We recently checked in with Steff to see how her Imperial Japanese have been going – now, the gaze of the Green Vault turns to another of our Konflikt ’47 Five Gamers, Conor, and his United States force. With each participant adding another four units to their force, let’s see what he’s been up to!
Just like Steff, I was all fired up and surging with Konflikt ’47 hobby energy, so you can imagine my disappointment at the possibility of my glorious airborne having to stand firm and hold the line without reinforcements! Thankfully, the plans changed and I was allowed to grow my force, to which I have given the nickname The Bloody 216th Sky Corps.
Keen-eyed viewers may note a few… extra units amongst Conor’s force that aren’t mentioned here. Don’t worry; he’s not cheating, but he has been painting some additional models behind the scenes, claiming he needs to ‘practice his scheme’. He’s been told that if they ever show up in a Tale of Five Gamers battle report, we’ll ban him from visiting the cob van for lunch – a fate worse than death! -ed.
I actually had to paint a fifth unit rather than the four that were planned, but that was simply a Platoon Commander to allow me to field the mighty M17 Tesla Cannon crewed by plucky and brave Airborne gunners. (He asked really nicely, so we let him off with a warning – ed.) I chose the field gun because I was after some additional electrified firepower for my Fireflies to take on some of the apex predators of the Konflikt ‘47 universe, and I’m hoping that the power of Tesla and the stubborn nature of the airborne shows through to take down those giants!
With all the protective gear the gunners are wearing covered in my signature blood splatters, it gives them a bit of a ‘butcher’ look… an intimidation tactic to throw off my opponent! The Platoon Commander was originally from the Currahee! Starter Army, and before painting I made a quick conversion by snipping off the original head and sticking a spare Firefly head in its place.
Next on my list I wanted some more walkers to support my boys and as a US player it is a fortunate privilege to have access to some of the best medium walkers, bristling with firepower and utility. For this army I wanted some more jump capable walkers to join my brace of Linebackers, so I looked to their predecessor: the M2 Mudskipper. In the burgeoning background of my Sky Corps the Linebacker is starting to replace Mudskipper in service but there is still a need for the firepower that the older model can provide, becoming increasingly relegated to support duties. Keeping the scheme to match my Linebackers, I chose the HMG-laden A1 variant to add some needed long range anti-infantry capabilities in a mobile weapons platform!
What’s a jump infantry force without more jump walkers? Not wanting to be a total one-trick pony I decided to go with an M5A6 Jackal. They’re either great for dropping in to take out an annoying unit with an arm mounted flamethrower or for zipping across the battlefield, slapping units of DV 7+ as they move around. In the 216th, Jackal pilots are either hot headed vanguards, dropping in ahead to take out choice targets and if their mounts survive to continue harassing the enemy flanks, or they are directly deployed as infantry support, moving with the Fireflies to take out the bigger targets that give the boys with wings difficulties.
Lastly, I wanted something classic Konflikt, a humble M4A9(T) Tesla Sherman! I made this tank as a dual purpose kit, building and painting it in the classic US Army green with winter whitewash for the Ardennes Offensive project that I have been working on alongside my Konflikt ‘47 projects. The Tesla turret I decided to paint in a simple tri-colour camouflage inspired by Finnish tank camouflages. I like to think that the armoured units in support of the 216th are veterans of the war, having fought in the winter offenses of 1944-45 and hurriedly refitted with the Tesla Cannon and pressed into continued service. This exercise has also inspired me to consider what my Army assets would look like, to separate them from the Airborne!
That’s me for this round – now I’ve got a bit of time, I’ll be working on some of my other projects, before the 216th are back in action!
Have our gamers got you inspired to start your own Konflikt ’47 project? Do you want to follow in Conor’s footsteps with a United States force?
