Introducing the Tiger I

Latest Update: FOV Tiger I w winter cammo at the bottom of the post

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The Tiger Tank was Germany's first heavy tank of the war. It's also known as Sd Kfz 181 as well as PzKpfw VI Ausf. H (later PzKpfw VI Ausf. E), or Panzer VI for short. The 'I' was added retroactively to the name after the Tiger II (King Tiger) came out. The Tiger tank was designed and built in response to the Soviet Tanks encountered during the invasion of the Soviet Union in the summer of '41, which outgunned and were better armored than the Panzer III's and Panzer IV's. By September of '42 the first Tigers were already being sent into action around Leningrad, but as it was rushed to the front prematurely, it initially suffered from mechanical and reliability problems. Besides the Eastern Front, the Tiger Tank also saw action in North Africa, Italy and the Western Front. Its thick armor, 88mm gun, and decent speed for a heavy tank, made it a formidable opponent, able to destroy enemy tanks at very long ranges, and being very hard to knock out unless the opponent managed to get very close to it and hit it from a vulnerable angle, usually the sides or back. Its good performance in combat enabled multiple Tiger tank commanders to become 'aces' with over 100 kills to their credit. It is said that one Tiger was able to destroy 22 Soviet tanks in a single engagement.
Unfortunately, the Tiger's design was a bit too complex. For instance, due to its weight, it was not able to go over small bridges, so it was designed to ford water up to 4 meters in depth. This meant that it had to be equipped with additional systems for breathing, ventilation, and engine cooling, the hull had to be sealable, and some of the compartments had to be floodable so it would not just float and get dragged downstream. Likewise, it introduced a new design for several rows of overlapping, interleaved wheels which gave it a wider track, better able to distribute its huge weight. All this increased its manufacturing complexity and cost, which resulted in less tan 1500 being manufactured during the war. By mid-1944, it was phased out of production in favor of the Panther and the Tiger II.
Stackpole Books has a two volume narrative of Michael Wittmann's exploits as a Tiger I commander, which provides great insight into the Tiger's development, the operations of a tank battalion, and the Tiger's performance in combat. In terms of Toy Soldier manufacturers, we have a couple good examples courtesy of the usual suspects, 21C and FOV.

21st Century Toys Tiger I

This tank was the first of its kind to be produced. Released about 10 years ago, it is a realistic vehicle, at a good scale, factory-painted, with moving turret, gun, tracks, hatches, and a factory-painted crew for less than 15 dollars. At the time it came out I would be making trips to my local Toys R Us every weekend to try to catch the next shipment as they were flying off the selves. It was the best thing that happened to the hobby in terms of vehicles. After that, many more and even better models followed, but this one (and the half track) are the ones that started it all.

21st Century Toys Tiger I - Afrika Korps

A short time later, 21C Toys released another version of the Tiger I. Essentially the same vehicle in a different color scheme. I preferred the original colors, but I still got three of these to give Rommel's army a heaftier punch.

Forces of Valor Tiger I

A couple years later FOV came into the military vehicle landscape and released their own versions of the Tiger I. Several paint schemes were released. Unfortunately I only got one of them as I already had several of the 21C ones. FOV's Tiger is even better than 21C's. Aside from the fact that is made out of metal, the level of detail and realism is higher. For instance, notice the anti-magnetic Zimmerit paint cover to defend against mines, or the bent fenders above the tracks. Definitely a nice piece of equipment for your collection.

Forces of Valor Tiger I - winter cammo

This Tiger is one of the FOV vehicles released since Waltersons acquired the brand. It is part of its 'Engine Plus' series which means that you can remove the top and see the inside, to reveal a very nicely detailed engine as well as the inside of the tank. Something else that is not evident from the picture is that this tank is also heavier than prior FOV models. It really feels quite substantial. Even the tank commander is made out of metal. This Tiger also comes in a less common winter cammo paint scheme, which is actually the main reason why I went ahead and bought it. I say that because I already have enough Tiger I's in my Panzer Korps and these newer FOV models are actually quite pricey. Anyhow, now that I have this tank to guide my work, I will probably convert a couple of grey 21C tanks to match its winter cammo. The 21C tanks are a tiny bit smaller, but they will be able to come together as a squad just fine to complement my winter panzer grenadiers!  

Click here to check out more German Vehicles

Click here to see a post about the Panzer III.

Click here to see a post about the Panzer IV.

