The Swedes are here - Modern 1/300 Swedish 1980's

Hmmm Swedes

One of my first armies when I started out in 6mm Moderns under Challenger 2 all those years ago was a Swedish army. Once again this regrettably was sold off when finances were low. When Steve passed I inherited some Swedish vehicles, and it got me thinking.  A little while later I found a tray of PBV302 from my original army, so out come the army list and DOH! I needed more stuff.

Recently Heroics and Ros added some new vehicles to their range of Swedish Moderns. A little while later I had placed an order and a few days later the stuff arrived. 2 days later I had finished.

1/300 Swedish Army

 

My Army except for the 20mm AA guns is from Heroics & Ros. It consists of two tank companies, a Infantry Gun company, 2 Infantry Companies, an Anti-tank company and a Recce Company, supported by some BandKanons and SAABs. As with the British I have done two types of command stands.

Centurion 5/2 STRV-101/102

 H&R new releases included a new Centurion 5/2 which now makes up one of the tank companies representing the STRV-101 /102, If they ever release a STRV-104, I will replace the current vehicles and these will be re-purposed into the makings of a Swiss army. The second tank company is made up of STRV-103 'S' Tanks, both companies have a platoon of Infantry mounted in PBV-302 APCs.

S-Tanks

The Armoured Infantry companies and the Anti-tank company are equipped with the TGB11 C303 mounting a recoilless-rifle.  The Anti-Tank company still needs six C303 equipped with the Bantam ATGW. I hope these will be released soon.

C303 - TGB11 Recoilless Anti-tank

 The Recce Company is equipped with the L3304 both in its RECCE and Anti-Tank roles. Although these may have been out of service by the mid 80's and the Challenger list calls for C303 TGB11's, I like this vehicle and wanted to include it in the army.

L3304 from the RECCE company

 What Swedish army would not be complete if it did not include a battery of BandKanons. These quirky vehicles are really starting to grow on me.

BANDKANON

 The Anti-Aircraft Company calls for TGB13's with RBS70 missiles, but I doubt these were ever used in that way as I can find no pictures.  As there are no TGB11 or TGB13's available I am using Land Rover 101's with a small hatch added to the roof as stand in TGB11's and I am using the C302 as a stand in TGB13. The 20mm AA guns are from Scotia models and are incorrectly of the French variety.

Land Rover 101 (Stand in C303) and C303s (on Right)

 The Challenger lists prohibits the use of the Tank companies along side the Assault gun companies. but the picture of the battlegroup (Top of page) shows them deployed together, so I have added one company of IKV91s to the army.

IKV91

 The Anti-tank company once again called for TGB11 with MG and TG13. Once again the Land-Rover 101 with added hatch and MG has been used as a stand in and the C302 again as the TGB13.

Anti-tank Company

SAAB VIGGENS

 Some of Stephens Saab Viggens, I may just do a little touch up , but in the main will leave them alone.

Centurion Mk5/2  acting as STRV-101/102

 I chose the snow bases as I wanted a different feel for the army. The Vehicles that Steve painted have only had some white added for snow camouflage. Some of the newer vehicles I have painted in Green as I like the look of them. To be honest there are few pictures of the Swedish vehicles in snow camouflage, but plenty of them in their basic green or splinter camouflage in the snow.

S-Tank STRV103

PBV302

H&R have said that they are going to be doing more Swedish. I look forward to what they will release. I need some Bantam ATGW vehicles and some RBS70 AAGW, along with its radar vehicle to complete the army.

Thanks
Jon

Three Posts in One - FOAN, Cold War Danish, and Star Trek Attack Wing

Well this is a bumper post to bring you up to speed on what I have been painting recently.  With my 6mm Moderns another army done and another started. Star Trek Attack Wing Gets a new piece of terrain to fight over. So on with the posts.

Fate Of A Nation 6mm Israeli's

With the purchase of the rules, I have started looking into making up some Middle East Armies on the cheap, re-purposing some of my Nato and Warsaw Pact vehicles.  With a new purchases arriving, meant that some Danish Centurions which were actually Scotia Israeli Centurions became Surplus and were available for re-allocation.  Also after a bit of routing through the boxes I found some Davco M60's and a few GHQ M113's. Giving me the following forces:

FOAN Israelis

 I can either field the Centurion 105's in two under strength companies or one full strength company. With a Mech Platoon and a Mech Mortar Section making up the core formation troops.

Scotia Models Israeli Centurions

I have had the Centurions for a few years now and did not realise at the time that they were Super Centurions with the updated engine decks.  Originally assigned to my Danish force (Ops - Some of the Danish colours are still visible) I am pleased how they came out, and it also goes to show how much detail that on the miniature.

GHQ M113's

 The Mech Infantry Platoon is a little under strength, only being 4 Sections strong. Comes in at 10 points and for another point another MAW AT stand can be added.

H&R M125's and Scotia Jeeps

Additional support is given by the Mech mortar section of two M125's, and a Sayer Platoon of four Jeeps giving that Spear head option to the list.

Davco  M60's

Additional armour support in the form of the M60's, gives the force a little bit more firepower. Soon there will be additional support from some Ground attack aircraft and 105mm Howitzers, which I have recently found hiding in a box. I also plan further reinforcements but that will be a few months off yet.  But first I need to sort some Arab forces out first.

Cold War Gone Hot - 1985'ish Danish Landjut Forces

Cold War Gone Hot to paraphrase another Blogger. My 6mm Modern forces have been brought up to speed with the near completion of my Danish Army.  When I first started out in moderns back in the early 90's, my first purchase was a box of the bring and buy stand for £10, full off vehicles painted up as Israelis. Lots of Merkava's, Centurion's, M113's, RAM recce, and Soltam Artillery.  So much that I could not only make up the Challenger 2 army list, I had enough over to make another army, which became a Danish army.  As time went by this became a full strength list with 4 Centurion Companies, 4 Leopard 1A4 Companies, 4 Mech Infantry Companies, 2 Motorised Companies and the Recon Company. In the Late 90's I sold this army off as I was short of money and have regretted it ever since.  When my interest in Moderns resurfaced I started to reassemble my Danish, which was featured in an earlier post.

This is how you last saw my Danish Forces.

Recently H&R released some new models and among them were some M41 DK and Centurion DK, which I had to have.  The re-purposing on the current Centurions to an Israeli army gave ne the excuse to but the missing companies.  I originally had planned three companies but scaled back to two.  So my Danish is 95% complete and is only awaiting a few more vehicles, but atthe moment it looks like this:

 As you can see I still got to re-base them (I've ran out, so need to buy more). I have redone the Green which looks a little bit more like pictures I have seen.  The total force consists of two Jutland Tank Companies equipped with Leopard 1A3 and two Zealand tank companies equipped with Centurion 105mm DK. Two Mechanised companies and a Motorised company give infantry support, whilst Reconnaissance is supplied by a RECCE M113 platoon and the Close RECCE Squadron equiped with M41 DK.

 The HQ Centurions are old H&R models from which have survived from my original army. THey are old Mk13's which I had snipped of the search light.  Again the HQ's are based for numerous rules.

The two Centurion DK Companies now make the army start to feel unique.

 The New H&R model of the Danish Centurion is really nice. The detail is superb as shown in the pictures above and below. The model also comes with a .50cal HMG to fit to the turret roof, but I ran out of super glue and was starting to find them too fiddly, so they went onto my parts draw.

 

 The two companies of Leopard 1 A3's are from H&R and allow me to form a Jutland formation.

 The three infantry companies allow me to field either an Infantry Formation or support one of the Tank formations.  M113's are a mix of H&R and Scotia.  The Motorised company is equipped with Bedford RL's and a MAN Truck with a command Land-rover. I wanted to give the Danish a feel of the mixture of vehicles that they used.

 For the Mech companies, I had originally used for the Anti-tank section M151/TOW's but later found out that they used Land-rovers mounted TOWs. As no suitable model was available I did some quick modifications and ended up with four converted land-rovers.

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 The Close Recce Squadron equipped with H&R new M41DK further enhancing the uniqueness of the army. The Squadron is still missing its Recce Jeeps that should be in the post to me as I type. I have gone for H&R open topped Iltis, again this is to represent the different vehicles the Danes use.

 H&R M151/TOW form the Divisional Anti-Tank Platoon.

AOP/MOPS using various vehicles. The Dodge is a nod to the various Dodge's that the Danes use, along with the Land-rover and Iltis.  Further support is awaiting in the wings to be painted in the form of M109 Howitzers, Towed 155mm Guns, Air support and a section of M150/TOW.  I am really happy how this army ahs come out and really like the colour scheme which I used Reflective green with a slightly under 1/3 Yellow added.

