Light at the end of the tunnel.

After some not inconsiderable time I now appear to be getting close to completing my Soviets for Cold War Commander.I have at last completed the final T64 tank regiment for my armored division. This consists of 3 battalions , each of 3 companies, all Heroics and Ros.

T64 regiment.

3 HQ stands

Also completed is a further battalion of BTR60s. Aswel as 2 HQs for the heavy recce companies and a recovery vehicle.

BTR60 battalion

AA, Anti tank and support bases.

HQ, all Scotia models

HQs for heavy recce coys, all Scotia.

So that just leaves a  battalion of T55AM2Vs and a battalion of infantry with supports to complete and I will possibly will call it  a day for the Soviets. When the lockdown restrictions are relaxed I will try and get to the Grimsby club and get them all set out and take some pics. 

So what have I left to do regarding my 6mm Cold war project? Quite a bit actualy, some British, Americans and a big box of building to complete!

Finished Units, only taken a year!

Well, I've actualy gotten around to completing some of my lead pile, and guess what.. they are 6mm cold war Soviets for col war commander.

T64s

BMP1 & BRDM2s

BMP2s

BMP1s

Shilkas, SA13, BRDM3(AT5), SA9 and  PRP-3 observers

Artillert regiment

2S3

BM21

2S1

                                                                                                                                                                  These are mainly Scotia and Heroics and Ros.

American Artillery

Traditionally the main killing arm of any army is its artillery. These units tend to be some of its most technologically advanced units, the American army is no exception, fielding some of the most up to date units of any modern army. The most common of these is the M109 series of self propelled howitzers.
The artillery is organised into 2, 3 battery units and a support vehicle. The M109A1 is by H&R and the M922 FASVV is by Scotia.

Artillery

M109s and M922

Next; Bradley fighting vehicles.

Soviet APCs and MICVs. Part2 BMPs.

When the first BMP appeared in 1967 it caused a real stir amongst NATO observers. Here was the first Mechanised Infantry Combat Vehicle, one which would influence military design for decades to come. I have three Motor Rifle (BMP) battalions, equivalent to a regiment. One is in BMP1s and Two are in the more capable BMP2s. The first HQ consists of a BMP-1 KSH Command(SM76) and a BMP1(SM09). The second HQ is a BMP2(SM10)  with a few infantry figures, all by H&R.

HQs

BMP1s(SM09) by H&R

H&R BMP1s

H&R BMP1s

BMP2s(SM10) by H&R

H&R BMP2s

H&R BMP2s

Scotia also do a nice model of a BMP2(RM0052) shown along side the H&R model.

Scotia and H&R BMP2

Finally pictures of a Scotia BMP3(RM0143) with a  H&R BMP3(SM64). The BMP3 is the latest incarnation of the BMP family and appeared in 1990, too late to see service during the Cold War.

Scotis and H&R BMP3s

Scotia and H&R BMP3s

The Sotia model is quite a bit larger than the H&R offering so probably wouldn't mix well together. That said both are very good models with plenty of detail.

Soviet APCs and MICVs. Part 1 BTRs.

The Soviet and WarPac armies of the '80s employed a variety of wheeled and tracked armoured personal carriers to enable their infantry to keep pace with their tanks. As a result of their more complex design and increased cost there were never enough tracked APCs to fulfil the armies requirements. Wheeled APCs continued to be the most common form of transport for many units, the most common of which was the BTR60. For pictures of my BTR60s and solitary BTR70 see my earlier post http://littleleadarmsrace.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/bits-and-pieces.html . The next in the BTR family is the BTR80. These form the basis of 2 of my 3 Motor Rifle Battalions, which also double up for Naval Infantry. 
 The CO stand consists of a BTR80 UR Sn Command vehicle(SM90), a BTR60 PA Cmmd(SM77) and a BRDM 2u(SM78) all by Heroics And Ros.

CO Stand

 The 2 Hq stands consist of  a BTR80 UR Sn(SM90) and a H&R BRDM2(SM22). The other is a Scotia BTR80U(Rm0167) and a H&R GAZ69 field car(SM49).

HQ stands

The first battalion consists of Scotia BTR80 A+25mm cannon(RM0168). Technically these didn't enter service till the '90s, but I'd got the models before doing any proper research. I've also added a pair of H&R BTR80s(SM66) for the support companies.  

BTR80 A

BTR80 A

From this angle you can see the H&R BTR80 is slightly larger than the Scotia BTR80 A.

Scotia BTR80 A and H&R BTR80

My second battalion is all H&R BTR80s, but painted typical soviet green.

H&R BTR80

H&R BTR80

Soviet Bridge layers.

In addition to the Bridging and amphibious units I also have some bridgelayers to deal with small rivers and streams as well as tank ditches etc. Once again a mixture of manufacturers.
Skytrex produce a MTU Bridgelayer (M721). This appears to be a MTU 20. I've left the folding ramps off to make it more "playable".

MTU Bridgelayer

Heroics and Ros  produce an MT55 Bridgelayer (SM47). Scotia make a nice model of a TMM Bridgelayer (RM0024), which are often found with non armoured units.

MT55 and TMM bridgelayers

Bridges deployed.

Next post Engineers and Engineering vehicles.

Soviet Bridging Units.

The ability to cross water and other obstacles is a must for any modern army, especially one on the attack. Most of my bridging is by Scotia and Skytrex , with a few pieces by Heroics&Ros. Unfortunately Skytrex's recent price rise, coupled with  their high postal charges , now mean they are no longer good value for money compared to other manufacturers. A shame as they did some models not available else where.
Skytrex's TPP Heavy Pontoon Bridge (M775).The models shown are an amalgamation of two packs. The ramps are from the Skytrex MTU bridge layer.

TPP Pontoon Bridge

Deployed

A much nicer offering comes from Scotia and consists of a PMP Bridge Centre Section (RM0022) and a PMP Bridge Ramp Section (RM0023). The two bridging companies each consist of two ramp sections and three centre sections.Scotia also do a nice model of a BMK-T Bridging Boat and truck (RM0099), and a BMK-T bridging Boat, waterline model,(RM0100). The boats are used to nudge and hold the pontoons in place during construction. 

PMP Bridging coys

PMP Bridging coys

Deployed

BMK-T 

BMK-T

BMK-T(waterline)

BMK-T (waterline)

Skytrex also do a model of a PTS-M heavy amphibian but this is incorrectly described as a BTS-M Heavy Amphibian (M773). A useful model as they are also used by Soviet Naval Infantry units.

(P)BTS-M

(P)BTS-M

Finally Skytrex model a GSP Amphibious Ferry (M774). I decided to model this as a deployed waterline model, after grinding away with a dremel for 20 minutes. As it stands the models cannot easily be shown in the travelling configuration as the base of the model that forms the upper section is lacking in detail and had a manufacturers code cast into it. A shame as I don't think any one else makes one.

GSP ferry

GSP ferry

   As you can see I don't paint water! Next post will be Tank bridges and then Engineering units.