I was looking for examples of prewar Red Army soldiers and found these:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Soviet-Soldiers-Riders-1-35-by-MiniArt-35055-/302336539576?epid=1901731139&hash=item4664a97bb8:g:iygAAOSwuTxWBV-w

Problem: M1935 soldiers and NCOs did not have pockets on their tunics, from what I ead.

Hi Tom

What have you been reading?
Nearly every one I have seen shows the pockets.
Just done a quick google wither same result.
Throughout the war the main changes were the way rank was displayed and the change in the style of the coller.
I am by no way trying to make myself out as any sort of expert.
If ther is any out there I am sure they willing to help out.

A link on this forum I saw years ago that led to a detailed article about Soviet uniforms before and during WW2. I printed the article out but unfortunately I wouldn't know if it even exists anymore.

Every single image I found has the pockets on the M35 tunic. It should be noted that even if issued without them the ever resourceful Russian soldier would add them. Period photos and existing garments all have them. The preponderance of evidence supports their existence. Miniart got it right.

The M43 enlisted tunic didn't often have them. So it's reversed.

The uniforms might be fine, but where Miniart did goof is with the rifles. All Mosin Nagants, with the exception of scoped rifles and the Finnish M27(rv) had straight bolt handles. The Miniart set depicts them as bent, though to be fair, they are far from alone on this.

SERIOUSLY ??

Both uniforms, early and 1943 type, had a couple of versions. Basically recruits got the pocket-less one at the beginning, officers and leutnants were equipped with the one with pockets in the early stage of war. Later this was more or less skipped. Also minor rang soldiers used to wear pockets

For some modelers this is a very serious issue, and an error such as this renders the whole kit useless.

That's usually dictated by limitations of the mold. I remember that for all their other faults Zvezda and the earliest ICM figures all had separate bolts on the rifles to accurately depict the straight bolt handle.

Early French Label rifles as well as bolt action single shot breech loaders were the same (those ICM Franco Prussian War figures. Great figures obscure subject)