Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Tanker's Tuesday : M60 Tank

 
 

A logical evolution of the M48

The M60 looks, at first glance, very much like the M48 designed five years earlier, and for good reasons. It was nothing more than an evolution of the type, but modified too extensively in too many ways to be considered by the US Ordnance a simple version of the latter. The OTCM (Ordnance Technical Committee Minutes) #37002 officially standardized the type as the 105 mm Gun Full Tracked Combat Tank M60. It was not officially named “Patton”, but it was the first officially named as a “main battle tank”, and not a medium tank. For three decades, the M60 was the workhorse of the US Army, USMC, NATO’s and Allied or affiliated nations to the western block around the world
 

M-60 Patton Tank (documentary)


Sunday, October 23, 2016

GZG- UPDATE - SATURDAY 22nd OCTOBER 2016

SPECIAL OFFER for the end of October -
Starting NOW (Saturday 22nd) and running through until Midnight (UK time) on Halloween, Monday 31st…… NO TRICKS, JUST FREE TREATS…..
"BUY FOUR, GET AN EXTRA ONE FREE" on all 15mm INFANTRY PACKS - offer applies to anything with an SG15, TW15 and the new MOONGRUNT MG15 codes (figure packs only, not the vehicles); for every FOUR packs that you buy, you can choose an EXTRA pack FREE - so buy EIGHT packs and you get TWO extra free packs, buy TWELVE and you get THREE more free, and so on.
No minimum order value (well, apart from buying at least four packs, obviously!) and no maximum - for EVERY four you buy you can claim an extra free one.
This offer mostly applies to the standard infantry packs at £3.00 (£2.50 ex VAT) each, but if you buy any of the £3.60, £4.50 or £6.00 packs as part of your order then they will each count as ONE pack - unless you buy at least FOUR of any of those larger pack values then one of your free packs can be of a similar value (eg: if you buy four Power Armour packs at £4.50 (£3.75 ex VAT), you can claim a free pack of the same price code!).
Simply place your order for the packs that you want to buy, in the normal way, then tell me what free pack(s) you want in the "Delivery Notes and Additional Comments" box at the checkout stage. If you can't decide, and would like a surprise instead, then just put "SURPRISE ME" in the notes and I will send you something that I think will interest you (you MIGHT even get something new and unreleased)....
Any questions about the offer, feel free to email me (Jon) and ask.
Happy Halloween to all for next weekend!
Jon (GZG), Saturday 22nd Oct 2016.

As always, feel free to repost this info anywhere that you think folks might be interested in it!



 

Saturday, October 22, 2016

Jon At GZGs Tempts Us Yet Again....

Hi all,
Just a quick heads-up that later today I will be posting details of a ONE-WEEK SPECIAL OFFER on the GZG store…. I will post here again later when the offer is up, but this is just a little advance warning….  :-)

As always, feel free to repost this info anywhere that you think folks might be interested in it!

Jon (GZG), 22nd Oct 2016.

Tuesday, October 18, 2016

Tanker's Tuesday : M48 Tank

A real departure from the M47.

Third in line to be named after US Army’s ardent promoter of tanks during ww1 and legendary commander during ww2, the M48 was a development of the M47 Patton (or “Patton II”). It was born soon after it, and pressed into service in 1953. The M47 has been largely a stopgap model, made from the marriage of the T42 tank prototype (the real successor of the M46) and the M46 chassis, itself an improvement over the ww2 M26 Pershing. Most were replaced in the US Army and Marine Corps when the M48 was made available and sold abroad. The M48 was instead a radical technical departure, adopting a brand new turret and chassis, revised suspensions, more powerful engine and many other improvements.
 

M-48 Patton Tank, Design, Development and Testing


Thursday, October 13, 2016

GZGs Kra' Vak Acquisition (Up Date)

 
I've always wanted to pick up a Kra' Vak army...
 
I let Jon at GZGs know my order arrived today about
noon, all present and correct.
 
His reply: Hi Don - wow, that WAS fast, even for FedEx -
less than 24 hours door-to-door, they picked it up from
here yesterday afternoon at about 4pm UK time!

Enjoy building all the K'V force…. there will be some
infantry Heavy Weapons coming out for them soon,
hopefully this side of Christmas.
 
It looks like FedEx has access to Jon's wormhole! 

Is the Bayonet useless?