Click here to see a post about the Panther Tank.

Click here to see a post about the Tiger II.



German Self-Propelled Guns

Latest Update: FOV Sturmtiger at the bottom of the post

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The German Army, in its attempt to neutralize the ever-increasing numbers of enemy tanks and their sometimes superior armor, developed many varieties of anti-tank guns. This was essentially an arms race against the allied tanks that continued up to the end of the war. Mounting the guns in an armored vehicle gave them greater mobility and increased the protection of their crews. The main difference between a tank and a self-propelled gun is the lack of a turret in the latter, which made them cheaper and faster to manufacture, allowing them to be produced in greater numbers. Self-propelled guns usually had a very limited traversal range so to turn one towards its target often the whole vehicle had to be turned. Alternatively, the vehicle could lie in waiting, usually well camouflaged, until an enemy target crossed its sights. Model manufacturers have taken advantage of the large number of self-propelled guns that were produced to give us a wealth of scale models as you can appreciate below.

21st Century Toys Sturmpanzer Brummbar Sd Kfz 166

Also known as Strumpanzer 43 or Stupa. This vehicle was designed as mobile artillery in support of infantry troops. It was built on top of the Panzer IV chassis, and mounted a 150mm gun. The side skirts were standard equipment. It was produced between 1943 and 1945. It saw action in the Eastern Front, Italy and Normandy. Later versions also had Zimmerit applied to them. This version from 21C Toys is original, but a bit brittle. The side skirt attachments were all broken when I purchased it (from a fellow collector). Also it is all plastic and the tank's surface is too smooth. The FOV tanks feel a little more rugged. Nonetheless, its uniqueness makes it a worthwhile vehicle to collect.

Forces of Valor Elefant Sd Kfz 184

Also known as Ferdinand or Panzerjäger Tiger, this was a heavy tank destroyer built on top of the Tiger chassis which had originally been designed and built by Porsche for the Tiger I Tank. After the Henschel design was chosen for the Tiger, the Porsche chassis were repurposed as tank destroyers with an 88 mm Pak 43 anti tank gun capable of destroying a T-34 at a 3 mile range. 91 of them were produced in 1943 in time for the offensive at Kursk. After some slight modifications to make it less vulnerable to close infantry attacks, Elefant was adopted as its official name. Its strong armor and powerful gun gave it a kill ratio of over 10 to 1, making it perhaps the most prolific tank destroyer of the war, but its weight and mechanical problems reduced its mobility and operational effectiveness. The fact that it was manufactured in such small numbers also meant that there were few spare parts. Most of them had to be abandoned if they broke down or suffered damage as they were difficult to tow by the recovery teams. This version from FOV is really nice. The Zimmerit cover gives is a very realistic look. The only thing that I would have liked would have been 1 or 2 crew figures to go with it and make it come to life a bit more.

Forces of Valor Jagdpanther Sd Kfz 173 - Normandy 1944

The Jagdpanther was built during 1944 and 1945. It mounted a 88mm PAK 43 gun on top of the Panther Tank chassis. The Panther chassis was lighter and faster which gave the Jagdpanther greater mobility, and it was also more reliable, which resulted in fewer mechanical breakdowns. Most Jagdpanthers saw action on the Eastern Front, with a few participating in the Normandy campaign. Later in the war, they also participated in the Ardennes offensive. Forces of Valor has given us a couple variations of this tank destroyer. The one depicted here is their Normandy model. It is covered in Zimmerit paint, in the actual square pattern that was applied to the Jagdpanther. They also produced a second model released in a gold/green cammo color scheme.

Forces of Valor Jagdtiger Sd KFz 186- Germany 1945

Also known as Panzerjäger Tiger Ausf. B, this tank destroyer was built on top of the King Tiger chassis. It mounted a 128mm gun and was thickly armored with 10 inches of frontal armor. All this made it the heaviest armored vehicle of World War II at over 70 tons. Its weight however was also its Achilles heel, causing it to frequently breakdown. Also, the weight of the gun required it to be locked for support when not in combat. This also meant that someone had to exit the tank to unlock it before it could fire. Nonetheless, this giant could destroy any allied tank on the battlefield at safe ranges and it was very difficult to destroy in combat, although it was vulnerable to attacks from the air. Approximately 80 of them were built in total, the first ones reaching the front in the fall of '44 and seeing mainly action on the Western Front. Forces of Valor has given us this nice model. Quite heavy and with almost no range of motion for the gun as the original. The support in the front can indeed be used to hold up the gun.

