Founded in 1957, along similar lines to their British counterparts, the Australian SAS Company was originally part of the Royal Australian Regiment. Later expanded to form three ‘Sabre squadrons’, the unit was given regimental status of its own in 1964 and went on to its first full deployment during the Indonesian Confrontation in 1965. All three squadrons each then completed two tours of duty in Vietnam, based at Nui Dat and operated throughout Phuoc Tuy province, as well as Bien Hoa, Long Khanh, and Binh Tuy provinces. They acted as the “eyes and ears” of the 1st Australian Task Force in a wide range of operations, often working closely with members of the New Zealand SAS. These operations included reconnaissance patrols, observing enemy movements, and offensive operations deep into enemy held territory.
They proved to be very adept at this work - achieving many successes, the highest ‘kill’ ratio of any Australian unit in Vietnam, and the grudging respect of their Viet Cong opponents who referred to them as the ‘Phantoms in the Jungle’ because of their skill at field craft and concealment. They also worked alongside US Seal teams and US Army Special Forces, and provided instructors to the LRRP School.
Mike Broadbent was so impressed by the new release from Ambush Alley Games for the Vietnam adaptation of their rules ‘Force on Force’ that he rushed to his work bench and sculpted these new figures straight away. If you want to see what he was impressed by as well, go to http://www.ambushalleygames.com
There are six different figures in the Australian SAS set. As usual Mike has paid careful attention to equipping them with all the correct weaponry. One holds the SLR with pistol-grip attached to hand-guard and 30 round magazine, while two others carry the shortened version of the SLR (also with the 30 round magazine). Another bears a stripped down M60 machine gun and the rest are equipped with a standard M16 and an M203 (M16 variant with under-slung XM148 grenade launcher). All are represented with the correct webbing and packs. Figure painters can test themselves with the disruptive camouflage patterns favoured by the Australian SAS in Vietnam. Our examples were beautifully painted for us by Helen Bachaus.
Those of you already familiar with Mike Broadbent’s Australians in Vietnam range will know that it includes a useful set with an Ox cart (with a choice of loads) and a Vietnamese lady with a bicycle. Mike has taken this opportunity to add another Vietnamese civilian set containing an old man and a woman carrying wicker baskets from a shoulder yoke.
Here are the catalogue details for the new miniatures.
NEW 28mm Australians in Vietnam Australian SAS Sculpted by Mike Broadbent 100NAM09 Australian SAS patrol – 6 figures
Vietnamese 100NAM22 Vietnamese Civilians: old man & woman with baskets on yoke – 2 figures
Wow, amazing work as always from Mike. I had them in my cart before I even knew what I was doing... Managed to limit the damage to just one set though, for now ;)
I'd love to see this range continue... More VC and civilians would do alot to make this great range that much better.
Nic Robson Wed 10th Feb 10
I just heard from Mike and he has already started work on some NVA.
Benjamin Spaulding Thu 11th Feb 10
Awesome news. Think I might have found a new project :)
I'll see how I like painting up the SASR first though.
Andrew Craig Wed 3rd Mar 10
Figures look very nice - any plans to add figures armed with the L34A1 Silenced Sterling SMG?
Nic Robson Wed 3rd Mar 10
Mike has written to me to say "I am adding another five or six poses to the SAS and they will include an L34A1 Silenced Sterling SMG. Although they were not widely used and became virtually redundant after the adoption of the M16 variants, there is at least one image of an SAS trooper carrying one."
Benjamin Spaulding Fri 5th Mar 10
The only shot I've ever seen of the L34A1 in use had an XM148 welded underneath :P
