Russian Riflemen

With GHQs latest releases, there is a void in the department of run-of-the-mill riflemen. This can be rectified using the over-abundant SMG-armed Infantry. With a soldering iron and a steady hand, rifles can be added to three of the SMG Infantry quite easily. 

The Tokarev SVT/38or Simonov M/36 Semiautomatic Rifle armed soldier in the firing-from-the-hip stance can be converted in two ways.

The simplest method is to remove the magazine with an x-acto and elongate the barrel with needle-nose pliars resulting in the following:

This can be elaborated on to include a solder bayonet:

The next figure is the running PPSH-41 armed soldier. Again the magazine is removed and a rifle barrel added:

Third, the crouching PPSH-41 armed soldier and have the drum-magazine cut away and a barrel added to result in:

Below are pictures of the finished squads:

Russian Machine Guns 

The realm of Russian MGs is not a large one. GHQs  has the 'old' cast of the Maxim MMG but it is dated by their 'new' standards. The Gorjunov SG-43 HMG is a new cast and a good starting point for conversion. Due to the fact that there is only the single gunner, some assistants need to be created. Russian WWII mortar crew make GREAT loaders. Get out yer' nail clippers and separate them. The mortar gets cut off and the loaders arm bent down a bit to cradle the ammo belt. The other fellow...well...hes pluggin his ears. Works for me, Im sure the HMG is pretty loud!

Here is the finished MG.

Another project is the Maxim MG. Again, we use the Gorjunov SG-43 HMG cast. Cut off the existing barrel and drill out a 1/32 or so hole to fit a new barrel. I turned a short length of brass rod to give a barrel on the end of the maxim jacket but one could instead glue a small disk to the lower edge as well.Multi-talented 50mm loader hired to load.

Finished Maxims:

WWII Russian DShK 12.7mm HMG. Vietnam era NVA DShK 12.7mm is used. Helmets are fashioned from their hats, wheels added where the front leg of tripod was from the recoiless thingy in the NVA H/W pack.  Shield added.  Running SMG fellow crippled up with the needlenose so's he sits pretty.

Russian Mortars

Russian 82mm mortar scratchbuilt figures and mortar below. Two loaders made from grenade - thrower. Crouching figure from the NVA HW pack.

Russian Anti-tank Rifles

The lack of Russian ATRs is the one item that stands out the most. There is a simple conversion using the Russian DP LMG gunner and the loader from the Russian 50mm mortar. Carefully carve off the circle ammo magazine and the barrel of the DP. Add a nylon paint bristle for the ATR barrel. A muzzle-break can be represented by touching the end of the bristle onto a soldering iron.

The finished ATR Squad...Looking to dent some Panzers!

Russian Radios/Observers

The Russian Grenadier is a very valuable convert source. A radio can be added to his back and his arms adjusted to a more suitable pose. In the photo below, he is cupping his hand to yell and holding onto the radio strap. His helmet can be carved into a cloth wedge and a spare helmet glued on.

Russian Sappers

A simple conversion can be made to the Russian Grenadier to become a sapper. A satchel charge can be added to his grenade arm and the arms repositioned. He can easily be made to point instead. It really adds drama to the Sapper squad!

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