Monday, October 10, 2016

Tanker's Tuesday: M47 Patton Tank

 
 

First real postwar US MBT

The M47 was a relatively short-lived MBT (then called “medium tank” created to replace the M46 Patton/M26 Pershing and the M4 Sherman. It was widely produced to fit the needs of the US Army, US Marines, but also OTAN nations as a whole as a stopgap measure before new models could be built locally. Although a good all-over tank, the M47 Patton was used only for a few years, before its replacement by the M48 in 1953 which was realy a generation ahead. Declared obsolete in 1957, the impression it left and service time nevertheless far outlasted the fifties under other colors. The Soviet T-54 was modified to face it and the M47 defeated many foreign-built models with success, even taking part in massive tank battles.
 
 
 
 

WE WERE SOLDIERS - Broken Arrow ( HD STEREO )


We Were Soldiers - Final Battle Scene


AMV WW3 Last Option


Gate jets vs dragon


Gate: The JSDF Raid The Capital


Internet Novel by Carlos (Los) Lourenco : The Röt Hafen Saga

by Carlos Lourenco
 
Written back in 1998 but, still one of if not the best fan fiction
set in the GZGs universe.

GZGs Kra' Vak Acquisition

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
I've always wanted to pick up a Kra' Vak army so I placed a good
sized order to Jon at Ground Zero Games 
 
 6 EACH  V15-32A
 6 EACH  V15-31A
 3 EACH  V15-33A
 3 EACH  V15-34A
 3 EACH  V15-81A 
 2 EACH  SG15-K16
 1 EACH  SG15-K15
 1 EACH  SG15-K14
 3 EACH  SG15-K13
 3 EACH  SG15-K12
 3 EACH  SG15-K11
 3 EACH  SG15-K10 
 3 EACH  SG15-K01 
 3 EACH  SG15-K02
 3 EACH  SG15-K03
 1 EACH  SG15-K05 
Kra'Vak Design Doctrine.  By David D. Taylor:
The Kra'Vak use a doctrine of a 4 soldier element unit known as a claw. Most fists consist of 2 claws and a commander, with specialist elements consisting of only one claw and commander. The basic Kra'Vak force is based on a fist of two four man claws with a leader. The second claw can function independently as detached units while the Fist Overseer remains with the first claw giving the platoon a very flexible force. It is a matter of pride with most arms that the first combat fist is made up of the oldest and most experienced warriors (veterans). Normally the Last fist is made up of the inexperienced, new recruits (greens). This same convention is used by all platoons with the difference that the power armour and scout recruits have proven themselves in the combat platoon and the lowest rating will be regular with the first squad being elite. The rest of the squads will be veteran.
************************
The standard ground combat arm consists of the command fist, six combat fists, and two augmented weapons fists. It will also have a sniper and a Sia'Na as an independent figure. The Sia'Na will attach themselves to the command fist. Both the standard power armour arm and standard scout arm consist of the command fist and four combat fists. The standard power armour is classed as fast and heavy. The scout arm also is trained to act as forward observers for artillery strikes. They will always have enough Kr'Gak riding beasts attached for every member of the arm. They are trained to fight both from the back of the Kr'Gak and dismounted as dragoons.
************************

It is not uncommon for a combat arm to be mechanized with the addition of 9 Tu'Ha light ICVs. The movement rate of the power armour precludes the need for transport in the combat arena, and the stealth benefits of the Kr'Gak would be undermined by having vehicles attached to them. There may also be one or two Ha'Iv main battle tanks and as much as a fist of Sia'Kol Infantry Walker infantry walkers.
************************

The basic rifle for the Kra'Vak foot soldier is the Ra'Sak gauss rifle. This weapon is configured to fire shot bursts of up to four 4-mm sabots at very high velocity. The limit is to prevent a soldier in the grips of Ro'Kah from emptying the weapon in a single uncontrolled burst. In game terms it is a firepower 2 impact D12 weapon.
************************

The Da'Sak Gauss Machine Gun is a larger, fully automatic weapon firing an 8mm armour piercing sabot. It is often used with a giro-stabilized frame. It is a support firepower D10 impact D12 weapon.
************************

The Va'Sak gauss tank killer is the standard anti-armour weapon. It consists of 3 fixed barrels and a fourth sabot in a chamber in the center of the weapon that is cycled into the first chamber after it is fired. The sabot is a 40mm ferrous iron jacketed spent uranium armour piercing shell with a shaped charge behind it to drive it further into the target upon impact. In game terms it as a 4 shot IAVR firepower D10 impact D12* weapon. While the weapon cannot be reloaded on the battlefield it is not considered disposable and is carried with the soldier for as long as is possible. For long term deployments extra, loaded Va'Saks can be carried in the Tu'Ha and can be exchanged by spending an action in contact with the ICV.
************************
The general sniper rifle in use is the Ki'Sak. It is a single shot gauss rifle firing a 25mm armour-piercing sabot. Support firepower D10 impact D12
************************
Independent Characters
Sia'Na: The presence of a Sia'Na on the battlefield can have a calming effect to all the forces on the field. Like a command unit a Sia'Na can pass his activation on to other units. Like a command unit his one activation will give the next unit two actions. The limitations is that they can only be used to take a morale check or pass on down the line. A failed check in this action will not negatively affect the squad's morale. The normal morale check will still risk lowering the morale as per the normal rules. The squad can improve its morale 2 levels by passing both tests. It is possible to have more then one Sia'Na attached to a platoon for special operations. Because of the rarity of the Sia'Na it is all but unheard of to have one attached to each fist. To do so for one Arm would use more then half the available Sia'Nas for the entire body.
************************

