ICM 1/35 Red Army Infantry Figures (1939-1942) Kit no. 35051 MSRP: $8.98 By Ray Mehlberger

History

The Soviet Union maintained the largest army in Europe, and in order to keep it supplied with uniforms and personal equipment, Soviet industry could only produce tried and tested designs. Many of the basic patterns of clothing had been designed at the beginning of the century at the time of the Russo-Japanese War, and had proved themselves during World War I. Westerners often describe Russian uniforms as cheap and shabby, and refer to a lack of standardisation. In fact, the traditional Russian uniform had a certain rugged smartness when well worn, and since everything was manufactured in state factories the degree of standardization achieved was never equalled in any other army.

The basic uniform consisted of a flat "Japanese-style" peaked cap, a khaki shirt in traditional cut - but with stand-and-fall collar, which was worn outside the trousers. Breeches were either of a matching color or dark blue. High boots were increasingly replaced by ankle boots (often of American manufacture) and puttees. This basic uniform was worn throughout the year, but in winter all ranks wore a long grey greatcoat (shinel) and a grey cloth pointed helmet (shlem).

In addition to the basic items described above, officers had a superior quality shirt, with piping, which was made of cotton for summer and wool for winter wear. The greatcoat was made of good quality cloth with piping and brass buttons. At the end of 1935 officers had received a new single-breasted tunic which could be worn with either breeches and boots or long trousers and shoes.

What's in the box?

The kit is packaged in a end-opening type box. This box is the old saying "A bee-bee in a box-car", as far as being way too large. There is a very vast void around the contents inside.

The box-art shows three Soviet soldiers in a snow covered forest clearing. In the background is a Soviet armored car. One soldier is leaning on a shovel having a smoke. He has removed his right glove and it is dangling from a string up his sleeve.

Then there is a officer, who is handing a dispatch to another soldier that is saluting him.

I got a real laugh, off the side of the box. It says "Not suitable for children under 36 months". It would be a real smart four year old that could build and paint these figures!

It also says that there are 46 parts in the kit. This is a LIE! There are only 26 parts.

Inside the box is one small tree of medium grey parts. It holds the three Soviet Infantry figures and their personal gear. All three are in winter uniforms. The figure that is posed shoveling snow wears quilted pants and a white parka. The officer figure is wearing a fleece overcoat, fur-lined boots, and a Shlem pointed cap. The saluting soldier is in a totally quilted uniform and is wearing a cap with ear-flaps. All three figures are molded with their left arms integral to their torsos. I would have prefered these arms to have been molded separately.

The single parts tree has NO part numbers molded into it. You have to refer to the parts tree drawing, on the instructions, to identify part numbers on the assembly drawings.

This single tree holds two sets of ammo pouches for a model 1938 Mosin-Nagant carbine with a separate bolt assembly, a shovel, a Tokarev TT-33 pistol in its holster for the officer figure, three alternative head-gears for the officer, front and rear of the officer's torso, his right arm and his head, a dispatch pouch to go into his right hand, his map-case, and his two legs.

The saluting soldier is molded as head, chest , thighs, and left arm as one part, separate right arm (which is saluting), and a haversack. His jack-boots, in brown leather, are not what he is shown wearing on the box-art. He is wearing the full quilted uniform. This was known as the telogreika, which was introduced into service in 1942.

The shoveling figure has his head, chest, and left arm molded as one piece. His two legs are separate and his right leg is bent at the knee so that his foot can rest on top of the blade of the shovel, while he has his cigarette. (you have to stretch sprue to make the smoke). His one mitten is molded separately and you are to dangle it from some thread from his right sleeve. He wears the quilted pants of the telogreika and a white parka. He also wears grey compressed felt boots known as Valenki. Again, this is not what the box-art shows him wearing on his feet. He is also shown on the instructions, as the figure to put the carbine on. However, the ammo pouches are on the belt of the saluting figure - and he has no weapon. I think I will move the rifle onto him.

The single, small, instruction sheet is printed on both sides. The front side shows the parts tree drawing, Humbrol brand paint listing, and general cautions in English and Russian. The reverse side has three illustrations of the figures, with their parts numbered and lettering that indicates which colors to use to paint them.

Conclusion

The molding of the figures is fairly good. However, there are some deep sink holes in the ankles of the brown leather boots that go onto the saluting figure. These will have to have some putty work done to them.

I cannot recommend this kit very highly. You don't get a whole lot of plastic for your 9 bucks and then that HUGE box and the molded solid left arms on all of the figures.