Review - Model, A Models 1/72 Mi 6 Hook

The Mi-6 entered service with the Soviet Armed forces in 1960 and set some impressive records from the moment it started flying mostly associated with being big heavy, fast and a Helicopter.  It remained the mainstay of the Aviation Heavy lift capability until the arrival of the Mi 26 in the 1980's but remains in service today.  Some 500+ were built and these were used in the Frontal Helicopter Transport Regiment.  The carrying capacity of the beast allows it to carry one BMD or a variety of light trucks and support weapons or a 70-100 men.

The model is produced by A Models a firm of Eastern European origin with the usual caveats that come with products from that space - Great models when they are built, building them can be fun and this one is no exception.  The Kit is massive measuring some 43 cm in length.  I usually leave all the internal components out of my aircraft and paint out the windows but in this case some of those internal components provide essential structural strength to the model.

Form and fit of parts was generally good, the crux of putting this kit together hinged around fitting the cabin roof, forward bulk head and the floor into the left and right side aircraft hulls and tail sections, This involved considerable pairing and filing of the roof and floor sections.  Without these components  the model would probably flex too much to stay together for any period of time.

Once you have achieved a fit the gluing of the components together needs to be done in stages.  I located the bulk head floor and ceiling to the right hull and let it cure overnight before attempting the rigerous filing and pairing to achieve fit with the left hull side.  I then glued and held the hull sections around the engines using tape and clamps and left to set before repeating the process for the nose section  and lower hull.  This approach allows the hull to be forced into a fit position as the large and relatively thin sections of the hull allow considerable flex from the natural position they are presented in.

Once you have that cracked the remainder of the assembly is straight forward, given the weight of the model it is important to give the glue time to set on the landing gear before standing the aircraft on its own feet.  I Intend to field all my Helicopters for the Soviets without rotor blades or disks as they break easily and take up a lot of space on the battlefield so I have not fitted the aircraft with any.

I have yet to find any images of aircraft other than in light Grey schemes as shown below But I am still in the process of researching this prior to painting the beast up

The end result is a great looking representation of this impressive aircraft.  I intend to use mine as part of the Front Helicopter Transport Regiment's heavy lift squadron along with a number of Mi 26s being built as I write.

References:

Global Security MI 6 Pages
Wings Palette - Mi 6 Markings
All The Worlds Rotorcraft - Mi 6

ORBAT - Soviet Air Assault Units Part 1, Overview and Lift Assets

The Soviet Army included a number of dedicated Air Assault battalions and Air Assault Brigades at Army and Front level and was capable of generating Air Assault assets from motor rifle units at divisional level with up-to 1 MRB being trained for this purpose in each division.

The Air Assault units were used in support of tactical and operational manoeuvre often in conjunction with Divisional and Army level forward detachments.  Missions were generally tactical in nature and conducted at company or battalion level within 50km of the forward line of own troops often as close as 15km in order to ensure artillery support and rapid link up. Tasks for Air Assault units included:

• seizing key terrain, dominating features, defiles, crossing points road junctions
• screening flanks
• strikes against artillery concentrations, nuclear weapons and head quarters
• blocking counter attacks
• ambush of movement in rear areas.

A total of 8 Air Assault Brigades were identified supporting the 4 Fronts in the Western TVD.  This fits an assumption that not only did each Front possess an Air Assault Brigade, but that each of the Tank Armies forming the Operational Manoeuvre Groups of each of the fronts were also given an Air Assault Brigade, the Combined Arms Armies each had an Air Assault Battalion.

Whilst airmobile brigades started being formed in the early 70s, the Air Assault units being to appear from the late 70s early 80s and were largely fully formed by 1990 in the Western TVD. They were another method available to Front and Army commanders of focusing combat power on the main effort and could be supported by a range of Air and Aviation lift and attack assets. The Air Assault Units were capable of insertion by Parachute, Helicopter or Tactical Air Landing but had no lift capability integral to the unit.

