New Material for the Jackson Republic

[rob]

I have had a few thoughs on the KFS P-47s: Would not some loyal but 'enterprising' member of the KFS establishment use one (or more) aircraft for photo recon purposes? Same removing the ammo for the guns and putting a photographic equipment or some type of under wing photo pod. Even designing non-droppable fuel tanks for extended range. Just a couple of thoughts.

[RandyT0001]

The Wright R-1820 engine that powers the Sikorsky H-34 helicopter (and the Boeing B-17) was modified slightly and put on a modified F4 Wildcat at General Motors Eastern Aircraft Division during WW2 to become the FM-2. The FM-2 Wildcat has less guns (4 vs 6) but more maneuverability and a faster climb rate than the F4F-4 Wildcat. Like the P-47 the Wildcat had a reputation for survivability, bringing it's pilots back after suffering heavy damage. The question is how well does the FM-2 compare to the Jug in a dogfight? Both were renown for ground attack using strafing, bombing and rocket attack.

The training of the pilots has to be considered also. The pilots of the P-47 are part of the elite that is trusted to be pilots or have used influence to become pilots, not necessarily the best pilots available. Jackson pilots are probably more likely to be assigned and advanced due to flying ability than KFS pilots, on average. However, the KFS probably flies more often than the Republic due to a larger support base and availability of fuel.

It would be an interesting scenario to play out.

[nuke11]

Originally Posted by rob

I have had a few thoughs on the KFS P-47s: Would not some loyal but 'enterprising' member of the KFS establishment use one (or more) aircraft for photo recon purposes? Same removing the ammo for the guns and putting a photographic equipment or some type of under wing photo pod. Even designing non-droppable fuel tanks for extended range. Just a couple of thoughts.

The best is to base the air frame of the P-47N, a special long-range escort version. More fuel, different wings with internal fuel capacity, more powerful engine, automatic pilot, homing radio. It carried 1266 gallons of fuel with internal and external tanks used, with a range of around 2350 miles.

Now for photo recon as you mentioned some sort of under wing store would have to be developed, as all of the internal areas that would normally house a camera is already taken. Any sort of under wing pod would have to be rigid as to provide the best possible camera stability.

[RandyT0001]

I have been reviewing some of the material for the Jackson Republic. I have decided to make some changes:

• Replace the Lewis MG with the .30 M1919A6 model. The pan magazines held too little ammunition for the weight.
• Add about eight to sixteen M116 howitzers, 75mm, 9,600 yd eff range, 3-6 rpm, about 1,440 lbs to address the KFS's 105's. Yeah, the 105's out range the M116's but they are transportable by the H-34 helicopters and towable by any truck at least 3/4 ton the Republic has.
• Going to add six to eight FM-2 Wildcats to counter the P-47's. It uses a variant of the Wright R-1820 engine like the H-34 helicopters do.

I am considering changing the organization of the combat units also.

[ArmySGT.]

Where is all their industrial capacity coming from?

The KFS has its industrial base from before the war. The factories, spare parts, tools, and great quantities of materials were hidden in bunkers and kept hidden.

More importantly than that the Rich Five cryogenically froze 2000 loyal followers...... presumably the machine operators, engineers, production managers, trainers, etc.

Where is the resources for the Jacksonian's coming from if they are scavenging from the wreckage?

[Project_Sardonicus]

Originally Posted by ArmySGT.

Where is all their industrial capacity coming from?

The KFS has its industrial base from before the war. The factories, spare parts, tools, and great quantities of materials were hidden in bunkers and kept hidden.

More importantly than that the Rich Five cryogenically froze 2000 loyal followers...... presumably the machine operators, engineers, production managers, trainers, etc.

Where is the resources for the Jacksonian's coming from if they are scavenging from the wreckage?

I completely agree, it's also kinda dull to reduce the game to little more than a bloody 1960s civil war.

I think history is replete with technologically, advanced, wealthy nations that came amiss. Where as the P47s seem like a game changer there's a handful of them to cover, reconnaissance, bombing, ground attack, even one would suspect VIP transport. And they're not flown by the best or most skilled pilots, rather a toxic mix of the wealthiest and most politically reliable. Rather like the DPRK airforce, not to mention the cost in fuel, maintenance and spare parts keeping them in the air.

It seems improbable they'd be used reliably for anything as useful as reconnaissance or tactical bombing. Rather wealthy brylcream boy flyboys, would support ongoing battles or strafe convoys spotted by ground forces for the glory.

If some bright spark in the JFS was a student of history and had a shed to tinker in, they might come up with this as a solution to low flying propeller aircraft.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fliegerfaust

It's no stinger and probably wouldn't work but might achieve the aim of scaring off bullying, KFS flying glory boys.

[Project_Sardonicus]

Originally Posted by RandyT0001

I have been reviewing some of the material for the Jackson Republic. I have decided to make some changes:

• Replace the Lewis MG with the .30 M1919A6 model. The pan magazines held too little ammunition for the weight.
• Add about eight to sixteen M116 howitzers, 75mm, 9,600 yd eff range, 3-6 rpm, about 1,440 lbs to address the KFS's 105's. Yeah, the 105's out range the M116's but they are transportable by the H-34 helicopters and towable by any truck at least 3/4 ton the Republic has.
• Going to add six to eight FM-2 Wildcats to counter the P-47's. It uses a variant of the Wright R-1820 engine like the H-34 helicopters do.

I am considering changing the organization of the combat units also.

Don't change it the original version is great, setting the KFC and JFS as equal rivals seems terribly dull and unrealistic.

I do suspect the JFS would have developed something far simpler in terms of anti armour warfare. Such as the Panzerfaust or the RPG which would give even the smallest squad, some sort of a realistic armour punch. And those weapons have been hand made in sheds since they were invented.

