Soviet DP28 Light Machine Gun, Plastic Solder Company - Part 2 of 2

These figures are also from the 28mm plastic 'Russian Infantry in Summer Uniform' set - others can be seen elsewhere on my blog (click here). These are the final group of miniatures from the Plastic Soldier Company (PSC) for the time being, except for another piece of artillery, that I've completed from that particualr boxset. There are more in the set that I have block painted but I can't quite motivate myself to finish them. They are perfectly adequate for gaming but they don't (without wishing to sound too pretentious) inspire me  to spend the time on detailing them up to my own preferred standard.

 

 

Next up, if I can take some decent photographs, will be a few pieces/figures I've recently finished for use with Bolt Action rules.

Soviet DP28 Light Machine Gun, Plastic Solder Company - Part 1 of 2

The DP28 or Degtyaryova Pekhotny "Degtyaryov's infantry machine gun" introduced in 1928 (hence DP28 code, the Russians had a very simple and logical method of creating their equipment codes). The pan magazine could hold 47 rounds firing at a rate of approx. 500rpm.

This effective weapon saw service throughout the WWII by both the Soviet forces and the Finnish army, which captured thousands during the Winter and Continuation Wars, and was later used in large numbers by Communist forces in Asia.

 

These figures are from the 28mm plastic 'Russian Infantry in Summer Uniform' set. 

 

  

 

The tree stump with roots was made using the same method described in a previous post (click here). It adds a little detail to what would otherwise be a relatively bland base.

Soviet 82mm mortar team, Plastic Soldier Company

Finally this is last group I painted up taken from the 28mm plastic 'Russian Heavy Weapons' set, Plastic Soldier Company (PSC) - for the Plastic Soldier Review (click here). As you may notice from the review there are other figures within the set but I don't need them at present.

 

 

Once I've completed my Warlord Games plastic Soviet infantry I'll add any spare weapons, rifles, sub-machine guns etc. to these groups as they look a bit vulnerable at the moment.

 

Also in the same boxset:

Soviet Maxim M1910 Heavy Machine Gun

& Soviet 50mm Mortar 

 

Soviet 50mm mortar team, Plastic Soldier Company

Another group taken from the 28mm plastic 'Russian Heavy Weapons' set by the Plastic Soldier Company (PSC). For a proper review (click here).

 

 

Soviet Maxim M1910 heavy machine gun & Crew, Plastic Soldier Company

This group is taken from the 28mm plastic 'Russian Heavy Weapons' set, Plastic Soldier Company (PSC). For a proper review, although of the 1/72 scale kit version, take a look at the Plastic Soldier Review site (click here).

 

 

The tree stump is made from a real twig picked up from my local park and stuck into place with PVA glue. Alternatively if you have more money than sense you can buy a 0.5oz (14g) bag of sticks..sorry 'Broken Stumps' from Woodland Scenics (for between £3.75 and £5.99). To quote their website:

"Use this natural, realistic product to model fallen or standing dead trees and stumps. It has the look of aged wood with gnarled branches, knots with some smooth, weathered pieces."

Or, as I've just said, you can pop outside, look under a tree, bush or hedge and grab a handful of dead wood for free.
The roots are simply made by twisting a suitable length of tissue paper. Glue one end, (you'll have to use super glue) near the stump. Once dry twist the tissue paper again and carefully glue the other end into position, being careful to avoid gluing your figures to the base (not like I'd be daft enough to do that, of course). Then apply super glue over the length of the paper to set it so that it doesn't unwind itself. Simple as that.

The most notable problem with this set is that there isn't any ammunition being fed into the machine gun. This would be less obvious with the 1/72 scale version but I will have to add an ammo box and belt sometime in the future.

Soviet 45mm anti-tank gun M1942 & Crew, Plastic Soldier Company

This model is taken from the 28mm plastic '45mm Anti Tank Gun' set from the Plastic Soldier Company (PSC). This model depicts the 45mm anti-tank gun M1942 and is one of three available options you can make. The boxset for the 28mm version contains enough parts and figures to make two guns complete with crew.

 

 

There is a far better detailed review, of the 1/72 scale kit, on the Plastic Soldier Review site (click here).

