Here are four new recruits for the my Soviet army:
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| NKVD officer "encouraging" Soviet riflemen. |
The biggest problem is how few of these standing rifle figures I got in the batch of thirty-six Marx Soviets I acquired a few years ago (and finally they are getting painted!). Part of me wants to order yet another batch in hopes of getting a few more, part of me says just paint what I have. The other rifle pose included is a close assault pose with the gun over the head or maybe they are wading? I don't like it as much, but I have quite a few of them.
I did pick up a box of two 1/35 Italeri maxim gun teams - my Soviets need something more than light machine guns. I really don't like building models, including figures, mostly because I am bad at fiddly things. Hopefully, I don't botch them too badly.
Classic toy soldiers does a good job with their communist Chinese and North Korean figures. I use them for winter time Russians. They stand on the larger side of "54mm" but are wonderful sculpts.
ReplyDeleteThanks Reese, I will definitely check them out.
DeleteA fair question. This week (it's a moving target after all), I'm thinking 36 infantry figures (not counting LMG teams) would be a good solid core force. It could be a Featherstonian battalion of 3 10-figure companies with command, a 1:1 platoon, or based in 3s or 4s to represent who knows what.
ReplyDeleteAdditionally three mortars with teams (ostensibly 80mm - 120mm, but I tend not to fuss over the actual model), three LMG teams, three or four MMG/HMG with teams, and two ATGs with at least 2 crew each. Also, at least one figure to serve as a forward observer and one to serve as an overall commander. Finally, a handful of figures to represent infantry anti-tank weapons (say three) and engineering (another 3-6, flame throwers, mine sweepers, those Marx Soviet guys throwing a grenade and who have no rifle or pistol even).
My focus is infantry actions so I don't need a ton of armor. I think three tanks are plenty. Plus, given that I play with 54mm figures, vehicles take up a lot of space on my small table (3x5 kitchen table or 4x4 plywood) even when they are 1:50 scale (my Eastern Front tanks are right now 1/38). Most of the time my games take place within small arms range from the start, but 3 non-AFVs per side to move things around the table during the game would still be nice to have.
Aren't you sorry you asked? :D