Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => The Conflicts that came in from the Cold => Topic started by: AKULA on September 08, 2018, 04:53:15 PM
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A new project - one that has been planned for a while, but on a subject that is now creeping into the news.
The plan:
Modern Naval 1/1250 scale, centred primarily upon operations in the South China Sea.
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh72/AKULADEEP/IMG_2370_zpsrl9wobsy.jpg)
DDG 170 Lanzhou Chinese Type 052C Destroyer - Albatros metal kit
Background:
The South China Sea contains vast untapped fields of oil and natural gas, and sits astride one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world (about $5trillion of goods pass through it every year, on c250 ships per day). The two most significant island chains - the Paracels and Spratlys - are claimed by various nations that border the ocean, including China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Phillipines, Malaysia and Indonesia. China has sole control now of the Paracel islands (having expelled the Vietnamese militarily in 1974), but the Spratlys are hotly disputed - China claims control of the whole of the South “China” Sea, while it is known in the Phillipines, as the “West Phillipines Sea”. Various claimants have embarked upon a programme of building bases across the Spratlys, by a combination of deep dredging, and concreting coral reefs.
From time to time, China has tried to deny access to the vessels of other nations, but the US, UK and others continue to maintain “Freedom of Navigation” patrols - the most recent, by HMS Albion was buzzed by Chinese fighters, and shadowed by a Chinese frigate.
It is this background that I intend to use for a campaign, where tensions have escalated into a shooting war.
The models will be a combination of resin, metal, diecast, plastic and 3D printed, plus possibly some scratch builds.
Will write some rules (eventually) - as usual with the emphasis upon fastplay.
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh72/AKULADEEP/IMG_2373_zps7bvuo28r.jpg~original)
CG-59 Princeton AEGIS cruiser - a HobbyBoss plastic kit
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh72/AKULADEEP/IMG_2376_zpsoknx3uid.jpg~original)
Tanker - a Triang Minic diecast
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh72/AKULADEEP/IMG_2374_zps5rx0srxf.jpg)
A test piece - A small scratch built island outpost, with some items from my bits box.
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That looks great- will follow this with interest.
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Looks promising and good to see you back at it :)
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A very interest subject.
With the stuff China is doing in the area,
I see this as becoming a shooting war in the next few years.
I shall be following what you do.
Love your ships.
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How are you planning to do the zombies at that scale? ;)
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How are you planning to do the zombies at that scale? ;)
lol
No plans for zombies, but they’d be 1.5mm tall, so who knows.
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Looking forward to seeing what rules you come up with. A friend of mine was talking about gameing this very same thing last week. But we really don't have a good rule set for it.
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I'm kinda torn with this project, in some ways I want to see what you end up with, in others I'm worried it'll set me off on my own naval warfare project.
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I have not much interest in wargaming naval stuff myself but always like seeing it
Looking forward to seeing what you get up to!
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A bit perplexed on the scale (and CG being bigger than islands)... but lovely works.
As rules I am partial to Harpoon and it is not that complicated (I am probably a minority, but with a ocuple of ships per side is actually reasonably simple) when it is used to simulate a specific engagement (ASW, ASuW, or AAW) with few ships. If you want to do everything at once is another problem. You can link engagement in campaigns.
Shipwreck is much simpler, but lose a bit in small engagements.
I have seen excellent adaptations of DVG modern naval battles (and you can get the older version, Cold War Naval Battles, for free). It is bare bone but... ships, surprisingly, work like they should, ships have individuality (a Spruance is different from an Adams).
Another contender could be Naval Command by Rory Crabb. I have still to lay my greedy hands on it, but David Manley seems to recommend it. I think David's opinion about naval wargames are quite weighty.
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Looking forward to seeing what rules you come up with. A friend of mine was talking about gameing this very same thing last week. But we really don't have a good rule set for it.
I’ll do my best - I was thinking v.much with the emphasis upon fastplay rather than any attempt at “accuracy”...I’m looking to game with rival fleets rather than worry too much about the differences between missile systems.
I'm kinda torn with this project, in some ways I want to see what you end up with, in others I'm worried it'll set me off on my own naval warfare project.
