Riverine Warfare

A couple of interesting articles at Weapons and Warfare website recently, relating to Riverine operations in Vietnam.  If you are into Brown Water Navy you should drop by and check them out:

http://weaponsandwarfare.com/2015/08/26/riverine-warfare-vietnam-i/

http://weaponsandwarfare.com/2015/08/26/riverine-warfare-vietnam-ii/

Review: Brown Water Navy

Battlefront released their latest Vietnam era title in April and having received it last week I thought a short review might be in order.  My up front disclaimer is that for a range of reasons I don't actually play FoW, but bought this for eye candy and some ideas on how to take our current beta test rules onto the deltas of Vietnam.  Thus, my perspectives on this book are probably a bit different to somebody who plays FoW Vietnam frequently.

Its a 50 page softcover book with full colour on every page in the tradition of other FoW books.  Very nice quality paper and high res printing.

After a couple of pages of intro and history, the book splits into two sections - the River Assault Squadrons and troops from the 9th Infantry Division who roamed the Mekong Delta, and the local Resistance forces.  The rules go through each platform type and some interesting rules for incorporating them, including beaching under fire and the fact that most boats need up to 3 hits before they are wrecked.  US organisations include the incorporation of waterborne, airborne and mechanised forces which would work neatly for some bigger multi-player scenarios.  SEALs get to play as well, though obviously this was not their usual work, and air support comes in the shape of either the A-1H Skyraider (my favourite) or the A-4E Skyhawk.

Moving to the Communist forces, there are no NVA down in the Mekong and so the local resistance is both Main Force Viet Cong and local force VC.  There are a range of rules which help them melt away into the jungle, plus they have access to a range of fortifications/bunkers, booby traps and minefields.  The VC player can also access elite sapper units, rocket forces and sampans which can ferry troops around the battlefield right under the Allies' noses.

The artwork and pics of models are at the usual very high standard throughout the book

The book includes a few thoughts on modelling BWN battlefields and the terrain effects of things like jungle overgrowth and water navigation hazards before going on to outline the single Mission scenario.  This was real pity as the Brown Water Navy theme could have been used so much better to present different scenarios types such as extracting a surrounded ground force, recovering a wrecked Tango boat from a previous mission etc.  These could have been included by chopping out the two double page pics of models for no extra page count.

I thought the value (USD$20, delivered) was adequate at best and lacked a 'wow factor'.  Annoyingly, if you want to play these rules you not only need the core FoW rules, you also need something called the 'Pocket Guide to Vietnam' on the FoW digital app (only) OR the previous book Tour of Duty (although the Battlefront webpage says that "Most of these rules can be found in Tour of Duty, but not all of them." The inclusion of only a single mission was also a disappointment.  If you are the kind of gamer that likes getting a framework to go your own way, then you'll be happy.  But if you want a bit more meat, you are going to be left wanting more.

Overall I recommended this book to hardcore Vietnam and BWN gamers only.  If you are getting this out of interest I think you'll get better value elsewhere. Sorry.
http://www.flamesofwar.com/hobby.aspx?art_id=4837

Iron Butterflies in a Killer Jungle

Still got the Vietnam bug at the moment, which is frustrating with all my stuff 10,000 miles away...

In reinvigorating my interest in Brown Water Navy stuff ahead of the Battlefront releases, I recalled this demo game "Iron Butterflies in a Killer Jungle" from Salute 2014.  Some very neat stuff here an some ideas on how to put together a delta style table.  In fact, I'm wondering if it would be better to build a 4x4 table painted up as brown water and varnished, and then lay strips of land terrain over that...

https://not2oldtowargame.wordpress.com/2014/04/26/salute-2014-interesting-vietnam-table-and-scenario/

Here is some of the real life History behind the Iron Butterflies and the Rung Sat Special Zone
http://milmag.com/2009/02/the-iron-butterfly-brown-water-warriors-of-viet-nam/

Pic from http://tenfiguresaweek.blogspot.com/2014/04/more-salute-pictures-not-cutting-room.html

Back to the 'Nam

Interesting Vietnam gaming news on two fronts this week:

First up, Flashpoint Miniatures are getting close to releasing their new Vietnam rules which is great news.  I know Jimmi there has been working hard on them and having had some long chats with him about what he wanted to do with them, I'm excited!

