Rubicon Models' Vietnam War range has become an increasingly interesting option for historical wargamers who want to build the infantry, vehicles and support weapons associated with one of the most recognizable conflicts of the 20th century. Best known for detailed plastic military vehicle kits, Rubicon has expanded its Vietnam-era range to cover much more than tanks and transports.

The result is a growing 28mm collection suitable for recreating engagements between United States forces, the Army of the Republic of Vietnam, the People's Army of Vietnam and Viet Cong guerrillas. Infantry sets can be supported by weapons teams, armoured personnel carriers, tanks and other vehicles, allowing hobbyists to build forces around a specific campaign or gradually develop a larger Vietnam collection.

This is particularly useful for wargamers because the Vietnam War cannot be represented convincingly by one generic infantry box. Dense terrain, helicopters, armoured columns, guerrilla warfare, fortified positions and conventional battles all appeared during the conflict, and the equipment used could change substantially depending on the year and theatre.

Canadian hobbyists can browse the Rubicon Models collection at TistaMinis for Vietnam-era infantry, vehicles and supporting kits alongside Rubicon's broader historical range.

Rubicon Models and the Vietnam War

Rubicon Models established its reputation primarily through hard-plastic military vehicles. For historical gamers, that combination of scale modelling and tabletop practicality made Rubicon especially useful for conflicts where vehicles form an important part of an army.

The company's expansion into Vietnam is significant because the conflict requires a very different visual language from the Second World War. Jungle uniforms, boonie hats, M16 rifles, AK-pattern weapons, webbing, recoilless rifles and Cold War-era armour immediately distinguish the tabletop from an earlier historical battlefield.

Rubicon has approached the period as a broader range rather than simply releasing an American squad and stopping there. US Army and Marine personnel can face Viet Cong and People's Army of Vietnam forces, while vehicles and support weapons expand the scope from patrol-sized actions into much larger engagements.

The Vietnam War as a Tabletop Campaign

American direct military involvement in Vietnam escalated dramatically during the 1960s, but the wider conflict developed over many years and involved numerous forces. The communist North Vietnamese government and its People's Army of Vietnam fought alongside the National Liberation Front, commonly associated with the Viet Cong, against South Vietnam and its allies.

United States forces entered the conflict with enormous advantages in firepower, logistics and mobility. Helicopters could move troops rapidly across difficult terrain, artillery and air support could deliver immense firepower, and armoured vehicles provided mobility and protection where the terrain permitted their use.

The opposing forces adapted through dispersal, concealment, fortified positions, ambushes and an extensive understanding of the terrain. At the same time, it would be inaccurate to treat the war entirely as American conventional troops fighting small guerrilla groups. North Vietnamese regular forces fought major conventional engagements and increasingly fielded heavier weapons and armour as the conflict progressed.

Rubicon Models US Army Vietnam War Plastic Set

One of the most useful starting points is Rubicon's US Army Vietnam War infantry set. It is designed around the American ground troops that became one of the defining visual images of the conflict.

The hard-plastic kit includes 28mm figures with options appropriate to American infantry and provides a strong foundation for building rifle squads, command figures and supporting personnel. Equipment and weapons help establish the period immediately, while the multipart construction allows players to create varied poses across a larger force.

For someone beginning a Vietnam project, infantry is usually the right place to start. Vehicles may be spectacular, but most scenarios still need troops capable of moving through terrain, holding objectives, conducting patrols and fighting at close range.

US Army Infantry: Building the Core Force

American infantry provides the most logical foundation for many Vietnam collections. Rifle squads allow players to represent patrols, search-and-destroy operations, defensive positions and larger battles without requiring an enormous number of vehicles.

A useful collection can begin with several infantry squads and then add command and specialist weapons. This produces a force that can already play smaller engagements before more expensive vehicles and supporting elements are introduced.

The visual character is also very different from a Second World War US army. Uniforms, body armour, web gear and Cold War weapons such as the M16 help establish the later period, while radio operators, machine guns and other equipment give squads additional character.

US Marines in Vietnam

The United States Marine Corps provides another important option for Vietnam gaming. Marines were heavily involved in combat, particularly in I Corps in the northern part of South Vietnam, and participated in some of the war's most famous battles.

For a historical project, Marine forces allow players to explore engagements around places such as Huế, Khe Sanh and the Demilitarized Zone. They can also provide an alternative to building another generic US Army force while still sharing much of the same broader equipment ecosystem.

Rubicon's Vietnam range includes US Marine personnel, allowing collectors to build forces with a clearer historical identity rather than simply using one American infantry set to represent every US formation in the conflict.

Viet Cong: Building an Irregular Force

A Vietnam collection needs an opposing force, and the Viet Cong offer a dramatically different modelling and gaming experience from US troops. Fighters can be represented with lighter equipment and a mixture of weapons, creating units that look very different from conventional American formations.

On the tabletop, Viet Cong forces naturally suit scenarios built around concealment, ambushes, villages, jungle terrain and hidden positions. Rather than designing every battle around two armies advancing directly toward one another, scenarios can emphasize reconnaissance, objectives and uncertain enemy locations.