Will see if I can push you over the edge then ;)
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh72/AKULADEEP/IMG_2382_zpsgdxmtmmf.jpg)
Not all of the Chinese vessels are homegrown - a couple of modified Sovremennyy-class destroyers from MML
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh72/AKULADEEP/IMG_2383_zps7u9vrf0p.jpg~original)
A pair of US Arleigh Burke-class destroyers - the closest is a metal Argos model, whereas the one in the background is mostly resin from Mountford.
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh72/AKULADEEP/IMG_2385_zpsmxpqpikz.jpg~original)
USS Mount Whitney Command Vessel LCC-19 - another resin model from Mountford
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A bit perplexed on the scale (and CG being bigger than islands)... but lovely works.
1/1250 isn’t the most practical scale, but I think they will look impressive on the table...and I’m a sucker for a good looking game.
At 1/1250 scale, a destroyer is c12cm. For larger games I will probably use two joined/adjoining tables .... just to fit everything on - 1 per fleet. With modern naval weapons, the range of weapons/radar makes scale a bit irrelevant - if it’s on the table you can hit it.
As for the cruiser being bigger than the island....I did say it was just a test piece - some of the smaller bases are pretty much a helipad or dock, and a radar dish/transmitter. Rest assured though, I have plans for a larger island as well....
Thanks btw - a good summary of the rules available...as mentioned I’ll probably end up scribbling something simple down in the end.
:)
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I like it!
I plan to do something similar, with perhaps a mix of scales - 1/600th for the aircraft, most likely, and 1/1200th - 1/2400, or even 1/3000th for the naval vessels, depending upon funds availability, etc.. Probably the larger ships for air/sea attacks, and the smaller ones for bigger, naval battles.
In some cases, may just use top-down, printed images of the islands, with the vessels.
May have to use poetic license for some scenarios, e.g. sub-launched/ship-launched cruise missiles are running short, so need to send in the aircraft to pound the island bases.
Might even be fun to do some marine landings on some islands, like in WWII, using perhaps 1/144th, or 1/100th scale troops and vehicles, just because. "Possession" is 9/10ths of the law, so I've read.
East China Sea is ripe for a fight too, and even Taiwan is looking to be under threat as well, of late.
Add in the Russians and the Japanese negotiations over the latter's Northern Islands going bad, and you've got yourself a real party in the region.
Last I read, Chinese and Russian aircraft were still testing Japan's air defenses fairly regularly, so there's plenty of room for decent scenarios over that too.
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Add in the Russians and the Japanese negotiations over the latter's Northern Islands going bad, and you've got yourself a real party in the region.
Well the Russians & Chinese have been conducting joint exercises lately - both land/naval.
Current plans are for the following forces:
Chinese
US
Vietnamese
British/French
Russian
Plus possible (if the campaign escalates):
Australian/N.Zealand
Malaysian
Indian
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Uhh this tickles all my special places.
I have long wanted to do some modern naval war. But so far I have resisted the urges. This might have pushed me over the edge.
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Don't forget the Japanese. They have major assets, and well trained personnel.
They were going to send some of their ships through the SCS too, though I think they may have backed off actually doing that, a while back.
Plus, when they put F-35 jump jets on their helo carriers/destroyers, the Chinese will be annoyed as no longer being the only SE Asian player with aircraft carriers.
Looks like they are actually conducting exercises with the US Navy now, in the region - hadn't seen that in the news, which is a bit surprising:
https://www.military.com/daily-news/2018/09/02/japanese-warship-trains-us-aircraft-carrier-disputed-south-china-sea.html
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Don't forget the Japanese.
Hmmm.. I did forget to mention them, but they are on the definite list, rather than the possibles.
F-toys did a nice little range of plastic 1/1250 ships including DDG and some LSTs as well.
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Some reinforcements - some of these were already painted when I got hold of them, but required either touching up, or a full repaint.
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh72/AKULADEEP/IMG_2393_zps4jpshtyd.jpg)
Some assault ships for the US - USS Wasp LHD-1 (Iskra metal model) and USS Whidbey Island LSD-41 (resin model by Mountford)
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh72/AKULADEEP/IMG_2396_zpspvzdanhw.jpg)
HMS Monmouth Type 23 Frigate (Albatros Metal model)
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh72/AKULADEEP/IMG_2394_zps8wv1rik6.jpg)
Sinking tanker (resin model by Coastlines, now OOP I think)
Hope to add some aircraft soon.
:)
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Get on with it!
Also, what's you using for the sea?
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Get on with it!
Also, what's you using for the sea?
;)
It’s a gaming mat from deepcutstudio.com
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Ooh, those burning oil fires are quite realistic. Not something you see every day either. Though I suppose you can only really encapsulate them in the smaller scales. :)
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I imagine the Aussies would certainly get involved in an escalation. We can't help ourselves... ::)
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Glad to hear it!
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the HMS Monmouth is a frigate. The Type 23 are frigates. The Daring Class are destroyers. o_o
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Nice painting.
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the HMS Monmouth is a frigate. The Type 23 are frigates. The Daring Class are destroyers. o_o
Yup, good spot...was knackered when I typed that...a permanent state currently.
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Scale shot of the ships so far - squares are 1cm
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh72/AKULADEEP/IMG_2397_zpscb2gbq9i.jpg)
The Whidbey Island LSD has a bit of a kink, which I guess goes back to the moulding process...fortunately the real vessel doesnt, otherwise it would be sailing around in circles ...
:D
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A couple more US ships - these both arrived prepainted/decaled - the two competing designs for a Littoral Combat Ship LCS....originally meant for close to shore operations, but now being used more widely.
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh72/AKULADEEP/IMG_2400_zpstkscjt4o.jpg)
USS Freedom - metal model by Argos
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh72/AKULADEEP/IMG_2399_zpsxl76f4e1.jpg)
USS Independence - another metal model by Argos
..and another small island test piece, little more than a helipad, and a dock. The installation is made from some spare plastic from my bits box.
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh72/AKULADEEP/IMG_2406_zpsqmgnkvcu.jpg)
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actually it appears they are now going straight to the scrapyard rather being used more widely... lol
The Little Crappy Ships provided to be a massive source of problems (engineering is not really good, half of the modules do not work or are still on the drawing board) and they cost much more than originally envisage. They will be probably kept in Singapore for a while to show the flag until something else arrives... the Small Surface Combatant. Originally it appeared they would have been an improved LCS, but the room for improvement is minimal (basically the design has too much space devoted to propulsion for its size)... On top of that the SSC will be based on an 'Americanized' version of a parent frigate. There are five competitors, decision will be out probably next year, and the first ship is supposed to be ordered in 2020...
1st competitor: modified Independence Class (well it is fast, 40 knots but it is just the same as before mainly). It is worth to note that the NAvy requirements specified a 28 knots speed.
2nd competitor: modified Freedom as bought by the Saudis. Same problem as before and the Saudis are removing stuff from the hull. For those interested is now 30 knots.
3rd Competitor.... now it gets interesting. Spanish Alvaro de Bazan, proposed by General Dynamics. Good solid design with Aegis. It also works well. 26 knots.
4th Competiror... Carlo Bergamini. Aegis equipped, 29 knots, best sensor and weapons of the pack. Most expensive. The bidder is Italian Fincantieri (it could be an issue because there is no US sponsor).
5th Competitor... Ingalls shipbuilding is pushing its own modified Legend class cutter (USCG). IT was already rejected during the LCS competition, and it is basically underarmed.
Now 1st and 2nd option are just pimped LCS. The Freedom has the added 'benefit' to have been already proven wrong in Saudi service. 5th is underarmed as it stand now, but has a balanced space and weight distribution and it is fully US. The two foreign competitors are better under every aspect except price and... well 'not invented here'. Yet they are proven and working designs. Weaponry is markedly better (5" guns, VLS systems with full capacity). The Bergamini is probably the best in term of raw specifics but it will need to replace the Aster missiles with Standard. The Bazan already as a real VLS with real Standard. Obvious choice will the Alvaro de Bazan, but we will see. Anyway look for these models!
Bottom line: the LCSs stay in port and shake hands the Navy is perfectly aware that they cannot do anything (no expanded missions).
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actually it appears they are now going straight to the scrapyard rather being used more widely...
Unfortunately, the USN are stuck with them - the size(and cost) of other navies high-end frigates, but with no VLS or even torpedoes, and poor survivability. The new frigates that are planned will be better, but I expect the LCS will stay on the active list purely to hit the USN target number of vessels.
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Last I read, all the US ones were restricted to US bases, and waters near there, due to frequent equipment breakdowns and abysmal war-fighting capabilities.
My dad's home-built trimaran sailboat from the 1960s was almost as fast, and not much less well armed (yes, hyperbole, to get the point across).
