Hi guys

I was planning to use a Nemrod set of Russian Tankers on my T-55A that I picked up cheap in a modelstore sale, however it's been pointed out on my blog in the diorama section that they have the incorrect helmets as they are slighty off time period wise (they are shown on the box art with a JS-3 which could be any period from early 50's to 70's from what I understand).

I was considering just ammending the heads and sculpting on extra ribs to make it the correct four ribs. Then I noticed though some really cool modern russian tankers from Tank.



These are described as Checnya 1993, obviously the Soviet Union was dissolved in 1992... So I'am wondering if these crew figures are appropriate to use as Tankers for my diorama? I am also using Dragons 1:35 Soviet Motor Rifle Troops set for the figures on the ground.

Is this accurate as a replacement or am I better off converting the Nemrod crew?

Any ideas or tips would be most appreciated!

The six rib helmet shown would not be correct. Not only are the ribs laid out differently, the earphones are a different style. The problem with your original figures is not necessarily the ribbing on the helmets, but the earphones. There were post war three rib helmets, as well as the four rib. The WW2 helmets had flaps with a round pad in front to cover the headphones. The later helmets had an integral pocket for the speaker.

If I remember, I will try to take some photos of some of my Combloc tanker helmets (got maybe 20 of them). Send me an email address, as I have always had problems posting photos here.

Also noticed your motor rifle troops in the other post, and they are carrying AK74's. Long flash hider, and slab sided mags. Stocks are different too. Could be changed fairly easily, though.

It was me who said about the 4 ribs instead of 3 so my bad, I always thought 3 ribs were used up till the 50's and as you had the Dragon motor rifles figures you couldnt use them and the T-55 for a 50's diorama as they wear 1970's/80's clothing. A simple solution to your problem could be t just replace the heads on the nemrod figures with Hornet heads, they do a set of post war Soviet tankers heads with the correct ear cups.

You could try the new Zvezda set:
http://www.modelingmadness.com/scotts/misc/figures/zv/3615.htm

Currently writing a review of the Zvezda set! Will be published soon. Not really usable on a T-55, not an early one anyway, the Zvezda figures represent Russian tankers from about the 90's onwards.

Too bad,

I had my eye on this set to crew the upcoming Trumpeter T-62.

ICM makes a usefull set:
35281: Soviet-Afghan war 1979-1988; Soviet tank crew. It consists of four figures, two sitting and two standing. Three figures in black tank uniform (summer) and one in khaki uniform.

ICM has also announced a new three figure crew set for the 1980s.

Thanks guys

I was planning to set my scene sometime in the 80's.

As I had read that the Soviets were still using T-55's in Afghanistan.

From what I can make out looking at different kits the soldiers uniforms hadn't changed much from the 80's to the 90's?

I also guess (but i am not 100% sure) that the Dragon Soviet Motor rifles are from this period 80's to 1991 at least? Sorry for being a little vague before but outside of WW2 my knowledge of Cold War stuff is a bit cloudy. The term Cold War itself is a little difficult as it covers post WW2 up till the end of the USSR!

So bearing this in mind would it be plausible to use the motor rifles and the 1993 Checnya tankers together in a 1980's era?

Thanks for the kind offer lone ronin, I've sent you a PM.