This is where terrain becomes especially important. Dense vegetation, rice paddies, huts, trails and concealed positions can transform the game into something recognizably different from a conventional European battlefield.

North Vietnamese Army / PAVN

The People's Army of Vietnam provides the more conventional side of the communist war effort. North Vietnamese regulars were capable of fighting organized military operations and should not be treated simply as another version of irregular Viet Cong fighters.

This distinction becomes increasingly important for later-war scenarios. PAVN forces could deploy heavier weapons and participate in large conventional operations, making them suitable for battles where both sides field substantial formations.

Combining Viet Cong and PAVN products also gives a collector more flexibility. Smaller guerrilla actions can use irregular forces, while North Vietnamese regulars can appear in larger engagements and late-war campaigns.

Vietnam-Era Vehicles From Rubicon Models

Vehicles are where Rubicon Models' experience becomes particularly valuable. The company has long specialized in detailed plastic military vehicles, and several kits fit naturally into Vietnam War collections.

Not every vehicle used during the wider Cold War belongs in every Vietnam scenario, however. Check the date, operator and deployment history of a vehicle before adding it to a historically specific force.

M113: One of the Essential Vietnam Vehicles

The M113 armoured personnel carrier is one of the most recognizable vehicles associated with American and South Vietnamese mechanized forces during the war. Its relatively simple tracked design allowed troops and equipment to move across terrain that could challenge wheeled vehicles.

In Vietnam, the M113 was frequently used much more aggressively than the term "personnel carrier" might suggest. Armoured cavalry units could operate the vehicle as a fighting platform, and modifications appeared as crews adapted their machines to battlefield conditions.

For tabletop gaming, M113s are ideal for scenarios where infantry and armour need to operate together. A few carriers immediately transform a foot patrol force into a mechanized formation and provide a strong visual link to Vietnam-era armoured cavalry.

Rubicon's vehicle catalogue makes the M113 family an obvious product to investigate when expanding beyond infantry in the Rubicon Models range at TistaMinis.

M48 Patton: American Heavy Armour

The popular image of Vietnam often emphasizes helicopters and infantry, but tanks were also deployed. The M48 Patton became an important American tank in the conflict, particularly when heavy direct firepower was needed against fortified positions or enemy forces.

An M48 immediately changes the visual scale of a tabletop force. Rather than representing a patrol moving through jungle terrain, the battlefield begins to resemble a larger combined-arms operation.

For that reason, tanks are best added after the infantry foundation is established. One or two armoured vehicles supporting several squads will usually look more convincing than a collection containing numerous tanks but almost no troops.

M41 Walker Bulldog and South Vietnamese Forces

The M41 Walker Bulldog provides an opportunity to move beyond exclusively American forces. The Army of the Republic of Vietnam used the M41, giving historical gamers another option for representing South Vietnamese armour.

ARVN forces are an important part of the conflict but can easily be overlooked in miniature collections focused exclusively on US versus North Vietnamese forces. Adding South Vietnamese elements creates more scenario possibilities and better reflects the wider war.

The M41 is especially appropriate for later scenarios where South Vietnamese armoured formations play a more visible role.

T-54, T-55 and North Vietnamese Armour

North Vietnamese forces also fielded tanks, particularly as the war moved toward larger conventional operations. Soviet-designed T-54 and related vehicles became important symbols of the later conflict.

For wargamers, this creates a completely different style of Vietnam scenario. Instead of an American patrol encountering concealed guerrillas, both sides can deploy armour and heavy weapons in battles resembling conventional Cold War warfare.

This is particularly appropriate for campaigns focused on the final years of the conflict. North Vietnamese armour therefore makes an excellent expansion for someone who already owns substantial PAVN infantry and wants to move into larger late-war games.

PT-76 Amphibious Light Tank

The Soviet-designed PT-76 amphibious light tank is another distinctive vehicle associated with North Vietnamese forces. Its amphibious capability and lighter construction separated it from heavier main battle tanks.

Historically minded gamers may recognize the PT-76 from engagements involving North Vietnamese armour, including the fighting around Lang Vei in 1968. That makes it particularly interesting for scenario-driven collections rather than generic tank battles.

Combined with PAVN infantry, a PT-76 allows players to represent a side of the Vietnam War that is often absent from popular portrayals focused entirely on guerrilla warfare.

Weapons Teams and Fire Support

Infantry boxes establish the army, but support weapons help define how that army fights. Machine guns, mortars, recoilless rifles and other crew-served weapons were essential components of ground combat.

These teams also work extremely well as miniature projects because a single base can tell a story. Ammunition, crew positions, sandbags and vegetation can turn a support weapon into a small diorama while still functioning as a gaming piece.

For larger games, support weapons create another tactical layer. Infantry can manoeuvre while heavier weapons cover approaches, defend strongpoints or threaten vehicles.

What Rubicon Vietnam Products Should You Start With?

The best purchases depend on the kind of Vietnam game you want to build. Someone interested in infantry patrols does not need to immediately buy a fleet of tanks, while a player recreating later conventional battles will eventually need substantially heavier equipment.

