Modern Russians/Neo-Soviets/Gazprom Security Solutions

Finally finished the modern Russians. I can't even remember when I originally got all this stuff. I think Greg and I need to have a "Crisis in Kablikistan" or something similar with some of his Russian Kit.

Imprint T-80UK - 1/50 Scale

1/50 scale T-80UK MBT from Imprint Models

OK - sometimes a quick diversion needs a bit of an extension.  While rummaging around in my pile in the process of finishing my BTR-80s and T-90s from Imprint Models, I came across an un-built Imprint T-80UK, the command tank variant of this Soviet Cold War era MBT. Since I was on a bit of a 1/50 scale tear, I decided to quickly throw this tank together too and paint it.

T-80UK bits, with the magnets drilled into the hull and turret

This is an older version of the Imprint model, about four years old - fewer metal components, less detail on the tracks.  I had done a platoon of these tanks back when Dallas and I were fully involved in our bonkers 28mm modern build-up. I have no idea why I didn't finish this model - likely I put it down in some place to "get to it right away", then forgot about it as I moved on to some other new insane project.

Crew figure in the gunner's hatch from Mongrel Miniatures

The Soviet infantryman in front of the tank is from Mongrel Miniatures

Although the kit is older - it is still a great kit. Emboldened by my success with the magnets on the T-90s, I drilled in some rare earth magnets to hold the turret in place for gaming.  I also left the cupola open so I could pop a tank commander figure into the hatch.

Mounting the MG was a challenge - I had lost some key parts for mounting it, so I improvised with some spare pieces I had lying around.  They looked like little mechanical mountings - once they are green with the rest of the tank, they look fine.

Radio antennas were easy to add by using floral wire

The Soviet Union/Russia deployed several thousand T-80s in their arsenal toward the end of the Cold War.  They were also found in the armies of former republics (now independent states) like Ukraine and Belarus.  Cyprus also has some T-80 tanks in the line, as well as Pakistan.  The T-80UK is a very late model of this MBT, and I'm not sure how many went into production or into the line of any nation's arsenal.  It features some very complicated anti-ATGM and anti-RPG systems (the Shtora system, as on the T-90).

I used grey for the lenses for the Shtora jammers, instead of the evil red I used on the T-90s

I painted this tank to match the other recent Soviet/Russian models - dark green with bands of yellow.

I lost a couple of the components for the Shtora system - a couple of receivers (or something) that were mounted toward the rear of the turret.  But they are pretty minor pieces, so I don't think it matters too much.

This view provides a good snapshot of the "Kontakt" reactive armour blocks on the front of the hull and the turret

This T-80UK will ride along to battle with the other recent arrivals to the Chemical Commie motor pool.

Painted T-90s - 1/50 Scale From Imprint

1/50 scale T-90 MBTs from Imprint, with 28mm Soviet in NBC gear from Eureka

This summer has been lovely here in Winnipeg, but we had rain all day on Sunday this past weekend.  This was good for a couple of reasons - first the garden really, really needed the rain, and second, I was able to finish off my Imprint 1/50 scale diversion by painting up the T-90 MBTs.

The Russian T-90 tank is a wargamer fanboy favourite of mine, based purely on the looks-cool-factor.  The angled explosive armour blocks on the front of the turret, the spooky anti-ATGM jammers on either side of the main gun, the stacked/angled smoke launchers on the sides of the turret, and the remote-controlled 14.5mm MG on the cupola, and of course the massive nearly-over-sized 125mm main gun all serve to give the T-90 a very, very ultra-modern/NF sci-fi look. 

The T-90 is a heavily upgraded T-72 tank.  Russia has a small number in service ("small" as in relative to their still large tank fleet, even after all of the reductions to their armed forces).  India has a version of the T-90 in service.  Other nations have looked at this vehicle from time to time, but I don't know if they have been ordered/used....others on the interwebs will be wiser on this matter than me... 