Sniper: The sniper is always an Elite. The need for them to work alone, close to or behind, the enemy lines requires they have the greatest possible control over Ro'Kah.
Confidence Levels:
At Confident (CO) a unit may make any actions that are normally available to it.
At STEADY (ST) They are unable to transfer actions.
At SHAKEN (SH) a unit may not enter cover or retreat from an enemy unless it passes a REACTION TEST.
At BROKEN (BR) a unit must use one of its actions to advance towards the nearest enemy. They may not go into position. If they are fired upon they we immediately drop to routed.
At ROUTED (RO) the unit must use both its actions to attempt to close assault the nearest enemy unit. If they fail both reactions tests passed from a Sia'Na they will close assault the nearest unit regardless if it's friend or foe. If the Sia'Na that transferred the action is within close assault range they will assault that unit even if there is one closer.
************************
Kra'Vak Physiology
Zha'Vak has a very thin ozone layer, as a result the Kra'Vak are much less susceptible to radiation then humans. The low level radiation form spent uranium munitions as well as low level dirty nukes do not have any major effect on them.
The Kra'Vak Physiology is somewhat redundant. With the exception of the brain they have at least 2 organs to perform every task. This mixed with a dermis that is on average two to three times tougher then a human's and you have a very tough creature. Even though they wear Partial Light armour they are considered Full-Suit Light armour (D8)
The Kra'Vak hip and knee joint does not allow it to sit in what humans would consider a comfortable position. In their resting state they crouch. The seating in all vehicles is similar to a high performance motorcycle with the addition of a padded plate to rest their chest on. There are also braces on the calf and the small of the back to hold them in place during zero-g or rough maneuvering.
************************
Progression of Command Levels:
Team = Claw
Squad = Fist
Platoon = Arm
Company = Body
Battalion = War Family
Regiment = War Clan
Basic Ground Combat Arm: (Normal Troops on Foot: movement 6)
Command Fist: (9 men at full strength)
Arm Overseer with Ra'Sak gauss rifle
************************
First Claw
Claw Overseer with Ra'Sak gauss rifle
Communications Specialist with Ra'Sak gauss rifle
Rifleman with Ra'Sak gauss rifle
Rifleman with Ra'Sak gauss rifle
************************
Second Claw
Claw Overseer with Ra'Sak gauss rifle
Rifleman with Ra'Sak gauss rifle
Rifleman with Ra'Sak gauss rifle
Da'Sak Gauss Machine Gunner
************************

The command Fist has a sniper with a Ki'Sak gauss sniper rifle and a Sia'Na with Ra'Sak gauss rifle attached.
************************
Basic Combat Fist: (9 men at full strength)
Fist Overseer with Ra'Sak gauss rifle
First Claw
Claw Overseer with Ra'Sak gauss rifle
Rifleman with Ra'Sak gauss rifle
Rifleman with Ra'Sak gauss rifle
Da'Sak Gauss Machine Gunner

