Warpac NBC checkpoint

  A bit slow this week, after a month of assembly of plastic kits. This weekend I pulled out some Soviet NBC chaps from the moderns project draw.  The figure with rifles are from a old Esci box of Warsaw pact figures, the figure with the note board is from Airfix I think 

Cheers

Matt

WIP Wednesday - Wehrmacht, Warpac kit, NATO Ground Crew

 As I continue on clearing out my project drawers I decided to paint a number of things this week. First up a 81mm mortar carrier on a H39 chassis, thought to be have used by 91st Luftlande Division in Normandy.  The crew are a mix of AB and battlefield, It has been gloss varnished so only decals, weathering and flock to go.

A IBM models BTR 60, an ACE BMP 150 and a resin BMP 150 for my Egyptians. The ICM kit is nice, but parts are very fine. The ACE is a SOB, the tracks particularly are painful. The resin kit is a Armo kit, not sure how long I have had this but it must be 20 years at least. 

ACE kit, the tracks are a absolute nightmare… metal handles added with wire 

ICM model a nice kit but lots of fine parts 

Finally Esci and Airfix NATO Ground crew. They will be perfect for airfield based scenarios. As they are soft plastic a little cleaning up with a sharp scalpel is in order. I elected to base them on coins then build up the base with plaster, I possibly should have just cut them off at the feet and pinned them. 

Cheers

Matt

Part two - Whisky on the Rocks - Soviet order of battle

 

Soviet Order of Battle  

Invasion of Gotland 1981

Part two 

“Admiral Ivan Kapitanets stared at the map of the island of Gotland. Preoccupied with his primary concern; The naval spetsnaz operatives actions against the strike capability of the Swedish Airforce and the anti ship missile defences on Faro Island. He pondered, if the planned operation was only partially a success, would the remainder go to plan, and from past experience nothing ever goes to plan….” 

336th Independent Naval Guards Brigade 

The 336th consisted of four battalions, one heliborne air landing  and three battalions of Naval Infantry equipped with the amphibious BTR 60 armored personnel carriers, a tank battalion with two companies of PT-76 amphibious light tanks and a company of T-55 main battle tanks. Artillery support was provided by a battery of BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launchers, Nona and Gvozdika SP guns and a battery of anti-tank guided missiles, while air defense consisted of a platoon of ZSU-23-4 Shilka anti-aircraft guns and a platoon of 9K31 Strela-1 surface-to-air missiles. Support units included support, reconnaissance, engineer, and NBC defense companies. 

336th Independent Naval Guards Brigade 

Order of Battle

877th Naval Infantry Battalion
878th Naval Infantry Battalion
879th Naval (Air Landing) Infantry Battalion
884th Naval Infantry Battalion
112th Tank Battalion 

887th Reconnaissance Battalion
1612th Artillery Battalion
1618th Anti-Aircraft Missile Battalion
1615th Multi-Rocket Launcher Artillery Battalion
1621st Anti-Tank Artillery Battalion

40 T-55, 26 PT-76, 96 BTR-80, 64 BTR-60, 18 2s1 Gvozdika, 24 2s9 Nona, 18 BM-21 Grad, 15 MT-LBT, 3 PRP-3 Forward Observor , 3 PU-12, 1 BTR-60PU, 7 R-145BM, 6 1V119, 3 1V18, 1 1V19, 1 BTR-70KSh, 

Able Archer order of battle 336th Naval Guards Brigade 

Brigade HQ 

BTR 60 R-145BM command vehicle CO + radio + 5

BTR 80 ZS88 PSYOP vehicle PO + NKGB platoon, 

MTLB  ambulance OC + 2 medics 

Ural 4320 supply truck

561st "Maritime Recon” (Spetsnaz) battalion 

HQ coy 

CO+RO SA-7 team (2 figures), 4 figures medic, sniper, radio ops

I companies 

8 figures spetsnaz RPG and LMG

II company 

8 figures spetsnaz RPG and LMG 

Regiment HQ:

BTR 60 PU-12 command vehicle 

- regimental commander +3

- SA-7 team (2 figures)

