bow piece, giving you the versatility to field it as a transport in either a Combat Platoon or a Weapons Platoon (as an Aid Boat) role.If you want to field a ‘rag-top’ ATC, you can replace the helipad piece with the ATC Tent special order piece (VSO112) available here from the web store…

Posted on December 3, 2017July 19, 2023 by christo

PAVN Decal Sheets Spotlight (VPA940)

PAVN Decal Sheets (VPA940)
includes four PAVN Vehicle Decal Sheets.

The People’s Army committed their armour into battle in battalions,
Tiểu Đoàn Thiết Giáp (pronounced thee-ow doh‑ahn tee-et harp), and grouped these into entire regiments.

Check out the PAVN Decal Sheets in the online store here…

As aid from China and the Soviet Union increased, their armoured strength grew rapidly from a single battalion in 1965 to three armoured regiments in 1971. This gave them a significant advantage over the puppet forces as each battalion had more tanks than an entire ARVN armoured brigade.

Below: PAVN Stars with 200 – 300 series vehicle numbers in yellow. (x1 included in pack.)	Below: PAVN Stars with 400 series vehicle numbers in yellow. (x1 included in pack.)

The Vietnamese term xe thiết giáp (ironclad vehicle) is used to refer to tanks. However, the influence of the English word ‘tank’ has also led to the use of xe tăng (pronounced ser tung), or simply tăng as well. Confusingly, tăng itself means increase or up.

Below: PAVN Stars with 400 series vehicle numbers in white. (x1 included in pack.)	Below: PAVN Stars with 200 – 300 series vehicle numbers in white.(x1 included in pack.)

Posted on December 3, 2017July 19, 2023 by christo

Anti-tank Platoon (VAN707) (ANZAC) Spotlight

Includes three Anti-tank Squads each with two M67 90mm recoilless teams & six Medium four-hole bases.

The M67 recoilless rifle was a 90mm weapon designed primarily to be used as an anti-tank weapon. However, it could also be used in an anti-personnel role with the use of the specialised M590 anti-personnel round. It could be fired either from the ground using a bipod and monopod or from the shoulder using the fixed bipod as a shoulder rest and the monopod as a front grip.

Check out the Anti-tank Platoon (ANZAC) in the online store here…

The M67 proved itself as an effective weapon, though it was primary used against infantry and fortified targets rather than actual armoured targets. However, the M67 was not without its faults; mainly its weight and size of its back blast. These factors tended to limit the M67 use to purely defensive operations.

The M67 90mm Recoilless Teams


The M67 90mm Recoilless in ‘Nam

Contents of The Anti-tank Platoon (ANZAC) Blister Pack

Contact the customer service team at [email protected] if you have any issues with any of the components.

The NCO
Description of Components
a. 1x Standing NCO figure with Owen gun.
b. 1x Standing NCO figure with M16.
c. 1x Kneeling NCO figure pointing.Assembling The NCO Figures
The Anti-tank platoon is made up of three Anti-tank squads, each containing two M67 90mm recoilless teams. One team in each squad must contain a NCO figure in order to correctly represent the unit.

The M67 90mm Recoilless Team
Description of Components
a. 6x Kneeling M67 90mm recoilless gunner figures.
b. 6x Standing M67 90mm recoilless loader figures.Assembling TheM67 90mm Recoilless Team
Each of the six teams that make up the three squads of the Anti-tank platoon must contain both the M67 90mm recoilless gunner and loader figures.

Description of Components

a. 1x Kneeling rifleman figure planting Claymore.
b. 1x Standing rifleman figure aiming SLR.
c. 1x Squatting rifleman figure aiming M16.

d. 1x Kneeling rifleman figure aiming SRL.
e. 1x Advancing rifleman figure.
f. 1x Running rifleman figure.

Assembling the The Riflemen Figures
Of the two teams that make you each Anti-tank squad, one team must contain a NCO figure, a Rifleman figure and a M67 90mm recoilless gunner and loader. The other team in the squad needs to contain a rifleman figure, a M60 gunner and a M67 90mm recoilless gunner and loader. The M67 90mm recoilless teams are modelled on the Medium four-hole bases provided in the blister pack.

M60 Gunners
Description of Components
a. 2x M60 gunner figures firing from the hip.
b. 1x Standing M60 gunner figure.Assembling the The M60 Gunner Figures
An M60 gunner is included in one of the two M67 90mm recoilless team that make up a Anti-tank squad. See the text regarding assembling the Riflemen figures for further information.

ANZAC Infantry Painting Guide

Posted on December 3, 2017July 19, 2023 by christo

Mortar Platoon (VAN705) (ANZAC) Spotlight

includes three Mortar sections each with two M29 81mm mortars with 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 (ANZAC) 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.

ANZAC forces serving in Vietnam were armed with the American made M29 81mm mortar.

The M29 81mm Mortar Teams

The M29 81mm Mortar in ‘Nam

Contact the customer service team at [email protected] if you have any issues with any of the components.

Posted on December 3, 2017July 19, 2023 by christo

Rifle Platoon (ANZAC) (VAN702) Spotlight

includes one Command SLR team, one Medic team, one Rifle Platoon with three Rifle Squads each with two SLR teams, two Small three-hole bases & seven Medium four-hole bases.ANZAC rifle companies contained a significant number of veterans of the fighting in Malaya and Borneo, making them some of the best troops in Vietnam when it came to jungle patrols, moving silently and maintaining excellent camouflage discipline.

Check out the Rifle Platoon (ANZAC) in the online store here…

The cocksure Australians did not know the meaning of defeat, refusing to give ground even when ridiculously outnumbered and surrounded at Long Tan. The New Zealanders were less brash, but equally determined to hold their ground.

