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Calliope Tank Platoon (UBX34)

Calliope Tank Platoon (UBX34) Calliope Tank Platoon (UBX34)
includes two T34 Calliope tanks, two Plastic Sherman sprues, two Tank Commander figures, one Full Salvo token & four Rare-earth magnets.

The 30th and 90th Infantry Divisions’ 743rd and 712th Tank Battalions were among the first to receive T34 Calliope rocket launcher kits. These launchers were named after the Calliope (pronounced Kal-lee-ohp by some and Kal-lieoh-pee by others) steam-powered organ played at carnivals and circuses. The launcher’s frame couldn’t stand up to the main gun’s recoil, so the crews became dedicated rocketeers, forgoing their main gun completely.

Check out the Calliope Tank Platoon in the online store here...
The Battle of the Bulge
In December 1944 the German forces were supposed to be on the back foot, so their desperate push in the Ardennes took the Allies by surprise. Desperate defence by the American and British Commonwealth forces gradually turned to counterattack as they fought to erase the 'Bulge'.

Learn more about The Battle of the Bulge here...

Battle of the Bulge: Allied Forces on the German border, September 1944 – February 1945
Calliope Tank Platoon (UBX34)

Each Calliope rocket launcher system fired a bombardment of sixty 4.5” (114mm) rockets. Individually, these rockets may not cause much damage, but group 60 to 240 of them into a single salvo and the enemy will have nowhere to hide.

Calliope launcher kits were attached to tanks from an infantry division’s tank battalion. This meant that the Calliope crews were full-time tankers but only part-time artillerymen without much, if any, specialised training.

Below: The Full Salvo token for use with the Sixty Rockets special rule. 

Calliope Tank Platoon (UBX34)

Designed by Evan Allen
Painted by Blake Coster

The T34 Calliope in Flames Of War
      Armour    
Name
Mobility
Front
Side
Top
Equipment and Notes
Weapon
Range
ROF
Anti-tank
Firepower
 
T34 Calliope
Standard Tank
6
4
1
Co-ax MG, Hull MG.
T34 Calliope rocket launcher
48"/120cm
-
2
5+
Rocket launcher, Saturation Bombardment, Sixty Rockets.
Calliope Tank Platoon (UBX34) Calliope Tank Platoon (UBX34)
Saturation Bombardment
Each T34 Calliope counts as four weapons when firing an Artillery Bombardment.

A Calliope Tank Platoon cannot use the Hit ‘Em With Everything You Got special rule.

Calliope Tank Platoon (UBX34) Calliope Tank Platoon (UBX34)
Sixty Rockets
The Calliope’s 60 rocket tubes took a bit of time to reload, but a crack crew found ways to speed things up for the next salvo.


At the start of the game, place a Full Salvo marker with a platoon with Sixty Rockets rocket launchers. Remove this marker after firing an Artillery Bombardment.

Calliope Tank Platoon (UBX34) Calliope Tank Platoon (UBX34)
If a platoon with Sixty Rockets rocket launchers does not have a Full Salvo marker when it fires an Artillery Bombardment, roll a Skill Test for each Rocket Launcher able to fire in the Bombardment. Only those that pass the Skill Test can fire as part of the Bombardment.

Place a Full Salvo marker on a platoon with Sixty Rockets rocket launchers at the end of any Shooting Step in which every Rocket Launcher in the platoon was able to fire an Artillery Bombardment, but none did so.
Calliope Tank Platoon (UBX34) Calliope Tank Platoon (UBX34)
T34 Calliope teams may not Charge into Contact and must Break Off rather than Counterattack if Assaulted (see pages 144 and 165 of the rulebook).
Calliope Tank Platoon (UBX34) Calliope Tank Platoon (UBX34)
The Calliope Platoon Prepares A Saturation Bombardment
Calliope Tank Platoon (UBX34)
Contents of the Calliope Tank Platoon Box Set
Contact the customer service team at [email protected] if you have any issues with any of the components.
Calliope Tank Platoon (UBX34)
Description of Components
a. 2x Resin Sherman hull and turret.
b. 4x Rare-earth magnets.
c. 1x Full Salvo token.
d. 2x Plastic Sherman parts sprue.
e. 2x Hull MG.
f.
2x Tank commander figures.
g. 2x Left-hand side rocket pod support arms.
h. 2x Right-hand side rocket pod support arms.
i. 2x Rocket pod elevation bar.
j. 2x Left-hand side bottom rocket pod.
k. 2x Right-hand side bottom rocket pod.
l. 2x Top rocket pod.

The Plastic Sherman Sprue
The parts of the plastic Sherman sprue that are used when assembling the T34 Calliope are highlighted in green.


Right: The highlighted parts of the plastic Sherman sprue used in the construction the
T34 Calliope.

Calliope Tank Platoon (UBX34)
Assembly the T34 Calliope
Step 1. Begin assembly by attaching the tracks to the hull of the T34 Calliope.
Below: The correct alignment for the right-hand side track. Below: The correct alignment for the left-hand side track. Below: The right-hand side track attached to the hull.
Calliope Tank Platoon (UBX34) Calliope Tank Platoon (UBX34) Calliope Tank Platoon (UBX34)
Below: The left-hand side track attached to the hull. Step 2. Attach the hull MG to the front of the hull. Step 3. Next, add the commander's hatch.
Calliope Tank Platoon (UBX34) Calliope Tank Platoon (UBX34) Calliope Tank Platoon (UBX34)
Step 4. Attach the main gun to the turret. Tip: Be sure to angle it up slightly. Step 5. Attach the bottom rocket pods to the top rocket pod; ensuring that the small tab on each is pointing outwards.
Calliope Tank Platoon (UBX34) Calliope Tank Platoon (UBX34)
Step 6. Attach both rocket support arms to the sides of the rocket pads. Step 7. Once the support arms are attached. Add the entire rocket assembly to the turret.
Calliope Tank Platoon (UBX34) Calliope Tank Platoon (UBX34) Calliope Tank Platoon (UBX34)
Step 8. Add the elevation bar to the gun barrel and position it under the rocket pod between the two smaller pods.
Step 9. With the elevation bar in place, the T34 Calliope is now ready for painting.
Calliope Tank Platoon (UBX34) Calliope Tank Platoon (UBX34)

Adding Rare-earth Magnets
Due to the weight of the rocket pod, the T34 Calliope is rather top-heavy. So Evan has created a recess for a rare earth magnet in the hull of the T34 Calliope.

Read Chris' guide to Rare Earth Magnets here for more tips and tricks...

Below: The magnet recess complete with magnet. Below: Simply glue a rare earth magnet to the bottom of the turret and you have a safe and secure way of attaching the turret to the hull.
Calliope Tank Platoon (UBX34) Calliope Tank Platoon (UBX34)


Last Updated On Tuesday, August 30, 2016 by James at Battlefront