Aviation Capability

Significant lift and attack helicopter units were maintained at all levels from Division to Front and these in conjunction with the Front Air Army and Transport Aircraft from the VTA would support Air Assault operations.  Aviation units included:

• Divisional Fire Sp Squadrons of 4 Hoplite, 6 Hind and 6 Hip.
• Army Attack Helicopter Regiments of 2 Hind Squadrons of 20 Aircraft and 1 Hip Squadron of 20 Aircraft.
• Front Transport Helicopter Regiment of 2 Heavy Lift Squadrons of 12 Halo or Hook and 2 Medium lift Squadrons of 16 Hip,  A Front could have upto two such Regiments.

The Total Helicopters of each type available to a Front with 2 CAA and 1 TA and 1 Air Army comprising some 14 ground divisions was potentially:

• Halo/Hook 48
• Hip 214
• Hind 210
• Hoppolite 60

In addition Air Assault operations would be supported by the Fighter and Fighter Bomber Squadrons of the Fronts Air Army and Aircraft from the VTA (military transport aircraft) could be used to air land or parachute either armour or troops.  Air landing was probably the preferred option due to the reduced mounting time but required a suitable airport/field to be secured.  The Insertion of the Airborne and Air Assault elements in support of 40th Army during the invasion of Afghanistan demonstrated what could be achieved, though clearly in a far less hostile air environment.

I have found nothing that describes how Aviation assets were distributed or task organised between the echelons but could see that some of the policies associated with the distribution of Artillery Assets might apply.

• 2nd Echelon Armies Attack Helicopter Regiments and divisional fire support squadrons could initially be available to support 1st Echelon Armies within a front.  This would provide an additional Attack Helicopter Regiment to reinforce the main axis along with up to 14 Divisional Aviation Squadrons.
• If the Front in the 2nd operational echelon could contribute assets to the fronts in the first then an additional transport helicopter regiment, and 3 Attack Helicopter Regiments would be available.
• This would create significant lift capacity on the main axis of the first operational echelon

Whilst some sources point out that armed Mi-8t in the Army Attack Helicopter Regiments would not be used for troop lift it is clear from records of operations in Afghanistan that they were.  Other tasks placed on aviation assets include resupply of forward elements, obstacle creation and armed action in support of ground units, so whilst a considerable amount of aviation capability could potentially be gathered, it was not for the sole purpose of moving Air Assault Units.

References:

FM 100-2 Specialised Warfare and Rear Area Support, Chapter 3 Heliborn Operations
FM 100-3, Soviet Troop Organisation and Equipment
Reorganisation of Soviet Ground Forces, CIA 1983
Weapons and Tactics of the Soviet Army, Isbey, 1988
Soviet Bloc Elite Forces, Zaloga and Loop, Osprey 1985
Soviet Airborn Operations in Theatre of War, SASO, 1988
16va.be Web Site - Excellent resource for Soviet Air Force in GDR
Wargames Unit - Soviet VDV Regiment

Review - Model 1/72, S&S Gaz 66 Model

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The Gaz 66 was extensivly used by a wide variety of protagonists in the cold war from the Soviet Union and Warsaw pact through to third world nations in Asia and Africa.  It was a key vehicle within the VDV where it provide a significant amount of the gun tow/light truck capability within battalion and regimental support weapons elements.  So given that most wargamers love paras and few cold war players can resist the alure of the VDV that probably represented the zenith of mans acheivements in the arena of verticle envelopment,  in terms of scale and range of equipment deployed, it should be of little supprise that this particular vehicle should be in high demand.  As with many of Shauns offerings it is also dramaticaly under represented in the 20 mm modelling world with only Balaton and AER offering an alternative to my knowledge.  The both the Balaton and AER offerings are aimed at the modelling community rather than the wargaming being more complex, a little more pricey and potentially less robust. Having said that they do make some lovely models that are unavailable else where and give an easier route to a Gaz 66 B.

The model is moulded in white resin in two parts cab and truck body, and includes metal parts for the chasis axels and wheels.  The mouldings on my 6 copies were clean and required little preparation befor assembly being largely free of flash and air holes. Assembly is quite straight forward with the difficult bits of which axel goes where being driven by slightly different attachments to the Chasis. Care. Needs to be taken around the seating of Cab and truck bed in order to get the alighnment right.

