khurasanminiatures | 13 Dec 2013 11:27 p.m. PST |
Soon we'll be expanding our Cold War range out of Yom Kippur and beyond -- as the Soviets and US came close to war over that conflict. First up: Soviet Motor Rifle infantry. Work is already underway! Here's what we have planned for late 60s to mid 70s: BTR60PB (already made and printed, awaiting casting) BMP1 (being cast) Seven poses AKM Three poses RPK Three poses RPG-7 Officer Sergeant One sniper with SVD That allows three sections of seven men--five with AKM, one with RPK and one with RPG-7, one man in the platoon swapping his AKM for the sniper rifle, and then platoon command. Then coming in from company level, two PKM light machine guns. So two packs of seven AKMs, one pack of section support and platoon command (three RPKs and three RPG7s, then the two officers and sniper) gets you one full strength platoon. A separate pack with two PKs gets you some firepower from company level. That's 25 figures, eighteen unique poses -- the only doubling up being the AKMs -- and at platoon level you'd still only have one set of dupes. Not bad I reckon! And price would be about $14 USD to $15 USD for those, to be sure a platoon can be sold into the UK without any customs or other fees. What do you all think? Would each PK have another crewman? I know the MG platoon had six guns but you usually see them operated by one man. Battalion level weapons would follow (Saggers, etc). Any input appreciated but make it quick as they are just about to be made! |
Milites | 14 Dec 2013 4:00 a.m. PST |
Just make sure the RPG's trigger grip is in front of the fore grip. I'm amazed at how many figures get this wrong.
Thought the PK's ammo box arrangement precluded an assistant gunner, as doctrine, if the PK's were distributed to platoon/section level, stressed suppressing fire and rapid assault. Will the assistant RPG gunner have a harness for the spare RPG rounds? |
Skeptic | 14 Dec 2013 6:03 a.m. PST |
Some variants for the Soviets' war in Afghanistan would be interesting
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ACW Gamer | 14 Dec 2013 6:24 a.m. PST |
Okay KM, I may have to look into that Post Box you mention to avoid 'domestic unrest' : ) I have KM modern US on the paint bench now and KM modern NK in the batters box. |
ACW Gamer | 14 Dec 2013 6:35 a.m. PST |
KM
I notice that it says "planned" can you make a 'character' pack that includes dismounted MR crew with the tanker helmet with AK47s? Also, we usually see IFV riders in pictures from Chechnya, Georgia, and Afghanistan and I would love to have some for my 15mm Soviet stuff. Please consider it. I now every one is always badger KM for their wish list of items and you mentioned commission vehicles at one point
what if you had page where people could vote for what they would like to see? Or better yet, pre-pay for it Kickstarter style? I know that sculptors like to sculpt things they are interested in, but maybe those interests would often align. |
Milites | 14 Dec 2013 6:39 a.m. PST |
+1 for Soviets in Afghanistan, especially SF/VDV in slouch hats and training shoes, with some having chest rigs, front and back, and suppressed weapons
please.
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ACW Gamer | 14 Dec 2013 6:53 a.m. PST |
Riders: [URL=http://s134.photobucket.com/user/Huck1863/media/troops_detail1.jpg.html]
[/URL]
And tons more. I would prefer to see them "ready for action" like they are prepared to dismount. |
Louie N | 14 Dec 2013 9:38 a.m. PST |
I am all in! As for the PKM teams, I would make them two men crew to have the option of "sustained fire mode." Any RPKs in the mix? Are they to hard to distinguish from standard AK-74s at 15mm? link Thank you for the news. |
PSADennis | 14 Dec 2013 11:20 a.m. PST |
Jon, I would be all in for this. I was never happy with the infantry I picked for my sizable 1980's Russian armor force and these will fit the bill as replacements. I can't wait to see them available. Dennis |
khurasanminiatures | 14 Dec 2013 11:31 a.m. PST |
Guys, glad to see all the enthusiasm! What I'm looking for at the moment is input on the TO&E of the platoon/company structure I've posted for the relevant period. I've got some of that in this thread and it's greatly appreciated. Milites, any images of what the assistant RPG man's rocket satchel would look like early 70s? Also he's not listed on the TO&E I'm working with -- I presume he's one of the 5 AKM riflemen in the section? |
Dennis0302 | 14 Dec 2013 12:43 p.m. PST |
Jon, This TO+E comes from FM 7-8 "The Infantry Platoon and Squad" (Infantry, Airborne, Air Assault, Ranger) dated 31 December 1980. It shows a Russian squad consisting of an eight man dismount team and a vehicle crew of two, a gunner and driver. The dismount team consists of a squad leader, two PKM gunners, four riflemen and an RPG gunner, all the riflemen carry AKMs. The platoon consists of three squads with a sniper armed with an SVD in the platoon headquarters. The company is made up of three squads and the company headquarters. The battalion has a battalion headquarters, three companies as described above and a mortar platoon with six 120mm mortars and an anti tank platoon armed with two saggers and two SPG 9 recoiless rifles. I believe that at this time the issue of RPKs was limited to airborne units. This may have changed later in the 1980's. Dennis |
Sparker | 14 Dec 2013 1:29 p.m. PST |
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Milites | 14 Dec 2013 2:26 p.m. PST |
This is a cold-war rig, from left to right, the gunners backpack capacity two rounds, the assistant gunner's, capacity 3 rounds. So with one in the tube, six rounds carried.
