Minifig 10mm Modern Brits

[NeilCFord]

Anyone got any experience with the Minifig 10mm Modern Brits? I picked some up a while ago, but can't differentiate between the various weapons. Anyone done this or know of a guide somewhere?

(Yes, I know, era hopping again!)

- Neil.

[bigjackmac]

Neil,

Yeah man, what specifically are you looking for?

The infantry pack has mostly SA80s, one pose with SA80 and UGL, one pose with SA80 LSW, and one pose with Minimi.  The heavy weapons pack has 81mm mortars, MAG58 GPMGs (one of my favorite 10mm poses), Blowpipe SAMs, and Milan ATGMs.

Please let me know if you need more info/pics.

V/R,
Jack

[NeilCFord]

Thanks Jack. Explanatory pics would be very helpful as I wouldn't know one SA80 from another. But absolutely no rush, got other projects on the go at the minute.

- Neil.

[bigjackmac]

Neil,

Sure man.  Forgive the ugly pics, the bases aren't finished, but they'll do to show you most of the weapons.


Okay, a couple infantry stands.  I'l give you an 'L' or 'R' for left or right stand, and a number 1 through 4 to show the figure, counting from the top. 
L3 and R2 are the SA80 LSW (Light Support Weapon), which is a heavy-barreled version of the normal combat rifle, R3 is the Minimi (which is also a Light Support Weapon, never understood why the Brits used the SA80 LSW and Minimi), L2 is the SA80 with UGL (Underslung Grenade Launcher, i.e., a rifle with a single-shot, reloadable, grenade launcher attached), and L/R1 and L/R4 all have the 'regular' SA80 rifle.


Moving on to heavy weapons, the first thing I realize is that I forgot something: you should have some guys kneeling with a big tube over their shoulder.  That's the Charles Gustav, 84mm recoiless rifle, and I apologize but apparently I don't have a pic on hand.

At far left, by himself, is a radio man with SA80,  Above and to the right is the Milan ATGM (Anti-Tank Guided Missile), to its right are two figures holding the Blowpipe SAM (Surface to Air Missile).  Below them are two men with a 60mm mortar, which I actually swiped from the US heavy weapons pack; the Minifigs pack will have a larger, 81mm, mortar.  And lastly, to their left, is the MAG-58 GPMG (General Purpose Machine Gun).

Hope that helps.

V/R,
Jack

[NeilCFord]

Jack

You sir, are a gentleman and a scholar. Those have been immensely helpful.

Now, to see if I have got this right, let me have a go at recognising my own figures:



Columns 1 and 2 - SA80
Column 3 - Minimi
Column 4 - SA80 LSW
Column 5 - SA80 with UGL

How did I do?

- Neil.

[bigjackmac]

Neil,

No problem man, glad to help.  Regarding recognition, so close!  You got it all, but reversed the SA80 LSW (column 3) and Minimi (column 4).

V/R,
Jack

[Sean67]

Bigjackmac
The UK use the Lsw as a light support weapon to supplement the section. With the GPMG as a heavy support weapon.
The Minimi was brought into service during early Iraq/Afghan when it was realised that the LSW did not give a sufficient amount of Fire down range, the LSW was only magazine fed using the same magazine as the SA80, this enevitably led to a slower rate of fire
The Minimi was added to the inventory to help combat this deficiency as it is belt fed.
Regards
Sean

[NeilCFord]

Sean - thanks for that background info, it's very useful. I now know more about British modern weapon choices that I'd did two days ago

Jack - Doh! If I'd actually looked at the photos side by side, I'd have spotted my error! Now I know what I have I can compare them to the Fighting Season Army lists and see what I need.

- Neil.

[Sean67]

That's OK Niel
Most modern Brit Afghan / Iraq era are mostly
A ptn was made up of three 8 man sections, broke down into A and B fire team the section was controlled by a Cpl and B fire team was controlled by his 2ic a L/Cpl most of these had Sa80 B fire team normaly had an LSW (when Minimi was introduced the LSW went in a team and Minimi went into B team. Each team usually had an UG. The teams also started carrying AT-4 missiles to take out enemy positions even later the Texans started carrying combat shotguns to help gain access to compounds.
The Ptn HQ was made up of a radio operator, a Cpl, Sgt and Lt. Also Sa80
The Coy HQ was made up of another Radio operator, Sgt, company Sgt Major and OC all SA80 officer and SSM could also carry pistols
Regards
Sean
Section

[NeilCFord]

Thanks for the extra info Sean, really appreciated.

- Neil.