STAR TREK ATTACK WING

STAW gets a new piece of scenery. The K7 Space station.  Now gives some of the Original series ships something to fight over.

Lionheart 84 - 1/300 British Modern Forces, 25 years in the making

Another Army from my early gaming years finished and ticked off the bucket list. This time a 1/300 6mm scale Modern British Force.  Originally started in 1991and over time it was expanded upon.

The entire army.

My Moderns bug was kicked off by a friend who played Challenger and had a good Middle east conflict collection. I soon looked to buying my own armies. My first purchase was an large Israeli army bought off the Bring and Buy stall for £10. This actually gave me two armies, A decent size Israeli army equipped with Merkava 1's and M113's and a Danish army Equipped with Centurions and M113's. So my first foray into moderns was with my Danish against a French army, needless to say I was Milan'ed to death. ATGW's from that day was the bane of my life. In those days we used to buy lots of second hand mini's as they were 15p or 20p each, so we used to buy lots and lots of stuff.
The army lists inspired me to expand my armies, my friend even gave me a small British force of about a dozen mixed vehicles which are still in my collection today. I have owned over the years quite sizeable armies. Danish, Swedish, Dutch and Belgium, Gulf War American, British and Russian in various forms. My original Danish and Swedish armies were sold off in the late 90's. My Gulf war Americans also went on Ebay. Left was my NATO army, British and Russian. My British had expanded drastically. Firstly due to one of the competitions and secondly as I was making up three different army List.
So I actually ended up with 4 Armies. 2 Main Force (one pre 1990's and one post 1991 Gulf War), a Covering Force and a Rear Infantry Force.
My post 1991 force consisted of 3 Challenger 1 up-armoured Squadrons and 2 MCV80 up-armoured companies, all Scotia models. This was disposed off, on Ebay about a year ago. So that left my mid eighties Main Force, Covering Force, and Rear list.

Rear Infantry Force
Lets start with the Rear List. This originally consisted of 3 Lorried Infantry Companies and a Saxon Company, along with a Recce Squadron and an Assault Engineer Company. This has now been scaled back to 1 Lorried Infantry Company and 1 Saxon Company, along with a few Recce Troops of CVRW Fox Armoured Cars and Transports for the Pioneers. This is now just a few re-enforcements for the Covering Force and Main Force.

Forces HQ

Medium (CVRT Scorpion) Recce Troop

Saxon Company (3 platoons plus 2 Milan Sections)

Lorried Company (3 Platoons, plus 2 Milan Sections and 2 Mortar Sections)

CVRW Fox A/Cars and Saracen APC (Transports for Pioneers)

FH-70 Artillery Battery.

Covering Force
My Second Force to undergo a scaling back and re-organisation (Just like the real army due to cut backs) was the Covering Force. This originally was at full strength with 3 Medium RECCE Squadrons and supports.  Each Squadron consisted of 4 Mixed CVRT (Scorpion and Scimitar) Troops, 1 CVRT (Spartan) Observation Platoon and 1 CVRT (Striker) ATTroop.

This has now been reduced in strength to 2 Medium RECCE Squadrons each consisting off 3 mixed CVRT troops, 1 CVRT Observation Platoon and 1 CVRT AT Trrop. These can be bought up to full Strength or 4 troops each, by using the CVRT Scoprions and Scimitars from the Rear and Main Force lists.
It can also be re-enforced with a Company from the Main Force (2 inf platoons and 2 Tank Platoons) or 1 of the companies from the Rear Force.

CVRT Spartans from the Observation platoon with Scimitars in front.

RECCE Squadron HQ CVRT Sultan and Ferret.

Main Force
The Main Force is actually made up of two Battlegroups. The First Battlegroup is the Original Challenger 2 army, which consists off 2 Chieftain Squadrons and 3 Mechanised FV432 Companies plus supports. The Second Battlegroup is much smaller and consists off a Challenger Squadron and a Armoured Infantry MCV80 Squadron (A nod to the Lion-heart 84 Exercise where these vehicles were trialled).  Supports for these units consist of Milan Platoons in FV432's, Blowpipe units in Spartans, CVRT Scimitars RECCE troops, Track Rapier, with further AT support from a troop of FV438 Swingfire or the CVRT Spartan MCT.