another version of the gunners backpack
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khurasanminiatures | 14 Dec 2013 3:51 p.m. PST |
Thanks Milites. Dennis, that TO&E is about seven years too late -- remember I'm doing late 60s to early 70s. |
Mako11 | 14 Dec 2013 4:28 p.m. PST |
For the Cold War, you'll be needing at least one SAM pose, since there would have been lots of helos and aircraft flying about. |
khurasanminiatures | 14 Dec 2013 5:27 p.m. PST |
Not really critical for the platoon level game--I'm not sure they were doled out to platoons the same way PKMs were. There were nine per battalion, originally riding three per company, but my suspicion is they'd be held at company level. Later, in the late 70s to early 80s, the Soviets massed the SA-7s (and other personal AA weapons) at battalion level rather than spreading them out by company. |
ACW Gamer | 14 Dec 2013 5:32 p.m. PST |
Weren't the Soviets threatening to use Airborne forces to block the road to Damascus should the Israeli's advance? |
Dennis0302 | 14 Dec 2013 5:42 p.m. PST |
Ghost6, If you're refering to the 73 War I had heard the same thing.The 82nd Airborne was on alert at that time and I believe the 8th Marines were in the Med. Some years ago I had a business associate who had been in the 82nd at that time and he claimed the Divisions Pathfinders were in Crete staging for a drop if the ballon went up. |
ACW Gamer | 14 Dec 2013 7:01 p.m. PST |
My mother-in-law's spouse mentioned that. Said that he asked a Jewish soldier in his platoon when they got the alert "who are we suppose to be fighting?" and allegedly the Jewish soldier said, "well, I don't know about you, but I am going to bag an Arab." |
ACW Gamer | 14 Dec 2013 7:10 p.m. PST |
I also heard that the Israelis had begun to prepare their nuclear weapons during the darkest days of the 73 War (also mentioned Tom Clancy's Sum of All Fears). Which, of course leads to the fabled "Sampson Option" which is an alleged plan by the Israelis to use their nuclear weapons in the event that they are close to falling to their foes to "pull the temple down" and make sure non of their Arab neighbors remain standing. |
khurasanminiatures | 15 Dec 2013 8:22 a.m. PST |
By the way, guys, I'm using FM100-2-3 as my source for the TO&E -- it was accurate as of 1988 and reflected organisation for at least 20 years before that as well. In 1973 however the rifle would have been the AKM (although the difference would not have been noticeable).
According to the manual, the MG platoon did have assistant gunners for the PKM, so I'll have to have those made too! |
Chacrinha | 15 Dec 2013 9:38 a.m. PST |
Technically speaking a range covering the 1960s and 1970s would require two sets of figures. The Soviet Army was still wearing late GPW style uniforms including gymnastierkas up until about 1970 when they started to change over to jackets. Troops in overcoats would largely obviate the problem. Otherwise it is a very noticeable difference, even in 15mm. Others may not be so anal. For those of us who like 28mm, the new WF Russians are a real boon in terms of doing post war conversions. |
khurasanminiatures | 15 Dec 2013 9:56 a.m. PST |
Yes, will start in 1970. The dolly was made around the 70s pattern uniform.
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ACW Gamer | 15 Dec 2013 12:02 p.m. PST |
Does that photo scream "Forward Comrades!!" or what?? |
Milites | 15 Dec 2013 2:33 p.m. PST |
No, it screams. LOOK AT ME MR NATO SNIPER MAN, YOU MISSED ME BY THIS MUCH! TRY AGAIN! Yes I know they wore subdued insignia, but such a blatant exercise of command would render that precaution useless. |
ACW Gamer | 15 Dec 2013 3:06 p.m. PST |
Or maybe "Everyone remember where we parked the RV" |
Chacrinha | 15 Dec 2013 5:04 p.m. PST |
Dmitry, come closer! Now can you see the man with the camera? |
Lion in the Stars | 15 Dec 2013 9:57 p.m. PST |
In 1973 however the rifle would have been the AKM (although the difference would not have been noticeable). The only visible difference between AKM and AK74 at 15mm is the brick red Bakelite magazines for the -74, anyway. |
khurasanminiatures | 19 May 2014 9:48 a.m. PST |
Oh man, after all this time, these are finally coming together! Painter is almost done, castings should be in any day now. They are made as 70s Motor Rifle infantry but well, they are 15s
you can probably fudge and use them for the 60s too. I haven't researched Soviet uniforms of the 80s (yet ) so am not sure how far into the 80s this look held on amongst the troops stationed in Germany. Paintups look very nice, but are not 100% done yet
. |
deflatermouse | 22 May 2014 6:23 p.m. PST |
This is the picture of oppforces I grew up with in the '70's and '80's. Look excellent. Would you be doing any in NBC kit? |
ScottS | 11 May 2016 12:33 p.m. PST |
I'm bumping this old thread. Did these models ever get released? With all of this Team Yankee floating around it is tempting to do a Soviet army in NBC suits. |
Axon03 | 11 May 2016 1:36 p.m. PST |
I would really like some Soviets in NBC gear… Saw pictures and heard rumors of figures like these somewhere in the past. |
Jemima Fawr | 11 May 2016 11:48 p.m. PST |
Scott, They most certainly were released. They were also followed by 1980s Soviets, which are essentially the same, though appear to have backpacks. Here are some of my Khurasan 1970s Soviet chaps:
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Old Wolfman | 12 May 2016 7:07 a.m. PST |
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Rod I Robertson | 12 May 2016 7:25 a.m. PST |
Jemima Fawr: Nice work on the Khurasan 1970's Soviet figures! Look'in good! Cheers. Rod Robertson. |
ScottS | 12 May 2016 8:55 a.m. PST |
Does anyone make Soviet figures in NBC suits in 15mm? |
GeoffQRF | 13 May 2016 2:35 a.m. PST |
i did a few but we have never put them into production. I think Rebel Minis had something similar. |