Second Claw
Claw Overseer with Ra'Sak gauss rifle
Rifleman with Ra'Sak gauss rifle
Rifleman with Ra'Sak gauss rifle
Va'Sak Gauss Tank Killer
************************
Augmented Weapons Fist: (9 men at full strength)
Fist Overseer with Ra'Sak gauss rifle
First Claw
Claw Overseer with Ra'Sak gauss rifle
Da'Sak Gauss Machine Gunner
Da'Sak Gauss Machine Gunner
Da'Sak Gauss Machine Gunner
Second Claw
Claw Overseer with Ra'Sak gauss rifle
Va'Sak Gauss Tank Killer
Va'Sak Gauss Tank Killer
Va'Sak Gauss Tank Killer
************************
Power armour Arm (Fast Power armour: Movement 12)
Command Fist: (5 men at full strength)
Arm Overseer
Claw
Rifleman with Ra'Sak gauss rifle
Rifleman with MLP and with Ra'Sak gauss rifle
Communications Specialist with Ra'Sak gauss rifle
Da'Sak Gauss Machine Gunner
************************
Powered Combat Fist: (5 men at full strength)
Fist Overseer with Ra'Sak gauss rifle
Claw
Rifleman with Ra'Sak gauss rifle
Rifleman with Ra'Sak gauss rifle
Rifleman with MLP and with Ra'Sak gauss rifle
Da'Sak Gauss Machine Gunner
************************
Scout Arm (Very Light Troops: Movement 8)
Command Fist: (5 men at full strength)
Arm Overseer with Ra'Sak gauss rifle
Claw
Rifleman with Ra'Sak gauss rifle
Rifleman with Ra'Sak gauss rifle
Rifleman with Ra'Sak gauss rifle
Communications Specialist with Ra'Sak gauss rifle
Five Kr'Gak Riding Beasts Attached (Movement 10)
Scout Combat Fist: (5 men at full strength)
Fist Overseer
Claw
Rifleman with Ra'Sak gauss rifle
Rifleman with Ra'Sak gauss rifle
Rifleman with Ra'Sak gauss rifle
Rifleman with Ra'Sak gauss rifle
Five Kr'Gak Riding Beasts Attached
************************
Kra'Vak Vehicles:
The basic design doctrine is very simple; vehicles are designed to fit a specific role as well as possible. The idea is to mix different specialized vehicles to best meet any eventuality. A commander can achieve great renowned by coming up with unusual ways to combine resource to accent the unit's strengths and overcome its limits.
************************
Sia'Kol Infantry Walker
The Sia'Kol is unusual in that it is a 6 legged walker. It is usually meant to fill the place of the Tu'HA for the Power armoured fists. It is also the only vehicle in common use that is not GRAV based. (I use a Reaper CAV scorpion figure)
Class 1 Vehicle, Infantry Walker Mobility, Armour Value 1, 1x Class 2 Gauss Cannon in Fixed Mount, Gauss Machine Gun (SAW)
************************

Tu'Ha light ICV
This is the standard workhorse of the Kra'Vak mechanized infantry. It is meant to support the disembarked infantry agents other foot soldiers and has a very limited anti-vehicle capability. The 10-man capacity allows for the addition of a sniper or other Independent Character. If there is no 10th soldier then the space can be used to carry 2 extra Va'Sak Gauss Tank Killers. The Va'Sak soldier must spend an action in contact with the back of the vehicle with the vehicle stopped to swap weapons.
Class 3 Vehicle, Armour Value 3, Grav Mobility, 10 Units of Infantry Transport, 2x Class 1 Gauss Cannon in Turret Mount
************************
Ha'Iv main battle tanks
This is the most common Kra'Vak vehicle seen on the battlefield. It is a vary capable tank mounting a very large main gun. It suffers in that it does not have the flexibility to adapt to changes in the battlefield that some human designs have. This can be seen as a limit with most of the Kra'Vak vehicles.
Class 3 Vehicle, Armour Value 3, Grav Mobility, 1x Class 5 Gauss Cannon in Turret Mount

Saturday, October 8, 2016

15mm Flames of War Trenchline System

 

Included in the box:

• 2x ‘L’ trench sections. • 2x ‘R’ trench sections. 2x ‘I’ trench sections. • 2x ‘Y’ trench sections. • 1x Packet of GFS001 Green Grass GF9 Grass. • 1x Packet of GFS017 Meadow Blend GF9 Grass.
Suitable for use with 10 - 15mm.
Sculpted by Jason Buyaki
The GF9 Static Grasses Included in the Box Set

Tuesday, October 4, 2016

Tanker's Tuesday: Panzer VIII Maus

 

Genesis of a monster

This was, by far, the most gigantic battlefield monster to have ever been built. In the Panzer tree line, it was meant to be number VIII. The Maus was in line with the German trend of making bigger and bigger tanks, and another good example is the heaviest AFV in service during WWII, the Jagdtiger, based on the Königstiger chassis. The latter was quite impressive, with its 71 ton weight and 128 mm (5.04 in) gun. But the VK 100.01 Porsche Type 205, as it was known, was a project drawn as early as 1942, and suggested to Hitler by Ferdinand Porsche in June that year. As it perfectly matched the Wagnerian visions and obsessions of Hitler, it was immediately approved and the contract granted, with the objective of building the first operational machine by March 1944. However, this was really a monster of a tank, stretching all previous technological achievements to the very edge. Thanks to Porsche’s enthusiasm and despite the great skepticism of the Wehrmacht, the first prototype, the V1, was ready in 1943.
 

Panzer VIII Maus


The five most bizarre battles of World War 2 - This is Genius


10 Strangest Tanks Ever Designed (COLLAB)


Weird tanks