Need Help to Finalize HBG Japan Set!

@Variable:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_marine_paratroopers_of_World_War_II

Very interesting – thanks for the infomation.  These guys were more versatile than I thought.

Well, let’s see.

1.) KNP,…I’m sorry but you’re ill-informed as to the Japanese usage of “ARMY Airborne” troops in WW2. Most Americans don’t know much about this EARLY part of WW2 when the Japanese made their initial push into the “Southern Resources Area” of Borneo and the Dutch East Indies. The oil fields of Balikpapen(and others) were captured by Japanese ARMY Paratroopers. I have 3 really good books about these Japanese forces. If it wouldn’t take an hour or so to grab them(I just put them in deep storage) I’d give you some specifics.

2.) PacificWar and DFW,…You’re both correct and Thanks for your support.

3.) To use DFW’s phrase,…As far as “game balance” goes I also think it’s very important to have “Airborne Paratroopers” for ALL nations(except China).

4.) CWO Marc and Variable,…I’m sorry but the ARMY Paratroopers were NOT part of the SNLF forces. Your wiki mini-article even explains this. Although the SNLF “Marines” were somewhat airborne trained they were only used in amphibious attacks.
The Japanese ARMY and NAVY were so independant of one another their
non-cooperation with one another is another big reason they lost the war.

5.) Two separate “sculpts” of a Japanese NAVY “Marine” and a Japanese ARMY Paratrooper should be as completely unique as their U.S. Marine/Army Paratrooper counterparts, which have already been produced by HBG.
If HBG has already produced the U.S. versions, including 4(FOUR) other special units also,…

Then WHY wouldn’t they at least produce ONE Japanese ARMY Paratrooper along with the NAVY SNLF “Marines”???
I think a Paratrooper is an IMPORTANT and UNIQUE unit that gives it’s player VALUABLE CAPABILITIES that ALL nations(other than China) should have. It was my understanding that from the very start of this magnificent undertaking that HBG intended to make Paratroopers for ALL of the nations. Things can change,…and HBG belongs to the “Coach” so it’s entirely HIS decision.

I’m DEFINATELY NOT trying to criticize,…only to inform others of my opinions.
I am VERY THANKFUL to Doug and HBG for all of their efforts thus far. I can only hope that in THREE FULL SETS of Japanese units that they would see fit to include an Army Paratrooper. That’s my 2 cents worth,…plus another dime, too, haha.

“Tall Paul”

The thing is with sculpting SNLF is that there was almost no difference in their combat uniform versus the army: usually just a different symbol on the helmet if I remember correctly.  That’s OK, though, as whatever sculpt Coach uses should be accurate for both, and the color difference between the three color options that he’s doing them in gives us one for some sort of allied nation, one for Army and one for SNLF.  It would be nice, though, to see a Japanese paratrooper, as they did have a very distinct uniform.

So… bottom line: I agree with Tall Paul on this one.

Seeing as we have a Marine with a flamethrower and a Bulgarian with a panzerfaust (which is close enough to a German or a Romanian on this scale that it can serve for all of Germany’s allies, really) maybe a third with some sort of heavy weapon would be nice, so that “heavy infantry” would be another category we could play with… But perhaps this is a bridge too far… Anyway, the para would be nice!  If not, I can always use markers or the third color, but para’s usually have cool uniforms with a unique look…

…Not to mention the HUGE parachutes on their backs. Just check out these guys.

“Tall Paul”

