MTLB-CMDR_Finn

Adding to wishlist: -Soviet/Russian AT-guns, namely 100mm MT-12 "Rapira". They are part of modern russian doctorine and are in use right now, so they would be accurate. They would be empoyed as heavy MGs or AT missiles in mission editor.

Its a slow day at work, so Im going to post few new memories. Perhaps somebody will find these entertaining. Once I and another crew voluteered on a short weekend training exercise for new recruits and reservists, when other crews went to home. This excercize turned to be one of the must fun times in the army, as we were acting as an opfor for rookies in night figting. It was very kino to see all those flares and muzzle flashes in winter night. Next day our half platoon was chilling atop of our engine decks to stay warm, our CO approached and asked for one crew to volunteer for special task. I did, and it turned out to be taking some local people to joyride. I asked who these people will be, and CO just said that they are just normal blue collar workes. Well, soon police car pulled in the training area and two very shy looking police officers approached our tanks. They hopped in and we left. In that specific training area was a ice field that was used for driver training for ambulances and fire trucks, but we went there and I just ordered my driver to go as fast as he dared. It was fun to watch the police to hold on to their lifes when MTLB was drifting in ice field, Yamz roaring in max revolutions. Next memory is from bigger excercise in north. I was middle of forest, escorting medic MTLBu. I stopped to look around, and when I turned my head ahead again there was an opfor Leopard, and its commander just noticed me, staring before he started to yell orders in intercom.. Thankfully my driver was faster that his gunner. In same excercise I got the best possible leadership training, as we were carrying out search and destroy mission against enemy remnants that were scattered around after Leo 2A6 company performed counterattack. We were stuck in FASCAM minefield in a crossroad, when enemy counterattacked and I was in command of that detachment, even if I was just lowly tank commander NCO. We held that crossoads, even if I lost most of the infrantry and one of my platoons tanks. We got support from one of the rarest vehicles in FDF, Marksman SPAAGs, so that was fun to see them in action. Last memory is in same excercise, this time concerning fog of war and importance of recon. Our columm was moving to different location, and CO was driving up front in SUV. But enemy was already there, so we drove straing to ambush. There is not much you can do in narrow forest road when NLAW gunner pops up from behind a rock and just ends you.

I would love to have possibility to simulate NBC-warfare, meaning that hatches must stay closed at all times or crew would need to wear MOPP-suits or something similar. Same for infrantry. Certain areas would be contaminated or whole map. This could happen also during mission, forcing crews to button up, put their equipment in use and start NBC- filtration systems. Possibility for the crew to abandon tank. Would be good visual que to see enemy crew open hatches and run. This gives also more variety on tactical level (rescue that crew under fire etc). I consider this quite important feature, knowing when situation is hopeless and abandoning tank is only change to save crew or when not to do that. Possibility to use famous soviet log to unditch the tank if stuck. Also towing cables would be nice if they could be seen. Possibility for infrantry and tank crews to use flares. This is propably hard to code due the lighting, but it would be nice addition.

Sorry for answering old post and sorry to prove you wrong:

does have very good mobility on any terrain, MTLBv can cross open swamp and snow means nothing. But this time the ice broke in such way that rear part of tank dropped in pond, so tracks did not get traction to pull itself out. We solved it by attaching spikes (soviet hardened steel spikes that are bolted straight to tracks) and the tank got out using its own power. I remembered that I have picture of this, hopefully it uploads.

POS? But being a MTLB crewman is comfy, tank has literal leather couches at the back for sleeping. Of cource tank is tiny and made in soviet union, so ergonomics are not good at all. And transmission is unsyncronized, so driver has to know what he is doing. And maintainance is pain, for prevously mentioned reasons. Transmission adjustments especially.

