NAM Patrol Boat
PBR (Patrol Boat, River x2)
(VUSBX12)
includes two PBR boats.
The Patrol Boat, River or PBR, was a small rigid-hulled patrol boat that was the mainstay of Operation Game Warden. PBRs did not usually operate with the Mobile Riverine Force; their mission was to interdict illicit waterway traffic and provide intelligence to the navy. Occasionally, this mission would overlap with the Mobile Riverine Force’s mission and the two would cooperate.
The PBR was usually manned by a 4-man crew. Typically, a First Class Petty Officer served as boat captain, with a gunner's mate, an engineman and a seaman on board. Each crewman was cross-trained in each other's job in case one became unable to carry out his duties. Generally, PBRs operated in pairs under the command of a patrol officer, who rode on one of the boats.
With a shallow-draught fibreglass hull and water jet drive, the PBR could operate in the shallow, weed-choked rivers of the Mekong Delta. The dual 180hp pump-jet drives, which could be pivoted to reverse direction, made the boat extremely fast and nimble. PBRs did not have much in the way of armour protection - just some shielding for the .50-cal machine guns and upright steel armour plates in the midships. Instead, the boats were designed to rely on acceleration and maneuverability to get out of trouble.
River Raiders
With fibreglass hulls, light patrol boats rely on their acceleration, speed, and manoeuvrability to protect them.
15mm, resin/metal
Battlefront Miniatures
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