I am not enough of a tread-head to give an informed opinion of how the T-90 would stack up against the latest western MBTs.  I expect the M1A2s, Challenger 2s and Leopard 2A6s would defeat this tank on most measurements, but superior crew training and maintenace would be major factors regardless of the competing systems on the tanks. I would expect the T-90s would easily handle any third-world/former soviet republic opponents (upgraded T-55s, T-62s and T-72s with lesser upgrade packages), and with a trained/experienced crew and support, would give NATO tankers all they could handle

The T-90 appears to be ominous and awesome looking - regardless of how they would actually perform on the battlefield - and that counts for a lot on the gaming table.  Overall, I think it is a good thing for the world that the T-90 hasn't yet acquired a detailed "in action" record on the battlefield when you consider that they are in service with nations that, should a T-90 unit be called to action, chances are some manner of very scary global security crisis is underway.

The T-90 model from Imprint is top-notch, just like all of the other Imprint products I have ever worked with.  The model is mostly resin, but key pieces are metal - such as the gun barrel and the MG, as well as the cupola turrets, so you can model them open/un-buttoned if you wish.  The only modification needed to make the vehicles game-survivable was to add magnets under the turret and on the main body of the MBT - I can't believe I actually managed to do this without screwing it up too badly...

For the paint scheme I employed the same one I used on the BTR-80s.  The yellow on the camouflage came out a little more prominently for some reason, so I may go back to the tanks and try and dull the yellow down a bit.  I used paints from the new GW range for the most part, with weathering powders at the end.

T-90 on the left, a BTR-80 (also from Imprint) on the right

Together with the BTR-80s and 80As, my Chemical Commies can now expect both a nice ride and some heavy-duty fire support against their NATO/Zombie/Insrugent/Rebel/Seperatist/Big Pharma/ opponents on the Fawcett Avenue tabletop.  Of course the T-90 never really appeared in the time when Russia was still a communist state, so I suppose these would not count as "Chemical Commies", but "Chemical Putin Federalists" doesn't have the same ring to it...

My Golan Heights project is still fully underway - see the picture below for some goodies that just arrived in the post, including infantry and tanks from Peter Pig, and some T-62s from QRF.  Stay tuned!

Goodies in the mail....

Painted 1/50 Scale BTR-80s from Imprint

Chemical Commies on maneuvers with their new APC

My 28mm scale Commies have some new wheels tonight after I finished off one of the new BTR-80 models I have recently purchased from Imprint Models. I only finished one of the vehicle bodies, but finished one of each turret - the BTR-80 and BTR-80A variant - to give a look for each one.

From a wargaming perspective, the BTRs are not as sexy as the BMPs, but these blue collar APCs will stylishly and safely deliver my Commie Forces to battle against insurgents, separatists, NATO forces, Zombies, Big Pharma, militants, reality show contestants, and whatever else we can find at the Fawcett Avenue table - possibly all in the same game (Dallas' Zombie games are very diverse). The 30mm cannon on the BTR-80As will provide some nice extra punch.

These were painted primarily with GW paints, many from the new range, which I am gradually getting used to.  I have seen so many different camouflage patterns for modern Russian/late Soviet vehicles that I just went ahead an made one up. The infantry in the pictures are 28mm Soviets in NBC gear from Eureka.  The numeral decals are from a sheet of Battlefront tactical numbers I found lying around.

Up first is the straight-up BTR-80 version:

The BTR-80 has a 14.5mm MG in the turret

Now here are some pictures with the very cool BTR-80A variant turret.  With the funky mounting for the 30mm cannon, and the concentration of smoke launchers, all with the spooky light at the top, I find this turret looks very near-future/sci-fi.

The 30mm cannon can engage everything from enemy troops to enemy helicopters

These Imprint models are top notch - I recommend them highly!  I have two more vehicle bodies to do, and then I will be able to mount a platoon for battle.  The T-90s will have to wait for a bit - I need to figure out a way to secure the turrets - preferably without gluing them, although it may come to that - to be sure they can survive on the gaming table.

Quick Diversion - 1/50 Scale BTR-80, 80A and T-90

BTR-80A (left) and T-90 MBT (right) from Imprint Models

A slight diversion - some APCs and MBTs from Imprint Models.  Amid the patchwork of sculpts and ranges you need to rummage around in order to game in modern settings 28mm, Imprint Models is a must-stop thanks to its collection of properly scaled modern and ultra-modern vehicles (they are 1/50 scale, so they look good with 28mm scale models, as opposed to the more widely available 1/56 scale models from places like SandS, Sloppy Jalopy and elsewhere).  Imprint also has a great collection of vehicles you don't typically find in 1/50 scale, especially for the Russians (Imprint's BMP-3 is a favourite vehicle of mine).