 21st Century Toys Sd KFz 186 Jagdtiger

This is another version of the Jagdtiger made by 21C. It is all made of plastic, so it feels a bit light. But in terms of appearance, it is quite reasonably detailed, and certainly more affordable than the FOV version. The only thing I did not like about this one is that it does not hold up the gun very well. If you look closely, I had to prop the crew man against the gun so that it would stay up in place...

21st Century Toys Sd Kfz 138 Ausf M Marder IIIM Tank Destroyer

This was the third tank destroyer in the Marder series. Also known as Panzerjäger 38(t) mit 7.5 cm Pak 40/3, this tank destroyer was built on top of the Panzer 38(t) Ausf M chassis, of Czech origin. This chassis had the engine mounted in the middle, allowing the gun in the back to be installed in a lower position, which reduced the vehicle's profile and afforded the crew slightly better protection. The back was also closed, but the top remained open. That, plus the fact that it was not heavily armored made it a risky business to operate them, particularly under artillery attacks and urban settings. It carried a 75 mm Pak 40 gun and was operated by a crew of 4: driver, gunner, loader/radio man plus a tank commander who was free to direct the battle operations. It was manufactured during '43 and '44 with almost 1000 of them being produced. It was then phased out of production in favor of fully armored tank destroyers, but it fought on until the end of the war, seeing action on most fronts. This model comes to us courtesy of 21C Toys. Despite the fact that it is entirely made out of plastic, it is nicely detailed as you can tell from te rivets.

21st Century Toys Sd Kfz 139 Marder III Tank Destroyer

Also known as the Panzerjäger 38(t) für 7.62 cm Pak 36(r), this was the first tank destroyer in the Marder series. It was was built on top of the Panzer 38(t) chassis, of Czech origin, and mounted a Soviet 76mm gun which had been captured in large numbers during the early phases of the Soviet campaign. The gun was hosted in a structure that was simply bolted on top of the chassis and it was only lightly armored, which made this vehicle highly vulnerable. The Sd Kfz 139 was manufactured from mid '42 and into 1943. This version of the Marder fought mainly against the Soviet Union, with a few also fighting in North Africa. This Sd Kfz model was also made by 21C Toys. It is also made out of plastic, but like the other Marder, it is nicely detailed, and its gun has a nice range of motion for a tank destroyer.

21st Century Toys Jagdpanzer 38(t) Hetzer Sd Kfz 138/2

The Jagdpanzer 38(t) was yet another variant of a tank destroyer built on top of the Czech Panzer 38(t) chassis. This model however was built with thicker armor and the front sloping at a steeper angle which gave it the equivalent of almost 5 inches of frontal armor. The Hetzer was fully enclosed and had a much lower profile than the Marder III, making it also safer to operate. Its main gun was a 75mm Pak, mounted off-center. This gun was similar to that of the Stug III, capable of destroying most allied tanks. The Hetzer was designed in 1943 and produced as of 1944, at about the same time as as the Jagdpanther and the Jagdtiger, however the Hetzer was cheaper to manufacture. More than 2500 were produced and many survived the war. This Hetzer comes to us courtesy of 21C Toys. I must admit that while it appears to be an accurate representation of the original, I have found it one of their least exciting models. It has almost no moving parts, the surface is lacking in detail and the paint finish is quite dull. And it also seems to be on the smaller side of the 1/32 scale.

BMC Jagdpanzer IV Sd Kfz 162

The Jagdpanzer IV was a tank destroyer built on top of the Panzer IV chassis. It was produced from the end of  '43 through April of '45. It was a bit controversial when it was introduced because the Stug III was still an effective tank destroyer at the time and building Jagdpanzer IVs diverted important resources from the production of Panzer IV tanks. Production moved forward because Hitler liked how the Stug IIIs had performed during the Battle of Kursk earlier that summer, ignoring Guderain's advice in favor of a more tanks which he considered a more versatile weapon. The Jagdpanzer IV proved to be much less effective when used as tanks later in the war due to their lack of turrets, which meant that they had to rotate the entire vehicle to 'see' and fire. The Jagdpanzer IV carried a 75mm gun and its 80mm of sloping frontal armor was more effective than 100mm of vertical frontal armor, which is what the original specification called for. In addition to its main gun, it was also armed with an MG 42 on each side of the main gun. Later versions reverted to a single MG 42, apparently because there were not enough left handed men to operate the one on the left side. Over its 1.5 year production run, about 2000 units were produced which means that the Jagdpanzer IV saw action in most theaters of war. 