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My USN sources told me they will be relegated to training duties very soon. There not that many to influence the target numbers, and the constant unreliability is making them too expensive to operate. As absurd it seems a Burke is not more expensive to operate, and production of these as restarted. considering that the USN is planning to face an Aegis shortage after 2025 (if they do not prolong the service of the Bunker Hills), it makes sense to cut them.
During Hagel tenure there was a strong push by the Navy (Greenert the dumb??*) to save them redesigning them... the Saudi debacle put a damper on it, as Greenert's departure. It is entirely possible the program will be capped at 20 right now. It is worth to note that all the high tech surface ships program the USN had worked for years (DDX, CGX, and LCS) have utterly failed. The Ford (CVX) worked, but was not that 'revolutionary'.
I would say... get a couple of models of the Bazans and paint them in USN colours! (I favour the Bergamini, but I reckon it is the more expensive of the contenders, and also requires more work to be integrated).
*I have a low opinion of Greenert. Back in time I attended one of big RUSI naval conferences and he was one of the speakers. He was boring to death and every time someone had a question the stunning blonde aide he had with him as whispering the answer in his hear. He was also ripped apart by another speaker a retired USN captain who had spent his life in test and trials (I think his last command was the Spruance vessel they modified as a test bed, and was also involved with the Zummwalts). It was a quite an embarrassing performance from the vice CNO, soon to become CNO. Other USN officers told me he always select stunning female aides (another bad sign..).
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Some more additions:
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh72/AKULADEEP/IMG_2417_zpsibukdz6x.jpg)
USS San Antonio LPD (metal Argos model)
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh72/AKULADEEP/IMG_2418_zpsnlwdvu7c.jpg)
Expeditionary Strike Group
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh72/AKULADEEP/IMG_2421_zpspid0dtkw.jpg)
Forbin- a French Horizon-class AA Frigate (resin model from Mountford)
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh72/AKULADEEP/IMG_2420_zpsmmwfjrdc.jpg)
USS George H.W. Bush CVN 77 & Henry J. Kaiser class replenishment ship
The air group isn’t quite right, but it will do for now.
:)
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Love the new stuff.
I have a friend that has a ton of modern ships,
I may ask him if he is interested in playing some games.
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Another day, more parcels, plus some progress on a few bits on my painting desk/workbench.
First up the parcels...
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh72/AKULADEEP/d715e96d-0fa2-4ff1-adfc-82c87a326c31_zpst55qdxdz.jpg)
A pair of Chinese Type-51C Luzhou-class AA destroyers (Albatros metal models)
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh72/AKULADEEP/IMG_2427_zpstu7rsz9s.jpg)
A bulk carrier (Triang Minic diecast)
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh72/AKULADEEP/IMG_2423_zpsezxpmpxo.jpg)
Some Type-022 Chinese Fast Attack Craft “Houbei” (had these printed via Shapeways)
Some 1/1250 aircraft
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh72/AKULADEEP/IMG_2422_zpskh2nmwio.jpg)
Mig-21, SU-33, Antonov Curl, Badger & Il-76
...and especially for Arrigo, the start of a much bigger island...(the ruler is 60cm long)....
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh72/AKULADEEP/IMG_2424_zpskx3piipr.jpg)
...and managed to get a second carrier painted - pinched the decals from a commercial plastic kit.
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh72/AKULADEEP/IMG_2426_zpsmph9yx0m.jpg)
USS Nimitz CVN 68 (Mountford resin kit)
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So how do the Chinese destroyers compare to the US.
Also what are you looking at for the number of models
you are looking at to play the kind of game you want?
I like the new additions to your fleets.
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So how do the Chinese destroyers compare to the US.
Sizewise? Length pretty similar, perhaps not as broad - will take some comparison photos.
The Chinese have built lots of sub-classes, as they’ve developed their navy - understandable given they are essentially still developing their strategic reach.
Also what are you looking at for the number of models you are looking at to play the kind of game you want?
lol
Good question. Those who know me well would probably say “all of them”...as I have been known to get a bit carried away now and again.
For the campaign scenarios I have in mind I reckon I’ll need the following:
USN
3 Carrier Strike Groups
2 Expeditionary Strike Groups
UK/French
1 Carrier Strike Group
Chinese
1/2 Carrier Groups
Destroyer Squadron
FAC squadron
Amphibious Squadron
PLA naval Aviation
Russian
Surface action group - depends what I can hold of.
