"Painting Soviet Kommisars" Topic

Anything to distinguish them from the boys? Blue trousers, red hat bands or shoulder straps?

I gave mine blue cap bands and red stars on their forearms, but I think after a few months into the war they just looked like everyone else.

The single distinguishing feature of a political officer was the worsted red star on the forearms – otherwise they looked a lot like the rest of their unit

I do mine in blue trousers for a break from painting khaki, but it helps to identify them on the table as well.

They had dark blue pants too in some photos and references I saw.

Komissars and the cheery chaps from the NKVD weren't the same thing. Cornflower blue hats were NKVD.

Political officers could of course wear blue breeches just like other officers, but leas so as the war went on.

As above the only real distinction were forearm stars.

Agree with Martin – while neither was at any risk to be sainted, the NKVD has their own units with the blue hats – Commissars wore the same overall uniform as the troops

And when I want a break from painting the same old Soviets, I do up some with the saucer caps painted green – border guards officers!