The Bedford RL

 
....But so is the Bedford RL 4x4 GS wagon that Shaun is currently working on at S&S Models.

S&S Models Bedford RL

(Courtesy S&S Models)

The RL 4X4 was developed from the postwar Bedford "S" series and was introduced in 1953. RL's were used by Auxiliary Fire Service, the Military or Local Authorites and Utilities. They could be found across the world in Commonwealth armed forces too. Tough as old boots, many RLs are still going in private hands. The RL based 'Green Goddess' Fire Engines were sold off by the government, largely in working order, in 2004/8.

Effectively replaced by the introduction of the Bedford MK which began in 1969, the RL still soldiered on in the Regular and Territorial Army in several guises throughout the Winter of '79 timeframe and well into the late eighties.

Several thousand are known to have been bought by the Home Office and stockpiled for use in any potential national emergency.

So, no excuse then not to field at least one of these beauties.

Cheers
Mark
 

FV721 Fox Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Wheeled)

Possibly the most common heavily armed armoured vehicle to appear in our Winter of '79 scenario is the FV721 Fox armoured car (Combat Vehicle Reconnaissance (Wheeled)).

 In 1979 the Fox is a sexy bit of kit. Nearest thing you can get to Formula 1 in khaki livery. A 16 ton, 3 man wheeled close reconnaisance vehicle with all-welded aluminium hull and turret, armed with a 30mm Rarden cannon and co-ax 7.62mm mg, and more than capable of 70mph on a good metalled road.

 

 It was not as is commonly reported, a replacement for the Ferret, but did replace the Saladin armoured car. Entering service in 1973 and built at the Royal Ordinance factories in Leeds, the final production run of the Fox took place in 1979.

I knew a TA Fox CVR(W) commander who loved it. He told me it was like "tearing up the countryside in a trial bike".

At this moment the only 1:76 scale Fox CVR(W) in production is by Scale Link  (code: AA76B002) at £13.06, plus 20% VAT = £15.67. But hold on, Shaun at S&S Models is on the cusp of releasing his own Fox resin/metal kit:

S&S Models: Fox FV721 CVR(W) 

master in progress

The Fox CVR(W) gives us a potent armoured vehicle with both a light anti-tank and anti-personnel capability without wholly dominating the tabletop. It can provide support for an infantry force or heavy firepower for a column of light armoured Land Rovers or internal security vehicles such as the Shorland and Humber Pig.

This is a worthwhile addition to any Cold War / Winter of '79 collection.

Cheers
Mark

The French Connection

Last night I remembered that somewhere in my book collection was my old, old edition of ARMOURED FIGHTING VEHICLES of the World by Christopher F.Foss.

I dug it out and for twenty or so minutes, savoured being reminded about the AFVs that were around at the end of the seventies. Finally, I looked at the frontspiece to find that it was the 1977 edition!

I'd been thinking about arms sales to the UK - who would take the opportunity to make a buck or offload some outdated kit AND make a buck from our national crisis? Well, the French, goes without saying - just cross the Channel, established arms industry, a quick telephone call to Colonel le Blanc and a couple of ro-ro Ferries drop off some nice shiny Panhards straight off the production line.

Now, ACE make four very nice 1/72nd scale plastic kits of French AFVs that are most likely to have come to our shores - either to bolster of the government or, if you want something that bit different for your forces of Democracy and natural justice, our rebels.

First, the Panhard AML-90. Hard hitting workhorse of the French armoured car fleet. First produced in 1961, sold by the Gaulois load across Africa and other states including Eire. The '90' indicated a 90mm gun with an effective range of 1,500m. Just the job for taking on provisional government Scorpions.

Like our own Ferret Scout Car, the AML series spawned many variants, including the AML-60, armed with a breechloading 60mm mortar.

ACE also gives us the Panhard M-3 4x4 armoured personnel carrier. One of my favourite bits of French kit, ever since I saw them in the hands of the Irish Army. I can only really describe it what the Humber Pig would have been, if it had been designed with some classic French chic!

Apparently a two man crew and 10 passengers fit it there somehow. ACE also produce the Irish Army version with the TL21.80 turret housing twin 7.62 FN MAG machineguns.

If you are clever in your purchasing for Winter of '79 you can use at least a couple of these French made AFVs for our civil war scenario AND have forces available for AK47 Banana Republic games, or hypothetical cross-border run-ins between Brits and Irish border patrols.

All these kits, plus 1/72ns scale Scorpion and Scimitar kits are available from Model Hobbies in the UK.

Now, taking into account the comments left below, then we are left with the Heller VAB VTT 4/4 1/72 APC. The VAB entered service in 1976, so right for our time frame. If you use your Googlefu wisely, you'll find them for under £5.

Just thinking, the WW2 British Daimler armoured car might just make a decent proxy for the AML-60.


Cheers
Mark