Gun trucks and convoy escorts

[James Langham]

Originally Posted by Neal5x5

This is a very good article and James should be congratulated. This is as good as anything published by GDW and possibly Osprey.

Regarding a followup, it might be worthwhile to explore some of the convoy/gun truck material that came out of Africa in the 1960s and 1970s, particularly Rhodesia. There was some wild stuff built there to protect convoys of civilians and military alike.

One of my favorite was the Spider shotgun system, a barrel-like device mounted on the top of a vehicle with something like 40 12 ga. shotgun barrels splayed around it in a circle. The operator turned a crank, setting off all the shotgun shells and spraying the entire nearby area with whatever load the shells posessed. I recall seeing it in an old (1980s) Soldier of Fortune magazine and noting that it was also used for clearing landmines (?). I have no idea if the thing worked, but it looked utterly menacing and would definitely make me hesitate rush that particular vehicle.

Thanks, it is a bit easier than writing an Osprey as I can make up what I need to!

I will check out Rhodesian equipment - I have a few oddities and ideas to incorporate, many of them suggested by the feedback that everyone gives, for which I am very grateful.