Wednesday 24 February 2010

Huey Loose and the News.................

I have just finished reading the book ‘Chickenhawk’ by Robert Mason; an account of a Huey helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War – and what a great read it is. The Huey was the helicopter that is most closely associated with Vietnam and it saw extensive use both in its troop carrying ‘Slick’ configuration and as a gunship. Want to know what it was like to drop or pick up troops from a hot landing zone? This would be the book for you. It is graphic and pulls few punches when describing the action – both in the front line and in the rear areas. The technical detail and descriptions of actually flying a Huey; what it can and cannot do, is really interesting and provides much food for thought in respect of how best to replicate their use within the context of Memoir 44.

I am not sure at the moment how the use of helicopters will fit into the game but I will certainly be employing them. I was concerned initially at best to represent them but have come up with a simple solution – I will make use of either 1/200th or 1/300th scale models, rather like the aircraft that come with the Memoir 44 Air expansion pack. It should be easy enough to get these – Navwar have a good range in 1/300th – and for helicopters on the ground I will try and source some overhead views of a helicopter to mount on a terrain tile or a counter. I do not envisage needing many models for this so it should be fairly cheap to set up.

6 comments:

Donogh said...

You might like to try CW2 (autobiographical fiction written by a Vietnam Huey pilot)

Also, a friend wrote up helicopter rules for his "Memoir '84" (version for Cold War gone hot scenarios). I'll see if I can rustle them up for you - food for thought if nothing else

David Crook said...

Hi Donogh, That would be most appreciated - it is always useful to see other peoples ideas just to see if you are on the right track!

I will look out for the fiction title as well - many thanks once again.

All the best,

Ogre

Geordie an Exiled FoG said...

Glad you found Chickenhawk a good read

David Crook said...

Hi FoG, Really good read and very informative - many thanks for the heads up on this.

All the best,

Ogre

Paul O'G said...

Totally agree- a great read.

Perhaps the Slicks could be used as per inf fire (but can move and fire), while the Hogs would be more like the AirPower pack?

David Crook said...

Hi Tas, That seems like a plan - I will have a play around with it and see what sticks. Good call re the Airpower pack - lots of ideas there.

All the best,

Ogre