Don and I were perusing the Reimer Digital Library and came across a US
Special Forces manual on mounted operations.
Horse-mounted operations with pack animal (mule, donkey, horse) support,
primarily. However there is a chapter on llamas...
The manual is surprisingly detailed and was revised last year, indicating
someone's been thinking about this a great deal.
Anyway, we've been corresponding with Nic about ordering a line of figures
equipped in accordance with said manual. We're going to be putting together a
large enough order to get the line started with 4 variations of equippage.
What we're going for is variations in
weaponry--bullpupped rifles, M-79s, a SAW (folding-stock minimi) and a
pack-wearing figure that with an antenna becomes an EW trooper, and
without becomes a medic.
What I'm curious about is will there be any other interest in these guys? I'm
hoping to get together enough orders to get Nic to do some more variations
(horseholder, troopers charging with pistol at the ready, some warped officer
that insists on carrying a saber, etc) after we order the main force. Maybe
eventually also loaded pack animals (loaded with dismantled light mortars,
recoilless rifles, DFFGs, missle launchers, etc)?? Who knows, even a force of
crack llama commandos some day.
This is how I described them to Nic:
> [quoted text omitted]
They would be wearing standard camoflage uniforms, with boonie caps (the same
Science Fiction boonie caps the OUDF has, with visors and commo
mike). They would be wearing cowboy-style boots, spurs, and leather
chaps, and instead of traditional web gear they should have LBVs
(loadbearing vests like the US Army has--will send pictures if
necessary). The troops will also be carrying small assault packs and
'camelback'-style water bladders on their backs. Each man would also
have a holstered pistol.
Other armament would include: a bull-pupped rifle (simillar to NAC one,
but no underbarrel grenade launcher), an M-79-style large-caliber
grenade launcher, or a shotgun (bullpupped also). The squad support weapon
would be no larger than a Minimi, preferably with folding stock.
It would have to use the 200-round ammo boxes like the minimi. All
weapons would be carried cross-chest with a top-sling when mounted.
> [quoted text omitted]
Don's doing up some drawings and we'll be taking pictures of some specific
equipment combinations to get more details worked out, but how much interest
in mounted troops is there?
Very cool! Great idea. Unfortunately I (this Friday when I realized how much
money i had riding on eBay auctions) took a 'vow' to not buy anymore 25mm
figures until I get my 6mm stuff up and running. But it sounds fantastic!
Gracias,
Glenn/Triphibious
This is my Science Fiction Alter Ego E-mail address.
> On Sun, 24 Jun 2001 12:57:07 -0700 "Don M" <dmaddox1@hot.rr.com> writes:
> In message <006a01c0fce7$d9b5f740$2c9ba218@hot.rr.com>, "Don M" writes:
:
> They would be wearing cowboy-style boots, spurs, and leather chaps
Cowboy boots and chaps? Not really my style. Is this from the field manual? If
they were kitted more traditionally, I might consider
them. (I could do without the visors, as well-- something like that
They will be in modern kit, the chaps ect. were in the FM,
but all well be redesigned to look a bit more Sci-fi like. As
for the boots they will be in a riding type, the dismounted guys will have
conventional boots of some type.
Don
[quoted original message omitted]
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> On Mon, 25 Jun 2001, Don M wrote:
> They will be in modern kit, the chaps ect. were in the FM,
They swap boots upon getting off their horses? Sounds like a lot of work
;)
Cheers,
In message
<Pine.LNX.3.96.1010625202001.17224B-100000@cc5127-a.deven1.ov.nl.hom
> e.com>, Derk Groeneveld writes:
> In message <000701c0fda2$50e83b60$2c9ba218@hot.rr.com>, "Don M" writes:
> At 12:57 PM -0700 6/24/01, Don M wrote:
Some folks at the light infantry school are always thinking...
> Anyway, we've been corresponding with Nic about ordering a line of
Sounds neat!
> What I'm curious about is will there be any other interest in these
Yep! I'd like to see a crew served MG set. I'll probably convert one
using a spare mortar team as the crew. Essentially an RFAC/1 on a
tripod....
> animals (loaded with dismantled light mortars, recoilless rifles,
There was a WWII Commando Captain (iirc) who carried a basket hilt claighmore
in the cross channel raids he led. M1911.45 and a claymore...not a bad
combination in close assault when you think about it... A Sterling Para model
would be better perhaps....
> This is how I described them to Nic:
> Other armament would include: a bull-pupped rifle (simillar to NAC
Why no integral GL?
> At 11:11 AM -0700 6/25/01, Don M wrote:
They change their boots when the dismount? Not likely.
Combat boots protect well enough when riding (I ride a motorcycle...). The leg
armour should work well as protection against what chaps were meant to help
against...things like thorns and brambles. Coybows tended to wear those more
since they had to dive
into the brush to snag/snare errant cattle. Cavalry and Dragoons
don't tend to need that as much I think.
A nice compromise on the boots would be strappy tanker boots vs laced up
combat boots.
> At 2:42 PM -0700 6/25/01, Don M wrote:
Would you in combat? Or just prior to combat? These guys are dragoons right?
Not Cavalry?
> At 3:30 PM -0700 6/25/01, Don M wrote:
Well, special made dragoon's boots would have quick lacing or buckle
features, a retracting/folding spur, as well as additional leather
and a higher coverage over the shins for additional support (not unlike tall
Line Man's boots (which are also pretty comfy on a motorcycle))
Only for extended off horse service, zippers down the side make it easy trust
me I can take my tanker boots off and put them on in seconds.
Don
[quoted original message omitted]
> Some folks at the light infantry school are always thinking...
> Would you in combat? Again this is for extended off horse use, like
In combat if mounted he can dissmount move to contact in his riding boots.
(been done, wont kill um!) Or just prior to combat? These guys are dragoons
> right? Not Cavalry?
--> I would have to say dragoons , but again I'm going by the FM you
will spend more time riding it seems then dismounted fighting, and spurs are a
must have for control and speed! At this scale the boots are not going to be a
real big issue. ( can always cut off the spurs)