Gun Trucks

[Legbreaker]

Just one?
Seriously though the better idea is to try and keep the opposition well away from the vehicles, or better yet totally unaware you even HAVE vehicles!
Until it's too late for them of course and you're already driving over the top of their splattered corpses.

[pmulcahy11b]

Originally Posted by Apache6

A single (mentally unstable) guy...

Hey! I resemble that remark!

[Legbreaker]

Originally Posted by pmulcahy11b

Hey! I resemble that remark!

Don't we all?

[swaghauler]

This is why we cannot have nice things in the US Army!

https://taskandpurpose.com/army-jltv-rollover-photo

[Dackattack]

Originally Posted by swaghauler

This is why we cannot have nice things in the US Army!



https://taskandpurpose.com/army-jltv-rollover-photo

"alright, I want to take this awesome new vehicle for a drive! "
"okay, roll for WVD"
"100"

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[Vespers War]

Originally Posted by swaghauler

This is why we cannot have nice things in the US Army!

https://taskandpurpose.com/army-jltv-rollover-photo

It took them four days? That's three days more than usual!

[cawest]

this one was on face book from the Ukraine.

https://www.facebook.com/defensionem...type=3&theater

[Dackattack]

Originally Posted by cawest

this one was on face book from the Ukraine.



https://www.facebook.com/defensionem...type=3&theater

"I just want the machine gun mounted on the BMP"
*Roll: 1*
"miraculously you find the whole cannon fits into the bed"

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[pmulcahy11b]

Originally Posted by cawest

this one was on face book from the Ukraine.

https://www.facebook.com/defensionem...type=3&theater

All I can say is...why? You can buy real BMP-2s from some countries in Africa or the FSU these days, cheap.

[ChalkLine]

Like the BMD-2 above in VietNam some gun trucks were simply M113s in the bed of a truck.

[StainlessSteelCynic]

There's a couple of reasons you would do something like that.
I believe one of the M113 guntrucks from Vietnam was made because they had a surplus 113 hull (or that the 113 had been damaged in some way but the hull was still intact). So in that situation, it's simply a case of making use of something that was not usable in its normal form.
Maybe the BMD has damaged running gear/engine or tracks etc. etc.

The second reason would be the portee concept. Using the truck to carry the BMD to save wear and tear on the BMD engine, tracks etc. etc. It also uses less fuel to cart the thing around on the back of a truck.

And there's one other idea, maybe it was a tactical choice - the autocannon of the BMD is much higher above ground level than it would normally be. In the back of that truck, it looks as though it's at a good height to fire over walls and gates like you see in the background.

[ChalkLine]

As I think has already been said the gun trucks of Viet Nam had a different mission to the Middle Eastern technicals and the Donbass 'thingys'.

In Viet Nam the firebases needed supplying (72% of the war effort was in the maintenance of the firebases) and the supply columns had a chance of being ambushed at extremely close range. The way the frankly courageous men manning the convoys responded was with overwhelming automatic fire to suppress the enemy, stop the enemy maneuvering and make the convoy the master of its surroundings.

The wandering nature of Twilight 2000 soldiers, they are either ensconced in a canton or on the road, means that the Viet Nam model really suits T2k. When surprised they can lay down massive automatic fire and dominate the ambush at the outset. It's hell on the ammo but who wants to die with a full ammo pouch anyway.

[Dackattack]

Originally Posted by StainlessSteelCynic

.

Maybe the BMD has damaged running gear/engine or tracks etc. etc.



The second reason would be the portee concept. Using the truck to carry the BMD to save wear and tear on the BMD engine, tracks etc. etc. It also uses less fuel to cart the thing around on the back of a truck.



And there's one other idea, maybe it was a tactical choice - the autocannon of the BMD is much higher above ground level than it would normally be. In the back of that truck, it looks as though it's at a good height to fire over walls and gates like you see in the background.

Well hell I'd never thought about that

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[StainlessSteelCynic]

Carrying the BMD around on the back of a truck not only reduces wear and tear on the motor, tracks, etc. etc., it also makes it still useful without needing to have a qualified driver. In terms of Twilight, I imagine this would be a reasonable option for keeping a heavy weapon available when the vehicle normally carrying the weapon is not mobile but still usable.

[Raellus]

Originally Posted by StainlessSteelCynic

Carrying the BMD around on the back of a truck not only reduces wear and tear on the motor, tracks, etc. etc., it also makes it still useful without needing to have a qualified driver. In terms of Twilight, I imagine this would be a reasonable option for keeping a heavy weapon available when the vehicle normally carrying the weapon is not mobile but still usable.

Good point, but keep in mind that lugging around an AFV hull is going to dramatically increase wear and tear on the truck's various components, so it's a bit of a trade-off.

