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Saturday 24 August 2019

Soviet Reinforcements

Compared to my German forces, the soviets that I will be using for my mini campaign are a bit thin. During the last week I have been addressing this by increasing the number of infantry and armour units.

A new infantry unit, in the standard format of four rifle sub units, a mortar and machine gun sub unit and a command element:
These are all Airfix figures. I have always liked the machine gun and mortar teams and it is a shame that Airfix did not produce these for the other nationalities:
I also acquired two additional Roco Minitanks T-34s; one a 76mm gun version and the other has the longer 85mm gun:
To provide a reconnaissance capability I bought a trio of BA-10 armoured cars from BPM (Butler's Printed Models) - I am not aware of any 1/87 scale soviet armoured cars from other sources:
Finally some soviet heavy tanks in the shape of these KV-1As, also from BPM:
The soviets are just about ready to take to the field.



8 comments:

  1. Nice to see the Airfix Russian set painted - I never painted mine and the officer always fell over. The armoured cars are very nice too.

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    1. Yes, that Russian officer has to have a base fitted, along with the odd fellow that is leaping with an SMG. I too like the BPM models and it is good to have a source of 1/87 equipment.

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    2. All the figures I deemed useless as a kid because they fell over! Would have been a different story if I had ever thought to base them.

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  2. I too really enjoyed seeing these venerable Airfix comrades and their armour. Looking forward to seeing the game.

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    1. I never tire of painting these old figures. Every once in a while I will get a handful and paint another unit.

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  3. You have done those Airfix dudes very nicely - much nicer than mine. I've never really loved mine, much preferring the ESCI and Plastic soldier figures. But I've had my Airfix a lot longer!

    I agree with your comment about the Soviet Maksim, especially the gunner seated behind it (cast in 2 pieces). It is a pity Airfix didn't do the same for the Vickers MMG gunners, with the reclining guy providing the back rest for the trigger man. The mortar is pretty good, too. I've tended to treat mine as the 82mm chappy, but I gather it is really the 120mm medium.

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    1. I seem to recall that Charles Grant, in his book 'Battle' cut down the mortar to replicate an 82mm weapon. I have been under 120mm mortar fire and it is a bloody great bang when the bomb goes off!

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    2. Plenty of excitement but not much fun, then? I've never thought to cut mine down (I have 6 of them), but might think about scratchbuilding 82mm, having a number of the Plastic soldier versions of them.

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