Re: Armored cars / unarmored antitank vehicle rules questions [TANKS]

[Frank Pittelli <frank-at-rctankcombat.com>]

jtsumrok-at-comcast.net wrote:
> My name is John Sumrok and I live in Pittsburgh, PA. Since I'm not
> that far from Maryland, it's possible that I'll be able to do the
> occasional road trip to Maryland to participate in battles.

John, by all means plan on attending the Maryland battles ... we have 
plenty of spare vehicles and weapon systems for you to operate while 
you're building your own.

> I have a few questions about armored cars and other wheeled combat
> vehicles:
> 
> ?  What qualifies as an armored car?  Any limitations on the
> historical armor or armament of the subject vehicle?  Do lightly
> armed APCs / IFVs qualify as armored cars, or does the historical
> subject vehicle need to have large antitank armament?

If it had wheels and a weapon, we call it an "Armored Car" and allow it 
an offensive rating of 20 paintballs, regardless of the size of the 
armament. If it had at least 1mm of armor, we give it a defensive rating 
of 2 hits, regardless of the type and era.

Basically, virtually anything on wheels can be battled (even the 
ex-coward Fred Simms and his amazing quadricycle).

The real reason for such a simple rule is that I grew up watching "The 
Rat Patrol" (ouch, I'm an old guy now) and eventually I'd love to see a 
Jeep rolling around the battlefield trying to duke it out with the 
tanks!!!!  Totally unrealistic, but so was the TV show.

> - From reading the Battle Reports, there doesn't seem to be much
> precedent for the use of armored cars / armed wheeled vehicles in the
> battles staged down there in Maryland.   Most of the wheeled vehicles
> which have participated in the battles seem to have been unarmed
> support vehicles.

So far. Only one armored car was ever battled (not counting Fred Simms), 
which was (ironically) the converted UN Support Vehicle.  Mike spent 
most of his time chasing the other support vehicle, because he was too 
slow to fight with the tanks.

Personally, I think that armored cars can do well in the hobby, if they 
are used properly (hunt as a pack) and they have sufficient speed and 
stability to stay out of trouble.  But, keep in mind that veteran tank 
commanders are pretty good at hitting targets at long range, so you 
better not sit still *ever* on the battlefield.

There have been design discussions in the super-secret Tri-Pact workshop 
about a pair of durable, turretless armored cars capable of traveling at 
high speed.  Details are still sketchy, but the so-called "Tynginators" 
may see operation later this year.

> - I'm interested in how the following vehicle types would be
> classified / rated by the rules:
> 
> **** Typical 4x4 wheeled APC / IFV ****
> 
> Examples:  Panhard M3, Renault VAB, Soviet BTR / BRDM series
> 
> Typical armament:  MG up to 30 mm Typical armor:  10-15 mm
> 
> Rating? 20/2?

Yes.

> **** Unarmored 4x4 vehicle with anti-tank armament ****
> 
> Examples:  US M274 "Mule" w/106mm recoilless rifle, WW2 British
> 2-pounder portee, Australian Landrover w/106mm recoilless rifle
> 
> Typical armament:  recoilless rifle, light antitank gun, ATG missile
> system Typical armor:  none
> 
> Rating? 20/1 ?

Yes.  But, you should find a version with a little bit of armor and get 
a defensive rating of 2 (which you'll need to stay alive).

        Frank P.