Sunday, October 16, 2016

Soviet Airborne Troops VDV (ВДВ: Воздушно-десантные войска)

With the moderns bite in full swing lately, I thought I'd finally break out my Rebel Minis' 15mm "Spetznaz" troops, who I originally planned on basing individually, and paint them up with the famous KLMK camouflage uniforms with blue berets to serve as my VDV Soviet Airborne troops.

I used the tutorial and color schemes from the excellent "Cold War Hot Hot Hot" Blog found here.

While the casts aren't Rebel Miniatures' best figures (their Modern US are really good, among others), they fit the bill nicely.

Google uploaded the pictures backwards.  Oh well.  Here I'm using David F's pumice for the bases.

 I've based these on "team" sized bases to represent whatever I need them to represent and to basically play them with any rules set I want.

Officer
 Iraqi sand mades the "squiggles" or digital patterns that are found on this famous uniform.  I like the look of these fellas much better than the plain "Afgantsy" on the Team Yankee pages.


Combine these guys with the firepower from the 1/144 Zvezda Hind gunships, or even mount them in the fast, hard-hitting BTR80 from Zvezda and you've got yourself a very nice little force that packs an elite punch.


By the war, Richard C, the colors you picked were Spot On for VDV in my humble opinion.  The only change I made was to add a little rust color to add some redness when I painted the magazines on their small arms.  Also, I have not applied any washed or dry brushing yet.













Anyways that's all for now.  Not much time for gaming or even much painting but I am trying to keep myself painting some stuff.

Also planning out a World War II "Rapid Fire" scenario based on Ponyri Station.  I just cant give it up can I?

More VDV coming and hopefully some Early 80s US Army (or US National Guard?) and another ersatz Bundeswehr infantry platoon.  Stay Frosty everybody!



12 comments:

  1. Nice work mate.
    I have a pile of plastic Soviet paras to paint up so this will be a useful reference...if I ever find the time...lol

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    1. Thank you Darren, I've been meaning to get some paint on these guys for awhile. I had a free minute or 2 this afternoon so I gave it a go. Are you talking about the famous ESCI Soviet Paras? Love those guys!

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    2. Yes - the famous ESCIs.
      There are some funny poses, but they work ok (to be honest, I have painted some of the RPG operators up as Somali militia in the past ;) ).
      Despite the poses, it's a versatile set, as they could be wearing anything from uniforms through to civvies depending on how you paint them.

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  2. Super cool Paras! Glad to see the pumice getting a go on some bases too.

    I eagerly await the Paras being thrown into battle via their transport assets (especially when BF release more ADA assets for the US). I expect that we will see first hand as to why the Army never sent massive fleets of air mobile forces to Europe! :-D

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    Replies
    1. Yes we'll see how the pumice does. Don't worry the .50 cals on the US stuff is more than adequate in taking out aircraft. The Vulcans are really only good at deterring stuff from flying close enough to use them.

      So far I've lost 1 SU25 to the M60 LMG mounted on the ITV and I've forgotten how many other aircraft to .50 cals in our games.

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  3. Great stuff Steve! Those berets give a lovely dollop of colour dont they!

    When I was playing 6mm Cold War a decades (or two) ago, I made a VDV force - inspired of course my the characters from Red Army :-)

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    Replies
    1. Not gonna lie, Paul, i was thinking of Hameln scenarios the entire time i was painting!

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  4. I must have missed something Steve... why would you consider giving up Ponyri Station? Eating or sleeping, maybe. You can still paint at 3am with one foot rocking the cradle. ;oP```
    Regards,
    John

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    Replies
    1. I like your thinking, John! I am seriousky enjoying putting together the Ponyri Station battle using Rapid Fire. Been putting together troop totals the last few days. Ill post something more meaningful on the battle and Rapid Fire MTOE soon.

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  5. I see I'm not the only one who uses Delta paints! There is a Michaels Craft store near where I live. I just need a good colour for my NATO armor

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    Replies
    1. Sir you are definitely not alone! Check out this link if you like Delta, etc paints. It will CHANGE YOUR LIFE! (vallejo formulas using Delta, etc). It is linked on my blog called Nordalia Paint Forumlas

      http://wargames.nordalia.com/index.php
      option=com_content&task=view&id=34&Itemid=60

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