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13:55, 29th March 2024 (GMT+0)

Out of Character 2.

Posted by helbent4For group 0
Kelsey Sarah Champlain
player, 718 posts
3/RSR - DRI
Master Corporal
Thu 2 Jun 2011
at 11:45
  • msg #281

Re: Out of Character 2

In reply to helbent4 (msg #280):

The commander's seat is on a track, if I recall, that allows it to be raised and lowered (In a rather manual way).  Unless I have it completely confused with the 88 I used to command?  I guess the guns can be used even buttoned up, just not as effectively?  I admit that I never looked at that myself.
Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko
player, 657 posts
Fmr. 62nd MRD
Senior Lieutenant
Fri 3 Jun 2011
at 06:28
  • msg #282

Re: Out of Character 2

I posted this picture previosuly:




The BTR is one of the products of Soviet military thinking of the heydays of the Cold War. A cheaper, mass produced alternative to the BMP-1 for the ever increasing ranks of motorized infantry of the Red Army and its allies. As such, it was conceived as a true battle taxi or APC in Western parlance. The taxi ride it was supposed to go from Moscow to Paris fighting a nuclear war. Pressurized compartment, boat-like hull for improved swimming, easy to operate and maintain and able to withstand quite damage for that time period. Obviously communist minded engineer took poor account of what we know today as "ergonomics" in every aspect.

For the purpose of our game I found out, quite surprisingly, that the veteran BTR series in its -70s modernized version has been a notch above the LAV III (a couple generations ahead vehicle) for the team:

First of all was availability. The complex systems of the LAV III were in serious need of maintenance and landed the vehicle in the shop for a while. The first mission, the recce of Stanley Park was a foot patrol that almost ended in disaster. Since the personnel and equipment of Bulat's gang was possible to be included in the team's mission availability was granted at all times.

Secondly is mobility. The impressive combat load of the LAV III at 19 tons prevented the deployment across the Lions Gate Bridge due to the 15 tons load limit. The lack of amphibious capability ruined Taras plans to use it in a river crossing assault.

Obvious advantage for the LAV III comes with more powerful armamanet and sophisticated sensors. Also this machine is an IFV more than a battle taxi per se and there is a 40 years gap design between them. Still, the current threat level doesn't seem to require a tank killer 25 mm autocannon (so far...) Curiosly enough the BTR main armament is classified as Heavy Machine Gun and yet sports almost double the muzzle energy as the NATO standard .50 cal. The high arc of fire of the turret would be also useful in our urban scenario. So far the main use of the LAV III has been as an ISR platform thanks to the thermal camera. For that matter the BTR could have also fulfill this role while using the MULAT, the thermal sight associated to the AT-4 Fagot. This portable unit, although less capable, already compromised a covert recce in the North Shore.

The best way to take advantage of "the best of both worlds" is obviously combining them. It happened before in the Stanley Park take over, for instance. The team has already experience in this matter with previous missions and the current one is no exception. Perhaps is a matter of developing new tactics, techniques and procedures to have a winning duo.

My 0.02 kopecks!
Kelsey Sarah Champlain
player, 719 posts
3/RSR - DRI
Master Corporal
Fri 3 Jun 2011
at 20:02
  • msg #283

Re: Out of Character 2

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg #282):

cool, so totally capable of running buttoned up.  I was obviously thinking of another vehicle. Most of my armor experience is in the VTR, M88A1, and M110A2
helbent4
GM, 1426 posts
aka Tony
Sun 5 Jun 2011
at 16:42
  • msg #284

Re: Out of Character 2

Team,

Sorry for the lack of action on my end! Rather preoccupied with the Canucks lately, but this too will pass (soon).

1) I think the BTR will be fine in an NBC environment, that was standard Soviet doctrine.

2) Mentions of skinheads, neo-Nazis and New America in this game are not completely gratuitous, although they make great "orcs". Quite a few are running around in the province, mostly in the interior but some in Vancouver, too.

I currently work as a security guard at Burnaby Hospital, and last week Burnaby RCMP brought in a white guy with red hair in a crew cut covered in swastikas (front and back torso, sleeves, neck), plus flaming skulls, SS lightning bolts, etc. "PURE" was written on one set of knuckles and "HATE" on the other (instead of the usual "LOVE/HATE") along with very detailed finger bone tattoos.

He apparently ingested a very large dose of methamphetamine and was wheeled in using a "Hannibal Lector chair" escorted by eight Mounties straight from "cells" (detachment lockup). According to the Mountie that was guarding him (he eventually traded off with Corrections) these were not all jail tats, he had his friends "tat him up" on his own time and if he got out of the restraints we put him in he'd "try to kill all of us and basically want to destroy the universe".

This cro-Magnon had tried to kill himself in cells by running at the concrete wall at full speed and it took six Mounties using both a Taser and stun gun to bring him under control. (Pepper spray didn't work, he blocked the probes of the Taser in mid-air and the contact stun gun didn't stop him so they ended up dog-piling onto him.) 12 mg of Atavan (1 is enough to put a normal person to sleep) plus Loxopene injections barely put him under, he was still thrashing around and partially conscious.

