Yes Finally started. Here are my first squad for the Russian in "The Zone" . I knew I would need Russians so while I was figuring out the rest of my forces I thought I should start. The figures are Battlefront Tam Yankee figures. They are not absolutely ideal, but they are as good a figure as I can currently get for the price/effort, without either commissioning my own greens, converting or perhaps easier importing from abroad from a variety of sources. So for convienience It has to be Battlefront which are availiable from my local wargames shop (4 miles away).Casting wise they are Ok but not brilliant as there was a lot of cleaning up to do in regard to mould lines where the moulds had slipped and also spare waste metal Left from the air vents. Also as they come from New Zealand they are not so very cheap as they have to be shipped half way around the world. Complaints aside they are the best I can get though and the sculpts are nice.
In a Russian squad (according to Osprey Publishing "Force on Force" rule book) there are 6 men armed as follows.
- Squad leader (AK74)
- Assistant Squad leader (AK74)
- Gunner (RPK-74)
- Grenadier (RPG)
- Assistant Grenadier (AK74)
- Rifleman (AK74)
3 Squads to a platoon so there will be more of these. Colours taken from the same Osprey Publishing book mentioned above and the picture on the right has been my main guide.
Each transport vehicle has 3 crew (Commander, Driver and Gunner) all of whom stay with the vehicle and do NOT dismount in combat situations. I have not as yet finalised my transport choice they may be in BMP1s (A TRACKED APC with a 73mm gun and antitank missile), BTR 70's or BTR 80s (An 8 wheeled APC with a 14.5mm Heavy machine gun) or perhaps something less ordinary like a MT LB ( Also tracked and also armed with a 14.5mm HMG, ). The joy of the Russians is that the infantry could be transported and any of those 3 vehicles and I am sure once I am fully up and running with the project I am equally sure I will get them all so I can field a greater variety of units, although the basic foot figures will stay the same but with different squad load-outs to suit the different regiments!
I suspect I will be starting with either BMP-1s or BTR 70's though. But most importantly I am now off the mark and started.
Sorry to hear that they were a pain to get ready, but worth the effort judging by the results.
ReplyDeleteThank you Michael, I have had worse 15mm figures but these were not good, probably just a batch that slipped through quality control. But they could be a lot worse.
DeleteA lot of complaints on the Team Yankee forums about the poor quality Clint, all the same you've done a damn good job there!
DeleteCheers Fran. At least for my plan I do not need more than a platoon at this stage. Second squad is now primed and should start paint tonight...... just the base brown colour!
DeleteIt's a start, Clint, and that's a good thing.
ReplyDeleteThanks Bryan. I thought best to start with the Russians as they were always going to be one force.
DeleteHmmm... I've been tempted by "Team Yankee", but your opinions of the minis haven't convinced me - although I must say I think your brushwork is awesome, Clint. As a result I'm looking forward to seeing this project progress and will be very interested in your thoughts Ref minis as you paint them up. Good luck :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Simon. I may have got a duff lot . Having said that the sculpts are nice but the casting less so. I have started to prep a second squad so they should get done reasonably soon.
DeleteThanks Loki. Good to hear from you again. I do have another squad started now and will start the transports for them in June.
ReplyDeleteI have had a few similar issues with fow figures but they do tidy up nicely. Interested to see your project develop in 15 mm.
ReplyDeleteThanks Matt. I am only looking for a couple of Platoons so it should be fairly short. Having said that given the diversity of vehicles there should be enough for a few years as well, and with several countries there may be enough for a long long long time to come.
DeleteWell, despite your complaints, these figures look good enough to me :-) .
ReplyDeleteIs that really true: that only 6 of the 9 people in a Soviet APC dismount? Seems extravagant to me (but then I don't know much about this period).
Thanks C6. Yes only 6 of the 9 dismount. The other 3 remain with the vehicle and use it for either squad support or withdraw to a "Safe" distance and prepare for a squad retrieval.
DeleteThe Germans tend to dismount EVERYONE and leave the vehicle un crewed and abandoned. In US Platoons it is different again! Each army seems to have a different tactic. But the Russians keep a full crew for the vehicle. Also remember that each Russian platoon also has a platoon commander, an assistant platoon commander, a sniper and a medic as well and the APCs are crowded, BUT not full, there is room for more IF they really need it!
These look cracking mate excellent work!
ReplyDeleteCheers Simon, they were a struggle to get me motivated, but finally got there.
DeleteI know how that feels. I have some Spectre miniatures I keep meaning to start and turn into a post apoc gang but my mojo is not aligned with apocalypse at the moment its firmly entrenched in Gotham city.
DeleteThanks mate, It gets worse..... As I paint the second squad I become aware that the weapons composition is for a BMP squad and not a BTR 60 (or BTR 70) squad. Which while only a little glitch is a glitch none the less.
DeleteAfter all you did a great job on them Clint!
ReplyDeleteGreetings
Peter
Thank you Peter I will show the whole Platoon before long. Then on to transports for them.
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