Corsar Rex released a new 1/35 scale figure depicting a member of Finnish voluntary auxiliary paramilitary organisation for women.

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The name comes from a woman, Lotta Svärd, in a poem by Johan Ludvig Runeberg about the war when Russia took Finland from Sweden. The poem was published around 1860 and then the name was used when the organisation was created around 1920.
Svärd means sword and Lotta is a short form for Charlotta.

This was the badge they used. Note that this was before the swastika was used by an infamous ex Austrian doing politics in Germany.



/ Robin

I wasn't really interested in the post title, but I do like to see what Corsar Rex releases. So I was doubly pleasantly surprised by Robin's commentary. I've often wondered how Finland came to adopt the Swastika and this was a nice tutorial. The use of the Swastika by the Nazis has ruined a lot of my model building options, since I am personally repulsed by seeing it displayed (I avoid using it on my models, but as a historical modeler, I sometimes have no choice). Of course the Swastika had a background in Native American lore, as the Finnish national marking, in the Lafayette Escadrille, and in other places, but this is often overshadowed by what the Austrian corporal turned it into. It's nice to see it has been used elsewhere-- and I for one would like to know how it came to be adopted by Finland. Thanks for your history lesson Robin.
VR, Russ

A little history lesson from Wikipedia.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swastika

It should be noted that the Swastika rests on its flat side, while the Hakenkreuz is canted by 45 °. Unfortunatly here in Germany, with our strict anti-Nazi laws, we have to explain that the Finnnish Force Swastika is NOT the Hakenkreuz. Otherwise, you would have been banned from modelling shows.

While I do appreciate the history backgrounder the focus should eventually get around to the figurine in question. While I find it a fascinating -if odd- choice I can't for the life of me figure out what I could use one for. It doesn't exactly scream dio potential and I don't do figures for their own sake usually.

The members of Lotta Svärd had various roles which could be included in a diorama but any figure just walking straight ahead, even if the head is turned to take a quick look at something, is sort of limited in potential for a diorama.

Some examples of what the figure could have been doing instead of walking with a steel rod in its backbone:









Mmm, that fur coat looks cosy ....





Paper doll ????






Many possibilities but marching is a little boring ..

/ Robin

Geez! Don't you find it somewhat strange that among the poses offered are several that involve pointing and using binoculars? Hmm...and here we were making fun of all the German soldiers posing with binoculars while pointing...

As for poses, I always wondered why there are many figures of female soldiers/auxiliaries only walking. I think of Bronco`s Aliied females or Hornet`s marching IDF soldier. Would have liked in more action pose.

Hello everybody!
Soon, several more Finnish soldiers will be released. This will make it possible to use this figure in the overall composition.