BMC Jagdpanzer IV - decorative stickers

The BMC Jagdpanzer IV comes in two color variations. In addition to desert tan, you can also find it in forest green. I wonder why it was even issued in desert tan if Germany was out of North Africa by the time the Jagdpanzer came into production. I did not realize this at the time I bought it, so I plan on painting mine to give it a more realistic look. Independently of whether you paint it or not, you can also decorate it with some stickers that come with it. In terms of size/scale, it is smaller than typical FOV vehicles, but you can also acquire it at a much more affordable price point. 

Forces of Valor German Sturmgeschütz III Ausf B Sd Kfz 142- Eastern Front 1941

The StuG III was Germany's most popular armored fighting vehicle of the war. Its conceptualization and design began prior to the war, with the first prototypes coming online in 1937. Initially it was intended to be used as mobile artillery in support of infantry against fortifications and soft-skin targets so it was equipped with a low velocity 75mm gun mounted on top of the Panzer III chassis. The Ausf B model, was made from mid '40 to mid '41. The main modifications made to this model were that it came with slightly wider tracks and simplified transmission (from 10 to 6 gears). This model from FOV is a nice representation of the early Stug III when it was still used in an infantry support role during the early war campaigns. Contrary to most FOV vehicles, this one feels lighter, which suggests that more plastic than metal was used to make it.

21st Century Toys Sturmgeschütz III Sd Kfz 142

The StuG III's low profile made it easy to cammouflage and hard to hit. Despite the lack of a traversable turret, Stug III's were more effective at destroying enemy tanks than German tanks. This is also in part due to the defensive role in which it was used, as opposed to the tanks which were also used offensively making them more vulnerable to flanking fire. Beginning in march of '42 with Ausf. F the StuG III was equipped with a 75mm Pak gun, marking its transition to a tank destroyer. It's front armor was also upgraded from 50mm to 80mm. Towards the end of '42 a machine gun shield was also added and retrofitted to existing StuGs. This model from 21st Century Toys probably represents Ausf F. Despite being made entirely of plastic it is a nice model and at the time it was sold for a very good price.

Forces of Valor Stug III Sd Kfz 142 - Italy 1944

The Stug Ausf G was the last StuG variant. It was introduced in Dec '42 and it was produced until almost the end of the war. The most noticeable change, made shortly before the Kursk offensive, was the introduction of the side skirts for extra protection. By the end of the war, close to 9500 StuGs had been produced, with a little less than 8000 being Ausf G. This model was released by FOV. It was labeled as the Italy 1944 model, however its colors suggest that it might have also been in Africa, which is quite possible as the Afrika Korps fought there until mid 1943, half a year after Ausf G had been introduced. In Afrika however it would not have had the side skirts. Speaking of side skirts, look at the level of detail on that shell impact. This model was also released in a 'Battle of the Bulge' version.

Dinky Sd Kfz 251/22 Tank Destroyer

As far as I can tell this is the version of the Sd Kfz 251 that had the 75mm PAK 40 mounted on it. I say that because Dinky only labeled it as a tank destroyer. It is a bit underscale, maybe more like a 1:35 than 1:32 model. But it given its uniqueness, I don't really mind. Since it did not come with a crew of its own, I lend it a couple of FOV guys to operate it, although there's not much room left for them by the mounted gun. Similar to other Dinky artillery pieces, it comes with a spring mechanism that allows it to fire mini projectiles. All in all a nice item to add to the collection.

Forces of Valor Sturmtiger - Sturmmörserwagen 606/4 - Part I

This is a pretty unique model, both in terms of the vehicle that it represents as well as its level of detail. The Sturmtiger's full official designation was Sturmmörserwagen 606/4 mit 38 cm RW 61, which refers to its 380mm rocket launcher armament. The Sturmtiger gets its name from the fact that it was built on top of the Tiger I chassis and is unique because only 18 of them were built throughout the war. Albert Speer presented the initial prototype to the Fuhrer in October 1943, which is the scene that FOV is trying to depict with the two figures that come with the model. The Sturmtiger was built to address the need for heavy mobile mortar capabilities required for urban warfare, as was highlighted by the lessons of Stalingrad. 

