Canadian tanks questions

[Calimero]

Looking for pictures of Britannia Miniatures on Google, I stumble upon a picture of Liberation Minis’ Argentinian figures, for the Falkland, which I always thought would look good for 1970’s Canadians…

Now, having the wandering mind of the average wargamer, I started to wonder when the Leopard tank series entered service in the Canadian army and, more importantly what was the "Main Battle Tank" of the Canadian army before the Leopard. Does anyone know?

Cheers!

[Ulu Elsomalien]

In 1980, Leopard 1 was used along M48 and upgraded M24. (source)
Before, I don't know but look at that !
Hope it helps

[Calimero]

Thanks for the links!

Look like Canada used quite a lot (by Canadian standards) of Centurion tanks too in the 1970's.

[Arrigo]

Canada never had M48s. The had Centurions and they replaced them with Leopard C1.

[Ulu Elsomalien]

Canada never had M48s. The had Centurions and they replaced them with Leopard C1.

Yeah, put the shame on me, I misread the Wiki (I read the Norway section). The second link is more accurate.

[julesav]

I believe (Source: Armoured Acorn TO&Es) that at one point they proposed a Canadian Armoured Division for NATO deployment with Centurions as the MBTs, with Conquerors as 'Firefly' equivalents and using M41 Walker Bulldogs as light/recce tanks. I think only the Centurions actually happened, but I have a lovely 'what if' Canadian force in 6mm!

[huevans]

Very roughly, Canadian troops in the 1970's would look like Viet Nam era Americans, but with FN rifles.

[Calimero]

Very roughly, Canadian troops in the 1970's would look like Viet Nam era Americans, but with FN rifles.

That’s why I think the Liberation Minis Argentines will fit the bills just fine… at least for a "moderate climate" outfits…

[julesav]

For what it's worth back in the 1980s I had a Canadian unit converted from Platoon20 Vietnam Americans with some West Germans thrown in for variety.

I found that in small scales M16s with their carrying handles cut off look a lot like SLRs if painted with wooden stock etc. Obviously this depends on the detail of the sculpted weapon and how fussy/ocd you are. For GPMG gunners I added US heads to Israeli MAG gunners. Characters with SMGs were similarly 're-headed' British.

For me using 'Nam era US figures as a basis dodged all the hooded parkas etc.

[huevans]

If you could handle re heading figures, you could also use any Falklands era Brits w US Vietnam helmet heads.

[S_P]

These any use:

http://sandsmodelsshop.com/product-category/172-modern-figures/western-europe-multi-head-fig-range/

?

[Fireman Tim]

Pics of my 20mm 1984 Cold War Canadians for use with Force on Force First Clash.  They represent B Squadron Royal Canadian Dragoons and N Company 3rd Royal Canadian Regiment based in CFB Lahr.

Figs are Elhiem, Platoon 20 and Britannia.  Vehicles are Britannia, S&S, and Italeri.

[sotek486]

Oh man, absolutely love those pics!!  I was in the Canadian army for some time and actually used the FNC1 when I first joined.  Correct on the centurion being what the L1 replaced.  Vietnam equipment, FNC1 ... yup, my helmet I think was straight outta Vietnam, my crappy radio certainly was

Browning 50 and 30 cal for support ... and LAW (M72) light rockets ... the one good thing is that if it wasn't nailed down we'd take it ...lots of improvised kit

Good luck with your project!

[Fireman Tim]

I was an Infantry reservist 90-91 so we had the C-7s by then.  But I always had a fascination with 4CMBG and I love First Clash by Kenneth Macksey.

[huevans]

I think fireman Tim needs some Lynx M113 mod recce tracks as well though.