3) I have been toying with using Phoenix Command for the combat. KNOW FEAR! (PC is an almost mythical set of supplementary rules for modern combat. Extremely detailed, realistic and bloody, capable of inspiring fear and awe in most gamers who have heard but never played these legendary rules.)

Tony
Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko
player, 658 posts
Fmr. 62nd MRD
Senior Lieutenant
Sun 5 Jun 2011
at 20:17
  • msg #285

Re: Out of Character 2

Bring it on Tony! We will destroy the universe too!
Nicolaus von Stahl
player, 25 posts
Major
Thu 9 Jun 2011
at 19:21
  • msg #286

Re: Out of Character 2

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg #285):

Nice picture you have posted. Even Revell is a German company this model was never available here. (As far as I know)
Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko
player, 660 posts
Fmr. 62nd MRD
Senior Lieutenant
Fri 10 Jun 2011
at 05:51
  • msg #287

Re: Out of Character 2

Thank you!

I still have a Revell 1/144 U-boot Type XXI at home with full interior details. A fine product from a fine brand!
helbent4
GM, 1428 posts
aka Tony
Sat 11 Jun 2011
at 02:38
  • msg #288

Re: Out of Character 2

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg #287):

Team,

Sorry for my virtual absence! I thought it was just "Canuck Fever" sapping my energy but it turns out I was really was sick. The week was a little rough but I'm wanting to get things moving again.


Classic BC Fishing Boat:





Tony
Nicolaus von Stahl
player, 27 posts
Major
Mon 13 Jun 2011
at 07:10
  • msg #289

Re: Out of Character 2

In reply to helbent4 (msg #288):

No problem Tony.
What about the finals? They give a summary of the games even here in Germany but only due to the fact that in both teams a player from our National Team is playing.
Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko
player, 661 posts
Fmr. 62nd MRD
Senior Lieutenant
Mon 13 Jun 2011
at 07:29
  • msg #290

Re: Out of Character 2

The "classic BC fishing boat" is obviously smuggling something from down South...
helbent4
GM, 1430 posts
aka Tony
Wed 15 Jun 2011
at 05:08
  • msg #291

Re: Out of Character 2

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg #290):

That boat is riding a little low in the water!

It's been painful watching the Canucks, another collapse and it will be all over. Hopefully the police are more ready for trouble compared to last time we went this far in the Stanley Cup finals!


OOC: I don't know if it makes sense with the directions but it sounds good.

I think these directions are fine, I believe it's standard to use the "clock" with 12 being the direction of the objective (or travel, whichever applies most). So:

12 = North
3  = East
6  = South
9  = West

The few structures around in this sector of the refinery appear to be administration buildings and so on. The building to your east is a 2-story admin building, concrete construction. The 2 structures to your immediately to your west are cinder-block guard houses. You can't really see it easily in the overhead map, but right above where the LAV is a series of metal pipeslines running downhill to the water. It looks high enough for the LAV to pass under, although the antennas might scrape the underside!

http://tinyurl.com/64wlh68

http://tinyurl.com/3j5z773

I hope these are clearer. The 3D view can be rotated.

Master McRae is a PC, and someone is supposed to be taking over Mac, so I'll wait a bit for them to post but I will move things along shortly.\

Tony
This message was last edited by the GM at 08:54, Wed 15 June 2011.
Kelsey Sarah Champlain
player, 721 posts
3/RSR - DRI
Master Corporal
Fri 17 Jun 2011
at 04:48
  • msg #292

Re: Out of Character 2

helbent4:
In reply to Kelsey Sarah Champlain (msg #277):

3) The BTR-70 was refit with a high-angle BTR-80 turret with a white-light/IR filter searchlight, also side and rooftop AA gun ports.


Tony


from latest IC post  "One option was to go downslope a ways but the turret weapons couldn't depress enough to engage targets uphill. "

IIRC (If I Remember Correctly) the big deal with the BTR 80 turret was that it had a high angle of fire, allowing for air defense and I think it was designed for mountainous terrain (IE Afghanistan) so the turret should be able to handle a small hill.  And I was going to complain more, then I noticed that we found the kind of position I was hoping for.  Nothing gives an armor crew the willies like sitting in the open.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:50, Fri 17 June 2011.
helbent4
GM, 1433 posts
aka Tony
Fri 17 Jun 2011
at 09:34
  • msg #293

Re: Out of Character 2

In reply to Kelsey Sarah Champlain (msg #292):

I see what you're saying but you didn't quite follow what I meant, I think. If you're parked on a flat surface then yes, the turret will easily elevate to fire at a target higher on the hillside. But unless you are parked in a revetment you really do not gain the protection of the slope (that is, you're not really "hull down"). (Also, your thinner top armour is still exposed to a higher opponent firing down.) You could go downslope from (say) the parking lot and then fire behind that artificial "crestline" but if you are on the slope itself, then the turret must depress to fire at targets not on the slope (like across the parking lot) not elevate.