BTR-80A pieces prior to assembly

T-90 bits prior to assembly

Bob at Imprint has been gradually adding to and expanding his offerings.  Recently he just added the BTR-80 and BTR-80A to his lineup.  I have been looking for new and improved transport for my Chemical Commies - and also looking for an ultra modern AFV/IFV model that might fit in properly with a new faction I am working on for our Spacekrieg setting (more on that another time).  I ordered these hot of the presses from Imprint, and built them the other day, together with a pair of T-90 MBTs which had arrived in a previous order.

Helpful arrow sculpted into model so morons like me don't put this piece of the BTR-80 on backwards...

The BTR-80 is the latest version of the Soviet Union's line of ubiquitous eight-wheeled APCs to see large production and export.  It is an upgrade on the BTR-60s and -70s that served as the main combat troop carrier in the bulk of the Soviet motor rifle divisions. BTRs don't attract as much wargaming glory or mystique as the tracked BMP-1,-2,-3 series, but the wheeled APC was a much more common vehicle in the Soviet/Russian inventory.

The BTR-80A is a variant with a turret featuring a 30mm cannon, capable of elevating to engage helicopters, or enemy in buildings/high ground.

BTR-80, with MG and smoke launchers on the turret

BTR-80A, with 30mm cannon in the turret

BTR-80A from the side - the 30mm turret has a near-futre vibe for sure...

The T-90 is the most modern of the Russian combat MBTs in any kind of widespread service/export.  While pictures of things like the "Black Eagle" and other bits of kit flit around the 'net, the T-90 is actually in service with Russia and some other countries, such as India (where I think it is actually manufactured under license).

T-90 turret right out of the bag - very little flash to deal with - great sculpt and great casting

The T-90 is typically derided by pedants and anoraks on wargaming sites as "just a re-branded T-72", and in fact the T-90 is a continuation of the T-72 MBT.  Gamers note the poor performance of the Iraqi T-72s in the Gulf Wars, and assume the T-90 would perform just as poorly. I don't think Iraq deployed the best available version of the T-72, or had the best crews, and were forced to use home-industry ammunition, so to write off the T-72, much less the T-90, because of the Gulf Wars seems premature to me.

An assembled T-90 from Imprint Models

Whatever it's combat merits (and let's be thankful the world has not had to find them out...), the T-90 i easily one of the coolest-looking tanks out there from a wargaming perspective.  The ERA, funky smoke launchers, "Shtora" missile jammers, low profile, massive main gun, remote operated MG an wide variety of bits and lenses on the turret and elsewhere give the T-90 a definite ultra-modern, even near-future feel.

T-90 MBTs ready for the priming booth (a.k.a. the garage)

The Imprint models are resin castings, with some metal bits for gun barrels and other small features.  The kits are highly detailed, but are easy to assemble.  My small criticism is that on the Imprint tanks I have worked with is that the turrets does not connect to the hull in a clear, durable fashion - something I really appreciate in a wargaming model.  The T-90's turret sits relatively comfortably in a shallow depression on the hull, but will need a peg or some funky work with magnets to be ready for prime time on the gaming table.

Despite this minor criticism, these are beautiful models overall. The BTR-80 is gorgeous, with top-notch casting quality and very little flash.  They are very easy to assemble, practically idiot-proof (see the picture above, where a direction arrow is sculpted on).  Since I am an idiot when it comes to putting vehicles together, this is a very, very good thing.

BTR-80 platoon - ready for the priming booth

The Imprint models are not cheap by a long shot, but you get god quality product from them.  If you are looking for ultra modern vehicles, or even vehicles to take your "Tomorrow's War" faction to battle in style, I recommend them highly!  Don't let the resin deter you either - these are solid quality castings, not like the random quality you get from Forge World.

I am not sure what paint scheme I am going to attempt on these vehicles - particularly the T-90s.  I may need to attempt (shudder) an airbrush pattern. But the next time the Chemical Commies hit the table, they will arrive in style, and backed by the latest in Russian MBT goodness.  I'll be back with the painted versions for show on the blog in a little while.  Now - back to painting 15mm Golan Heights...