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...

Devil's Charge The Germans had been in retreat since the Allied breakout from Normandy, finally settling into defensive lines on their frontier as Autumn turned into Winter. In early December 1944 it seemed, to the Americans facing them in the Ardennes forests of Belgium and Luxembourg, unlikely that the Germans would attack. Learn more about Devil's Charge here...

	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.  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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

The Calliope Platoon Prepares A Saturation Bombardment

Contents of the Calliope Tank Platoon Box Set

Contact the customer service team at customerservice@battlefront.co.nz if you have any issues with any of the components.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.