Improving the UK OOB

[James Fennell]

Since buying CSME (i've played the series since the 1990s) I've begun a project to complete the UK OOB and develop a range of scenarios for British covering the following:
Oman - 1957-8 and the Dhofar War of the early 1970s
Radfan and Aden - 1963-7 (building on the excellent scenario and campaign in the box)
Kenya - MauMau Uprising - 1952-60
Cyprus - Emergency 1955-9.

Some units need to be built: My first approach is to imporve on what is already here:
- add three addtional Cheiftain variants (covering early 1967 Mk 2, more powerful 1975 Mk 5, 'Totem Pole' upgraded Mk 11 of 1980-2 with Stillbrew armour and the Shir 2/Khalid late production model of 1979. Also one additional Centurion variant (Mk 12 of 1972will better targeting and more protection).
- add Ferrets Mk. 2/6 (Vigilant) and Mk 4 (Swingfire) and Humber Hornet (Malkara) ATGM vehicles. Also a Saracen w/Vigilant and Spartan w/ Milan.
- Add the 1950s/60s Leyland Martian heavy truck and prime mover series and the Stalwart amphibious armoured load carrier/prime mover and RM Snowcats.
- add the 1950s Churchill VII ARVE (w/165mm demolition gun) as well as Cromwells, Churchills and universal carriers for 1948-52 period.
- add the early bridegelayers (Valentines and Churchills) and the late one (Chieftain) ad well as Cromwell, Churchill, Centurion and Chieftain ARVs.
- add the 1970s Combat Engineer Tractor (CET) and Chieftain AVRE and well as the 1950s M40 Cardinal SP 155mm.
- add the dismounted 120mm Wombat RCL, BAT 120mm RCL and ML 3" and 4.2" mortars and L5 105mm pack howitzer as well as the earlier 75mm pack howitzer.
- add the 1 Ton Landrover and Austin Champ light trucks / prime movers, also SAS 'pink panthers'
- add Foden DROPS supply trucks (1970s/80s)
- add Parachute Regiment 'Pathfinders' (recce) platoons, HAC and 14 Int. recce platoons and 21 SAS (Artists Rifles) patrollers, C Squadron (Rhodesian) SAS, SBS, Kings African Rifles, APL/FRA Aden Regulars, Trucial Oman Scouts, Dhofari Irregulars, Omani Regulars, Kenya Police, RAF Regiment and other odds and sods including mercenaries and SF counter-terrorism teams.
- sort out some of the infantry weapons - 'SMLE/Sten/Bren/2"Mortar/PIAT' to 1950 'SMLE/M1/Sten/Bren/2"Mortar/M20 Super Bazooka/ENERGA ATGrenade' 1950-56 'SLR/Sterling/Bren/2"Mortar/M20/ENERGA' to 1964 "SLR/Sterling/L1A1/2"Mortar/Carl Gustav/LAW' to 1984 and 'L85AR/L86LSW/2"Mortar/LAW-80" from 1984. Also introduce GPMG and L16 Mortar in 1962, Milan in 1978 and Milan 2 in 1984.
- add the Mosquito, Spitfire 21/24, Seafire FR 47, Firefly FB4, Hornet, Brigand, Harvard, Chipmunk, Beaver, Auster AOP 5, Canberra B2 / B6 / B(I)8 / B15, Sea Vixen, Scimitar, F4K/M Phantom, Buccaneer S1/S2, Skeeter, Sioux, HT-11, and Sea King helicopters and aircraft, and rework some aircraft graphics.

[Jason Petho]

Now this is excellent!!!

Precisely what the doctor ordered.

Thank you for this, these are things that can and will be included!

Jason Petho

[Jason Petho]

It would be useful to have any start and end dates for the vehicles you'd like added.

Actually, breaking down your list to a per vehicle/unit basis and provide some links to what they look like and their specs would be even better!

[James Fennell]

Hi Jason,

I'll get on it! Meanwhile here is a RAF/RN Wessex graphic to be going on with!