Secondly, Battlefront is expanding their Vietnam range later this year with some lovely Brown Water Navy goodness.  Love 'em or hate 'em, their figs are nice and spur new www eye candy! See the news release below

This will also be reinforced with me starting a University elective on the Vietnam War shortly, everything from the French facing off against the Viet Minh to the Chinese expedition in early 1979 - excellent!  I'm looking forward to delving back into my Nam gaming collection when I eventually get home!  Thanks to Steve from Sound Officer's Call for rekindling my interest with his eye candy!

From the Battlefront Website (http://www.flamesofwar.com/hobby.aspx?art_id=4814)

Brown Water Navy
	April sees us return to the jungle as we visit the Mekong Delta with the new Brown Water Navy book. This book cover the river fighting in the delta’s and allows you to fight a completely new style of Vietnam game. With a complete range of riverine boats to choose, from the little PBR’s to the big CCB Monitors these boats give your US forces the ability to assault the river banks and carve their way into the jungle. Never one to make it easy for the US the VC have a few tricks up their sleeves making this environment a truly unique gaming theatre.

You will be seeing a complete range of models and terrain as well as delta river mats (2’x4’ ) that come in a set that can be swapped around to give you a variety of a full 6’x4’ delta system.

Eye Candy Plus!

Don't walk, RUN, to check out this simply amazing Nam setup in 28mm
http://ilovewargameing.21.forumer.com/viewtopic.php?t=2140
and yet more here:
http://ilovewargameing.21.forumer.com/viewtopic.php?t=2139

EDIT - looks like those like are dead, but I'll leave them in case the get revived.
There are other pics of this table setup here:
https://wargamessociety.wordpress.com/2009/02/02/vietnam-tet-offensive-1968/
http://web.archive.org/web/20110105123827/http://ilovewargameing.21.forumer.com/viewtopic.php?t=2140

Brown Water Enterprises

"Dedicated to bringing you the finest online resources for collecting militaria, riverine warfare, military modeling, and full scale military vehicle restorations. Inside you will find detailed information useful to the collector, historian, and military modeler covering subjects from World War II to the Vietnam War."

http://brownwater.net/Index.asp

Another PACV review

You may recall I bought a PACV from Gomi design last year and posted my comments here: http://tasmancave.blogspot.com/2007/07/pacv-arrives-in-country_6444.html

If you would like another perspective, Eleven-Bravo has just posted another review of this model here: http://www.eleven-bravo.co.uk/reviews/figures/gomi/pacv.php

EDIT: Since the Eleven-Bravo site has since closed, here is he review in its entirety:

Gomi Designs 15mm PACV (Patrol Air Cushion Vehicle)

If, like me, you play your Vietnam wargames in 15mm, you don't need to be told that we have been poorly served when it comes to obtaining models suitable for re-enacting riverine warfare. This is fascinating aspects of the war and one that adds a new dimension to the usual search & destroy missions. Ever since Firebase Games disappeared from the scene a few years back, the only way to obtain any models in 15mm was to make them yourself. Given the richness and diversity of the monitors, landing craft and patrol vessels used during the war, this deficit is surprising. Peter Pig fortunately produces a PBR Mk2 to compliment their Vietnam range, but that is it as far as I'm aware. However, things look like they are about to change as there is a (relatively) new kid on the block - Gomi Designs.

I accidentally came across Gomi recently whilst searching on The Miniatures page. Gomi Designs is a small company formed by Tim Parnell, his brother and their friend, Dave Garnham. To quote from the notes found on the planned rules section of their website, the idea behind the company is to "publish materials that gamers like us would want to buy [and] could afford to try…". Basically, in addition to publishing some rule sets as time goes on, they are also looking to fill the gaps in other manufacturers' ranges by releasing complimentary models.