One thing I always found terribly unbelievable is the KFS having fleets of M1s and M2s. Without the hitech sights, communication equipment etc why bother. And unless the KFS has millions of gallons of hi quality fuel they'd be too slow to do anything useful and a realistic enemy would stick to ambushing their over extended supply lines.

More realistic I'd think would be v300 and v600s, they're from an engineering point of view pretty much a yellow school bus with guns.
A fairly basic maintenance vehicle could switch out engines or tow them and the on board crew could probably change a busted tire.

The SADF in it's various border wars left its tanks behind for all but the most show cased battles. And a fast, heavily armed (if you don't have your own tanks they're all terrifying), long ranged strike force of wheeled vehicles would be terrifying for a foe. I mean with the Stryker brigades it's pretty much current US strategy.

http://www.jedsite.info/afv-charlie/...v600/v600.html

I think this would be the most likely "M1 boogy man" to scare the KFS's enemies. Perhaps equipped with first generation ERA armour (relatively simple and cheap to manufacture).

[ArmySGT.]

Originally Posted by Project_Sardonicus

I do suspect the JFS would have developed something far simpler in terms of anti armour warfare. Such as the Panzerfaust or the RPG which would give even the smallest squad, some sort of a realistic armour punch. And those weapons have been hand made in sheds since they were invented.

The most difficult part is a reliable fuse. Getting it to detonate on impact and getting a shaped charge to reliably form the superheated jet was the hard part. The motor propellants are relatively simply if you have the refining capability....... Even black powder makes a rocket propellant going back to the Revolutionary War.

Originally Posted by Project_Sardonicus

One thing I always found terribly unbelievable is the KFS having fleets of M1s and M2s. Without the hitech sights, communication equipment etc why bother. And unless the KFS has millions of gallons of hi quality fuel they'd be too slow to do anything useful and a realistic enemy would stick to ambushing their over extended supply lines.

I think the KFS can repair the M1s and M2s, yet chooses not to field them..... More really in the game to offset player ambitions and to prove why the KFS is the economic and military powerhouse that dominates the region. Maxwell's militia has several operational M60A1s that would annihilate the V300s and M2s, also would be capable of taking down the M1s a fair percentage of the time.. Maxwell's militia just doesn't have an economy strong enough to project power and is too paranoid to take their tanks outside.

Originally Posted by Project_Sardonicus

More realistic I'd think would be v300 and v600s, they're from an engineering point of view pretty much a yellow school bus with guns.
A fairly basic maintenance vehicle could switch out engines or tow them and the on board crew could probably change a busted tire.

That is pretty much in line with both KFS modules. Additionally lots of foot infantry supported by 2 1/2 ton trucks.

[RandyT0001]

Jackson Republic Slang
whirly: crazy
downhill ducks: easy to shoot or kill, synonymous with “fish in a barrel”
downwind ducks: hard to shoot or kill, people alerted to threats
pinball: bouncing from one task to another, often without completing each task; unorganized
O’ Hickory Heart or Hickory Heart: stoic, unfeeling person - can be used in a positive (by adults and adolescents) or negative (by pre-puberty youths) connotation
Pop-a-top: civilian name for M20A1B1 rocket grenade launcher and /or the effect of the warhead on a vehicle. (Use of the phrase while in military service is rewarded with push-ups. The phrase was used in a recent movie and has caught on.)
Free State Logic: reasoning or excuses to maintain slavery and/or the rich five status quo; reasoning that is illogical
Fascist Blacks: KFS secret police
Catspaw: descriptor of one skilled in intrusion and/or sneak with camouflage; a stealthy approach

Ballad of the Republic's Army
(sung to the rhythm of Ballad of the Green Berets)

Citizen-soldiers, of the land
Brave people, willing to die
People that mean, what they say
Serving in, the Republic Way

Eagle wings, upon their chest
People who are, Jackson’s best
Holding invaders, at the bay
Defend the Republic, every day

Trained to live, off nature’s land
Trained in combat, hand to hand
People who fight, night and day
Protect the Republic, day to day

Eagle wings, upon their chest
People who are, Jackson’s best
Holding invaders, at the bay
Defend the Republic, every day

Back at home, children are born
“Protect them”, we have sworn
Open the letter, from the chest
A passed parent’s, last request

Put eagle wings, upon their chest
Make them one, of Jackson’s best
Hold the invaders, at the bay
Defend the Republic, enduring days

Thoughts, comments?

[Project_Sardonicus]

I think the killer advantages of the JR are their morale and training. The KFS are closer to the conscripts the USSR sent into Afghanistan or Chechnya. Who can be best summed up by one Russian general when discussing their seizure of an airport in the Kossavan war.
"What are they going to do? What they always do get drunk and sell their weapons"

JR troops all have garrands as opposed to assault rifles, which at first seems a disadvantage. But has maybe 50% more effective range, not to mention when paired with combat bows they all learned to use as kids.

If their tactic was sniping and disruption they could cause havoc amongst less disciplined KFS troops. Most KFS vehicles are about as heavily armed as a ww1 tank so it's likely the JR would have some anti material rifles. Ok nothing as sophisticated as a Barratt, but more like a T Geweher, would such a rifle if equipped with incedinary bullets be able to blow up fuel tanks or ammo stored in vehicles?

But most importantly JR troops are trained from childhood to fight, believe in their cause and are in units made up of willing volunteers who know and trust each other. These are the kind of forces who historically kick out occupying empires.

I think if it came to war. The KFS forces would face empty villages fled in an organised manner and draining ambush and insurgency, whilst JR raiders snuck over the river to cause havoc in their back yard.