Vietnamese
Escort group
FAC squadron
JMSDF
Destroyer squadron plus maybe a helo Carrier
Australian/NZ
Small surface action group
For the US, I hope to recycle some of the escorts - otherwise I’m going to need a lot of Arleigh Burke’s
Clearly won’t get all of this list on table at the same time - as mentioned before, due to weapon ranges, and aircraft I expect to have two table, one for each protagonist.
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Managed to do some more work on the Island base -the four pieces together give an island that is 110 cm x 80cm.
The shape is intentionally unnatural, as the majority of these island bases in reality are artificial, with concrete poured on top of coral reefs, and the interior dredged out to provide a harbour for warships.
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh72/AKULADEEP/a8a92973-bdab-429e-8458-fdfd9f9e32ec_zps8j0jaldn.jpg)
The Hardened Aircraft Shelters (HAS)are made from halves of 1/35 scale oil drums. Not glued down yet, just wanted to show what I had in mind.
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh72/AKULADEEP/IMG_2444_zpsdvs24b4i.jpg)
Comparison photo of US and Chinese destroyers - the US is a smidge wider
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh72/AKULADEEP/IMG_2450_zpshqcwsshi.jpg)
Finally, a squadron of Chinese Houbei FAC
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh72/AKULADEEP/IMG_2449_zps8kyadakg.jpg)
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as for the islands.... remember the chickens! lol
explanation: a couple of years ago I had the Taiwanese defense attache (of course called deputy director of the representative mission...) lecturing my students on this same bit of real watery estate. Considering that Taiwan controls the largest piece there (and it was Jiang Jie Shi who claimed the nine dash line...) and that the UN had derated that piece of ground from island to rock (with a lot of law implications) he made the point that there were chicken, vegetable plots (food production), fresh water source, and a even energy production (simple enough, solar panels). Of course there is also a quite big airfield (rated for combat CTOL jets).
PLAN Destroyers:
a lot of the subclasses differs mainly in propulsion. It is as the PLAN is trying to get hold of different engine combinations for testing purposes, to see how they push the envelope, and probably as a safety measures against engine issues (typical of new navies that switch from external to internal engine supply). I am sure we will see more standardization in the next years.
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as for the islands.... remember the chickens!
Ok...Chickens....check.
:D
Was particularly excited with today’s delivery, although Mrs Akky is beginning to get suspicious (must remember to intercept the credit card bill when it arrives).
PLAN Type-001 Carrier “Liaoning” (ex-“Varyag” Kuznetsov-class Carrier) - a metal model from Albatros
This one came pre-painted, but I added some aircraft that I’d painted up ready for its arrival.
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh72/AKULADEEP/IMG_2456_zpsaevoxikl.jpg)
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh72/AKULADEEP/IMG_2454_zps6penu7oe.jpg)
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh72/AKULADEEP/IMG_2455_zpsnzdbqkyv.jpg)
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh72/AKULADEEP/IMG_2458_zpsg4kz0nax.jpg)
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh72/AKULADEEP/IMG_2457_zpsykusx80h.jpg)
:)
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Nice ships.
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Was particularly excited with today’s delivery, although Mrs Akky is beginning to get suspicious (must remember to intercept the credit card bill when it arrives).
That probably won't save you, those Houbei FAC look like they've escaped from that crappy bond film. I'm sure someone high up in the party saw that movie and asked the navy how many they had in service, so the navy had to quickly make one.
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those Houbei FAC look like they've escaped from that crappy bond film. I'm sure someone high up in the party saw that movie and asked the navy how many they had in service, so the navy had to quickly make one.
lol
They are pretty cheap for the Chinese to build, equipped with a bunch of anti-ship missiles and they field them in numbers - a relatively low tech/low cost way to overwhelm an opponents defenses with a swarm of missiles, but I wouldn’t expect them to last long against an enemy with air superiority.
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Bit more progress, usual combination of some I’ve painted up, and a few prepainted.
