"Some 28mm Vietnam items" Topic

I'm relatively new to Vietnam wargaming era and I thought it would be wise to ask a few questions about the availability of a few items.

I've got some really nice figures and vehicles from The Assault Group and Force of Arms, but now I'm lookimg for some particular items.

Got the M113 crew at rest from FOA (great!), but I would also need at least one commander for my ACAV vehicles.
If possible also a crew for the ACAV, but if really neaded I could always leave the after hatch closed.
Any ideas?

Second queston.Is there a manufacturer that makes a separate XM134 Minigun system? I need a few to convert M35 and M54 trucks to late guntrucks.

Thanks very much for any info!

What I did for my one TAG M113-ACAV was use a TAG chopper gunner for the commander and did heavy conversion of West Winds chopper gunner for the M-60 gunners. New head with GI helmet and new butt and 1/2 legs for lower half of body. I find the TAG M-60's way to large for my eye.

I also had 3 M-113 with just the .50 Cal. I used West Wind's vehicle crews (half figure in firing pose) for the gunner. I did a scratch build of a gun shield for some extra protection.

The TAG M-113 that I bought did not come with the hatch, however, the ACAV did. I got permission from TAG the re-cast some for my own use.

Now a question for you. Did you get M-113 from both TAG and FOA? How did they compare scale wise?

Vince

How about the range by Westwind? I only just recently discovered them, and they look pretty darn good.

@VCarter & MacrossMartin

Completely forgot about West Wind! Will have a look immediately. The TAG chopper gunner looks indeed like a good choice for the ACAV commander. I read that many of the gunners obtained chopper helmets since they were more comfortable. The TAG M60's are indeed a bit large compared to others.

No hatch on my TAG M113s either. I wasn't as smart as you and scratchbuilt them…

The TAG M113 ( and ACAV) is a bit larger compared to the FOA one, but not by much. You could use both of them in a single unit, especially with some extra bedding and tarps and such.
The FOA ACAV is partly hollow ( I don't have an FOA M113 but I think it's hollow as well) and has a detailed interior. A few fiddly bits here and there, especially the M2 mount.

Thank you very much for the info and ideas!

Force of Arms, Baker Company and Jungle Rot (RBPLS) M113s all match up very well in size

As far as West Wind figures go. They are smaller than tag, but not noticable so. That said some of the TAG weapons do not come near to matching. The AK-47, M-60 and RPD are way out of scale with West Wind and I would not match them on the same table. The
M-16, M--79 and SKS mix well.

While on the subject, Baker Company (all figures) and Jungle Rot (SKS, M-79, CAR-15, pistols) mix well with West Wind.

Some people really hate West Wind (and there are some strange looking figures – most U.S. in flak jackets), however, I like the look of them. Lastly, West Wind does a full set of light support weapons and crews for the U.S., NVA, and VC.

I always send people to Neil Shuck for a great intro to 28mm Vietnam War figures.

link

Vince