"Open topped" AFV's and buttoning up

[Adam Parker]

A hybrid of a question I posted on the LnL site.

The BoH rules for small arms vs vehicles state that ""If the vehicle is buttoned only external passengers check morale".

However, the rules disallow fire on buttoned up vehicles - only open and open topped vehicles.

Do people agree that this means that open topped AFV's like the M10 or Marder can button up and thereby avoid small arms fire to the vehicle itself, leaving only their external passengers vulnerable?

Thanks,
Adam.

[stanguay]

Adam

Open top vehicle such as the M-10, are considered open armored vehicle for this rule (17.2) Open armored vehicle can button up so I'd say the same for the M-10. I've seen no restriction to this anywhere.

[mbtanker]

Also, while 'buttoned up' generally refers to closing the hatch on an AFV it also just means 'stop standing up making yourself a target' even if the hatch is left open. Even open-topped AFVs, such as the M10/Marder, offer considerable small arms protection if the enemy is further away than grenade range. Also, in almost all cases the driver/asst. driver still have hatches they can close on open-topped vehicles.

Thus 'buttoned-up' in its broad sense just means 'make crew less exposed'. This provides better protection but also limits crew visibility.

[CptWaspLuca]

In the wonderful PC game series "Combat Mission" armored open-topped vehicles like the M10 can "button up", and graphically you can see the soldiers keeping the head down. Poor visibility but better protection for the crew.