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh72/AKULADEEP/IMG_2462_zpsfji6dis2.jpg)
Some more (Mountford resin) Arleigh Burke Destroyers - still have some more of these to build/paint
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh72/AKULADEEP/c1f131b8-1aa0-47bd-af2e-6b15712e5b17_zpss5j9tqwh.jpg)
Chinese Type 56 Frigates/corvettes (Albatros metal models)
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh72/AKULADEEP/183244b0-a3b0-4d2c-9187-ef18dd73eec7_zpscv02vcd0.jpg)
Diecast Triang Minic buildings
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh72/AKULADEEP/IMG_2461_zpsbjv2c1pa.jpg)
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh72/AKULADEEP/IMG_2459_zpsfa9emnyi.jpg)
Container ship (metal model, can’t recall the manufacturer)
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Love the new stuff.
Great looking container ship.
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Love the new stuff.
Great looking container ship.
Thanks, I’m particularly pleased with the container ship, as it’s pretty stereotypical of the vessels transmitting through the SCS.
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Man, you are making excellent progress!
I'm jealous.
Wish I could do this in 1/1200th too, with such large numbers.
Will probably have to go with 1/2400th for the vessels, or even 1/3000th, since the 1/2400th Chinese ships I've found are so expensive now.
I'm still trying to get a few of the aircraft in stock, for gaming, in 1/600th scale, and making slow progress on that. Need to get a few that I do have prepped and painted, so the sorties can commence. Have B-52s for overflights, but want a P-8 recon bird, and perhaps a P-3 or two, just for grins, to go with some of the other jets, Su-27/J-11/J-15, F-15, F-18, and the F-35C.
Need some J-10s, J-20s, JH-7s, and other Chinese/Russian jets, like the Su-35, etc., as well as the F-22 Raptor.
US just sortied another destroyer within 12 NM of one of the Spratleys, in addition to the recent B-52 overflight(s). Allies are starting to get on board with their own sorties too, or in conjunction with us, e.g. Britain and Japan.
Can't wait for Aussies, French, and Vietnamese to do the same.
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Man, you are making excellent progress!
.....
US just sortied another destroyer within 12 NM of one of the Spratleys, in addition to the recent B-52 overflight(s). Allies are starting to get on board with their own sorties too, or in conjunction with us, e.g. Britain and Japan.
Can't wait for Aussies, French, and Vietnamese to do the same.
Thanks - it helps that some of the models arrive either part or pre-painted (although some are painted from scratch or require a complete repaint)
Re: patrols - both the French and Australian navies already conduct Freedom of Navigation patrols in the SCS(the latter sent 3 ships back in April). Italy & Spain have sent ships to the Pacific recently, but not into the SCS, and Germany, while it might want to send some, is currently struggling to get any ships to sea at all. Vietnam maintains a watching brief, but probably mindful that any moves on its part will be seen as more than just FON as it also has a claim in the region.
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And another one on this band wagon in loving this thread - keep up the good work.
I bought a 1/600 Arleigh Burke last year and a whole lot of aircraft and a sub (off table artillery marker) to do a fortress type game (with the destroyer as a moving/turning fortress), using Hind Commander. Yet to make progress on it - your output is kicking me into gear though.
And Mako the RAAF have made multiple flights into the area, so there's the ability to paint their aircraft up too.
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(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh72/AKULADEEP/IMG_2455_zpsnzdbqkyv.jpg)
Every time I see that curved wake base, I think that would be a cool movement mechanic for ocean warfare. Have a set of straight wakes and turning wakes in various lengths for each ship, and each turn you put the wake that matches your planned movement in front of the ship. Move the ship to the front of the new wake, and maneuvering is done. Kind of like the x-wing maneuver templates, but prettier.
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Thanks for the info on the Aussie and French sorties. I wasn't aware of those, since we get little press about them here, but had heard that was going to happen.
We did hear about the British sortie.
Do you have any details to share on which vessels transited the area? Would love more info about that.
What sort of aircraft are being flown through the region by Australia?
Recon birds, like P-3s, or some of your F-111s, and from where?
Seems like a long haul to get to the SCS.
Love that Chinese carrier. Just looked it up on-line, and the price is rather shocking, so I will definitely need to stick to 1/2400th, or smaller scale for that, unless there's a plastic kit.
I know the old 1/600th - 1/700th plastic kits used to be pretty reasonable, for the Russian/Soviet vessels, back in the day. Can't recall if they made a Kuznetsov/other CV, but suspect they probably did/do, since I know they made the Kiev, Moskva, and Kirov, for about $30, or so.