[James Fennell]

Here is the Ferret Mk. 5 (Swingfire), the last Ferret models built (actually rebuilt from earlier versions) before the Fox appeared in trhe mid-1970s. They replaced the Vigliant ATGM armed Ferret 2/6's in the armoured recce regiments and were in service from 1966-85 although they were mostly replaced in regular units by CVR(T) Striker ATGM vehicles from 1978, but still served with units in Hong Kong, Cyprus and terrritorial army reserve battalions until the end of the cold War. Each carried 4 box mounted Swingfire ATGMs and a 7.62mm GPMG (FN MAG).

[James Fennell]

Here is the Ferret 2/6. This is basically a standard Ferret Mk 2 with 2 box laiunched Vigilant ATGMs added to the turret which retained its Browning 7.62 MG. Each armoured recce regiment had an anti-tank platoon of 4 vehicles attached to the regiment (battalion) HQ. These were in service from 1960-74 (although mostly replaced in UK service by the Ferret 5 by 1970).

Both of these Ferret specs are the same as the Ferret Mk. 2 you have in the game + the ATGMs. There was also a Ferret Mk. 1 command car with the turret removed, but probably not necessary (commanders in armoured units used them rather than landrovers for personal transportation).

[James Fennell]

Here is the wierd and wonderful FV1620 Humber Hornet. In service from 1960 to 1975, it was based on the Humber Pig 1 ton armoured 4x4 truck. It was designed to carry the enormous Australian developed Malkara heavy ATGM and was air portable and air droppable. A battery was assigned to each airborne brigade to provide heavy anti-tank capability. The hornet carried two Malkara on an elevating mast and two more reloads. It could be operated remotely by a team deployed away from the vehicle. The Malkara was wire guided and designed to counter very heavy Soviet tanks and had a huge 26 kg (57 lb) HESH warhead and a 4,000m range, although it was quite slow - taking 30 seconds to reach the target at maximun range - (about 400 kts). In effect the vehicle was intended as a substitute for a main battle tank in units parachuted behind Soviet lines. Chassis/performance and armour are the same as the Humber Pig included in the game, although it should be capable of being parachuted in with airborne units.

[James Fennell]

Chieftain Mk 2. The first Chieftains entered service in 1966 after a long gestation period. The Chieftain MK 2 was underpowered and did not have the more sophisticated Barr and Stroud laser rangfinders of later versions. It was in service from 1967-75, after which all M 2s were upgraded to Mk 5 strandard. I would only change the targeting flag, to the same as other late 1960s vintage MBTs in the game. Here is a nice pic of a brand new Chieftain Mk 2 in Aden in 1967.

[James Fennell]

The Chieftain Mk. 5 entered service in 1974 and was used up to 1985 and all older models were upgraded to the same standard. It had a more powerful 750hp version of the multifuel Rolls Royce L60 powerpack and top speed increased from 25 to 27 mph. From the Mk. 3/3 also had a much better Barr and Stroud LF-2 laser rangefinder with a 10 km (6.2 mi) range. This allowed engagements at much longer ranges, and also could be linked to the fire control system, allowing more rapid engagements and changes of target, fire control was provided by the Marconi IFCS (Improved Fire Control System), using a digital ballistic computer. This seems to be the variant you have in the game and needs no changes. It was also the version exported to Iran and used during the Iran/Iraq war.

[James Fennell]

The Chieftain Mk 11 was the last upgrade entering service from 1979 through to the end of the cold war. The main visible change was the 'Stillbrew' applique armour added to the front of the turret which dramatically improved protection against Soviet 125mm guns and heavy ATGMs. The Mks.9-11 were upgraded under the 'Totem Pole' programme which included many improvments such as replacing the IR night fighting equipment with TOGS thermal imaging gear and adding image intensifying sights as well as an improved laser rangefinder, updated fire control computer and radios.

[James Fennell]

The final production version of the Chieftain was the Shir 1/Khalid, for export to Iran - it was avaialable from 1977-85. After the revolution the exports were diverted to Jordan as the Khalid. The Shir 1/Khalid at last addressed the Chieftains lack of power by substituting a 1,200 hp Rolls Royce CV12 diesel (same as the Challenger) and better 'super horstman' suspension, although the tank retained the Chieftain's gun, fire control and targeting system and turret. Visibly, the Shir 1/Khalid had a raised rear deck to accomodate the larger motor. Maximum speed increased to 35 mph. Like the Mk 12 it had improved fire control and image intenifying equipment.