Soviet PTRD anti-tank rifle & Crew, Warlord Games

Taken from the 28mm plastic 'Soviet Infantry' set from Warlord Games this set depicts the Soviet PTRD-41  anti-tank rifle.

 

 

 

The PTRD-41 was the Soviet anti-tank rifle that saw service from 1941. The single-shot (14.5 dia x 114mm) weapon became less and less effective against Germany armour as the war continued.

 

The Warlord boxset offers a multitude of options and enables you to create unique combinations of miniatures. I thought this set was reminiscent of the old Airfix multi-part plastic 1:32 scale figures. I have modified a number of the models from the plastic boxset but haven't had the opportunity to paint them up yet.

Although the Warlord figures are better models (in terms of both scuplting and detail) than those produced by Plastic Solder Company (PSC) they also work out more expensive per figure (as always, you get what you pay for). I'll be posting a number of models from various PSC sets set over the next few days.

Shameless brass-necked bid to win free stuff.

To celebrate the seriously impressive number of hits to his blog (1,000,000 - count 'em) Big Lee is having a give-away competition with some very good prizes (actually if I had them in my grubby hands I wouldn't give them away). At the current rate my own blog will hit the same target in March 2037 (yes I'm sad enough to sit down and work that out).

The entry rules aren't too strict. All you have to do is pop over  to his site (click here) become a 'follower', leave a comment and keep your fingers crossed. I don't even mind that it will lessen the odds of winning anything myself. Note to self - must be more ruthless in the future.

Batavi Iuniores Britanniciani - Late Romans, Lunt Roman Fort - Part 3 of 3

 

 

Part 1 - Batavi Iuniores Britanniciani

Part 2 Batavi Iuniores Britanniciani

Batavi Iuniores Britanniciani - Late Romans, Lunt Roman Fort - Part 2 of 3

 

Field army equipment

Draco - Late Roman military standard

Late Roman Spangenhelm

Late Roman Ridge Helmet

 

Part 1 Batavi Iuniores Britanniciani

Part 3 - Batavi Iuniores Britanniciani



Batavi Iuniores Britanniciani - Late Romans, Lunt Roman Fort - Part 1 of 3

To quote directly from their website Batavi

"The BATAVI are a small, friendly group who re-enact military and civilian life in the 4th to 6th centuries A.D. Our military activities are based around a late Roman army unit, the Batavi Iuniores Britanniciani, which arrived in Britain in 360 A.D. and returned in 367 A.D. They then formed part of the mobile field army and remained here at least until the end of Roman rule in Britain. There is a strong probability that parts of the unit may have stayed to defend Britain against the Saxon invaders, as part of the Romano-British forces into the 5th century."

It seems only a short time since my brother and myself last visited the Lunt-Roman Fort but in fact its been over two years ago. As the site changes very little over the years, with the earthwork ramparts slowly being allowed to collapse, the only reason to revisit the site is to attend the numerous re-enactment events held there. The official website indicated that a late Roman group would be attending. 

I personally think that after you've seen one Imperial 1st century re-enactment group such as the famous Ermine Street Guard you've generally not going to see anything new at another event. Therefore an opportunity to see and chat to a group that displays the uniform and equipment of a 4th century late Roman field army was an chance I didn't want to miss. 

I find this particular time period fascinating, the style and innovations developed by the Roman(o-British) army during this time holds far more relevance for me than any 1st century soldiers. And don't forget it was soldiers of this type that won around 50% of their battles against enemies that were their equal (or even superior such as the Sassanids) unlike their early Imperial Roman army counterparts who were routinely thrashed whenever facing similar opposition. 

Soldiers dressed such as these would have been a far more common (and welcome) sight throughout the later Roman period of occupation of Britain than the far more familiar steel clad 1st century legionaries. In particular the helmet and shield styles would remain influential for several hundred years even well into the medieval period.

 

 

 

 

It's taken a while to post these pictures as I've attempted (very crudely) to remove any kids picking their nose/eating ice-creams, guards in hi-vest jackets etc. from the images. I'll be posting two more sets of pictures over the next few days.

More images and details about the group can be found their own website Late Roman Batavi

As already stated on their website the group really are friendly and also very knowledgeable. If you get the chance to see them I'd highly recommend that you do.

Part 2 - Batavi Iuniores Britanniciani
Part 3 Batavi Iuniores Britanniciani