Alexander from Stalingrad Miniatures has sent us the latest
set of figures to review from his 1/35th scale figures stable. This set
depicts a bunch of rag-tag Soviet soldiers on the march in the battle of Kursk.
This is a varied big set that you can buy as a whole or separate - Let’s have a
look at three of the figures of this ten figure set as well as previewing the other figures…
Stalingrad's "Big Set" - We preview the Kursk 1943 Big Set & review three of the figures.
Sets S-3101, S-3106 & S-3107
Available from Stalingrad's Distributors Worldwide
Today we look at three new figures in our review from Stalingrad Miniatures. Seeing that they are three out of a set of ten we also included lots of pictures and built and painted shots of not only these review figures but the rest of the set in today's news...
There are ten new single figure releases in this set from Stalingrad miniatures – then also you can combine them into a slightly lesser cost if you get the whole set. The pictures show these soldiers walking into battle to meet the German attackers at Kusrk – what the Russians called Operation Rumyantsev.
Kursk 1943 Big Set 10 figures
Russian Infantrymen, Set
includes 10 figures & Maxim MG
S-3100
1/35th
scale
Operation Rumyantsev was a code name for the
Belgorod-Khar'kov Offensive Operation conducted by the Red Army between 3
August 1943 and 23 August 1943 against the Wehrmacht's 4th Panzer Army and Army
Group Kempf during World War II.
The operation was named after the 18th-century Field Marshal
Peter Rumyantsev) and was conducted by the Voronezh and Steppe Fronts in the
Belgorod (southern) sector of the Kursk Bulge. The Germans refer to the battle
as the "Fourth Battle of Kharkov"
This big set are a varied bunch of different characters with
heaps of character. Each of them is dressed differently and each of them seems
to be a different height and demeanor. Although they are great in this set you
can also get them singly or a few at a time depending on which you like.
Here they are
unpainted
and now on to the three figures we have put together for review...
Russian Infantry, Kursk 1943
#S-3101
1/35th scale
8 parts of grey resin
This figure is seen with the usual uniform common to mid-war
summer soldiers of the soviet army. His rifle slung over his shoulder. You can
see the large bunch of stuff these soldiers carried into battle.Brad bag, medical
pouch, forage sack and a grenade along with his sleeping blanket over his
shoulder.
The reference pictures that were used in the sculpt
Here he is unpainted - firstly the torso piece...
You will notice on this figure that there is a small resin seam on his legs around his wrappings to his boots. A little bit of scraping and it is removed. But it's probably the one negative I found on these figures although it's an elementary modelling skill, I would prefer it wasn't there.
The arms of the figure - on the pouring blocks.
Again another nice Moisin Nagant 91/30 bolt action rifle that can be used on any figure Stalingrad make. I am sure that once they settle on something that is accurate - and this one is - look at the comparison pictures - I am convinced. Forgive my clumsy hands i broke the barrel of this pulling it out of the zip loc bag - it glued up just fine though.
...And here he is all together unpainted but constructed with grenade, shovel handle and forage bag folds all closed up.
You can see he looks very good from the back with all of the added detail that already was apparent before the extras were added.
You may need to add maybe a rifle strap to the chest over the sleeping blanket hat is around the chest. You can see the slight indentation the sculptor made here for just this addition.
And here he is all painted up and detailed by Alex at Stalingrad - this shows how the details are brought to life quite easilly here on this figure.
Russian Infantry, Kursk 1943
#S-3106
1/35th scale
5 parts of grey resin
Now this man looks a bit more determined. He is marching forward purposefully with his rifle in his right hand as he strides toward battle. I feel like he could be an NCO as he looks a bit older in his hang dog face which is so well sculpted and he carries a bit less than his regular soldier comrades. Maybe that is why he has seemingly more purpose in his stride
The reference pictures that were used in the sculpt – amazing image - see the dust in this man's eyebrows that has been captured in the sculpt i noticed...
Here he is unpainted - firstly the torso piece...
Typical summer thick uniform is pretty standard looking on this soldier. He has the flat forage cap that was very typical when soldiers were not fighting in the front (maybe we could have it included on the soldier's waist?)
The folds of the sleeping blanket/pack is really well wrinkled in this sculpt as you can see from this angle.
Little features on the soldier's chest - pockets, the belt
buckle and the flop of the shirt on the soldier’s waist are very subtle but
convincing details.
His Moisin-Nagant 91/30 rifle is held in his right hand as he walks along the road. IT is on this resin stub along with his entrenching tool handle.
The hand and thumb cradling the rifle show separate fingers and all of the necessary details of a competently sculpted Moisin-Nagant. The know is the end of the handle of the entrenching shovel which slips under the bags and attaches to a small socket.
The two hands show a similar pattern to the other figure's hands. The right arm with no hand (it's on the rifle - attached at the cuff) and the left arm and hand that are hollowed out to mirror into the torso.
The hand and tendons are clearly identified here as are the wrinkles int he clothing of the tunic, elbow patches and the buttons on the cuffs are a typical feature picked up here by the sculptor.
Here he is - a walk around - unpainted as he struts forward. Notice that he is walking with a long gait and so he looks odd until he is removed from his casting block.
You can see a lot of the detail of this figure when you look at the back of him all put together. The two arms go into the torso and the right arm joins the hand moulded into the rifle. The left hand side sees a forage/ grenade bag and a water canteen in the middle of the torso's back.
A kind of chunky utilitarian appearance really exaggerates any painting you might do but not too much.
...And here he is all painted up on the Stalingrad website showing you the features the sculptor has created. Very typical of a hang-dog expression....