Forces of Valor Sturmtiger - Sturmmörserwagen 606/4 - Part II

This model is also special because it is part of the 'Engine Plus' series released after 

Waltersons acquired the FOV brand. This means that you can remove the top and see the inside, to reveal a very nicely detailed engine as well as the inside of the vehicle. As you can see, there is plenty of detail not just on the engine side on the back, but also in the front where you can appreciate the transmission, the driver's area, and then in the middle you can also see the ammunition storage racks, and most importantly the gun's breech mechanism, which also slides open and allows you to load a shell into it. 

Forces of Valor Sturmtiger - Sturmmörserwagen 606/4 - Part III

Here's what the engine looks like at 'ground level'. The engine BTW can also be removed if your troops ever have the need to service it or you want to take a closer look at it. The Sturmtiger required/accommodated a crew of 5, including 2 loaders besides the driver, radio operator and commander who also served as the gunner. The official specs indicate that it could hold up to 14 shells, but the model only has room for 8.

Forces of Valor Sturmtiger - Sturmmörserwagen 606/4 - Part IV

The Sturmtiger was also equipped with a crane which can rotate tot he side in order to help load additional ammunition into it, and the top of the vehicle also had a couple hatches which could be removed/open to allow the huge shell through. The model also includes a few thin metal straps which can be placed around the shells and if  you are so inclined, you can run a string through the crane and tie it to the metal belts to simulate the whole process of loading a shell into the Sturmtiger. Speaking of the loading process, FOV released a second variation of the Sturmtiger in a cammo pattern. Besides the paint scheme the other difference is that the 2 figures in this set got replaced by a crew of 3 who are busy loading shells into the vehicle.

Click here to check out more German Vehicles

Click here to see some German Panzergrenadiers in action

Click here to see a post about self-propelled AA guns

Click here to see a post about the dreaded 88s

Click here to see a post about the Pak 40

Click here to see a post about the Jagdtiger in action

Sherman Tanks

The M4 Sherman Tank was one of the most popular Allied Tanks during the war. Over 50,000 of them were produced and it saw action in all theaters of operation, from North Africa, to Europe, the Pacific and even the Eastern Front through the Lend Lease program. The Sherman is what is considered a medium tank, and it offered a good balance of speed, armor and gun power, while at the same time, being reliable and easy to service in the field. All this made it a popular tank and many variations of it were made. Its 75 mm or 76 mm gun was able to take on most light and medium enemy tanks, like the German Panzer III and IVs, and the light Japanese tanks were no match for it. But its gun and armor were at a disadvantage against the heavier German Tanks like the Panther, Tiger and King Tiger (Tiger II), however the US made up for this disadvantage with numbers as well as air and artillery superiority. The Sherman's high profile also made it vulnerable as it made it easier to spot, particularly when it was silhouetted against the morning or evening sky, which made some of its crew men refer to it as a traveling coffin, particularly when fighting against the heavier German tanks. The book 'Brothers in Arms', the story of the 761st Tank Battalion, describes frightfully well what it was like to be a Sherman tank man fighting in Europe, and how the German shells would sometimes go right through the Shermans' armor wreaking havoc inside. In any case, the contribution of the Sherman during the War was substantial and they deserve proper credit for it. Manufacturers of armored vehicle models have done their part to help this happen, as illustrated below. 

21st Century Toys Sherman Tank - Part I

This is a plastic model with plenty of detail. It comes with a driver and a tank commander. The other figures around it are just guys that I added for the scene.

21st Century Toys Sherman Tank - Part II

Notice the pieces of track welded to the front of the vehicle to give the driver extra protection against head-on shots.

BMC Sherman Tank - Part I

If you are looking for a good deal on a Sherman Tank or you are considering getting a large fleet of them, this is the tank you are looking for. You can get it for about 5 dollars and if you take some time to paint it slightly, it can look really good.

BMC Sherman Tank - Part II

It is also a bit taller than the other models out there, which seems to be more in line with reality.

New Ray Sherman Tank - Part I

This is a die cast model, so it has a nice heavier feel to it. The scale is a bit on the smaller side though, but still acceptable and for some reason I've often seen them on sale, which can make it an affordable addition to your army.

New Ray Sherman Tank - Part II

This one also has some tracks welded on to protect the driver. The stars and the motif on the side are actually stickers, which is not great as they might come off, but you just need to be a bit careful with them so that they remain glued.

InAir / New Ray EZ Build Sherman Tank

Another all-plastic kit requiring some small amount of assembly. As with the other models in this line, the appearance is acceptable. The feel is a bit on the light side since it is all soft plastic and we've now become used to the FOV or 21C models. It was still a good find (ran into it at Amazon.com)

21st Century Toys Sherman Firefly - Part I

The Sherman Firefly was a British variation which contained a more powerful 17 pounder main gun capable of penetrating the armor of the heavier German tanks. Given that it is a British variant, I suppose I should have used British guys for this picture :-)

21st Century Toys Sherman Firefly - Part II

This model from 21C Toys is made of plastic, did not feature any figures with it and has a very light feeling to it, but its appearance is still fairly decent. The long gun gives it a more impressive look.

Forces of Valor U.K. Sherman Firefly - 7th Armored Division

FOV must be in cost cutting mode because this is the first vehicle that I come across which is pretty much made out of plastic entirely. The level of detail is still very high. For instance, the armor surface is all nicely pockmarked, but for the prices that they command these days, it was a bit disappointing that it was all plastic. Good thing that I found it on sale...

21st Century Toys Sherman Bulldozer - Part I

Another nice variation of the Sherman vehicle by 21st Century Toys. Vehicles like this might have been used in the rocky island campaigns in the pacific like Iwo Jima to clear paths for the other Shermans behind them with flamethrowers, which was the only way to clear some of those caves from where the Japanese fought. 

21st Century Toys Sherman Bulldozer - Part II

A bulldozer like this might also come in handy in the hedgerow country in Normandy, to create gaps in the hedgerows for the tanks and infantry to move through, avoiding the pre-set fields of fire. There is also a hedgerow cutter variation of the Sherman from Forces of Valor which is even more in line with what was used in that theater of operation.

Forces of Valor Sherman Amphibious Tank - Okinawa - Part I

This is one of the newer FOV vehicles produced since the FOV brand was acquired by Waltersons. It represents a version of the Shermans released towards the end of the war in the Pacific Theater of Operations. This model is unique because it comes equipped with 'deep wading gear' that enables the air intake/exhaust to happen above the level of the turret. This allowed it to come ashore much more successfully than the Shermans that attempted to disembark at Normandy. This Sherman is also special because it comes armed with amore powerful -and longer- 105mm gun. 

Forces of Valor Sherman Amphibious Tank - Okinawa - Part II

Here's a better view of the 'breathing' ducts from behind. These ducts are also removable. This is not just a feature of the models, but it reflects how the actual vehicles worked in real life, as this equipment would have no further use after coming ashore. This tank is part of Waltersons' 'Engine Plus' series which means that the upper part of the tank is removable and you can appreciate the engine and inside of the tank. The engine is removable and you can place it on the metal frame next to the tank in case your mechanics need to perform maintenance on it :-)

Click here to check out other US Vehicles

Click here to see a post about other American Tanks

Click here to see a post about German self-propelled guns

Here are some pictures of GIs in action against German troops in Normandy

Introducing the Soviet Paratroops

The Soviet airborne forces, known as Vozdushno-desantnye voyska (VDV), were established in the early 1930s. They were created with the intention of using them for strategic deep-penetration, however during WWII, logistical challenges and the scale of the Eastern Front often forced them into ground roles. The structure of the airborne forces was adaptable, with units disbanding as needed to be used as the core of new formations. VDV troops were organized into corps (division sized) and brigades. By the end of 1941 there were 10 airborne corps, at the end of 1942, another 10 were established and by the fall of 1943, 6 more airborne divisions were added.

Their uniforms generally matched standard Red Army attire. Unlike German paratroopers, Soviet ones used standard infantry uniforms on the ground with a light blue field cap. Jump suits were issued when available along with standard infantry webbing and rucksacks. The ShL-41 padded helmet was used for jumps. This could be made from leather or canvas. Their weapons included Mosin-Nagant rifles, PPSh-41 submachine guns, and DP-28 light machine guns, light artillery, and mortars. 

VDV troopers were considered elite formations and were usually designated as Guards units. Despite being used mostly as regular infantry during the war, they were often employed in an offensive manner. This was befitting of their elite status, as they were highly motivated and well-trained and could create and exploit gaps in in crucial sectors of the front. In times of crisis, they could also be deployed in a defensive role, as was the case when they were sent to help at Stalingrad. There, they were involved in brutal urban combat and the subsequent counteroffensives. 