Battle-group HQ

Bulk of the 3 mechanised Companies mounted in FV432's (Mainly H&R)

Milan Support Platoons in FV432 (Davco)

Supports - upper left: FV438, Top Right: CVRT Spartan MCT, Lower Left: FV432M, Lower Right: FV432 Wombat AT

Armoured Infantry Platoon equipped with MCV80's (Davco)

The Teeth of the Army, 2 Squadrons of Chieftain MBT (H&R)

Trials Company of Challenger MBT (GHQ)

Chieftain MBTs

SUPPORTS
The main force is supported by numerous other units. AA Cover is provided by the Royal Artillery in the form of Blow pipe equipped units mounted in CVRT Spartan APC's and Tracked Rappier,
Recce is provided by CVRT Scimitars,  AT support is further increased by the Army Air Corps Lynx Attack Helicopters armed with TOW ATGW. Artillery is in Challenger 2 off-table support so miniatures are normally not needed; I did say Normally. The Royal Artillery is well represented by 9 Batteries. Also not in the lists are the Engineer assets and REME recovery vehicles, but like I said They are not Normally needed, and finally the RAF.

Logistics

Royal Engineers also equipped with Chieftain Bridge Layers.

REME Units

My Forces are also supported by 2 batteries of Rapier AAGW

2 Batteries of Abbots SPG, with a counter battery of M110A2s in the background (Note Cyberline radar)

Battery of M109A1 SPG

Battery of M110 SPG

Battery of M107 SPG

Counter battery support is supplied by a battery of M110A2 SPG.

MRLS SP Rocket Battery

Army Air Corps

The Army Air Corps provides additional Teeth in the shape of TOW armed Lynx AH1's along with a Gazelle for an AOP.

Middle Wallop Lynx AH1 TOW ATGW

RAF
Not to be out done, the RAF are also supplying Ground Attack and CAP patrols in the form of Harriers, Tornados and Jaguars.

RAF Harriers GR and Tornado

RAF Tornados GR

RAF Jaguar GR Aircraft

 Lets Go Nuclear
And if it all goes tits up, there is always the Nuclear Option. Battlefield Nuclear support provided by 2 Lance Launchers.

Lance Missile Launchers and Loaders.

 Berlin Brigade
As a nod to the Berlin Brigade I painted some time ago from memory a few Chieftains and Spartans in the unique Berlin Brigade camouflage.

Berlin Brigade

Basing
I started basing my armies after seeing pictures of games played with Cold War Commander, now I got to do the rest of my armies in the same manner. I actualy now like my army based but the downside is that it has quadrupled the space used for storage.
I have been using Premium MDF Bases from Warbases with the following sizes: 4x2cm for tanks and larger APCs,  3x2cm for smaller vehicles, although I will be using in future a 3x1cm base for Jeeps and landrovers ect.
I also have several commands based for CwC.

Cold War Commander Command Elements.

I will not be expanding my force any time soon as I need to finish off several other projects, so that's all my 6mm British Modern lead painted, I need more infantry buy to be honest I will never field the entire force in one go so I should have enough elements to make what ever formation I want to use.

Miniatures
The models I have used vary in manufacturers, as I have bought them from numerous sources over the years, here is a breakdown of the models.

Heroics & Ross - Spartan, Scorpion, Scimitar, Spartan MCT, Sultan, Chieftain, CET, Ferrets, Land rovers, FOX A/C, Tracked Rapier, Rapier Batteries, Abbots, M110A2, M107, FV432, FV438, FV434,FH 70, Infantry, MK Signals, BV202, Land Rover Trailer, Lance, Gazelle, Lynx, Jaguar, Tornado, Harrier, Stalwarts, Chieftain AVLB, Centurion AVRE, Foden Limber, FV432 Mortar, FV432 Cyberline, FV432 signals, Challenger 1 (Command Base)

GHQ - Challenger MBT, M578 ARV

Scotia - Saxon APC - Centurion ARV, Bedford MK

Irregular Miniatures - Saracens

DAVCO/SKYTREX - FV432 Mk2, FV432m, FV432 with Mobat, M109A2, M110, Foden 6x6, MRLS, MCV80

Thanks
J.