Well, I guess I will go against the grain here, but I don’t see a need for a paratrooper unit for Japan. With the exception of those drops on Borneo and the DEI that Tall Paul mentioned (By the way I never said they didn’t happen, only that I hadn’t heard of it) I don’t believe airborne drops were used very much if at all by Japan during the rest of the war. It’s simply something that Japan was not known to do. Personally, I don’t even use paratroop drops for US, UK or Germany and they actually used them to a much greater extent.
I would much rather each nation have a heavy tank than a paratrooper as I would be much more inclined to use a heavy tank. However, HBG has made the lists for the Japanese sets and my heavy tank is not on them. So, I will deal with it. I have looked at the units on each list, and I would not want Coach to remove anything that is on any of those lists just so I could have my heavy tank. When it comes down to it, Coach is right: Japan doesn’t need a heavy tank.
Frankly, the same can be said for a designated paratrooper unit.
The units in the three Japan set lists are all types of units that Japan actually used in the war to a somewhat great extent. Most of them throughout the WHOLE war, with the possible exception of certain units that are specifically “early war” units that were upgraded later on, NOT units that were used a couple of times early in the war then probably never again.
Would any of you guys want Coach to remove one of the units listed so that your paratrooper could be added? If so, what do you want to do away with? I believe a while back, one person suggested not giving Japan a truck. The fact that more players would use trucks than paratroopers was irrelevant. Seems kind of selfish to me.
A while back, Coach and Variable was asking for suggestions of what to include in the Japan set. Then it was up to us to tell them what we wanted to see. Now he has made the lists and is working on creating these fine units. Stop harassing him about whatever units aren’t on the list and be glad that he is doing this.

WoW Paul!!!  Phenomenal painting skills!!!

i also agree with having a paratrooper for all the major nations just as all the major nations are getting early war BB’s but if coach really feels he doesn’t want to sculpt one, i will be ok with useing a substitute piece. maybe the Hbg basic infantry or just making the japanese marine unit into a super unit which is a marine and paratrooper.

@knp7765:

Hey Tall Paul,
I think you might just be out of luck on this one. I understand your wish to have airborne troops for each nation, you want each nation to have that option historical or not. I’ve watched and read a lot of stuff on WW2 and have not heard of any airborne operations conducted by Japan. However, it would be nice for them to have that option for gaming purposes.

It’s like when I was arguing for a heavy tank sculpt for Japan.  I know they never actually used a heavy tank and even if they had some in the design stage, it probably wasn’t comparable to a Tiger, Pershing or JS-2. Japan’s “heavy” would probably rate more as a “medium” by other countries’ standards. Also, I just don’t want to use orange Tigers to represent a Japanese heavy tank. I want something that LOOKS Japanese. I just would like every nation to have the options of light, medium and heavy tanks.
Unfortunately, I think I was pretty much outvoted on this. Just not much need for a Japanese Heavy and most people probably wouldn’t use it anyway. Plus it leaves a mold spot open for some other unit that probably got more use by Japan in the war. I think you are in the same boat regarding a paratrooper unit for Japan.

also with the heavy tank for japan a lot of people were saying since WOTC made Japanese tigers they could be used for Japanese heavy tanks for game play purposes . but in the case of paratroopers there are no real substitutes. personally im going to be using those Japanese tigers for their heavy’s since im pretty sure the Japanese players wont be building to many of these.

@Tall:

…Not to mention the HUGE parachutes on their backs. Just check out these guys.

“Tall Paul”

Another idea to help us all Paul is this (ESPECIALLY if you’re painting anyway like we are/will)…

Assuming the SNLF vs Army uniform statement by DrLarsen below is correct…

@DrLarsen:

The thing is with sculpting SNLF is that there was almost no difference in their combat uniform versus the army: usually just a different symbol on the helmet if I remember correctly…

…then you could use Fimo to sculpt an added-on parachute prior to painting on some of the SNLF troops.  My grandma used Fimo when I was a kid to completely sculpt a replacement Japanese (curious coincidence) infantry that a dog chewed from my original game - you could hardly tell the difference!!

I may try that to make Tieshin Shudan paratroopers!!  :-D

PS - Fimo (for those unfamiliar) is a clay-like substance they sell at most major craft stores - comes in many colors, adheres easily to plastic, AND takes paint well!

Gentlemen,

MY wife says Hobby Lobby sells FIMO.  i am checking this stuff out this weekend, Think of the re-sclupting that can be done with a molding clay!  I can easily see a BB/CV ISE class being constructed by me in the future.

WARRIOR888

Here is my thought on this.  First off I want to thank Coach, without him we wouldn’t be having this conversation.  I know everybody will agree that what ever you do we will all be buying your sets anyway.

What it comes down to is historical accuracy and game play.  What if Coach said he wasn’t going to make a German escort carrier?  I think a black escort carrier in the Atlantic would look cool but would that be historical?  When it comes to the issue of Japanese paratroops I think it would fill both categories.  There were Japanese paratroopers and it could be useful when invading China so I think it would fill both need and accuracy.

