AFCFA Armoured Fighting Suits

AFCFA units have a new item in their inventory thanks to the Guavan Defence Force - the Armoured Capability Enhancement Suit (ACES).

The Guavan Defence Force's new ACES represent a huge leap forward in their offensive capability.

Though based in part on the Neo Colonial Commonwealth's Cyclops design, the ACES is quite different in appearance. Lower tech than the Cyclops, Guavan technicians retro-engineered it from damaged Cyclops models captured on Libellula. Other elements of the Cyclops design made their way into the new mecha currently undergoing combat trials by Guavan forces. The mutual assistance pact between AFCFA and the Guavan government has led to early deployment of the armour on Charity. GDF techs are monitoring this field testing of the new suits with interest.

Hydra 1.

Hydra 1.

Hydra 1 rear detail.

Hydra 1.

Fuel tank & stowage detail.

Water can and stowage detail.

ACES is the culmination of almost 10 years of research and development. The project was set back

many months by an NCC special forces attack on the original research facility, which destroyed much

of the initial research materials. Operating with limited funding and forced to rely mainly on field notes and whatever the technical crew could remember, it was a long, slow process, but one that has finally

borne fruit.

 

The standard suit is well armoured, though with a larger and more angular appearance than the Cyclops. The primary weapon is usually a built-in arm-mounted 16.44mm RCG-16 rotary cannon.  Although this lacks the flexibility of the interchangeable rifle styled weapons carried by the Cyclops, their ammunition load usually alternates armour piercing and explosive fragmentation rounds, providing good performance against both infantry and light armoured vehicles. As deployed by AFCFA on Charity, approximately 1 in every 4 suits substitutes a Perforator ATGM launcher for the cannon, this having been the most effective anti-tank weapon so far employed against Commonwealth armoured vehicles by forces on Charity. This has an integrated laser target designator which can also be used to mark targets for aerial strikes or artillery. The other arm is equipped with an oversized armoured fist, allowing the suit to engage in limited close combat against armoured vehicles or assist infantry units in moving rubble, gaining access to buildings etc. A secondary anti-personnel machine gun is mounted on the back of the fist, providing the opportunity to suppress enemy infantry without resorting to the main gun.

 

Hydra 2.

Hydra 2.

 

Hydra 2.

Hydra 2.

Grenade launcher detail and troop leader star badge.

Rear stowage detail - water, tarpauin, equipment pod.

ID number detail.

Equipment pod detail.

Grenade launchers are attached to the shoulders of the suit.  These can fire high explosive and fragmentation rounds but are more commonly fitted with smoke rounds. 

 

Lacking the advanced adaptive camouflage system incorporated into the Cyclops armour, the ACES used by AFCFA do not need to keep their surfaces clear of clutter and are frequently festooned with stowage: water containers, tarpaulins, equipment pods, camo netting, webbing pouches, the occasional personal weapon. Much of this stowage does not survive the first few minutes of real combat but it does make the days or weeks of time beforehand much more comfortable.

 

Hydra 3.

Hydra 3.

Hydra 3.

Hydra 3.

 

Water jerry can on rear leg.

Stowage detail - tarps & equipment pod.

Equipment pod & shoulder/weapon marking detail.

 

ACES deployed on Charity have initially been designated the "Hydra Troop" and sport a stylised Hydra logo on the front of the left leg. Identification numbers are carried on the front and back of the right leg and the right shoulder. Insignia are leg-mounted to enable ease of identification for supporting infantry. The troop leader (in this instance Hydra 2) is designated by small stars either side of the main sensor window at the front of the "head".

 

ACES is somewhat cumbersome compared to the agile Cyclops and lacks the ability to use manoeuvre

packs or "jump" packs for zero-G operations and enhanced dirtside mobility respectively. Current

deployment envisages the suits being used in an infantry support role rather than operating independently.  The armoured suits could prove particularly suitable for urban operations, where their mobility will be superior to conventional vehicles.

Hydra 4.

Hydra 4.

Hydra 4.

Hydra 4.

Hydra 4.

Paint chipping/weathering & stowage detail.

Stowage detail.

 

Hydra Troop marking (Hydra transfer on top of white triangle transfer

The base models for these are EM4/Copplestone Castings 28mm power armour, which comes with a power fist and either a rotary cannon or an "ERL" (Explosive Round Launcher). The thin visor and blocky shape of the model make it easy to add a few smaller scale accessories to turn it into a convincing 15mm armoured fighting suit.

Stowage comes from Brigade Models (jerry cans, painted blue to signify drinking water, fuel tank on suit 1) and GZG (hex storage pods on suits 2 & 3, round cannister on suit 4). Tarpaulins are all hand-sculpted from milliput to make sure they drape correctly over the shape of the armour. I've included a GZG tech to give an idea of the scale of these suits.

The base colour over a Wilko grey spray undercoat is Humbrol 86 olive green with Humbrol 93 matt desert yellow camouflage patches.

