20th Century, don't visit here often...
http://www.timecastmodels.co.uk/cold_war_84/coldwar84.html
Right, it looks like a Timecast have thrown their hat in the ring for the Eastern Bloc, and seeing that I already have my Falklands Brits, here is a short question:
If Timecast start with T62s, BMPs and infantry units, and I have 1982 Infantry British, if I buy a few late model Centurions (were they still in service, I know the ARV versions were used in the 1990 Gulf episode), and the universe doesn't implode because I would be mixing ranges, would the two ever have, theoretically, met, and have I used enough subordinating clauses to annoy everyone?
You might be happier writing in Latin. ;)
Failed Latin!
Cent gun tanks - last British use was in around 1980, by the RA for observers, all Chefie from early 70's in the RAC. (It's possible Berlin Brigade and Hong Kong Garrison had them a bit later, but for HK I think they went from Comets to CVRT types)
IanS
As Ian said - Chieftain in all RAC units by that stage.
I don't recall any of my REME VM colleagues working on Centurion other than engineering variants
Asked on TOE for more info - 1st reply is almost exactly what I wrote above.
IanS
Thanks chaps.
Okay, more British infantry with Milans then...
I'm now getting 69-70, so no, apart from RA. You can justify using them if BAOR has exited Europe, since most of the fleet was stored and periodically updated, but only for fighting in the UK.
IanS
To the original question, the answer is....4?
Hadn't seen that announcement Lemmey - more temptation ;)
If the Brits didn't use Centurions after 1980 there are a few European armies that did still use them in front line service up to at least the mid 80's - the Dutch and Danes still used them along side Leopard I and 2 MBT's. The Swedes also had a quite large a Centurion fleet that was upgraded and lasted into the 1990's.
The Dutch used FN-FAL rifles and GPMG's so (at a stretch purhaps) you could use Falkland Brits as Dutch? The Danes used West German G3 rifles and MG's similar to the MG42 from WW2.
The Austrians bought most of the Dutch Centurions after they were phased out in 1985 and used the turrets in fixed bunker defences along expected enemy lines of advance. Some of the defences were built as late as 1986.
Just an idea....
All good plans.
When did the t62 enter service?
Can I gently point out that according to the website they have released T-64B's rather than T62's Lemmey.
Post 1945 Soviet tanks are a considerable subject in itself ;)
Wikipedia gives the T-64 introduction between 1963 and 67 but the T-64A's were IIRC not 100% successful so the much improved T-64B's came into service in Group of Soviet Forces Germany in the mid-1970's
The T-62 came into service in 1961.
For the record I used to play a lot of 6mm modern SH games, hence I have a little knowledge of the period....don't claim to be any sort of expert though. Got a few divisions worth of 6mm stuff hiding in my cupboards.
Thanks Pierre.
Soviet armour names are somewhat beyond me...
Why can't they have nice, sensible names, like spartan, Saladin, scimitar, scorpion, spartan, based on the same chassis, that will never confuse anyone!
Hi
Further and to confirm Pierre's post above, on my first exercise in Germany in September/October 1974 and I can still see (in my mind at least) those Danish Centurions in my Chieftain gunners sight.
Sabot dot one!
Fire!
Firing Now!
Target!
Next target right, Fire!
Our LAD (REME, Light aid detachment) certainly had Centurion ARV's but I'm pretty sure the rest of the RAC had Chieftains only apart from some regiments that had those little dinky things called Scorpion's etc. as mentioned by Mad Lemmy.
T13A Out.
Cheers Paul
Thanks Paul
Next question chaos:
Company commander Land Rover in British Infantry company, in the early 80s, long or short wheelbase?
Officially none, but it depends on role, an airportable would be LWB, airmobile SWB. It could also be down to preference of the officer. Btn transport was normally pooled with an allowance of 1 - 2 vehicles for the company.
IanS
Excellent, thanks Ian.
To quote the Colonel in Bluestone 42: Well, if you look over there, those boxes contain my Land Rover, labelled and ready to be shipped to my home address. Best souvenir I think.
British Infantry Company commander in the early/mid 1980s had a FV432 as his vehicle. Total 2 in coy HQ. I think the CSM had a 1 tonner or a LWB landrover.
Sappers (32 Armoured Engineer Regt) had the Centurion with the 165mm gun until and including the First Gulf War. They were fitted with reactive armour for the First Gulf War.
Thank you
One more from TOE - last regiment re-equipped with Chieftains in 1973.
IanS