I wonder if there are any 1/72 miniatures out there?
I have built several "lesser" forces by picking and choosing figures and equipment of other nations. Of course my scale, 6mm (1/285), is more forgiving of detailed differences. But still I think a Slovak force could be assembled in 1/72 that could take the "pride-of-the-table" position if for no other reason than it's uniqueness among a given circle of gamers.
I do not have any of the popular books that survey minor axis forces, so I am limited in my source materials. But from my understanding you can look for appropriate kit from a variety of other nations:
- Infantry
The shape of the helmet is very generic. No flanges, just a bowl on the head. Italian helmets are probably the closest match. Late war Soviet helmets, and perhaps German FSJ helmets might also do. Romanian helmets would require some work to take off the rear flaring. French "Adrian" helmets would require some smoothing of the crest. Slovak troopers sometimes wore their overcoats (blankets? shelter tarps?) diagonally across their torsos in a manner similar to Soviet troops, so using a couple Soviet or Romanian figures in a force would not be terribly incongruous.
Rifles are bolt-action, local production versions of Mausers. The main variation is the straight bolt handle (not curved downward). Does anyone care at 1/72? I doubt it -- an Italian Carcano will probably serve well. So for me, I would go for Italian infantry as my basic riflemen.
LMG
The Slovak had the excellent Brno LMG (the basis for the Bren), that also served in the Romanian army (in larger numbers). It is also very similar in appearance to the French FM.29 LMG. If you can deal with the helmets, Romanian or French LMG gunners might be good choices. The French overcoats are a bit of an anomaly, but Slovak troops did have trenchcoats for winter wear, and if the figure is prone with the gun, no one will notice the unusual cut of the French manteau.
HMG
The Slovak infantry used the excellent locally produced ZB vz.58 MG (the same "Besa" gun used in British tanks through most of the war). The same gun was the primary infantry MG in Romanian forces, so if the helmets can be managed there might be sources for this gun.
If this gun can not be found, you can find pics of older water-cooled MGs also in service with Slovak forces. These were local modified versions of the Schwarzloze MG.07 that were built by Besa until about 1934, and were still in service in some thousands in the Czechoslovakian army before Slovakia broke off.
Tanks
The Slovak Fast Division used mostly the LT vz. 38 tank, better known as the Pz.38t. Widely available, and no mods needed (other than painting) to put it straight into your force.
By late 1942 they also used the upgraded LT vz.40. This was the same hull with a new turret, which might be similar enough to a Hungarian Turan II to be lifted from such a model. I can't claim to know much more about this tank.
Motorcycles
The main Slovak force on the Eastern Front was the 1st Mobile Infantry Division (also often called the Slovak Fast Division). It had a number of motorcycle troops. Getting motorcycle infantry figures that are not German is often a challenge, but if you can find Italians or Soviets they might be close enough (although you might have to cut feathers off of Bersaglieri helmets if you start with Italians). As far as I can see, they did not use many side-cars.
Heavy weapons
I don't know much about AT guns or artillery that might have been used by the Slovaks. Fertile grounds for a bit of research…
Just some off-the-top-of-the-head ideas. Let's see if others can add to the suggestions.
-Mark
(aka: Mk 1)