As well as the cargo truck body Shaun also makes a great little box body version of this truck which works for HQs and signals intercept type units.  the cargo body is modelled without the seats and rails associated with the passenger carrying versions, my intent is to model these as detachable inserts with a variety of different crews and loads allowing me to exploit the potential of this truck for use by Angolans, Cubans, UNITA, Afgans and my Soviet VDV.  The selection of the Cargo body also allows the vehicle to be used as a technical for heavy MGs, ZU 23-2s and recoiless rifles.

I have finished mine in a generic Russian green paint scheme whith no specific markings which should allow me to operate it across the range of armies listed above, for those interested TL Modelblau produce a set of decals for soviet airborne, which whilst intended for a parade finish are seen in photos of Soviet vehicles in tha field.  These tend to be more frequently associated with armoured rather than soft skin vehicles.

I have given the vehicles lower body and wheels a fairly heavy weathering using washes of kaki and Khaki drab And based it for Europe or Africa, it will work in the green zone, Lebanon or Syria but would probably look odd in the Sinai. 

There are a few conversion options for the adventurous, a soft top version for the Soviet airborne would be a challenge they also used the cabed version. an attempt at the airportable M 1975 122mm MRL version is a more interesting proposition and is on the list of things to do for a rainy day. Having said that the open topped version does look attractive.

In summary a great wargames model, needing little preparation time that can be deployed in a wide variety of armies from the late 60s up until the present day.

Wargames Unit - Soviet VDV Regiment

The unit consists of 3 Airborne Battalions, a Regimental HQ, Recce Company, Air Defence Company and Heavy Mortar Company.  It is reinforced by support elements from its parent Division Including Artillery, Self propelled guns and Air Defence and is built around a Rapid Fire style orbit with a vehicle scale of 1:3.  I originally built the unit for Red Tide 2010, the first of two "Big Games" sponsored by the Guild, one of the webs better wargames forums.  

Reinforced Soviet Airborne Regiment for Rapid Fire

The First Battalion is Armoured and equipped with BMDs. It has an HQ consisting of an AGS 17, Commander Radio Op SA 9 and Sniper.  3 Companies of 6 Figures,  each having an RPG, Commander, LMG and 3 Riflemen.

1st Battalion; Figures and vehicles by Liberation Miniatures

The other two battalions in the light role field additional Anti Tank platoon.  The AT platoon has a Gaz 66, two AT-4 and an SPG 9. In addition the each battalion has a UAZ 469 for the HQ

2nd Battalion;  Gaz 66 from S&S, remaining figures and vehicles Liberation Miniatures

3rd Battalion

RHQ; S&S Gaz 66 Box body, SHQ and Britannia HQ Stand Figures, RPG and Rifleman Liberation Miniatures

Recce Coy; BRDM2 S&S, remainder Liberation Miniatures

AT Company; ACE with Liberation Commanders and Goffy/Blackdog stowage.

AD Company; ACE BMD, Military Wheels ZU 23 - 2, Crew and Infantry Liberation Miniatures, stowage Goffy/Blackdog

Heavy Mortar Company; Gaz 66 S&S, Mortars SHQ, Figures Liberation Miniatures

ASU 85 Company; ARMO, Liberation Commander and Goffy/Blackdog Stowage, S&S now do a cheaper version of this vehicle

Divisional Artillery Elements; Gaz 66 S&S, BMD Ace, D30 Military Wheels, M 1975 MRL and Figures Liberation Miniatures

Element of Divisional Air Defence battalion; BRDM 2 SA 9 S&S. 

The unit like most of the Soviet units is highly flexible in where and when it can be employed, with minor adjustments it can be used from the early 70's through to the early 90's. It can participate in historical Afghanistan scenarios or fictitious events that are plausible on the Northern, Central or Southern Fronts or in the Middle East and Africa.  The Gaz 66 trucks, UAZ 469 and BRDMs can also be used to supplement African armies and Middle Eastern Armies. Those vehicle elements that can be re used in a number of armies have minimal markings and as such are generic.

Ace BMD