Naval Infantry battalions

877th Naval infantry 

Battalion HQ Company:

- BTR-60/8 Regimental CO + radio, sniper, medic, SA-7 team (2 figures)

3 Companies:

BTR-60 7 figures with RPG and LMG

BTR-60 7 figures with RPG and LMG

BTR-60 7 figures with RPG and LMG

Support Company:

MT-LB 9 figures with 120mm mortar, AT-4 and SPG-9

878th Naval infantry battalion 

Battalion HQ Company:

- BTR-60/8 Regimental CO + radio, sniper, medic, SA-7 team (2 figures)

3 Companies:

BTR-60 7 figures with RPG and LMG

BTR-60 7 figures with RPG and LMG

BTR-60 7 figures with RPG and LMG

Support Company:

MTL- B 9 figures with 120mm mortar, AT-4 and SPG-9

879th Naval Air landing battalion 

Regimental CO + radio, sniper, medic, SA-7 team (2 figures)

3 Companies:

7 figures with RPG and LMG

7 figures with RPG and LMG

7 figures with RPG and LMG

Support Company:

9 figures with 120mm mortar, AT-4 and SPG-9

884th Naval infantry battalion 

Battalion HQ Company:

- BTR-60/8 Regimental CO + radio, sniper, medic, SA-7 team (2 figures)

3 Companies:

BTR-60 7 figures with RPG and LMG

BTR-60 7 figures with RPG and LMG

BTR-60 7 figures with RPG and LMG

Support Company:

MT-LB 9 figures with 120mm mortar, AT-4 and SPG-9

112th Tank Battalion 

BHQ 1 x T55 AD (DRZOD APS) BTR60 P

I Company

      1 x TO55 (flamethrower)

      2 x T55 AD (DRZOD APS) 

II company 

2 x PT76 

III Company

2 PT-76B

887th Reconnaissance battalion:

HQ company 1 x BDRM 2, 1x BTR 60 PU radio 

 I company

1 x BDRM 2

II company 

1 x PT-76B 

1612 Artillery battalion 

HQ 

Observor PRP-3 VAL

I Battery 

2 x 2S9 Nona 

II Battery 

1 x 2s1 Gvozdika 

Engineer Company:

PTS M 7 figures, rpg, lmg

BTR 50 UR67 (mine clearance rocket) 

1621st Anti tank battery 

BRDM-2 with AT-3

1618th AA Battery:

HQ coy BTR 60 PU 4 figs 

I battery SA-9 Gaskin 4 figs

II battery 1 x ZSU-23-4

1618th MLRS Battery:

HQ Gaz -66 IV19 radio command vehicle 

 2 x BM-21 Grad MLRS 4 crew

Tactical air support 

Observer BTR 60 R-975M1

71st red star landing brigade

The Ondatra class Soviet designation Project 1176 Akula LCT

(Landing craft, can carry two T-55, two APC or trucks or 50 infantry). 

Ropucha class LCM

Korolev, Minsk, Kaliningrad, Pyotr Morgunov, Georgy Pobedonosets

Baltic Fleet Naval Aviation  

689th Fighter Aviation Regiment SU27
4th Naval Attack Aviation Regiment SU24
125th Independent Helicopter Squadron Mi8 and Mi24
398th Transport Aviation Squadron Mi8

Cheers

Matt

Research 

Russian

Praga 53/59 AA gun

 NB models Praga 53/59 

NB models have produced a great kit for the Praga 53/59 SP AA gun. The kit is a late type with the larger tool box and bucket seated AA chassis. 

This vehicle was used by the Czechoslovakia,  Egyptians Iranian, Iraqis, Syrians, Libyans, Croatians, Bosnians, Cubans, Slovenia, Congo and Zaire governments. Plus seen use in the breakup war of Yugoslavia, Chechnya and currently used in Ukraine by Wagner group.

NB models predominantly produce Czech equipment for modelers, but perfect for one off kits,I am picking up two, one as a generic AA piece for my Arab armies the second for a generic kit for Africa and warlord games. 