Apart from some unique WW1 models, what is of interest to readers of this forum will be the Vietnam era vessels; in particular, the troop-carrying ATC, the two monitors and the PACV (Patrol Air Cushion Vehicle), commonly known as a hovercraft. The latter is a 4.5 inch long, 3 inch wide resin model and comes with 9 additional pewter white metal fittings. As can be seen from the photo, they fit together very well and it is very straightforward to assemble. One very minor irritant, though, was that the propeller blades can be a touch fragile and I broke one whilst filing the flash despite taking a lot of care. Fortunately, it could be repaired very easily and doesn't notice once painted. The resin hull itself was cleanly cast and there were no bubbles or chips on my example; something that is so often found on models using this material.

At £8.99 plus £2.50 postage, the price is slightly high although reasonable given that Gomi is a new company trying to find its market. There were only ever 6 of these craft deployed in Vietnam, so it is certainly a bit of a niche model, but one that I feel will become a 'must have'. Comments posted on the Net suggest that there are also science fiction possibilities for the PACV too. 

Basing boats

While thinking about how to do the bases of my Peter Pig BWN boats, I came across this nice how-to using wall filler:
http://www.lloydianaspects.co.uk/models/lcms.html

The spash effects he has made from filler are rather good too:

Gomi free postage offer for Christmas

We recently announced the release of the nex tmodels in our 15mm scale Vietnam Riverine Range - the Monitor and Command Control Boat. The models measure around 7 inches long by 2 inch wide and 2 inches tall when assembled.

You can view them at our NEW websitewww.gomidesigns.co.uk and we now have PayPal shoppingbasket for all items.

To celebrate this momentous event - we are offering toour mailing list the "Post FREE for THREE - fromGomi!" offer. If you order any three or more models from us before Christmas Day, we will despatch them POST FREE.

Also note our new "coming soon" page - with details ofour Vietnam and WW1 ranges - both in 15mm scale wehope to have an ASPB and the WW1 Double Decker Bus outfor Xmas.

All the best
Tim Parnell

Gomi releases Monitor and CCB

Gomi Designs have expanded their 15mm scale Vietnam Riverine range (as promised) with two new models - the Monitor

Price £10.99

http://www.gomidesigns.co.uk/GomiMON.html

and the CCB.

Price also £10.99

http://www.gomidesigns.co.uk/GomiCCB.html

Each resin model measures 7 inches long and has lead-free pewter parts.

New Gomi releases ATC

Gomi (manufacturers of the PACV model featured here previously) have revealed their latest release:


"We are pleased to announce the release of the nextmodel in our 15mm scale Vietnam Riverine Range - the TANGO BOAT or ATC. These converted LCM8 landing craftsaw extensive use in the Delta area of Vietnam.

The model measures around 7 inches long by 2 inch wide and 2 inches tall when assembled.

Further details can be found at http://uk.geocities.com/tj.parnell@btopenworld.com/GomiATC.html

Also note our new "coming soon" page with details of our Vietnam and WW1 ranges, both in 15mm scale at http://uk.geocities.com/tj.parnell@btopenworld.com/outsoon.html"


I was very pleased with my PACV from these guys and look forward to seeing what their Tango is like.

SEAL STAB Boat Part 2

You may recall a few weeks ago I got some pics of the SDD STAB boat.

Stephen Bankhead has kindly setup a page with some pics of his compleetd STAB models, with added HMGs and a seated fig.

I must say they look a lot better than I thought they would!

http://thebeachhead.co.uk/html/photos.html

Riverine Ops

VIETNAM STUDIES: RIVERINE OPERATIONS1966-1969

by Major General William B. Fulton
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY, WASHINGTON, D. C., 1985

http://www.army.mil/cmh/books/Vietnam/riverine/index.htm

STAB Craft

I found this STAB (SEAL Team Assault Boat) on the Stronghold Games website the other day, mysteriously alone and unsupported by the rest of a range.

SDD: 15mm Vietnam
15V01 Light Seal Team Craft (STAB) Price: £3.95

Mike from Stronghold infoms me that there is:
"No other picture currently, but the rear is a hollow so that figures can be placed in there."

You can see the model on the website here:
http://www.stronghold-miniatures.co.uk/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_Vietnam_15mm_253.html

And some pics of these craft in action here:
http://brownwater-navy.com/vietnam/BoatsMisc.htm

Landing Craft

For those of you interested in BWN, I found this neat 15mm scale WW2 US landing craft made by Kerr and King. Given that all the ones used in the Delta and other riverine areas were all exWW2, this is the perfect one for Vietnam Ops.