[James Fennell]

The Centurion was not fully replaced by the Chieftain in British Army service until 1975 and later upgrades such as the Mk. 13 had improved night fighting and rangefinding equipment (0.5" rangefinding MG) and the gun mantle was uparmoured. The Mk. 13 was available from 1968-85. From 1975 some were modifed as Mk 12 OP tanks by the Royal Artillery with extra radios - until replaced by Warrior IFV OP variants. The main difference from the Mk 5/2 and 105mm Mk 7 and 8 series was better internal fuel tankage and range, the addition of IR night fighting lights and ranging HMGs and improved frontal armour protection.

[James Fennell]

Another very useful vehicle was the Stalwart amphibuous laod carrier or 'Stally'. It was based on the Saladin 6x6 heavy armoured car chassis. It had exceptional off road performance, a top speed of 40 mph and was amphibious. It was also used as a prime mover for the 5.5" gun, in Radfan for example. It could carry 5 tons and tow 10 tons. There was also a repair and recovery and an anti-personnel mine dispenser variants. The Stalwart entered service in 1962 and was retired in 1992. It was also used by Germany and Sweden. The photo shows a Stalwart in use in Radfan, Aden in 1964, where they were much prized for their off road ability.

[James Fennell]

The 'pink panther' landrovers were used by the SAS mobility troops in Radfan and Oman among other places for long rainge desert patrols and raiding. The were painted PRU pink, a colour which blended well with desert haze and armed with two or more GPMGs (FN MAG) and a M2 Browning. They were available in various updated versions from 1957-85, Later models would also carry Milan ATGMs and M40 Grenade Machine guns.

[James Fennell]

Another picture of SAS pinkys

[James Fennell]

From 1954-65 the M40 GMC 155mm SP gun was used by the British, until replaced by the M107 175mm gun. The British Army called the M40 the 'Cardinal'. The M40 GMC mounted the 155mm 'Long Tom' on the Sherman M4E8 chassis. Maximum speed was 24 Mph, 14 Mph off road. Armour 12mm. The M2 Gun fired a 43kg HE projectile up to 27km.

[James Fennell]

The Leyland Martian 6x6 medium artillery tractor replaced the WW2 vintage AEC Militant and Matador as the standard medium artillery tractor for the 5.5" gun in 1956 until finally replaced by the Foden / FH70 combination in 1976. The Martian was capable of 35 mph.

[James Fennell]

The forward control 1 Ton landrover was introduced in 1972 as the prime mover for the Rapier SAM and L118 light gun. It was capable of 55 mph and had excellent off road performance. It replaced the Austin K6 light truck.

[James Fennell]

From 1950-60 the Briish Army used the Austin Champ 4 x 4 1/2 ton truck alongside the Jeep. Both were replaced by the long and short wheelbase landrovers from 1956 onwards. This one is armed with a 106mm RCL. They were used by airborne usits for heavy weapons such as the 75mm pack howitzer, 4.2" mortar and 106mm RCL.

[James Fennell]

In service from 1954-65 the Chutchill VII AVRE was the last version of the venerable WW2 tank to see service. Unlike the wartime AVREs the FV3903 Churchill VII AVRE was based on the late war Mk VII chassis, which weighed in at 40 tons and had 152mm hull front armour, 95mm side and 52mm rear armour. The Mk VII AVRE was fitted with the L9 165mm demolition gun which is capable of firing a 64 lb (29 kg) High Explosive Squash Head (HESH) demolition projectile distances up to 2,400 m (2,600 yd). The HESH shell contains 40 lb of C-4 explosive. This is the same weapon as carried by the later Centurion AVRE. THe Churchill could also tow and deploy the Giant Viper minefield clearance system and was normally fitted with a mone plough and / or dozer. THe tank could also carry gap crossing fascines.