Churchill AVRE Armoured Vehicle, Royal Engineers (BR090) Product Update Starting in November 2010 this product will be discontinued from production. BR073 - Churchill IV,VI blister has been modified to include the required components. The AVRE (Armoured Vehicle Royal Engineers, plural AVsRE) is a Churchill infantry tank modified for engineering work. The main gun has been replaced with a Petard spigot mortar firing a 40-pound (18 kg) demolition charge.

These ‘Flying Dustbins’ are capable of destroying any fortification at up to 80 metres range. In addition each AVRE carries a demolition expert and 26 demolition charges for use by the crew of fully-trained assault engineers. The vehicle itself is fitted for assault engineering tasks as well, being able to carry fascines to fill ditches, bridges for larger obstacles, and a variety of other specialist equipment. AVsRE are formed into platoons of six tanks, with one platoon being allocated to each assault battalion for use as needed.

The platoons typically operate as individual sections of two tanks with each section assigned to a specific task as part of the plan to breach the enemy defences. The AVRE has two quite distinct roles depending on the nature of the defences. When facing bunkers and pillboxes, some of the AVsRE are normally detailed to knock them out with their Petard demolition mortars.

When faced with anti-tank ditches, or even steep-sided streams, one or more AVsRE will be equipped with a Fascine to fill it or a bridge to span it. No matter what the situation, when facing a prepared defensive position an AVRE or two is always worthwhile. In Flames Of War The rules of the AVRE are on pages 38-29 of D-Day.

They can be used on the table to carry out Pioneer tasks, used to carry Fascine and SBG bridges and their Demotion Mortar can be devastating against bunkers and other enemy targets. The AVRE is Fully-tracked with Armour F8, S7, T2 uses all the AVRE special rules, has Protected ammo, is Slow tank and is Wide-tracked.

The AVRE is armed with a co-ax MG and a Petard mortar. The Petard mortar has a range of 4”/10cm, ROF1, AT5 and FP 1+. The Petard mortar is a Bunker buster, Demolition mortar and the turret has Slow traverse.  AVRE Sections are unusual in that you do not pay points for them. Instead, if you field a British Rifle Company or a Commando Troop and are attacking, you may swap up to two Carrier Patrols for an AVRE Section each before deployment. These now count as Support platoons additional to the normal allocation. Designed by Evan Painted by Jeremy