Five Ways to Build a Rubicon Vietnam Collection

1. US Army vs Viet Cong

This is the most immediately recognizable starting point. Build several US squads and oppose them with Viet Cong infantry on a terrain-heavy table containing jungle, villages and rice fields.

The focus can remain on patrols, ambushes and infantry movement, keeping the model count and initial investment manageable.

2. US Mechanized Infantry

Add M113s to an existing American infantry collection and the character of the army changes immediately. Mechanized scenarios can emphasize movement, convoy security and coordinated infantry-and-vehicle operations.

3. US Marines vs PAVN

Marine and North Vietnamese regular forces are excellent for players interested in heavier engagements, particularly those associated with the northern regions of South Vietnam.

Fortifications, artillery positions and dense terrain can create games that feel substantially different from small guerrilla encounters.

4. Tet Offensive

The Tet Offensive of 1968 provides opportunities for urban and semi-urban scenarios rather than relying entirely on jungle tables. Buildings, roads, walls and damaged structures become much more important.

US Army, Marines, ARVN, Viet Cong and PAVN forces can all potentially appear depending on the specific engagement being represented.

5. Late-War Conventional Battles

For players who love vehicles, later-war scenarios allow PAVN armour and heavier weapons to take a much more prominent role. These battles can look surprisingly different from the stereotypical image of the Vietnam War.

Tanks, armoured vehicles, anti-tank weapons and organized infantry formations create something closer to a conventional Cold War battlefield.

Rulesets for 28mm Vietnam War Miniatures

Rubicon's models are not tied to a single rules system, which gives players considerable flexibility. Several historical rulesets can support Vietnam gaming depending on whether you want squad-level engagements, platoon actions or larger battles.

Charlie Don't Surf from TooFatLardies approaches the conflict at a larger tactical level and places considerable emphasis on command, friction and the particular character of Vietnam warfare.

Force on Force is another name familiar to modern historical gamers and can support asymmetrical engagements involving conventional and irregular forces.

Other players adapt general modern warfare systems or use smaller skirmish rules for patrol-sized actions. Because Rubicon produces historical miniatures rather than models tied permanently to one proprietary game, the same collection can potentially serve several systems.

Before basing an entire army, check the basing conventions and unit structure of the rules your group expects to play most often.

Terrain Is Essential for Vietnam Gaming

Few historical periods depend on terrain as strongly as Vietnam. A flat tabletop with a handful of scattered trees will struggle to recreate the tactical problems that made the environment so important.

Jungle vegetation should break lines of sight and create uncertain approaches. Villages provide objectives and areas of close fighting. Rice paddies, streams, trails, hills and roads influence movement and give scenarios a recognizable sense of place.

Urban terrain becomes increasingly useful for battles associated with Tet, while bunkers and fortified positions work well for scenarios involving prepared defences.

TistaMinis carries tabletop terrain and basing materials that can be combined with period-specific scenery to build a dense Vietnam gaming table.

Painting Vietnam War Miniatures

Vietnam armies provide a very different painting experience from brightly coloured Napoleonic or fantasy collections. Olive greens, faded uniforms, earth tones and weathered vehicles dominate much of the palette.

That does not mean the models need to look monotonous. Variations in cloth colour, webbing, equipment, helmets and skin tones can make infantry formations visually interesting while preserving a realistic military appearance.

Vehicles particularly benefit from weathering. Dust, mud, worn surfaces, stowage and crew equipment can transform a clean plastic model into something that looks as though it belongs in a difficult tropical environment.

For jungle bases, combine earth colours with multiple types of vegetation rather than covering every base in one identical bright green grass. Tufts, leaves, small plants and patches of exposed soil produce a much more convincing effect.

Browse miniature paints and hobby supplies at TistaMinis when planning infantry, armour and terrain for a Vietnam project.

Frequently Asked Questions

Final Thoughts: Why Rubicon's Vietnam Range Is Worth Exploring

Rubicon Models is particularly well suited to the Vietnam War because the company can support both halves of a historical army project. Infantry provides the essential human element, while Rubicon's experience producing plastic military vehicles allows a collection to expand naturally into mechanized and armoured warfare.

The variety is also important. US Army troops and Marines can face Viet Cong guerrillas or PAVN regulars, while M113s, Pattons and other vehicles allow American forces to move beyond foot patrols. On the opposing side, North Vietnamese armour opens the door to later conventional battles that look dramatically different from the jungle engagements most commonly associated with the war.

For a new collection, start with a clearly defined campaign rather than trying to buy every Vietnam-era model at once. Build the infantry first, create terrain appropriate to the scenario, and then add weapons teams and vehicles as the scope of the games expands.

The US Army box featured in the video above is an excellent example of that approach. It establishes the infantry foundation, provides plenty of modelling potential and gives a player a force that can be expanded later with M113s, tanks, support weapons and opposing Vietnamese units.

Browse the Rubicon Models collection at TistaMinis for Vietnam-era infantry and vehicles, and explore our terrain, paint and hobby supplies to build a complete 28mm Vietnam battlefield.