Their website says: This is a one piece casting of an allied landing craft suitable for 15mm scale wargames. The The craft is approx 155mm long and 45mm wide while the passenger area is large enough to comfortably accommodate 2 standard Flames of War style bases of infantry or an AFV such as a Sherman. The Landing craft is cast in high quality Polyester Resin and is supplied unpainted.

They also do a bundle deal for 3 LC, so you can move your whole rifle company at once.

Note these these guys also offer free world-wide shipping by air for purchases over 10 UK pounds! Excellent...

http://www.kerrandking.co.uk/15mm_scale/kk166.html

Brown Water Terrain Modelling

This article from Eleven Bravo (formerly known as "Grunt!") details a great method for creating Delta like rivers for Brown Water Ops. Just the thing for that nice new PACV model... Check it out!

http://www.eleven-bravo.co.uk/wargaming/little-wars/riverbank.php

EDIT - Sadly, Mike the owner of the Eleven Bravo site has passed away and the site has since closed.  I've copied the article here in its entirety.

Modelling River Terrain for Vietnam Riverine Operations

If you are planning operations in the Delta (IV CTZ) or you are rolling out a Riverine Force, you are going to need to represent a river on the tabletop. This article relates how I built my own river sections for use with 10-20mm figures. Each river section is 1-foot long and there are four of them so that the river can fully run across a 4' x 4' gaming board.

The river-banks of each section abutt those of the adjoining section so that this is a single channel waterway. I am intending at some later stage to model streams and tributaries running into the main waterway as well as river bends.

The modelling process is very straight-forward and can be completed in a couple of days - most of this time is taken-up with waiting for the modelling putty to thoroughly dry out.

Materials Used:

• 3mm Perspex (or other suitable base material) sheet measuring 30cms x 24cms
• Das Putty modelling clay
• PVA Glue
• a contact adhesive such as Evostik
• brush hairs

I chose a Perspex base because I was fed-up with other materials warping when used for this kind of project. I am fortunate enough to have a good source of Perspex (thanks dad) and so this was easily obtainable. MDF is probably a good material to use also but may, over time, warp. Unfortunately, Perspex is rather expensive unless you can obtain off-cuts.

Method

For my river sections I wanted a channel that was a minimum of 14cms wide. Using a pencil I marked in 5cms from the outside edges and then drew an irregular line representing the river-bank to join up the marks. In this way, the river-bank itself will be irregular but each of the sections will abut each other perfectly as long as each end of the river-bank ends 5cms in from the edge of the base.

Once you have marked out the river-banks in pencil, roll out two long 'worms' of putty. The thickness of the worms will determine the width of the river-bank and this is simply a matter of choice. Personally, I did not want the river-bank to be too wide or steep but to simply represent the edge of the waterway.

Shape the 'worms' on the base to represent the irregularity of the banks but make sure that each end of the putty bank finishes on the 5cm markings. Also make sure that the putty bank extends beyond the edges of the base to allow for shrinkage as the putty dries.

Once the putty worm has been shaped to form the river-bank, simply flatten it out with the end of your finger. I then left the putty to dry for a day. Originally I glued it in place immediately using PVA glue, however, PVA does not adhere to Perspex very well and when the banks were dry they came away from the base very easily. Therefore, once the putty banks have dried out, glue them to the base using a contact adhesive.

The banks of rivers are generally thick with lush undergrowth right up to the edge of the water. I wanted my sections to look like this when finished but I also wanted them to be reasonably easy to store. As a compromise, I decided to have some low ground terrain permanently modelled in place on each bank. Then, when I set up the river sections on the gaming-board, I intended to place free-standing undergrowth along the banks in order to achieve the crowding and density of vegetation seen in so many pictures.

Using lumps of putty, I fashioned clumps of bushes at irregular intervals along the bank-side. Each bush was made from a blob of putty that was glued in place using PVA glue and worked on while still soft. Using some tools and picks from a wax-carving set, I textured the putty blobs to represent leaves and foliage. Note that I made no attempt to model individual leaves but my intention was to create a texture that, when subsequently painted, would represent foliage.