[StainlessSteelCynic]

Originally Posted by Raellus

Good point, but keep in mind that lugging around an AFV hull is going to dramatically increase wear and tear on the truck's various components, so it's a bit of a trade-off.

Absolutely and I think the way to alleviate some of the negative connotations of this is to make it a part of the gameplay - as in, the group discusses their options and decides which option is better for them, running the armoured vehicle as it was intended, or carrying it portee style on a truck (or evern abandoning one vehicle or the other!)
Depending on the model of truck, it's probably far easier to source spare parts for it than it is to get spares for the armoured vehicle. Trucks typically require less maintenance than armoured vehicles and you can sometimes get away with using non-standard components on the truck e.g. using wheels/tyres from a similar vehicle.

[ChalkLine]

It should be noted you'd probably have to use a crane to get the AFV onto the truck. It's about 12 tons+ for a BMD from memory

[Legbreaker]

A crane would be helpful and probably quicker, but not vital. Any combat engineer / assault pioneer can rig up the necessary apparatus using trees, logs, steel beams, rocks, ropes, chains and so on.
Just sitting here writing this post I can think of three ways to do it without using equipment heavier than a chainsaw.

[StainlessSteelCynic]

If you have the time (and you will want plenty of it) and some shovels, you can always use the old trick of digging a hole that's only as deep as the rear tray is high and reverse the truck in. Then it's a simple enough task to drive the BMD onto the truck bed.

[Legbreaker]

[QUOTE=StainlessSteelCynic;80699... old trick of digging a hole that's only as deep as the rear tray is high and reverse the truck in.[/QUOTE]

Explosives do the job too. Using time delay detonators properly you not only dig your hole, but toss the spoil out in a suitable direction too. Drop a few planks in for your wheels, and you're good to go!

[ChalkLine]

Our PCs were using an A-frame to put a ZSU-23-2 onto the back of a truck when we fumbled and the zoo landed on my character
:squish:

[Legbreaker]

Just a few of the available lifting options, all fairly easy to construct out of (usually) locally sourced materials.

Attachment 4200

Attachment 4201

Attachment 4202

[Raellus]

Originally Posted by StainlessSteelCynic

Depending on the model of truck, it's probably far easier to source spare parts for it than it is to get spares for the armoured vehicle. Trucks typically require less maintenance than armoured vehicles and you can sometimes get away with using non-standard components on the truck e.g. using wheels/tyres from a similar vehicle.

Very true.

[rcaf_777]

[QUOTE=Legbreaker;80707]Just a few of the available lifting options, all fairly easy to construct out of (usually) locally sourced materials.

a Gin Pole is found on the M88 Recovery Vehicle/ M88A2 Heavy Equipment Recovery Combat Utility Lifting Extraction Systems

[Legbreaker]

Originally Posted by rcaf_777

A Gin Pole is found on the M88 Recovery Vehicle/ M88A2 Heavy Equipment Recovery Combat Utility Lifting Extraction Systems

Not surprising really given it's it the simplest of all the lifting methods, although does require a significant amount of rope or chain, and some strong anchor points (three will work, four is better).

[Raellus]

So, the Russians have a travelling [rail-] roadshow of war booty from Syria, including some pretty creative gun-trucks. Check them out here:

http://thedrive.com/the-war-zone/266...rossing-russia

-

[Raellus]

And now, based on their combat experiences in Syria, the Russians are developing their own light gun truck forces.

https://southfront.org/russian-groun...TfabNbmc2ZMTM0

[StainlessSteelCynic]

There's an interesting point made in the discussion section of that page about the increased use of drones. I can understand the appeal of light & fast vehicles as some enemy forces make more use of drones for spotting and even anti-vehicle attacks.
Many drones are still rather noisy but not noisy enough to be heard inside a typical armoured vehicle. Arguably people in an open vehicle would have a better chance of detecting a drone and thus avoiding or destroying it.

The light vehicle would likely have enough spare room to accommodate some sort of anti-drone tech or comms jamming system. Even if you had it installed in say one in every three vehicles.
Just bouncing some thoughts around. I'm certainly not saying the gunned-up pickup is the ultimate answer, but I can see the appeal... plus they're plenty cheap not just in purchase cost but also in regards to sourcing spare parts.

[Raellus]

Proof that resourceful civilians- albeit criminally-minded ones- can also produce functional gun-trucks:

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zon...-el-chapos-son

[Legbreaker]

Originally Posted by Raellus

Proof that resourceful civilians- albeit criminally-minded ones- can also produce functional gun-trucks:

https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zon...-el-chapos-son

Why do I immediately start thinking CIA?