I like those little 1/1250th aircraft too, but the price on them is shocking, compared to the much larger, 1/600th stuff available now. I'm going to go with this larger scale for the aircraft, and perhaps use a smattering of 1/1250th, or 1/2400th aircraft on the vessels, and island runways, for a forced perspective.
Over the weekend, the USS Decatur (Arleigh Burke class - not sure which variant) passed within 12 NM of a couple of "islands" in the Spratleys. It was intercepted by a Chinese 052B Destroyer, which apparently cut across the US vessel's path, and they got within 25 - 45 yards of one another, depending upon which version you choose to believe. The Decatur had to swerve to avoid the Chinese vessel.
Also, recently, one B-52 flew over the East China Sea, and a couple flew over the South China Sea too. No word on whether there were any close encounters with them.
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Yes, flights have been conducted by RAAF AP-3C Orions, the F-111s were retired about 10 years ago (F/A-18F Super Hornets filling in the gap for now).
The Royal Australian Navy (with Anzac-class frigates) was challenged earlier in the year:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-04-20/south-china-sea-australian-warships-challenged-by-chinese/9677908
And Australian defence forces are conducting joint exercises right now:
https://www.sbs.com.au/news/australian-military-in-south-china-sea
I realise that we're discussing a current conflict (of sorts), but I'm consciously keeping it to places and equipment.
I also found this general timeline that may be of interest:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_South_China_Sea_dispute
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@Mako - the RN sent HMS Albion (a 22,000 ton LPD) to Vietnam, and on the way it passed near the Paracel Islands, being shadowed by a Chinese frigate, plus a pair of helicopters.
I saw the photo of the US/Chinese vessels and I’d agree it looked a lot closer than 45 yards, a dangerous manoeuvre when you consider the vessels are c8-9,000 tonnes. It was a scenario like this I hand in mind as a potential touchpaper for a conflict in the region, so it’s a relief that there was no loss of life.
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh72/AKULADEEP/IMG_2488_zpsqjfrgxst.jpg)
Group shot of HMS Queen Elizabeth (a Mountford resin model) undergoing sea trials with a Tide-class tanker, and a pair of Type-23 Frigates. Will add a Type-45 Destroyer at some point for air defence, and an Astute-class SSN...and some planes.
Big Lizzie has been pencilled in potentially to show the flag in a FON exercise in the SCS during 2020.
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This is a really cool project!
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I see you've kept it accurate and not put any aircraft on her. ;)
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Thanks for the info, updates, and photos.
I really appreciate them.
Yes, looks more like 45 feet, or less, from the angle I've seen.
Wonder if the photo was from a US helo, patrol aircraft, or drone? Probably the US ship's helo, I imagine.
Playing bumper boats with such craft is a rather dicey proposition.
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The second Chinese Carrier - the Shandong - currently undergoing sea trials.
It has a different radar-superstructure configuration...the Liaoning will eventually have an identical refit. No commercial model exists for it at the moment so I got hold of a second-hand Kuznetsov-class Carrier, and added the radar/aircraft and gave it a paint job...no close ups, as my paint job isn’t as good as the Liaoning.
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh72/AKULADEEP/IMG_2551_zpszonknkte.jpg)
Obligatory shot of the two carriers together
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh72/AKULADEEP/IMG_2550_zpshasphgat.jpg)
And a pair of Chinese Type-071 LPDs - can carry a battalion of troops each.
(http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh72/AKULADEEP/IMG_2552_zpskebcqhft.jpg)
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Really nice stuff. I’ve painted some of the GHQ 1:2400 scale catalogue models, yours look nicer!
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Really nice stuff. I’ve painted some of the GHQ 1:2400 scale catalogue models, yours look nicer!
I can’t claim credit for a lot of them, as a number arrived prepainted. Am pleased with how the Shandong turned out, but the deck markings drove me crazy.
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I can’t claim credit for a lot of them, as a number arrived prepainted. Am pleased with how the Shandong turned out, but the deck markings drove me crazy.
Fully agree - I “cheated” and used decals when I could but have fully hand painted 1:2400 moderns - it’s a bit nuts. Gotta be real chill to do it. ;)
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"Mind the 9 KPH No Wake Zone", or you'll swamp that island base.
Great looking stuff.
On a related note, the Chinese military has been told to be prepared for military action in the South China Sea, and Taiwan regions.