At this stage I also decided to add some reed beds and modelled these into suitable places. This was done by simply spreading some putty out from the bank-side and into the main waterway. While the putty was still workable, I cut some brush fibres and, after dipping them in PVA, stuck them in place close to the river-bank.

I modelled two or three lumps of vegetation on each river-bank and deliberately avoided modelling an unbroken line of vegetation. My reasoning for this was that I would be using the breaks in the vegetation to place huts or crossings etc. My intention was to model the river sections in such a way as to make their use as flexible as possible on the table-top.

Once I had glued the reeds in place, the river section was, to all intents and purposes, complete. Now I just left it for another day for the putty to completely dry out prior to painting. Once completely dry, I used a small hand-saw to cut off the ends of the river-banks so that they were flush with the end of the base.

Basic template and river banks

First stages complete. Note that the banks are irregular over the course of their length but each ends in a fixed position 5cms from the edge of the base. Note also that the banks extend beyond the ends of the base to allow for shrinkage.

Riverside Undergrowth

Putty 'blob' in place and then simply textured using a pick

Reed Bed

Adding some river-bank reeds

Template and undergrowth

River section with banks and clumps of vegetation glued in place.

Ready for painting

River section drying out. Note that the ends of the river-banks have been cut flush with the base

Banks and water base-coated

River section basecoated with green and brown

Vegetation painted and highlights added

Vegetation painted and shallows stippled in.

The completed River Section

Completed and unadorned river section

Painting

I undercoated the entire river section in black primer. The river-bank and ground beyond the river bank was then painted a basecoat of Goblin Green while the river itself was painted a basecoat of Bestial Brown.

I then went over the green areas with Color Party Basetex textured paint which, when dry, I drybrushed with a mix of Sunburst Yellow and Bubonic Brown. The clumps of vegetation were then also dry-brushed using various shades of green. When dry-brushed, the textured finish on the putty really comes into it's own and the vegetation looks like dense leaves.

Along each bank, at the waterline, I painted a very watered-down line of Snakebite Leather to represent the shallows next to the bank. I actually used an old brush to stipple this paint on the base rather than paint it as a solid line. Because it was so watered-down, it formed an almost translucent finish and was irregular in density. 

Next, I painted the reed beds. The base of the reed bed which, in effect, is mud, was painted with a very dark brown and then dry-brushed with Bestial Brown and finally with Snakebite Leather. The reeds were simply brushed with Bubonic Brown.

After everything had been left to dry, I finally added two coats of yacht varnish to the river surface. The river section was now complete.

Once completed, the river section can be used with both 10mm and 15mm riverine vessels. It is also useable with 20-25mm figures as a wide waterway or canal. It is not wide enough to accommodate a 20mm ATC such as that produced by Britannia but an ATC at smaller scale will not look out of place. Overall, I was pleased with the end result and it is not too difficult to store each section - they simply sit flat on top of a couple of cupboards hidden from view!

Additional Pictures of Completed River Sections

A 4' x 4' gaming table with river sections in place

View of the river and a small river-side Ville surrounded by fields and paddies.

A 15mm PBR, it's crew warily watching the banks, cruises the river

A 10mm Monitor making it's way on the river

Top-down view of PBR. Note how free-standing terrain has been used to crowd the bank with vegetation.

PACV arrives in country

I ordered a model of a US Navy PACV in 15mm from Tim at Gomi designs last week and it arrived today. And a nice beast she is too!

This is what was advertised at TMP "The PACV (Patrol Air Cushion Vehicle) was used to patrol the Mekong Delta and Plain of Reeds. This resin kit with high quality metal parts is of the earlier SRN5 version. It measures around 4.5 inches long, 3 inches wide, and stands around 1.5 inches tall when assembled." These pics from TMP too.

The parts are very detailed and crisply cast. The main hull is resin and all the fittings are lead. No crew is available yet but they are coming in the near future. Cost: £8.99 plus £2.50 for postage to Australia.

I'll post pics of mine when she is sea worthy!