Tag: Spotlight

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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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M551 Sheridan Spotlight (VUS002)

Includes one  M551 Sheridan

The M551 Sheridan was developed as an amphibious cavalry tank or air-landing tank capable of tackling Soviet tanks. As a result its main armament was an anti-tank missile launcher that could also fire conventional shells. Getting this complex weapon system to work delayed the introduction of the Sheridan, but it finally reached Vietnam in 1968. Once there, its crews liked its firepower, speed, and ability to cross flooded rice paddies, but missed the thick armour of the much heavier M48 and its ability to smash its way through thick jungle.Check out the M551 Sheridan in the online store here… 
The M551 Sheridan was made of light aluminium alloys, like the M113, giving it considerable mobility. It combined this with the punch of a 152mm gun capable of firing ‘beehive’ canister rounds.

Designed by Tim Adcock.
Painted by Mark Hazell.
The M551 Sheridan
The M551 Sheridan in Flames Of War
Contents of the M551 Sheridan Box Set
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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M42A1 Duster Spotlight VUS161

 

Includes one M41A1 Duster & one American head sprue.

The experience of the Korean War led US Army officials to begin the phasing out of the M24 Chaffee in favour of designs based around the more modern M41 Walker Bulldog. Included in the M24 family of vehicles was the M19 GMC. Developed towards the end of the Second World War, the M19 was armed with two of the highly effective 40mm Bofors anti-aircraft guns mounted in an open-topped turret capable of traversing 360º.

Check out the M42A1 Duster in the online store here…
Since the 40mm Bofors was still considered an effective anti-aircraft weapon, the turret of the M19 was simply mated with chassis of the M41 to create the M42 or Duster as it became known as by troops serving in Vietnam.

The first M42s begun arriving in Vietnam during 1966 and as it become clear that the threat of North Vietnamese air power would never materialise, the M42 was quickly put to work in a ground support role. With each gun capable of firing 120 rounds per minute, the 40mm rounds of the M2A1 Bofors proved devastating against both unarmoured ground targets and massed infantry attacks.

Designed by Tim Adcock
Painted by James Brown
The M42A1 Duster in Flames Of War Vietnam 
 
Contents of the M42A1 Duster Blister Pack
Contact the customer service team at [email protected] if you have any issues with any of the components.
Description of Components
a. 1x Crew head sprue.
b. 1x Twin M2A1 40mm sight group.
c. 1x Twin M2A1 40mm gun.		 d. 1x Right-hand side track.
e. 1x Left-hand side track.
f. 1x Resin M42A1 Duster turret & hull.
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Armored Troop Carrier (H) (VUSBX14) Spotlight

 

ATC(H) (VUSBX14) 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).

Designed by Evan Allen
Painted by Aaron Mathie

 ATC(H) (VUSBX14)
The ATC ATC(H) (VUSBX14)

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(H) (VUSBX14)
ATC(H) (VUSBX14) ATC(H) (VUSBX14)
ATC(H) (VUSBX14) ATC(H) (VUSBX14)
ATC(H) (VUSBX14) ATC(H) (VUSBX14)
ATC(H) (VUSBX14) ATC(H) (VUSBX14)
ATC(H) (VUSBX14) ATC(H) (VUSBX14)
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…		 ATC Tent (VSO112)
ATC with ATC Tent plug-in (VSO112)
ATC(H) (VUSBX14)
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A4E Skyhawk (VUSBX19) Spotlight

 

A4E Skyhawk (VAC02) 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
 
A4E Skyhawk (VAC02) A4E Skyhawk (VAC02)
A4E Skyhawk (VAC02) A4E Skyhawk (VAC02)
A4E Skyhawk (VAC02)
A4E Skyhawk (VAC02)
A4E Skyhawk (VAC02)
A4E Skyhawk (VAC02)
Painting the A-4E Skyhawk
Decal Sheet
A4E Skyhawk (VAC02)
A4E Skyhawk (VAC02)