Simpler just to find a wall or something and parking between the guard buildings works. They are a little high, but not a problem if you fire uphill. If someone comes along the road to the east the BTR will have to reposition (it is protected from north and south, not east and west) but that can be done quickly enough.

At least someone was having fun in Vancouver after the game:





Tony
This message was last edited by the GM at 11:03, Fri 17 June 2011.
Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko
player, 664 posts
Fmr. 62nd MRD
Senior Lieutenant
Fri 17 Jun 2011
at 17:02
  • msg #294

Re: Out of Character 2

And somebody wasn't having any fun at all...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5aaxWub89k


Ouch!
Kelsey Sarah Champlain
player, 723 posts
3/RSR - DRI
Master Corporal
Fri 17 Jun 2011
at 21:06
  • msg #295

Re: Out of Character 2

In reply to helbent4 (msg #293):

Bah.
You gave me what I was looking for...some cover and concealment of some sort.
If it was an extended stay we'd be sandbagging and digging.  And the infantry always thought armor got off light on digging..hah!  We just dig bigger holes.

Thanks!


Oh and... there is a time and place for everything...  but...LOL! (your picture)
helbent4
GM, 1435 posts
aka Tony
Fri 17 Jun 2011
at 22:53
  • msg #296

Re: Out of Character 2

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg #294):

Javier,

The "Flash Bang to the Nuts" video was removed from YouTube but never gone entirely...

http://www.jokeroo.com/user-co...ang-to-the-nuts.html

Tony
Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko
player, 665 posts
Fmr. 62nd MRD
Senior Lieutenant
Sat 18 Jun 2011
at 06:22
  • msg #297

Re: Out of Character 2

Bigger holes indeed!

A "Hull Down Only" for a LAV III. according to the Canadian Forces, represents a total volume of excavation of 72 m3. Approximately 1 hour and 10 min of front-end loader work and 7 trips of a 10 tons truck to remove the spoil.

There is also other possibilities:

http://tinyurl.com/446ndeu

<Don't miss the flippers!>
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:42, Sat 18 June 2011.
helbent4
GM, 1436 posts
aka Tony
Sat 18 Jun 2011
at 14:43
  • msg #298

Re: Out of Character 2

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg #297):

Those are flippers? On the line near the bow? Awesome!

Nice revetment, too.

Tony
Kelsey Sarah Champlain
player, 724 posts
3/RSR - DRI
Master Corporal
Sat 18 Jun 2011
at 20:16
  • msg #299

Re: Out of Character 2

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg #297):

You know, my first reaction to that picture was "Ugh...how long will that thing take to clean?"
Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko
player, 667 posts
Fmr. 62nd MRD
Senior Lieutenant
Thu 23 Jun 2011
at 06:49
  • msg #300

Re: Out of Character 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RrTxxDMNyE

Like a candle in the wind...
Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko
player, 668 posts
Fmr. 62nd MRD
Senior Lieutenant
Thu 23 Jun 2011
at 08:29
  • msg #301

Re: Out of Character 2

Not then only lost warhead around...

http://www.v2rocket.com/start/others/news.html
helbent4
GM, 1438 posts
aka Tony
Thu 30 Jun 2011
at 10:08
  • msg #302

Re: Out of Character 2

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg #301):

The LAV and dismounts are moving up the north in order to cover Bezhov better:

http://tinyurl.com/44c2cr4

Also, the arcs that Kel and the BTR are covering are basically every direction except north. This was supposed to be in the original order, but I misread it! Sorry! It should be clearer now.

Tony
Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko
player, 671 posts
Fmr. 62nd MRD
Senior Lieutenant
Sat 2 Jul 2011
at 03:10
  • msg #303

Re: Out of Character 2

In these pictures we can see the power plant, the pier and in the background the tank farm where Capt. Bezhov is looking for the missing warhead:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/47033312@N08/5210722796/

a close up:

http://www.imagenex.com/assets...t_cooling_system.jpg

I believe it serves the purpose of supplying natural gas to the plant.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:18, Sat 02 July 2011.
Kelsey Sarah Champlain
player, 728 posts
3/RSR - DRI
Master Corporal
Sat 2 Jul 2011
at 03:23
  • msg #304

Re: Out of Character 2

In reply to Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko (msg #303):

Interesting style of plant, I have seen them like that in Mississippi (SMEPA).  You can see the switchyard and transmission lines to the left, against the woods.  1 GW is a lot for that style of plant, so a good sized facility.  For a reference a modern fossil/coal unit can run 800-1400 MW, usually deployed in 4's.

The good thing about a natural gas plant is that with fuel supplied they are fairly easy to put back online.. not as easy as Hydro, but easy.  Easier yet are the CT/CC plants (Combustion Turbine and Combined Cycle/CT) since they are essentially just big engines.  Hydro has free fuel and not much to break down, but you do need an operator.

Uh.  Yeah, moving along.
Taras Vladimirovich Shevchenko
player, 672 posts
Fmr. 62nd MRD
Senior Lieutenant
Sat 2 Jul 2011
at 05:49
  • msg #305

Re: Out of Character 2

Thanks for your input, Kelsey!
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