British reinforcements needed for CSME

[Hoplite1963]

As the release of the CS Vietnam game will add extra weapons systems to the game series database, I was wondering If the opportunity could also be taken at that point to make some changes to the British equipment line-up in CSME as well.

First off the British platoon file roster currently includes the US M101 Howitzer. Done some research on this and it looks as if they never had this weapon. Rather in between phasing out the 88mm 25 pounder gun and introducing the 105mm L118 Light Gun, British artillery units used the Italian made OTO Melara M56 105mm pack howitzer which was somewhat shorter ranged than the M101 at 10,000 meters (40 hexes ) rather than the 11,270 meters (45 hexes) of the M101 although being much lighter it could be broken down for carrying by pack mules and could also be lifted by relatively small helicopters .
The M56 was the main British artillery piece used in the Aden war. for which we already have a number of scenarios in CSME and was also used by Australian and New Zealand forces in Vietnam and the Argentine army in the Falklands war . (which is I understand to be covered in a future DLC module) as well as many other NATO countries likely to feature in a CS Cold War title.

On the aircraft side currently missing from the available British planes in CS ME are the English Electric Canberra and Blackburn Buccaneer strike aircraft.

As the Canberra was built under licence for the US Air force as the Martin B-57 Canberra and later saw extensive service in Vietnam I wonder if this version of it is likely to show up in US order of battle for that game in any case. (It is in are in the mod version made for “Divided Ground) In addition to US use there, an Australian built British version of the plane was used by that countries air force in Vietnam and others in Argentine service saw use in the. Falklands war. Of interest further down the line for DLC content the British and US versions of the plane saw service on opposite sides in the Indo Pakistan wars and both the Rhodesian and South African Air forces used them in combat in the African conflicts they were engaged in the in 19710’s and 1980’s respectively.

The Blackburn Buccaneer was a sort of British equivalent of the US A-6A Intruder. It was in use with the Royal Navy and RAF from the early 1960’s to the first Golf War and was also used by the South African Air force in the 1970’s and 1980’s in their border conflicts in South West Africa and Angola.

How about it guys?

[Jason Petho]

This is excellent information, thank you!

I don’t claim to know everything, so please correct me or offer suggestions for for additions and corrections! I’m happy to correct them.

These additions won’t be fixed for 2.00, it’s already out the door, but I’ll be sure to include them in 2.01.

Thank you so much!!

[Jason Petho]

When offering suggestions, please be sure to include as much information as possible about the unit so we can make sure they have the correct stats.

Thank you again!

[Hoplite1963]

Hi Jason
Here you are. Hope this helps

OTO Melara Mod 56 105mm pack howitzer = Pretty identical to M101 except range would be 40 as opposed to 45 hexes had it can be carried on pack mules and be lifted by light helicopters like the Wessex or the UH1.

English Electric Canberra = Top speed 580 mph Armament 4 x 20 mm Hispano Mk.V cannon either 2 x unguided rocket pods with 37 2-inch (51 mm) rockets, or 2 x Matra rocket pods with 18 SNEB 68 mm rockets each or 8,000 lb (3,628 kg) of payload can be mounted inside the internal bomb bay and on 2 under wing hard points.

Martin B-57B Canberra = Top speed 598 mph Guns: 4× 20 mm (0.787 in) M39 cannon, bombs: 4,500 lb (2,000 kg) in bomb bay, 2,800 lb (1,300 kg) on four external hardpoints, including unguided rockets

Blackburn Buccaneer S2 = Top speed 667mph (designed from the start for low level flight) Armament did not carry guns but could carry up to 4000 lb of bombs externally on 4 × under-wing pylon stations and another 12000 lb internally. The external bomb load often replaced with 4 × Matra rocket pods with 18 × SNEB 68 mm rockets each

[Jason Petho]

Would you happen to know the years of service?

Thank you for that!! That’s very useful!

[Hoplite1963]

OTO Melara Mod 56 105mm pack howitzer = Period in service January 1961 to December 1978

English Electric Canberra = Period in service January 1951 to December 1972

Martin B-57B Canberra = Period in service January 1954 to December 1972.

Blackburn Buccaneer S2 = Period in service January 1962 to January 1978 Royal Navy. January 1969 to January 1994 RAF. January 1965 to December 1991 SAAF.

[Jason Petho]

Absolutely perfect!

Thank you so much for providing the information, that's exactly what I need!