Ive got some questions regarding modern Russian uniforms and gear. This maybe more appropriate in the figure forum, but someone here might know as well.

Im wondering whether Masteclubs modern Russian figures (the 4 guys sat on a BMP & the 4 walking guys) can be used to depict Russian troops in the 80's. They are all wearing body armor similar to the type ive seen Russians in Afghanistan wearing, and the M-60 helmet looks exactly the same.

Id like to try and use them for a diorama set in 1983 and am wondering if they are a bit too 'modern' for that far back. Obviously I think the weapons need changing and stuff, but its just the basic clothing and gear im concerned with at the moment.

Here's a pic showing the same flak vests as on the figures, used in Afghanistan:
http://newshopper.sulekha.com/topic/slideshow/afghan-capital-kabul.htm
Some good images:
http://englishrussia.com/?p=2311

Thanks for the links Marc. I still wonder though whether the vests would of been around in 1983, ive yet to see a picture of soldiers wearing those flak vests early on in the Afghan war. But obviously as well I need to know if the uniform type would be issued around 1983 period.

Hi Rob

The Afghanka jacket has been in use and modified since the Soviet operations in Afghanistan, the winter afghanka has stayed similar right through to Russian Federation period, I've seen many reference photos from Chechnya that could have easily been taken during the Afghan conflict. Russian Military spending took a huge drop after the Soviet period, so alot of gear has been reused or modified.

As to 83 specifically it would be logical since the Soviet conflict lasted from 79 - 89. I've also seen info detailing the issue of Afghanka as early 1980's. Heres a little snippet:

The Afghanka began appearing on the military scene in the early 1980s during the Soviet war in Afghanistan, hence the name. The design of the jacket and trousers may have been based on similar patterns used by other Warsaw Pact armies such as the DDR. Initially the Afghanka uniform was in very short supply and was often issued to units rather than individuals and passed round as necessary for various duties. As more were produced, more were issued, and by the end of the 1980s it was then possible that everybody was issued his own. Individual soldiers took to marking the collars of their uniforms with indelible Bleach. The soldiers found the new uniform to be very effective, especially in Afghanistan. Even without the liners in, a winter Afghanka is comfortably warm in temperatures of down to zero degrees. Another advantage of the winter Afghanka over the preceding Bushlat and Shinel greatcoat was the greatly enhanced mobility and increased number of pockets. Today the Afghanka design uniform is still in use by Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus and Georgia

Heres a cool reference pic of the Afgahnka in the late Soviet period: