"Starting a Vietnam Project!" Topic

I have been toying with the idea for years but am ready to start a Vietnam project!

I am thinking 20mm as all my WWII stuff is 20mm and a lot of terrain, etc. would be usable.

I have Charlie Don't Surf and the older Charlie Company along with some of the other older ones.

Any recommendations on:
1. Rules?
2. Figure ranges?
3. Buildings (both urban and rural)?

Thank you!

I have been toying with the idea for years but am ready to start a Vietnam project!

I am thinking 20mm as all my WWII stuff is 20mm and a lot of terrain, etc. would be usable.

I have Charlie Don't Surf and the older Charlie Company along with some of the other older ones.

Any recommendations on:
1. Rules?
2. Figure ranges?
3. Buildings (both urban and rural)?

Thank you!

For rules take a look at FNG from Two Hour Wargames. It is for skirmish games and once you have a platoon a side, will let you get playing right away. The 2HW system is one of my favorites for skirmish games as the reaction system is really unique.

How big a game do you ultimately want to play?

A second for FNG. I have only played it a couple of times, but I like the reaction system.

For figures, I do 15mm, but in 20mm there are a lot of offerings that others are more qualified to speak about. I've had Britannia, and they are chunky and huge, to SHQ which are animated well. There is the old RAFM range, but they are a but static in ose with not a lot of pose variety. Elhiem have a nice looking range: link

And there are many, many others.

Hayes,

I have both FNG and Charlie Company. FNG2T might be worth a look. Have not played it or any of the THW systems yet. I have about 150 figs that are a mix of RAFM and Platoon 20, these of course are 20mm. Looking forward to playing when you are in the ready stage.
For buildings, TImecast has a great range of 15mm stuff for Vietnam, if stepping down a scale for structures would fit into your plans. Doug Kline at BTC can get these for you. Also, FOW does rice paddies.

Best always,

Sam

Sounds like 20mm would be the best direction for your project.
If you have time do look at the Peter Pig Vietnam range. It is constantly expanding and includes buildings too. The PP rules "Vietnam" might also be an interesting avenue for you. Went down very well at the 10 shows it attended in 2017 (including Historicon)!

good luck

martin

link

peterpig.co.uk/vietnam.html

I've been contemplating a Vietnam project myself recently. Thinking about a small game using 28mm figures, maybe those from Pulp Figures "Black Sun" Range.

I play Charlie Company, but I have the rules for Charlie Dont Surf.

I have a mix of Italeri plastics, RAFM, and Britania miniatures.

Brittainia are my sgts and lts since they look a little bulky compared to everything else. Italeri and RAFM look really good together, but I prefer the RAFM since they are metal and not soft plastic.

For my VC/NVA I prefer the Italeri because you need the numbers and they are cheap! I use the RAFM as command and specials and civilians. I have a mix of based singly and batches of 3 and then specials (RPG, LMG, etc..)

My issue is always the same when thinking about a new project. While I really like a lot of 20mm models, all of my terrain is suited to 28mm figures, so in a sense I am stuck.

have a look at fields of fire redux on facebook lots of nam gamers with lots of pics and ideas . The revamped charlie company is superb , ( unofficial ) bolt action vietnam is also another set worth looking at .

While I really like a lot of 20mm models, all of my terrain is suited to 28mm figures, so in a sense I am stuck.

Terrainwise, you are mostly dealing with hills, jungle, dense forest, rivers, streams, swamps, elephant grass, fields, etc… which for the most part is pretty scaleless.

Its only when you get hootches and a firebase that scale becomes important. Or you go really crazy and try to recreate Hue City.

haywire,
You make a good point. Now if I can just sell the stuff I've had for sale!

Forgot to add another rules suggestion in my earlier post.
Disposable Heroes and the Vienam supplement will work well.
I am talking the old version, not Disposable Heroes II.
That ruleset has been our standard go to for both WWII and Modern. It works well for each player commanding a platoon,
a few vehicles and support weapons. 4-6 player game can be played to conclusion in about 4 hours. It just does not have the role playing element that you would find in FNG2 or Charlie Company.

A Vote for Charlie don't Surf.

I use it in 28mm and works well. I have also used the Bolt Action version and found that pretty bloody.

Agreed much of the terrain is scale less if you are going for a platoon or less per side I would recommend force on force for rules with their ambush ally supplement you can try their rules for free. I thought I knew everything about Vietnam but the supplement is worth it even if you don't use the rules. If you are going company Charlie don't surf

Like several others above I also use FNG2T by Two Hour Wargames. The THW mechanics have moved on since those rules were published. They go much faster now. While FNG has not yet been updated, I found no real problem of incorporating the new mechanics which are available on as their free ruleset download.

For figures I use all of the following:
Elheim
Platoon 20
Liberation
Britannia

If they have what you want, Elheim are the best looking to me.

Britannia makes lots of the armor vehicles in resin. Also they have some Vietnamese hooches and pretty much all you need for a firebase.

Ironclad makes some nice terrain pieces too.

Tom

Another figure line I forgot about is SHQ. They are a little smaller than most 20mm figures. Thus, they make perfect indigenous figures for SOG teams, Mike Force, ARVN, etc.

Tom

Another figure line I forgot about is SHQ.

Their pilot figures fit into 1/72 helicopters better too.

Where would one find the THW FNG rules? I can't seem to locate via Google. Thank you!

If you already have a lot of 20mm terrain, then by all means keep that scale! Pretty sure French Colonial buildings are the same from Morocco to Hanoi.

You should at least take a look at the Ambush Valley rules from Osprey/Ambush Alley Games (they have a whole section for defining your area of operations and the insurgents therein!).

Hayes,
You can go to the Two Hour Wargames website and order direct from Ed, either PDF or Printed copy. It will be listed as FNG2T, or FNG second tour.
As an alternate, Dennis at On Military Matters also carries the printed version.

On the THW website there are a couple of freebies for Platoon sized missions.

Just saw your post about those rules.