Another contingent of defenders of Mother Russia was completed this week, specifically 42 Soviet Winter Infantry from the Warlord Games boxed set of the same name. The set consists of five identical sprues of eight figures, plus three weapons sprues, enough to build 40 miniatures. I transferred two additional figures from the Siberian Veterans I did last week to beef up the numbers a bit. They are dressed in either greatcoats or quilted jackets, many wearing mitts, or having them dangle from 'idiot strings'. The selection of heads provided a lot of choice from a variety of fur hats, pilotkas, or helmets, with many of the faces wrapped in scarves. The only criticism I have with the set is that the weapons sprues don't provide enough basic Moisin-Nagant rifles. but I was able to make up the shortfall by carving away telescopic sights, or grabbing rifles from the sprues that came with the box of Siberian Veterans.
These were all painted in my usual style, starting with a dark brown primer. All the basic colours were painted using Vallejo acrylics, followed by a coat of Army Painter Strong Tone Quickshade. At times it was a little tricky getting the brush into the deep recesses. I might try a method I saw on YouTube where all the parts were painted while still on the sprue and then assembled. I used AK Diorama products 'Snow' and 'Snow Sprinkles' on the bases to give them that frosty look. The dead grass is Vallejo Scenery 'Wild Tuft - Beige'. The end result is a platoon of three identical 10 man sections, each with a submachine gun, a mix of Moisin-Nagant rifles and carbines, a DP-28 light machine gun team, plus some hand grenades and Molotov cocktails, and a section of 9 conscripts armed with rifles, all led by a senior officer with a pistol. Add to that a PTRS-41 or Simonov anti-tank rifle team, ready to engage the Fascist invaders.
The Bolt Action rules for Soviets allow a free section of conscripts as one of the force selection options, or I can use them to increase the strength of the other three sections up to 12 men, so this group will provide me with some options on the wargames table of either bigger sections, or a free group of 'Grot'. They will be teamed up with my Soviet Winter Support Group and my whitewashed T-34 for a battle in the snows of Russia.
A platoon of Soviet infantry in Winter uniforms |
Squad No. 1 |
Squad No. 2 |
Squad No. 3 |
Veteran Officer and Anti-tank Rifle Team |
Призывники Фосетт-авеню |
The points being claimed are as follows:
39.5 x 28mm foot figures @ 5 points each = 197.5 points
(I am counting the five prone figures as two and a half)
This is the last of my Soviet infantry. The last of the Soviets? Stay tune for next week's submission.
Nice work on these Winterized Soviets Frederick. I like the basing with the light snow and dead grass clumps. Don't mock the so called Idiot Strings, IMHO the idiot is the one who runs around the house looking for the second mitt or leaves home with only half a set.
Great work, Frederick! They look cold and the groundwork is suitably bleak.
ReplyDeleteNice Sovs, Frederick! :)
ReplyDeleteYou capture the bleak cold so well!
ReplyDeleteGood looking stuff, fit very well on your photo booth!
ReplyDeleteGreat work Frederick.
ReplyDeleteGreat looking mob of Soviets!
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Hi Frederick:
ReplyDeleteYour Soviet entries must be up to a Shock Army or maybe even a Front by now? All well done, I join others in liking the winter basing, not always easy to do well.
Cheers, MikeP
Nice work on these winter dudes Frederick!
ReplyDeleteVery chilly Reds!
ReplyDelete