I've used a mixture of decals: Antenociti's Workshop Infinity markings; leg serial numbers are from an old Matchbox tank transporter model kit; the main troop numbers & white triangles from QRF; Black Hydra badge from Veni Vidi Vici. A few other small transfers such as those on Hydra 1's fuel tank and Hydra 3's equipment pod come from various other old Matchbox and Airfix kits.  The black/white checked panels on the weapons were trimmed from a set of GW Space Ork transfers.  I used Vallejo decal medium to fix them all in place.

After the decals had dried for a few days, the whole model got a Vallejo sepia ink wash. Paint chipping was applied using Vallejo bone white paint with HB pencil metal edges.  I might have got a bit carried away with this, but these models really lend themselves to this effect!

As it stands, these 4 will be outnumbered by my NCC suits but it will be interesting to try them in action.

AFCFA Reinforcements

My Armed Forced of the Charity Freedom Alliance line infantry are built up from GZG New Israelis but I wanted something similar but subtly different to represent an elite force within AFCFA.  These are Brigade Models Yenpalo, which fit the bill nicely.  They were previously available from Armies Army.

The pack includes 10 infantry: 6 riflemen, 2 support weapons, 2 leader-types and 2 with pistols and optional energy shields (which I will probably attach once I find where I've put them!).

Detail is good and they have a very good range of poses with some obviously firing, others advancing and I like the leader checking his watch!  All are wearing hardsuit armour and the guns are all of similar design, the support guns having a longer, heavier barrel.  Guns are not as detailed as some companies produce but still have a few features that drybrush well including sights etc.

After mounting on M8 washers, mine have been painted Humbrol 75 matt bronze green, washed with 50/50 Vallejo black in/Future floor polish with a Humbrol 86 matt light olive highlight.  Eyes are picked out in gold.  Weapons are matt black with Humbrol 32 matt dark grey drybrush to pick out the detail.  A fairly simple colour scheme but it matches my other AFCFA troops which is the main thing.

Overall, detail isn't as crisp as some other models (although I don't have any, the newer GZG New Israelis look like they have sharper detail and I might have used those instead if they'd come out sooner) but it's still very good.

I think I'd grade these a strong "B".

Full scale war erupts on Charity!

Fighting on Charity stepped up a level last week when the Armed Forces of the Charity Freedom Alliance mounted a major armoured attack on a Neo-Colonial Commonwealth supply depot.  This was the first engagement to feature the opposing forces on an equal footing and casualties were high on both sides.

The battlefield - objective compounds marked A and B.

A small supply base in the equatorial village of Gnissig was the focus of the battle.  Two compounds were in use by NCC troops for storage of supplies.  AFCFA mounted a two-pronged assault to try and seize these depots.

Compound A

Defending the depot was a platoon of Sabre MBTs, 3 Lancer heavy IFVs, 4 Outrider scout vehicles, a Claymore heavy APC plus a couple of unarmed Badger liaison vehicles.

Compound B

Several fireteams of NCC marines were scattered through the settlement, both in the supply compounds and waiting in the Lancers ready for deployment.  Reports of the AFCFA column closing on the village led the Sabre crews to move their tanks into partial cover, main guns ready to engage any targets appearing near the main road into Gnissig.

First casualty - AFCFA Warhammer goes down!

AFCFA was fielding a strong force, 3 Warhammer attack Mecha, 2 Rifleman air defence mecha and 2 Longbow missile artillery mecha, re-equipped with anti-tank guided weapons.  A pair of Kamodo heavy IFVs transported 2 squads of hardsuit infantry, with 4 Stoat armoured cars carrying another squad.  A Kamodo fire support vehicle with a heavy autocannon provided additional anti-tank support.

Second casualty - another AFCFA Warhammer is lost!

The attack started badly for AFCFA, 2 Warhammer attack mecha on the left flank falling to the Sabre autocannon fire in quick succession.  Confusion on the AFCFA command channels led to their losing the initiative [Fog of War card "Wait, the General said what?!"] and they failed to regain it at any point during the course of the engagement.

Sabre MBTs prepare to inflict more casualties...

Things went little better on the right flank, an anti-tank missile destroying the lead Stoat with another being immobilised nearby.  Crew and infantry spilled out of the wrecked vehicles and dashed for cover in the nearby buildings.  Unfortunately, the large building into which most sought cover turned out to be a very flimsy structure which provided no cover whatsoever [Fog of War card: "What's this wall made of, Swiss cheese?"].  2 squads made the dash across the main road seeking better cover but both sustained severe casualties from machine gun and main gun fire from 2 Sabres.  The uninjured troopers managed to drag their wounded comrades into cover and set about delivering first aid.

Stoat destroyed!  Luckily all aboard manage to scramble clear.