In terms of airborne operations, a couple stand out. The Vyazma Operation in January of 1942 aimed to encircle the retreating German forces of Army Group Center by deploying the 4th Airborne Corps behind them. Launched in severe winter conditions with limited supplies, the paratroopers faced fierce resistance and a lack of air support. This resulted in only a brigade from 4th corps being dropped, about 2100 men, and many were scattered far from their designated landing zones. Despite the initial shock and disruptions to the Germans, and follow up drops of another 1500 paratroopers in February, the VDV units were gradually encircled. Some paratroopers linked up with partisan groups and engaged in guerrilla warfare. Others managed to break through German lines and made their way back to Soviet forces. In the end, the operation failed to achieve its intended objective and resulted in very high casualties. 

The Dnieper Operation in September 1943 sought to secure bridgeheads on the Dnieper River to support the Red Army's advance. Poor planning and execution of the drops, along with robust German counterattacks by troops which found themselves fortuitously on the drop zone, resulted in significant losses, with many paratroopers landing off-target. Of the 6500 troopers which were supposed to be dropped, only 4500 did, and they were scattered over an area 20 times larger than the intended DZ. As was the case with the Vyazma operation, the paratroopers were either hunted down, joined the partisans, or fought their way back to friendly lines as they pressed on after crossing the Dnieper. Having failed in its main objective, the operation turned out to be mostly a nuisance, diverting German resources and creating confusion temporarily. 

Following this failure, the Soviet Army did not conduct any more airborne operations until August of 1945 when airborne forces were used to secure airfields and other key objectives during the invasion of Manchuria against the Japanese. Throughout the war the VDV troops distinguished themselves in combat, displaying exceptional bravery, even at the expense of high casualties. Their effectiveness as ground units, while born of necessity, highlighted the inherent quality and versatility of the VDV soldiers. Their experiences not only contributed to the overall effort to win the war, but they also helped shape the development of Soviet airborne doctrine and tactics in the postwar era.  

In terms of toy soldiers, this is a service branch that had been neglected by manufacturers until very recently. This year however (2025), I have come across a couple sets which have begun to represent these courageous men. Let's take a look.

Kozak Miniatures Soviet Paratroops - Part I

These guys get extra points for being the first Soviet Airborne troops that were released, as far as I know. Plastic Platoon just released theirs and I've already placed my order for them as I write this post on March, 2025. The other good thing about these guys is that all of them (or 5 out of 6?) are in poses that can be used in a battle scenes. These guys are outfitted with jumpsuits, including the padded helmet used for jumping. I am not sure that they would have kept them on after the jump, but when it comes to toy soldiers, I think it gives them more character and it makes them more recognizable as airborne troops. In terms of weaponry, 4 of them have machine guns, and two of them are rifle men. Given that they are all on an airborne mission, I would have left out the rifles and issued them all automatic weapons. I am also not super excited about their upright postures, but that's been the case with all other Kozak sculpts, so I won't spend much time dwelling on that. 

Kozak Miniatures Soviet Paratroops - Part II

These are the same 6 poses as the ones above, with the only difference being that they are wearing a field cap, instead of the padded jump helmet. This cap used to be sky blue in real life. Other than that, I also took the opportunity to position the kneeling man so that the first picture lets you see the rucksack which all of them are wearing, and the second picture lets you see the front of the man. I got these guys from Toy Soldier Central, and got them in 1/30 size so that they fit better with the upcoming Plastic Platoon figures. All figures come without bases, but you can ask for them and glue them yourself. I chose to leave the kneeling men without bases as that allows me to place them closer to obstacles or on uneven terrain where bases would make them stand at odd angles. 

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Click here to see the Soviet Infantry in action

Soviet Artillery

Latest addition: Hanomak 45mm Anti-Tank Gun with crew

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The Soviets produced 76mm guns from 1942 onwards in massive quantities (over 100,000) and with a 76mm round, they were capable of piercing any German Tank prior to the Tiger I and the Panther. The Soviets were known for deploying large belts of anti tank defensive positions in depth which would wear down the German armored offensive capabilities and would leave them ripe for T-34 counterattacks, which is how they managed to stop the largest ever tank offensive at Kursk. The pictures below depict this gun in a street fighting scenario, as the Red Army pushed west and retook its cities.

