With Cold war Germany additional period supporting assets are needed

[Kev2go]

Given Cold War Germany i think a whole slew of ground assets are needed. Sure there are plenty of Anti Air assets that can fit  for a 1980s time frame. but i think there is need to have 1980s Nato/Warpact Infantry and armored assets to fit the era. 

 

Soviet Union/Russia

T55 within DCS is only really fitting for GDR, but in turn there is not an appropriate T72 variation for that faction. Should be T72M and/or T72M1. The T72B was not used by GDR. For Soviets the T72B  object 1985 was in service before the end of the cold war but T72's were only used with Category B soviet army formations. They are lower readiness units  ( 70 – 80%) that were either stationed in military districts in Russia or lesser important parts of Warpact, and were not deployed as part of Soviet Forces in Germany. All of such divisions were of "category A". 95% or higher readiness and equipped with better equipment. T72 was a mass mobilization tank replacement of T55, whereas Category A  units as part of Soviet forces in Germany were either equipped with T64 or T80 tank variations which had previously replaced T62 tanks.  Sure the T80U is in the asset list as well , but according to CFE treaty document of 1990 only 420 were in service " west of the urals" at the time but as far as i could tell they were not actually deployed to East Germany.  In Contrast to the 617 T80BV's that were in service or the 3020 T80B's in that exact year. In short the T80U barely fits into the 1980s so earlier variations that were produced and put into service in earlier portion of the 1980s and in much higher numbers should be added.

BTR80 and BMP-2 are fitting for 1980s frame  APC and IFV respectively but for an earlier portion of the 1980s  Btr70 was also in service in this timeframe.  Older model BTR like Btr60PB was still used by GDR so its also worth considering as a asset. BMP1 exists but a BMP-1P variation would also nice to have and fitting for early 80s.

The  CWG trailer showed off Btr70 and the T62M ( a modernization of the T62 which from exterior can be discerned due to laser rangefinder and applique armor package on turret and upper front plate) , but this vehicle AFAIk was only issued to Soviet military districts in the far east and combat deployed in support of Soviet forces in Afghanistan conflict. So whilst period accurate for the 1980s its not part of Group of Soviet forces in Germany. Since the T62M like BTR70 was not part of the recent patch I can assume  asset is not ready but will be added at some point in the future?

 

Soviet Motorized Infantry- early to late 80s, SSSH 68 helmet M69 pattern uniform. Ak74 rifle.

Soviet Airborne Infantry -  SSH68 helmet options are M88 (afghanka) BDU, or KLMK oversuit, 6b2 or 6b3 body armor. AKS-74 rifle

 

The UK 

Chieftain mk3 is in the assets but this is rather early variant for a 1980s timeframe. Cheiftan Mk10 and maybe Mk11 should be added for the UK along with the Challenger 1.

UK infantry 1980s - Mk6 helmet, DPM BDU, L85 rife.

 

The US Army

 

Humvee  exists and the model looks like M1025 which can fit into the 1980s timeframe but could use with a 3d model update, but it is a very late cold war vehicle, being relevant for the 2nd half of the 1980s.

M151 jeep.  prior to the humvee being put into service this was the non armored utility vehicle in service since the  late 1950s. It is relevant for early to mid 1980s timeframe of the map.

Has M1A2 and M1A2C, which are anachronistic for the 1980s. M1A1 would probably be easiest model to make since the M1A2 existing model could be used as a basis for the M1A1. All  the M1A1 3d model needs is the deletion of the CITV. Most M1A1’s produced had mounting ports for CITV so that part of the model could stay.  Apart from that just maybe adjust some aspects of the Skin/ markings for the time period. M1A1 was produced since 1985 but not deployed in quantity until reforger 1988, so it’s a late 1980s service tank.

 

M1 ( 105mm) is also aught to be included for early 80s to late 80s. although i think M1A1 should be priority  in being added first just because that asset would fit into 1990s scenarios such as GW1 and early GWOT period. 

M2A2 Bradley exists as an asset. But they did not start being issued to units until FY1989. So like T80U it is a very tail end cold war vehicle that was not yet issued in substantial quanties.  M2A1 or even initial M2 Bradley 3d model aught to be added for an earlier portion of the 1980s. Such earlier model bradleys did see use in 1990s conflict such as 1st gulf war, since US army had not converted its entire fleet to M2A2 standard yet even by 1991.

M113 exists as an asset but is dated and could do with a new model.

 

M60A3 already exist as an asset appropriate for the time period but is old 3d model and could do with updated model. Smoke dischargers are of the wrong sort for what the US army used in the 1980s so that would need fixing anyways.

 

US Infantry models – early 80s – M81 woodland pattern BDU,  M1 steel helmet ( m81 cover), PASGT flak jacket or M69 Flak jacket , M16A1 rifle. ( note whilst 82^nd  Airborne had PASGT Helmet and PASGT vest in 1983 during invasion of Grenada, most other units  in early 80s still had older gear or a mix of old and new during that transition period)

US infantry model- mid to late 80s - M81 BDU, PASGT helmet and PASGT flak vest, M16A2 rifle.

For West Germany Leopard 2a4 exist as an asset, but this a mid to late 1980s vehicle. Leopard 1a4 exists an asset and of course various Leopard 1 models were in service in the 1980s still  making a notable portion of the armor forces, but Leopard 1A4 is an aged model that could do with a remake or new model.

West German Infantry - M62 helmet (very  similar to US M1) Olive green BDU.and HK G3 battle rifle. 

 

Sources on NAto and WARPACT Table of organization and equipment 

 

https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/2426107/soviet-tanks-in-gsfg

 

https://www.scribd.com/doc/149485971/Nato-Order-of-Battle-1989

 

https://orbat.info/history/historical/nato/warsawpact.html

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 22 by Kev2go

[Slippa]

Blimey, you don’t want much do ya Kev? 

Should keep em busy. Well researched though, look forward to seeing what we end up with.

[Northstar98]

Agreed with all the above, though personally, I'd put more focus towards missing air defence equipment (Cold War-era MANPADS and radars).

One thing though:

16 hours ago, Kev2go said:

Chieftain mk3 is in the assets but this is rather early variant for a 1980s timeframe.

The Chieftain Mk 3 in DCS isn't a Mk 3 - it has the ranging gun deleted, it has a laser rangefinder, MRS, an upgraded engine and the new NBC pack. If it was intended to be based on the Mk 3, that would make it a Mk. 7/L at least.

[Kev2go]

4 hours ago, Northstar98 said:

Agreed with all the above, though personally, I'd put more focus towards missing air defence equipment (Cold War-era MANPADS and radars).

One thing though:

The Chieftain Mk 3 in DCS isn't a Mk 3 - it has the ranging gun deleted, it has a laser rangefinder, MRS, an upgraded engine and the new NBC pack. If it was intended to be based on the Mk 3, that would make it a Mk. 7/L at least.

oh didnt take note of that just read the label. Dont know why they call it a mark 3 then if its retrofitted to a later standard even if it was formerly a mark 3 tank.  i assumed the mark 3 was chosen becuase it was a tank that was sold to Iran and used in the Iran iraq war.

[Northstar98]

8 hours ago, Kev2go said:

Dont know why they call it a mark 3 then if its retrofitted to a later standard even if it was formerly a mark 3 tank.

Beats me, I did report it at the time, but nobody has paid attention to it.

It isn't the only example of something named incorrectly in DCS.