I'm building Dragon's JS-2, and would like to include a few figures on and around the tank. Since this is my first attempt to include figures on a bit of armor, and only my third armor kit, I figured that y'all could help me.

I bought these two figure sets:

https://armorama.kitmaker.net/review/4844

https://armorama.kitmaker.net/review/1217

I know that they aren't the best out there, but I didn't want to drop tons of cash on something before I felt I was ready to paint figures a little better than I do. I do have a few Hornet heads that I may add to some of the bad-faced fellas, and may order some heads outright for the Miniart guys. I guess that the molds are tired now, because the faces are a bit blobby...

So- my questions are:

1. The Miniart figures seem to be in more of a warm-weather uniform, while a couple of the Tamiya tankers are wearing leather jackets, most notably the "commander" figure. Should I not use the commander figure along with the Miniart set? As of right now I plan on using the two figures in the Tamiya set with the jumpsuits on, and the driver figure who seems to be wearing a uniform similar to what the MIniart guys are wearing..

2. Would it work to simply add some "blankets" out of lead foil to the Miniart figs to make it seem a little more appropriate for the leather jacket guys to be making their appearance?

3. If I did go with more of a "cool weather" situation, would it be unheard of for some of my figures to be wearing the Soviet Ushanka hats? Would tankers ever wear these?

Thanks for the help, everyone. Hope these questions don't make me sound too picky, but I'm just trying to keep everything looking accurate!

What would you do?

Both of these sets of figure are Ok with a little help but I would also suggest you take a look at the Tamiya Russian Army Assault Infantry as I feel they are very good for the price.

Thanks, Darren. Those do look like some nice figures. For now, however, I'm trying to work with what I have, and am wanting the scene to be a little more relaxed than it seems those Assault Infantry are posed.

These two kits I bought definitely need some help! The Miniart set is really proving to be a bear. I'm having to carve away quite a bit of flash, and am going to be using a bit of filler on some of the joints. I'm trying to just use my Tenax and kind of weld everything together. Sometimes it works-- other times, not so much! There are also a lot of little "pebbles" of plastic over the surface of the figures that I'm having to cut away.... weird!

They have been like that since the start ... these were one of MiniArts first figure kits. Great poses (I bought two sets when they were released) but every time I open the box, I close it up nearly as quickly again.
I think you´re good to go with both sets. They will work together.

Hi Justin- I know you already have them but seriously I'd forget about these these They just require too much work. I have them and they are one of miniart's first sets and they are rubbish. For the same money you could get these which are streets ahead. The tamiya set Darren mentioned and the Dragon Tank Riders set are also good.

As far the mix and match of clothing -all kinds of uniforms can be seen in photos from the battle for Berlin. I wouldn't add blankets though - I've never seen Soviet troops using them.
There are pics of tankers wearing the Ushanka. Do a google image search for battle of Berlin or Soviet troops 1945 and you'll see the mix of uniforms.

If you would like the Dragon Soviet Tank Riders, I have a set in my "for sale box" that I would be willing to let got for a fair price.

@Frank- Yeah, I'm trying to make use of them, but some of the figures are just too messy. I've got one of them going ok so far, and so will probably use at least that one!

@Pat- Man! That other set of infantry is awesome-- not very expensive either, and they've got the relaxed poses that I'm looking for. The Dragon guys could work too, but may be a bit too "active." I'm sure that they could work if I did a little modification here and there. That's also another thing I'd like to practice on.

@Matt- Send me a PM, and let me know what you want for them.

Just an update:

I had started working on one of the Miniart guys, and so I figured I'd go ahead and get him finished, as there's nothing wrong with trying to hone some new skills.





Anyway, this is one of the figures with a Hornet head added, and a little medal of some sort added with a bit of Milliput. The one that was on his chest was beyond hope. A little overscale, but oh well! As was said before, the supplied heads are trash. They honestly look like bloated monkeys!

A bit more work to be done smoothing out some details here and there. The macro lens and Mr. Surfacer really make the flaws show up! Please let me know what you see that I need to do still. I'm new, and need the help!

I love this pose! He's supposed to be holding a PPSH on his lap, but I'll probably make him drinking/smoking/doing something else-- which leads me to another question: Who makes some decent Russian small arms?

Good work Justin. The difference in quality of the Hornet head and the miniart body is very clear. thankfully their other figures are very different.

The best weapons are made by TANK There are also some Soviet Weapons in this Allied Weapons set reviewed here by Darren.

Hey, Pat!

Thanks for the reply. The macro lens really brings out all the flaws in the Miniart body, doesn't it? Luckily the naked eye doesn't pick up on all of them so easily. A little more cleanup here and there, and I'm calling this one done. I like the pose too much to just let him go. I may also use the one figure rolling a cigarette, but the other two are relegated to the junk pile!

I'll probably post a few shots now and then of my progress.

I'll take a look at those two links, because I'm really going to need some weapons. THanks again.

Hi Justin,

Nice figure, make sure you fix his right boot, the top part, it's pretty noticeable.....

Is the Dragon 122 kit one of the older ones? If so, be prepared for some extra work especially mating the 2 hull halves. No sponson plates under the fenders either.

I remember reading a review years ago about the kit and seem to recall a fit issue with the tracks and fenders. Not a lot of clearance there if I remember correctly. The other issue is the road wheels are too small.......I've just started building their JSU 122 so if you need any info let me know.

I have an extra set of Tamiya's JS III wheels I'm using but even they are not exact. The Miniarm resin wheels are the most accurate.

Hope this helps.....Paul

Hey Paul-

Thanks for the comments. Agreed-- the right boot needed a little extra cleanup!

The JS-2 kit is the older Dragon one, from what I know. I did put some sponson covers made of thin sheet styrene, and shimmed the hull about a millimeter to give some clearance for the tracks. It was a VERY noticeable blemish. I don't know how a company could get something this wrong-- the tracks would hardly fit at all!

Anyway, the road wheels are a bit undersized, but at least they'll fit! This is only my second armor model, so at this point I'm just trying to finish it! Sometimes you just have to accept that some things are just gonna be "off." I guess. That's what I'm telling myself, anyway.

Thanks again for the comments.