Italeri Soviet ZiS 3 76mm Anti-Tank Gun - Part I

This is a nice artillery piece introduced by Italeri. It is a 76mm Soviet Anti-Tank gun. When this set was released, around 2010, it filled a huge gap in the WWII 1/32 plastic toy soldier world. In addition to the gun itself, the set contains a crew with a great variety of poses. There's a main gunner operating the weapon, while the rest of the crew works hard to keep the ammunition supply flowing.

Italeri Soviet ZiS 3 76mm Anti-Tank Gun - Part II

This is what the German vehicles would be facing as they came around the corner.

Italeri Soviet ZiS 3 76mm Anti-Tank Gun - Part III

This perspective affords a better view of the action as well as an unusual detail in the scene.

Can you spot it? I actually included a German guy in this picture by mistake! There's only six figures in the set. 

Plastic Platoon Soviet 76mm Gun with Crew, Winter Dress - Part I

This is a really nice contribution to the hobby. There aren't that many Soviet artillery crews and guns available. I can think of the Italeri set, but that's about it. PP has released this set in both summer and winter outfits. Unfortunately I have only been able to find the winter crew. The figures are certainly nice, as usual, but clearly, the highlight of this set is the gun itself. It comes in a few parts that must be put together - the wheels, shield, trail/carriage and the barrel, but it is fairly easy to assemble. The detail is all there. You can see many nice touches like the hinges on the front of the shield and the grooves on the wooden spokes of the wheels, as well as the firing mechanism of the gun itself.

Plastic Platoon Soviet 76mm Gun  with Crew, Winter Dress - Part II

As you can see from this other angle, you get an officer who is directing the firing of the gun, an ammo handler ready with the next round, a guy ready to fire, and another guy who can be placed in a couple spots to help operate or move the gun - he is carrying a side arm, so he might also be an officer. The uniforms are nicely detailed and show a variety of winter clothing. A couple of long coats, a padded jacket, etc. My favorite is the cap with sheepskin lining. And to round it all up, you also get a couple of ammo boxes. Ready to lay some supporting fire!

Hanomak Soviet 45 mm Anti-Tank Gun 'Sorokapyatka' - Part I

As you can see, this anti-tank gun is operated by a 4-man crew. One man is loading and firing the gun, another is handing him the ammunition. A third one is dealing with the cases containing additional ammunition, and the fourth one is observing and directing the fire. A good crew which can probably be deployed to help with other artillery pieces. In addition to the men you also get a wooden defensive position to go with it. I feel that this set is sculpted at a slightly better level of quality and detail than other Hanomak sets. The posing feels less rigid and more natural. Perhaps if you want to be highly critical, the hands could be done slightly better, and the 45 mm shell being held by one of the men feels a bit too thin, but other than that, I think this is one of their best sets.

Hanomak Soviet 45 mm Anti-Tank Gun 'Sorokapyatka' - Part II

Here's a view from the front to appreciate the detail on the front of the wooden barricade. I probably would have preferred to be able to buy the gun without it. I don't really need it and I would rather pay a lower price, but given that you get it, and it is reasonably nicely detailed,  I should be able to incorporate it into some defensive works for this or some other artillery unit, specially once it is painted as it has pretty nice texture on the wood and the rocky ground. 

Hanomak Soviet 45 mm Anti-Tank Gun 'Sorokapyatka' - Part III

I took this other picture to try to show the different parts that have to be glued to put together the gun. The gun comes as 11 separate parts, 3 of which have to be glued quite precisely to assemble the gun's operating mechanism. What makes it harder is that there are no instructions and some of these parts come attached to their sprue and it is not clear where to cut. Some of the plastic is needed as a pin to be inserted into some small holes, and some of the plastic is simply excess material but it all looks the same. Fortunately I found some pictures of some real guns out there on the internet that guided me in this process. Another thing I had to fiddle with is the gluing and positioning of the trails. At first it seemed like they were going to end up with the hole for the pin that keeps them together on the outside, but it is supposed to go in the middle. After some trial and error I figured out how to glue them in a way that the holes are on the inside. This was not intuitive given how the parts are designed to fit together. In fact, at the online store where I bought them, the pictures they show have them glued incorrectly.

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Click here to see some pictures of Soviet Infantry in action.