#S-3107
1/35th scale
5 parts of grey resin.
Either recounting a story to a comrade or simply talking to himself this is a very nice looking small man sculpted by Aleksander from Stalingrad. His small, almost ape like face is so full of character he catches the eye immediately. The PPsh sub machine gun on his right shoulder is amongst the bread bag and ammo and grenade pouches and the bedding wrap around his body. He is so small that it nearly engulfs him.
The reference pictures that were used in the sculpt
Here he is unpainted - firstly the torso piece...
You notice that his body is sculpted flat where the arms press flat onto the body.
Here he is in a little walk around showing all angles...
In a typical uniform of the Russian infantryman of the Kursk period. His thick tunic is seen here in summer weight. Although this is just the base layer with this soldier carrying a lot of pack on the march into battle.
On his back he carries the blanket he sleeps in around his belly, his sack or forage back is a big lump on his back which the scrunched up opening is another part in the kit. The water bottle on his left hip is the grenade bag and his front he carries another squarish forage bag.
You notice that his body is sculpted flat where the arms press flat onto the body.
The PpSH-40 - Stalingrad us the same machine gun i would assume for their releases. This is one of the best on the market and after some delicate removal from the casting parts you have a great replica ready for paint. This is a great job by Stalingrad.
The hands of this figure are very well cast as well. A lot of thought has gone into these and not only can you see the fingers but the lose and thick folds of this Russian uniform.
The hands are connected to each other with a thin, worm-like bit of resin but the careful removal of this (and be REALLY careful) reveal a nicely detailed pair of hands. The buttons of the cuffs and fingers are readily seen. The ruffled forage bag is in between the arms is simply cut off the stem and glued to the bag he carries.
the emphasis that this figures shows "talking with his hands" is quite evident with this shot as he struts forward and talks to his comrade - or maybe even complaining of the march to himself?
I LOVE the look of this figure - he is my favorite of the set and his expression, and way of talking - you can almost see him talking as he gestures with his hand - he is so impressive.
these three are my favorites of this bunch - although i would settle for any of these "Big Set" figures in my collection i am so very happy to have them on my shelf - waiting for a diorama to place them next to.
Shown together in a typical pose for these soldiers they are looking pretty good! These three - and the rest of this set as you will see - are a credit to the sculptor...
Adam Norenberg
The rest of the figures in this series include these seven figures. We will run through them quickly for you...
Russian Infantry, Kursk 1943
S-3102
1/35th scale
This Soviet infantryman is seen looking off into the
distance of the vast dusty steppes these soldiers are advancing into. It can be
used for any road really but the difference in body language is nice to add to
the scene. Prominent on this
soldier is his water flask on his hip and again his big pack of gear he wore
into battle strapped to his back. His rifle with large bayonet is pretty
prominent as well.
The reference pictures that were used in the sculpt
The reference pictures that were used in the sculpt
And here he is all painted up on the Stalingrad website...
Russian Infantry, Kursk 1943
S-3103
1/35th scale
This infantryman is carrying his heavy weapon wrapped in
canvas over his shoulder to protect it from the dust raised by the many
soldiers on those dusty roads on the way into battle. It seems that this is a
machine gunner as he carries no other weapon but the gun wrapped on his
shoulder. Featured prominently
on this man is his padded knees on his pants and the wrapped leggings over his
boots.
The reference
picture that were used in the sculpt
Here he is unpainted
Russian Infantry, Kursk 1943
S-3104
1/35th scale
This officer of the red army is dressed a fair bit differently
to his comrades. Rank hath its privileges and this soldier is seen with his
flashy watch and medal along with a PPSH stamped machine gun and high leather
boots. On his rear hip is a
map pack and a pistol holster for his TT pistol on his right hip.
The reference
pictures that were used in the sculpt
Here he is unpainted
Russian Infantry, Kursk 1943
S-3105
1/35th scale
This soviet soldier is seen with the usual uniform common to
mid-war summer soldiers of the soviet army. His rifle slung over his shoulder.
You can see the large bunch of stuff these soldiers carried into battle. Like most of the
others here he has the metal soviet style helmet, rifle slung over his
shoulder, bread bag, medical pouch, forage sack and a grenade along with his
sleeping blanket over his shoulder.
The reference
pictures that were used in the sculpt
Here he is unpainted
Russian Infantry, Kursk 1943
S-3108
1/35th scale
This tall soldier looks almost like a new recruit. Much taller than the man we just looked at – he is seen walking into battle with automatic rifle over his shoulder and carrying what looks to be spare ammo for the Maxim MG in a box on his right hand. He has nicked a Germans canteen which he carries along with his bread bag and smaller version of the bedding wrap.
The reference
pictures that were used in the sculpt
Here he is unpainted
Russian Infantry, Kursk 1943
Russian Maxim MG
Team,
S-3109
1/35th scale
These two men have a large and very heavy older style heavy Maxim
Machine gun to drag along. It is of course included in this twin set. The
soldier on the right hand side of this set is a simple infantryman a little
slimmer than the others. He carries a rifle with his bayonet attached in
typical style and a flask on his hip as well as a medical pack on his other
hip.
The second soldier is dragging the gun in one hand and is
carrying a box of MG ammo in the other hand. He is wearing the usual sleeping
wrap and an entrenching tool on his rear hip. He has a steel helmet but n his
head he wears the flat forage cap like most of his comrades in this long line.
Both of these suit each other and the rest of the squad very well.
The reference
pictures that were used in the sculpt
Here they are unpainted
All of these figures are available right now - You can see more
photos on the Stalingrad site where you can also
order your figures or find their distributors...
