This month we see many new figure releases from Stalingrad miniatures from Russia –
they have sent pictures and some info on some Russian figures this time – Early
war refugees and late war Red Army Staff Officers who "definitely are not" posing for the
pictures we have of them!!
Stalingrad's new figures for
December.
# 3010 – Ukrainian farmer’s
cart - Mid XIX century – WWII ERA
This cart – or “Voze” as it was called – was used thru the Ukraine
and many other parts of the former soviet union - well it could be dated
anywhere in the last two centuries really – but it is perfect for the flight
from the German armies in operation Barbarossa – or indeed any time you need to
portray refugees or disused antiquated equipment.
The resin itself is far from Antiquated – rounded logs and a
blocky suspension and steering unit make this a bit of a cut above the other –
still impressive – injection moulded carts out there – this would be my pick.
# 3011 – Russian refugees with cart
The refugees hitching a ride on the cart are shown to great
effect in this painted up version of the kit. Complete with all of the stowage
and worldly posetions this cart could take there is a resin insert to show depth,
both from the front and the back of the cart as well as a mother and two
children in peasant garb.
The mother walks the horse from the front – eyes downward
whilst the kids sit huddled up in the back – also eyes down-turned – this will
make great fodder for your diorama “on the Road”
# 3544 – Russian
refugee children
This is the smaller set of the #3011 kit – containing just
the kids with their sacks to lean on – if you aren’t going to get the whole
cart and mother well these would be great to have by the roadside whilst the
war marches on past them.
# 3545 – Russian
refugee woman
This Russian woman is the same as the one offered with the
cart – just with a different arm and a bundle underneath it. Again I really
like the way these soldiers are depicted – looking down at the ground in d a
depressive state – and probably to avoid the glimpses from the invading German soldiers
– surely nothing could come from looking them in the eye!
In these next shots – which look very posed for the
propaganda reels – we see several officers of the Red army posing – they have
been the inspiration of these figures you see here.
The staff officers of 64th Guard Tank Brigade. Brigade
commander lieutenant-colonel Boyko, twice Hero of Soviet Union, in center.1st
Ukrainian Front, May 1944.
# 3573 – Red Army
Officer
This officer of the Red army looks like he could be in the
mechanized corps – a large weatherproofing greatcoat – an officer’s regalia
clearly impressed on it – and some goggles on his officer’s cap make him a well-travelled
– if slightly on the large side – senior officer of the Russian Army.
# 3574 – Red Army
Officer
This – a slightly smaller man – has no fewer medals to prove
his worth than his comrade – his small chest is adorned with them – whilst his smaller
stature and interesting face are captured well by the sculptor.
# 3575 - Red Army
Officer
Pointing soldier alert! To keep this group from looking too
staid the sculptor has made a good decision to add some life to the trio by
making this officer a little more animated – he is pointing off into the
distance toward what his fellow officers are looking on to.
He is shown in the picture below in this pose – I know
people say this is a little staged – but it IS a photo from the time and they
are a dynamic little set.