In short, share your memories or experiences about being tank crewman. If you have questions for tankers, you can share them too. Few of my own memories are waking up in the morning, putting on my oily and sweaty tanker overalls and making MRE by putting cold water in, sealing the bag and placing the MRE atop of engine exhaust. Soon I had a very good and hot MRE ready. Another on is choosing a "alternative" route and encountering a suspiciously flat area in middle of winter. When driving over it, the ice broke, and we got one MTLBv stuck in icy and swampy pond. Well, I led my tank to air cover out of the way, driving over a skilane in the process. Threads messed up the skilane very well, and after this our trainer notified that one of the biggest ski competions in Finland was few days away- using the same lane that I just destroyed.

I know this, but I am missing the RCL as a infrantry ambush weapon as it is. (At least in Finnish cold war doctrine) But thanks for your answer!

I remember reading that Turkish Leo 2A4s extensive damage originates from Turkish Air Force, as after their crews abandoned their tanks/they got hit Turks bombed their own Leos to prevent them from falling into enemy hands. Im not 100% sure about this though.

Thank for these additions.

Yes I did, and they are also useful in SB. We already had corsair headsets etc, so experience is quite good.

Well not as unemployed but just regular high school teenager. Our municipality youth work got 6 hi-end computers and I started simulator "club" with them, using DCS and Steel Beasts. It is popular, and I get payed to play Steel Beasts.

Thanks!

Well, I would love the following: - Loaders place in tanks. Not a lot to do, but adds to immersion, lets additional crewman to spot and use MGs if equipped. - Recoilles rifles and Soviet cold war AT-guns (infrantry operated, like HMGs) and towed artillery. Would make missions more varied and interesting. -More dynamic way to issue commands commander to gunner. In the way of "Put one HEAT in that building", "Fire again to make certain its dead", "Fire at will against that treeline" -Issue orders to loader considering LMG, like "Supress infrantry at the front". Loading would obviously stop for duration of that order -Way for the commander to dismount and do short recce, like going to check whats over that ridgeline. -Snipers and infrantry would target vehicle crews. Would teach to keep your head down. -Simulate tank terror for infrantry. Most soldiers would run if whole company of Leo 2A6s charge towards them or they hear tank engines in darkness and receive fire that they cant return. -Way to choose if you tank has ERA panels, loaders machine guns or soviet log, etc. -Way to use said log. Also, way to use T-72s bulldozer blade to dig firing position. -More of a personal thing, but I would love to use modernized T-55s. -T-90M.

Hi and thanks for answer Ssnake! Recon is certanly something that I havent used a lot, so it will be something that I will be integrating more for future scenarios. Perhaps using correct radio protocols to send recon and contact reports and using correct formations and reaction when encountering small enemy chekpoints, superior force or ambushes. I have put ambulances in the enemy towns to teach identifying target before destroying them, but civilian pickups are nice addition. This has given me more ideas, thank you.

And to add more information, the youths know basic tank tactics (Covering when crossing plains, staying hull down when fighting, using firing position and spotting position etc) and basic formations, but cant yet utilize them in effective manner in battlefield, so that cant be cental theme in scenario.

So, I run youth work programs in finnish municipality and one program we have is simulators, namely Steel Beasts. I need more ideas for scenarios, as I run risk of repeating my own situations. I would be thankful if you lot could suggest new scenario types, enemy composition, some things to spice things up etc. These scenarios should be 30mins to 90 minutes long, be somewhat easy (as I am a trained tank commander, but the youths are not) and give lot of options how to accomplish them. They should be centered on Finland or Scandinavia and use Finnish equipment. I have teached them to use Leo 2A6s, T-72B3s and BMP-2s. These scenarios should use half platoon or whole platoon. They would need to be survivable, as it sucks to die in the beginning of a mission and watch back when your friends have a fun time. So no hunter killer ATGM-teams or T-90 platoon ambushes. In former scenarios I have used a lot of tecnicals, BMP-1s without AT-3s, BTRs and T-72M1s, as they are easy to beat in Leo2A6s, but still pose a threat. Missions differ from counterattacks to capturing POIs, like bridges or towns. But if you can give me new ideas I would appreciate it. Thanks in advance.