Introduction

Gettin' Some Kicks 1943-45, from Bravo-6, is a two figure set depicting a German Prisoner getting kicked by an irate Soviet Soldier. Many Soviet soldiers had revenge on their minds as they reached Germany and getting kicked in the behind was the least of a German soldiers worries.

The figures

The figures come in two ziplock bags inside a cardboard box with a color photo of both figures on the front. This color photo is all the instruction given for assembly and so well engineered are the figures that it is all that is needed. The pic is a little small for a painting guide, so a little research on the uniforms will be in order. On the back of the box are Bravo-6 email and web address.

The Soviet Soldier
The Soviet figure comes in 5 parts. The head, torso and legs are cast in one piece attached to a substantial pour plug, but in such a way as it will be easy to remove with a sharp razor saw. It took me a while to find the mould seam on the figure as it very cleverly runs along one of the padding seams on the trousers The other parts are two separate arms and a separate late production Shpagin PPSh-41 submachine gun, with box magazine and flip-up rear sight, with the figure’s right hand cast on it as well as a separate canteen.

The detail on the weapon is very fine with the barrel being visible inside the receiver. This fine detail might make the weapon difficult to remove from the casting plug.

The figure is cast in the act of delivering what looks like a fairly vicious kick to the SS prisoner. He wears the padded Telogreika winter uniform and the Ushanka fur lined cap. The jacket has shoulder boards and a single pocket on the front. There’s a small tear in the left sleeve, and the trousers also have a nicely detailed tear on the left leg below the knee. He wears what looks like a German other ranks belt, although there is no detail on the buckle, with a magazine pouch for the PPSh-41.

The casting of the figure is immaculate and the detail, such as the creases on the clothing and the fur on the Ushanka, is really well done. The face and hands are also well detailed with clenched muscles on the hands and a narrow eyed angry expression on the face. The only thing I didn’t like about this figure is that his neck looks a little scrawny to me.


The Waffen SS Soldier
The German figure comes in only three pieces. Again the head, torso and legs are cast in one piece with the pour plug attached.
The figure is posed with his hands raised and his body arched to the right as if dodging a kick. He wears the M1943 uniform with short boots and web anklets. His tunic is open and beneath it he wears a roll neck jumper. The detail on the jumper and the tunic is good, especially the button holes and the collar, and his pockets bulge convincingly. Pinned to his left chest pocket is the infantry assault badge.

The arms and hands are very well detailed with the cuffs of the jumper visible at the wrists and one of his shoulder straps hanging down. He has the sleeve eagle cast on his left arm as well as a tricolour shield which would make him a foreign volunteer in the Waffen SS. The head is among the best I’ve seen in resin, with the hair well done and his furrowed brow giving the face a very anxious look.

Conclusion

There is very little clean up with these figures and with the emotions evident in the faces and the poses this will, with a good paintjob and ground work, build into a powerful vignette.