"3mm @ 1:1?" Topic

The idea of putting 3 or 4 tanks on a single base to represent a platoon on a 1:1 scale seems popular with 3mm enthusiasts, but what do you then do about the infantry? You're probably not going to want to put up to 30 infantry on a base or are you?

Nope. I use 30mm base frontage. Enough room for 2 tanks and some terrain. I use 5 infantry on a 30x15 base.

I would stick to squad sized stands with solders arranged in squad formations on the stand. Those could then be arranged in-game into platoon formations.

I use 40mm and 3 tanks. Infantry are about 6-9 figs per stand for WWII and Modern.

Thanks,

John

I do the same as MrJLMayer. Stands with squad size groups of soldiers that could then be arranged in-game into platoon formations. Robert

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If you mount the tanks in platoons but the infantry in squads on the same size bases, your infantry platoons end up with a much wider frontage. Is that appropriate?

I have done bases representing both Platoons & Companies and it isn't practical to have the same ratio for infantry if you have them all on one base. To be honest I see splitting the infantry into smaller unit bases as a non-solution, it avoids the problem rather than solving it. Doing that you get confusion as to what a base represents – a squad or a platoon.

For the platoon bases I used 40mm frontage & 30mm depth with 3-5 tanks per base and Infantry with 4 strips (20 figures). Generally the heavier the tank the less models per base. This doesn't give a specific ratio but works visually.

For the Company bases I used all 30x30mm and went for an even less ratio based layout. Usually 3 tanks per base and 2 infantry strips (mostly 'cos I hate painting the infantry) plus any integral transport.

Yes, it does mean that you get playing pieces rather than exact representations of the units but to me that isn't important.

I'm inclined to GF's solution.

I also agree that the higher the level (e.g. Megablitz) the more abstract the approach.

I'm potentially interested in doing something for early WW2 – Poland, France or North Africa. I think I would start with platoon bases but also use the armies for higher level games.

For company bases, I go with 25mm x 25mm for the tanks and 25mm x 15mm for the infantry. 2 tanks and 10 men per base.

More than this and it looks too crowded.

I base 3mm infantry individually to avoid these issues.

:-)

Ok, ok, just kidding.

I DO base the tanks individually when playing platoon level. And infantry at 5-6 a stand. Y'know, finda like Flames of War?

Except I don't need a ping-pong table to play a gamer.

:)

I am presently thinking of unloading/selling off my 1/285th scale WW-III (Cold war stuff and going 3mm-1/600th scale PicoArmor stuff.

I would try to go with a 1-1 scale.

Examples:
Tank Plt. in a ACR Cav Troop, would have 4 M-1's on a single base.

A Scout Plt. of M-3 Bradlys in ACR Cav Troop, would have 6 M-3 Bradlys, ether in 2 x 3 Bradlys on a base or 3 bases with 2 Bradlys on a base.

If it work I may do the same with my WW-II stuff.

I have a set of rules that I put together when I was active duty Army that cover from 1939 – 2000.
These were designed for 1/285th scale. They work well for 3mm-1/600th scale .
In these 100 meters is = to 1" so I would not have to adjust them much.

If you would like a copy of the rule drop me a line and I will send them off to you.

Robert Henry

I use the small Flames of War bases for infantry and vehicle platoons with 3 vehicles (2 on the base for support units like Arty or ADA) or about 15 – 20 infantry on a stand – I use round tiddley-winks for command units and Flames of War Medium bases for Brigade and above TOC stands & make them little diroamas – I also use the Flames of War medium bases for aircraft & Helos with 2 on a stand