Now here is my plug for a Japanese unit.  Bicycles for Japan and motorcycles with sidecars for the Germans.    I know its off subject and to small a sculpt but that would be nice to have.

Gentlemen,

Pacific War and DFW–Thanks for your compliments on the paint jobs, but I am only the customer. “Allworkandnoclay” is my painter and deserves ALL of the credit,…I only give him ideas and then pay for them. If you like I can give you some “links” to pics of them.

I, of course, TOTALLY understand and agree that the final decisions are all up to our benevolent leader, General “Coach” Doug, of the 1st Military Miniatures Division , a.k.a. “the Big Green H”. I am very thankful that he listens to our opinions and then makes his decisions. We are all very fortunate to be able to voice our opinions to him. Thanks again, “Coach”.

The last time I brought up the subject of Paratroopers was a couple of months ago when we were talking about the Russian set(s). He said he planned on making Paratroopers for ALL of the nations. If I knew how I would pull up his quote from the Russian topic. I just thought with THREE FULL SETS of Japanese being made that it would(should) include a Paratrooper unit. All I can give is my opinion.

I will of course buy all of the units/sets that HBG produces and be VERY THANKFUL for them. I just hope that the Paratroopers units aren’t delayed longer than necessary so I might actually be able to USE THEM in my G-40 games. My opponents would throw me out the window if I pulled out my “Screamin Eagle” Paratroopers and tried to use them against them. At least until they ALSO have some Paratroopers available to them. I can’t wait!

Let’s all have FUN!
“Tall Paul”

@Jabo:

Here is my thought on this.  First off I want to thank Coach, without him we wouldn’t be having this conversation.  I know everybody will agree that what ever you do we will all be buying your sets anyway.Â

What it comes down to is historical accuracy and game play.  What if Coach said he wasn’t going to make a German escort carrier?  I think a black escort carrier in the Atlantic would look cool but would that be historical?  When it comes to the issue of Japanese paratroops I think it would fill both categories.   There were Japanese paratroopers and it could be useful when invading China so I think it would fill both need and accuracy.Â

Now here is my plug for a Japanese unit.  Bicycles for Japan and motorcycles with sidecars for the Germans.    I know its off subject and to small a sculpt but that would be nice to have.

Well, that’s not a crazy idea: in point of fact, bicycle troops played a vital (and generally overlooked) role both in the German and Japanese versions of “blitzkreig.”  German panzer divisions and Japanese Carrier Task Forces get all the attention, but the reality is that much of the mobile fighting power of both nations was not quite mechanized, as the industrial muscle of each nation didn’t quite rise to the level of equipping the axis armed forces as uniformly with “modern” weapons as the propaganda films indicated… (The German use of cavalry is a similarly overlooked factor: see Riders of the Apocalypse: German Cavalry and Modern Warfare, 1870-1945, an excellent study of the subject that I’ve just begun tackling. It not only details the German cavalry but highlights the importance of bicycle-mounted infantry as an integral part of German (combined-arms) “cavalry” units.

However, given the strategic level of most AA games, I would say that bicylce troops would not fit well in a global or theatre-level game.  Slower than Mech units but faster than infantry units, how would we be able to fit them in?  We can’t make their movement a 1.5!

Similarly, on a tactical level, bicycle troops fought as pretty much standard (light) infantry, so they wouldn’t fit real well into a tactical game like AA mini’s.  Perhaps in some operational games they might have some relevance, though, along with some cavalry.  (A “Pripet Marshes” campaign, anyone?)  In any case, I’d venture to say that you’d likely be better off looking to the figure manufacturuers for such pieces.  I know that Hat Industrie does an excellent set of German bicylce troops in HO-scale plastic, though I haven’t yet heard of anyone doing any Japanese bicylce troops…

Bicycles & Sidecars - hilarious!!!  That would be cool.  :-D

I guess from a scale standpoint, I consider those as regular infantry (Berlin to the Rhine in one move).  And I agree with Tall Paul, many may wonderful thanks to all the folks at HBG - they make this game WAY COOLER than it already was - no matter what pieces come out I buy them.

it would be really funny to see them putting training wheels on the Bicycles just so the molds stand up on there own.