The left flank was getting congested!  2 Rifleman mecha moved up to support the remaining Warhammer, but wreckage was leaving the AFCFA troop carriers confined, with little space to manoeuvre.  The infantry hastily debussed and took cover amongst the storage containers, leaving the IFS ready to reverse to find better positions.  The remaining Warhammer concentrated fire on Compound A, destroying the larger building at the nearest end.

2 'Mechs down and serious injuries in 2 infantry fireteams.

Those AFCFA troops remaining in the indefensible building pressed forwards into a smaller but sturdier building, then used this to launch an attack on Compound B.  The Stoat crew went first but both fell to NCC marine fire before making it to the building.  The fireteam following had more success, downing 3 of the NCC defenders and dashing to the cover of the compound wall.

Stoat crew are down but return fire from other AFCA troops eliminates 3 NCC marines.

Forcing an entry into the building, their luck ran out and the AFCFA troopers now succumbed to overwhelming fire from the surviving NCC marines.  The attack on Compound B was a failure.

One AFCFA fireteam succeed in entering Compound B but are overcome by the defenders.

Now the tables started to turn.  A shot at one of the Sabres resulted in only minor damage to the sensors, but the crew panicked and bailed out.  "What the Hell are you doing?  Get back in that damned tank!"  Gun camera footage captured the entire episode [Fog of War card "That won't play well on Youtube!" means -3 victory points), the jittery crew diving for cover behind the Sabre before realising their error and clambering sheepishly back in.

A jumpy NCC tank crew bail out of their virtually undamaged Sabre.

Right back at the outskirts of the village, the Kamodo FSV risked edging forward to take a shot at one of the Sabres covering the main road.

AFCFA fire support vehicle takes out a Sabre at long range.

Success!  The resulting explosion destroyed the Sabre, the crew managing to bail out before it brewed up.

Sabre destroyed - but the crew all make it out alive.

2 more Mecha had moved in, Longbows which were usually equipped with artillery missiles but on this occasion carried anti-tank missiles instead.  One moved to support each flank of the AFCFA assault.

NCC armour masses near Compound B.

They now faced a build up of NCC armour on the right flank, 2 outrider Scout vehicles, 3 Lancer IFVs and the temporarily abandoned Sabre MBT.

AFCFA infantry assault captures Comopund A.

The left flank was not as heavily defended and the AFCFA troops mounted an assault on Compound A.  The first fireteam balked at the command and hunkered down in cover outside the building.  "Come on lads, shoe 'em how it's done!" cried the leader of the second fireteam and in they went, clambering through the rubble left from the Warhammer's destruction of the main building.  Vicious hand to hand fighting resulted in one AFCFA casualty but the entire defending NCC fireteam was taken out of action.  Compound A had been captured!

Warhammer particle cannon destroy a Sabre.

Moving forward in support, the Warhammer pressed home an attack against a Sabre, destroying the tank.

Sabre destroyed - but the Claymore fights on undeterred.

Despite the destruction of an MBT within feet of their more lightly armoured vehicle, the Claymore crew remained unshaken and prepared their heavy autocannon.

Return fire destroys the Warhammer, but at least the pilot survives this time.

Their fire proved just as accurate as the Warhammer's and the disabled Mecha keeled over backwards.  The pilot dragged himself from the wreckage and sought cover nearby.  Missiles streaked in towards the remaining Mecha but the combination of their detonation fields and countermeasures meant that the fire did little more than minor damage to weapon systems.

Longbow Mecha also falls.

Autocannon rounds and anti-tank missiles continued to flash back and forth on the right flank and finally the Longbow went down - but at a cost to the NCC defenders.

NCC troops reinforce the defences of Compound B.

One Lancer sat smashed, leaking black smoke, another was damaged and unable to fire its weapons.  There were casualties amongst some of the supporting infantry.

Sabre crew pile into their ride home.

One of the Sabre crews scrambled into a Badger.  They couldn't contribute anything more to the fight but at least they could get home safely!

Overall, this game was a narrow win for the Neo-Colonial Commonwealth.  One supply depot was successfully defended, the other was captured.  5 Mechs were destroyed but the NCC lost only 2 Sabres and a couple of Lancers.  The bad publicity video of the NCC crew abandoning their tank wasn't enough to swing things completely in AFCFA's favour!

Of concern to the NCC now is the fact that AFCFA appear to have access to vehicles and large combat Mecha from the Guavan Defence Force.  The GDF have not been kindly disposed to the NCC since the fighting on Libelula, when Assault Cyborgs were used against regular GDF troops,  followed by a special forces raid on a GDF outpost.

Casualties from both sides were repatriated quickly at the end of the battle, NCC analysts now wish they had been given the opportunity to question some of the AFCFA troopers.  The ease with which they operated with the Mecha and their higher than usual standard of marksmanship and training has raised suspicions that these were really GDF troops in disguise.  AFCFA have claimed responsibility for the attack, so any GDF troops must be operating with their blessing.