Bits and Pieces

I got a couple 100mm AT Guns from Tracks, they were used and probably 30 years old.

They are long out of production but I needed them to complete my battery of them.  I glue them together with 5 Minute Epoxy.  I also glue them to a sheet styrene base.

Working on my gas station I used a few Batmobiles to measure the size for cars to drive around the pumps.

Gas station will be a part of my US Army base.

Russian JS II Tanks

The previous tanks stored away in their box.

More Soviet WWII tanks.

This time a mixture of types.

They include M4A2 diesel engine Sherman tanks.

And a few Lend Lease White Scout Cars.

Polish Red Army JS-II and T-34/76 tanks.

WWII Soviet Union

I have spent about a year working on the WWII Soviet Collection.

My main focus was organization of units.

And building unbuilt kits,

making a few conversions.

After that, I wanted to at least primer paint all my Soviet Vehicles.

Orion Gun Crews in Action

A 10cm gun requires ten crewmen.

But it includes the men on the limber, with the horses, and carrying ammo.

I mount most of my artillery on bases, particularly the metal guns; it helps the trails stay on the gun.

I mark the nation, gun type on the bottom so that I can remember what's what, and other players can figure out what guns they have.

100mm ATG and Crew

A few old Lyzards Grin Tracks models.

With the new Orion 1/72nd scale soft plastic artillery crews.

100mm guns so they get a crew of ten men.

The models come without crews so getting these figures was a godsend.

Orion Artillery Crews

I have a lot of Zvezda's excellent artillery, but their crews are a pitiful two or three men.

I try to have full crews for my guns.

I got this set from Orion to try and fill in the gaps.

For poses in several different uniform variations. 

It's a start.

Soviet 100mm ATG

WWII Soviet Union anti-tank guns.

The Soviets knew that in the defense the anti-tank gun was superior to the tank in many ways.

It was difficult for the troops to retreat so they had to fight and win or die.

The low silhouette meant they could hide well and made a small target.

I usually mount metal guns on a bit of sheet plastic so that the trails sty on better.

Romainian Troops in Winter

Fighting in lines when out with the Napoleonic Wars.

Yet, it's the best way to get firepower on the enemy.

Just now the first line is laying down.

Troops hide behind trees when they can.

A white sheet of plastic, and a few dollar store Christmas trees and it's winter!

Romainian Troops in the Snow

The snow is not too deep.

But if you get wounded and fall into it.

You could freeze.

Or new snow could fall and cover you up.

And you would never get rescued.

Polish People's Army

Another useful set from the Eastern Front, Polish People's Army

After Russia and Germany conquered Poland in 1939, many Polish people ended up in the Red Army.

Still, they were often very nationalist and often wore bits of Polish uniforms with their Red Army uniforms.

Of course, most of the troops will wear the standard Soviet uniform.

Long ago, I set aside some of my Soviet troops and tanks for a Polish Army.

I am very pleased these guys came along because they will make it more distinctively "Polish."

Good poses, a reasonable mix of active firing and moving around in combat.

These are they type of figures I really like, and some I never thought I would ever see.