Join the army and see the world! 

Cheers

Matt

Soviet Cold War Motorised Infantry part two

 Soviet Motostrelki 

Finally after finishing some more house renovations I have managed to sit down and complete some miniatures. last week I completed another soviet motorised battalion for my cold war collection. The figures 20mm from the Elhiem Miniatures range, I plan to paint another three battalions to complete my Armoured Division collection.  

My cold war collection is growing rapidly and may soon surpass my ww2 collection for "completed kits" and figures. In 2022 I am planning a big Able Archer game, multi divisional gaming weekend in Autumn for four to six players hopefully in the newly renovated apartments with a 26-30m x 6 table, over a full weekend of modern wargaming. I will release the details in November for the event and our 2022 calendar. 

Soviet Motostrelki Command

 

Soviet Motostrelki Elhiem miniatures

Soviet Motostrelki

Soviet Motostrelki

Soviet Motostrelki

Soviet Motostrelki

I need to add Anti Air, 81mm and 120mm Mortar and HMG coys 

cheers

Matt

Vozdushno-Desantnye voyska Rossii -VDV airborne troops

 VDV Airborne troops

VDV airborne badge

While I have had the camo painting bug for Soviet cold war troops I decided to also paint up two battalions of plastic Esci VDV airborne troops that I had in my collection donated to me by my mate Spiros. 

The VDV originally were just part of the ground troops, uniforms and equipment corresponded accordingly to motorised troops in general up until 1983. After that date specific equipment was issued,  and the VDV moved from Maroon Berets of the special forces (spetsnaz retained the maroon) to the more familiar mid blue in 1982, along with one piece jump overalls. 

Structurally the brigade consisted of a combat and transport combat helicopter regiments (a total of 80 MI-8T, 20 Mi6a and 20 Mi24A). Three airborne and one air assault battalions, plus support elements. 

Below is the 1983 order of battle of the 35th Guards Landing Assault Brigade, which was posted to Cottbus East Germany in December 1979. 

35th Guards Separate landing Assault Brigade (callsign Veskiy)

Commander Lieutenant Colonel Nikolai Shvets

• 1st Airborne Battalion (Parachute about 530 men in each battalion)
• Command section, Recon platoon, AA missile group (9 Strela-3 / Igla MANPADS), First aid and communications 
• Three assault companies (4 x 82-mm M mortar, 3 Metis 9K115 ATGMs, 3 AGS-17 30mm grenade launcher, 6 PK LMG, 9 RPG-16, 9 RPKS-74 LMG, AKS-74, SVD sniper rifle)
• anti tank battery (6 ATGM 9K111 Fagot / Factoria, 6 SPG-9MD recoilless Heat/HE)
• mortar coy PM38 2B11 120mm mortar 
• 2nd Airborne Battalion (Parachute)
• as above
• 3rd Airborne Battalion (Heliborne)
• as above
• 4th Separate landing Assault Battalion (about 490 people Heliborne)
• Three airborne assault companies (five platoons: three assault troops, machine gun, mortar; 117 hrs, 10 BMD-1P / PK, 4 BTR-D armored personnel carriers, 4x82-mm M, 8 PKM, 13 RPG-16, 9 RPKS-74, AKS-74)
• From 1983 - self-propelled artillery battery (8 x 120-mm SAO 2S9 Nona)
• platoons: grenade launcher (3 BTR-D armored personnel carriers, 6 AGS-17), anti-aircraft missile (9 MANPADS, 3 armored personnel carriers BTR-ZD), communications, support, first-aid post.
•  Artillery battalion (Heliborne or airdrop)
•  6 x 122mm Howitzer GD30 3 batteries
• Mortar battery 120-mm M PM-38 
• platoons: anti-aircraft missile (9 MANPADS 3 BTR ZD), control, support.
• Rocket Artillery Battery 8 x 122 mm MLRS BM-21V Grad-V
• Anti-aircraft Battery (heliborne or airdrop)
• from 1982 - anti-aircraft battalion (8 SZRK Strela-10M, 8 ZSU-23-4 Shilka, MANPADS 3 APC BTR-ZD)
• Anti-tank missile Battery (heliborne)
• 12 ATGM Fagot / Factory, 6 ATGM 
• Reconnaissance Company (heliborne or airdrop)
• three reconnaissance platoons on UAZ-469
• Engineering Sapper Company (parachute, heliborne)
• Medical Company (parachute and heliborne)
• Communications coy (parachute and heliborne)
• airborne company (support and despatch)
• automobile company (heliborne or airdrop)
• repair company (heliborne or airdrop)
• logistics company (heliborne or airdrop)
• RHR platoon (3 UAZ-469) 1984 - RHBZ company (RBCW company) (heliborne or airdrop)
• platoon of the chief of artillery (survey and communications centre) (heliborne or airdrop)
• commandant platoon (parachute, heliborne or airdrop)
• orchestra. (not operationally deployed)

