"Basing self-propelled artillery" Topic

Do coldwar/modern SPG units fire from a prepared position, or do they just pick a relatively flat piece of ground as they need to move around a lot to avoid counter battery fire? I'm about to base some 1/600 SPGs with multiple guns on a base and I could use some ideas.

Depends on what time frame. The "old" way was to have a survey team prepare a firing location(s) with range sticks and maps and compass. That took quite a bit of time.

These days, the GPS in the vehicles pinpoint their location instantly when the button is pushed and can begin calculating firing solutions within seconds. In fact, systems exist today where a battery of (say) 4 guns can each fire 4-5 rounds, timed to all impact at the same time, and scoot before the first round hits.

I'd suggest you base them any way you want since the surrounding terrain would determine where a good spot would be. (No need to dig in.)

Just my opinion…

In theory they could bowl up and fire! However thinking 80s, and now in the UK the Troop leader would be doing recces for future positions and replen etc. Forming a gun line in a tree line then moving out to fire.

But they would need to be surveyed in for accuracy sake. Because of the location of the prism in the turret or something like that they would (Abbot/M109) fire over the right front, so a SMIG once explained to me!

Tally Ho!

Wrong front left!!!

Tally Ho!

Looking over the M109 manual recently, they until the coming of gps operated in a circle 750 m radius and moved into different quadrants as part of shoot and scoot. They hav ed some form of inertial navigation system but it does need frequent up dates. It would appear the central point was surveyed in to allow updates. At that point in time they probably still deployed at the spacing of the shells. None of this would really effect basing. Personaly I never base vehicles as they look so stupid driving down the road on grass or vice versa.