The Medic Team

The SLR Teams

The Rifle Platoon in ‘Nam

The Rifle Platoon Displaying The ANZAC Spirit

Contents of the Rifle Platoon (ANZAC) Blister Pack

Contact the customer service team at [email protected] if you have any issues with any of the components.

Posted on December 3, 2017July 19, 2023 by christo

M113 M74C & T50 Turrets (VAN243) Spotlight

includes two M74C turrets, two T50 turrets, four Tank Commander figures & one M113 Commander head sprue.

The Aussies quickly found that the commanders of their M113 armoured personnel carriers (‘buckets’ to the diggers that they carried) were far too exposed and began to acquire gun shields from the Americans. These were soon supplemented with fully-enclosed M74C turrets mounting twin .30 calibre machine-guns.

Check out the M113 M74C & T50 Turrets in the online store here…

These cramped turrets were in turn supplemented with the larger T50 turret off the Cadillac-Gage Commando armoured car mounting paired .50 cal and .30 cal machine-guns.

Note: The M113 M74C & T50 Turrets blister pack does not include the M113; the M113 has to be purchased separately as part of the M113 Platoon box set.

Learn more about the M113 Platoon here…

Designed by Tim Adcock

The M113 M74C & T50 Turrets in ‘Nam

Contents of the M113 M74C & T50 Turrets Blister Pack

Contact the customer service team at [email protected] if you have any issues with any of the components.

Posted on December 3, 2017July 19, 2023 by christo

M113 FSV Turret (VAN242) Spotlight

includes two Resin M113 FSV turrets, two Resin M113 FSV decks & two Tank Commander figures.

The first ad-hoc fire support troop was formed in 1967 when the Australians borrowed obsolete American M108 self-propelled guns for fire base defence at Nui Dat and later the Horseshoe. Despite orders against their use in the field, 6 Troop were used on occasion to transport patrols and for convoy escort work.

Check out the M113 FSV Turret in the online store here…

When the loan ended after six months, the cavalry looked for a more permanent solution, finding it in the M113 Fire Support Vehicle (FSV), an M113 mounting the turret of a Saladin armoured car. These ‘beasts’, as they were often called, arrived in Vietnam in 1970, remaining until the end.

Note: The M113 FSV Turret blister pack does not include the M113; the M113 has to be purchased separately as part of the M113 Platoon box set.

Learn more about the M113 Platoon here…

Designed by Tim Adcock

The M113 FSV in ‘Nam

Contents of the M113 FSV Turret Blister Pack

Contact the customer service team at [email protected] if you have any issues with any of the components.

Description of Components

a. 2x M113 FSV resin decks.
b. 2x M113 FSV resin turrets.

c. 2x Vehicle commander figures.
d. 2x Gun & hatch sprues.

Posted on December 3, 2017July 19, 2023 by christo

A4E Skyhawk (VUSBX19) Spotlight

Includes two A-4E Skyhawk with optional weapon upgrades, four rare earth magnets, two Plastic flight stands & two Decal sheets.

The Douglas A-4E Skyhawk was a single-engined attack and fighter aircraft that saw extensive service through the 1960s and ’70s. With a top speed of 600 miles per hour (970km/h) it could deliver a payload of explosives on top of the enemy with pinpoint accuracy and then vanish before they knew what hit them.

Check out the A-4E Skyhawk in the online store…

Designed by Evan Allen
Painted by Aaron Mathie

A4E Skyhawk (VAC02)

The A-4E Skyhawk in ‘Nam

Painting the A-4E Skyhawk

Decal Sheet
A4E Skyhawk (VAC02)

Posted on December 3, 2017July 19, 2023 by christo

Skyraider (VUSBX18) Spotlight

includes two Skyraiders with optional weapon upgrades, four Rare earth magnets, two Plastic flight stands & two Decal sheets.

Check out the Skyraider in the online store here…

Brief History of the Skyraider

In the early days of the US involvement in the Vietnam conflict, the Geneva Convention forbid the US military to use jet aircraft in a military role. Enter the Skyraider! The powerful aircraft served the Air Force and Navy well for those first few months until the restriction was lifted and the more powerful bombers were brought online. However, that was not the end of the Spad’s career in Vietnam. It had a lot more still to offer.As the years wore on, the Skyraider became a ubiquitous weapon in the US military’s arsenal. Its 15 hard points under its wings could carry and deliver an assortment of torpedoes, mine dispensers, minigun pods, white phosphorous bombs, high explosive rockets, 500lb bombs, cluster bombs, and napalm. The aircraft’s own 20mm cannon could unload a further 800 rounds.

Each aircraft was an army unto itself. Its slow speed was an asset because it allowed the aircraft to deliver its weapons on target with excellent accuracy. Jet attack planes were sometimes too fast to deliver accurate strikes, making the Skyraider better suited for close air support.

Skyraider ground attack missions included preparing landing zones for helicopters, supporting friendly infantry, covering rescue operations, disrupting known North Vietnamese supply lines, and whatever else asked of it. If a pilot completed his mission and still had ordnance left, he would radio the local friendly forces and get a target to spend the last of his payload. Never did a Skyraider return to base or the aircraft carrier with ordnance still remaining! They became a major and vital part of the Vietnam War.

Towards the late 1960s, the Skyraider was slowly (and reluctantly, according to many Spad pilots) replaced by the new A4 Skyhawks and A6 Intruder jet attack aircraft. However, there were always missions that the Skyraider could do best.

The aircraft soldiered on in US service until the last one was removed from active duty in 1972. However, a good number of Skyraiders were given to the South Vietnamese air force, which made use of them until the conclusion of the war.