I will decide upon what I build to make up my battalions, as I have a few of the vehicles already, but may need a few bits to complete to Brigade! I hope to have the figures painted in the next week or two.

cheers

Matt

Sources

Russian Airborne Units

Soviet Army Operations and tactics

Wikipedia 35th Guards 

Soviet Motorised troops Part 1 WIP

 

 Soviet Motorised Troops 

I have started to refocus to complete a number of my projects for 2021 and my Soviet motorised troops are next on the list for completion. I am using Elhiem miniatures Russians to fill out my recon and motorised battalions in camouflage suits. I will probably pick up a second regiment in the coming months to bring them up to a brigade combat group.

 I am following my previous recipe for the for camouflage. Vallejo Green with dark sand splotches, washed then highlighted in same with a hint of bleached bone. 

cheers

Matt 

Lazy Sunday........completing Kits

 Completing Kits......on a lazy Sunday

The last two weeks have been busy due to renovations, customers and Vanessas birthday party!

So being Sunday today, I actually had the whole day to fluff around so I slept in this morning done some reading and this afternoon sat down and completed some kits left over from the 30 day kit challenge, and some recent purchases. 

The most exciting recent purchase was the a bunch of Airfix kits. A old Airfix Bristol Bloodhound, a kit that brings back fond memories from my childhood, I also picked up a part built Scimitar and Scorpion, plus a JB models Saladin and a Male WW1 Mk1 tank. All were completed in about four hours, so happy days. 

The bloodhound will go on a base I think as a good site for a Spetsnaz raid, the Scorpion and Smitar both the tracks have disintegrated so I need to cast some or buy some from somewhere... The Saladin will jon my Kuwati army for the first Gulf War and the MK1 may be off to defend Berlin or become a mini WW1 Diorama, not decided yet!

Airfix Bristol Bloodhound

Airfix Land Rover

JB Models Saladin

Airfix Scorpion and Scimitar

Airfix Mk 1 Male ww1 tank

Now I am onto the original intention today, complete a PST KV2 and an ACE BTR50PK......damn individual tracks are the man pain. The KV2 may become a Beute Panzer and the BTR50pk will join my Warpac.

cheers

Matt

Academy 1/72 Sam 6

Sam 6 Missile

Next cab off the rank is Academy models Sam 6, a absolute cracker and easy build IMO, little or no flash, parts went together well and I built it over a weekend, it will join my soviet army, thinking about a second one also. The one piece track assembly is really nice and looks better than the rubber tracks, I lowered the finish height of the missiles so it could be transported easily, yet to add a few bits before painting, waiting on black dog bits to arrive from BNA model world.

Cheers

Matt

Wartime Modern Russian Federation Infantry

Modern Russian Federation Infantry

Just off the painting desk some of Wartime's new Modern Russian range, suitable for the end of the cold war and post cold war battles.

The figures are superb with excellent detail, I especially like the weapons, I painted them in two different variations of the Flora and woodland camouflage patterns. These figures really suit post 1990 (body armour and the new helmet), I have painted the 6B23 body armour in plain reed green as the original issue, now it is available and many different flora, woodland and digital patterns.

These chaps will be for my modern skirmish gaming.