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I'm looking for some expert knowledge on the BA64 Soviet armoured car. I managed to pick up a couple on Sunday for a good price but the kits didn't include the LMGs for the turret, I'm going to cannibalize some from some spare figures. However, I've got a couple of queries with regard to crew figures. Firstly, I'm not sure whether these were crewed by guys in tanker's uniform or standard Red army garb. I've seen some pictures of them with the commander wearing overalls and the padded helmet and others with them wearing gymstiorka and pilotka. I would prefer to use tank crew as I can use half figures left over from some PSC T70s. The other query is what position to mount the figure in the turret. It is clear that most of the LMG projected back into the turret and only about a foot stuck out the front of the turret, this leave no room behind the gun to put a figure in. Does anyone know if the stocks were removed from the LMG in the BA64 or did the crewman have to very awkwardly have to try and fire the LMG from the side as he could bot possibly get behind it, especially if the stock was still present. With most other countries the LMG would have been adapted/designed to facilitate use but knowing the Russians' disregard for the comfort of their troops and desperate need to get weapons to the troops quickly I wondered if haste won out over practicality. Any thoughts?
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=%D0%91%D0%9064&rlz=1C1GGGE_en-gbGB401&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjtuoqz5s7bAhWIDsAKHVAZCNwQ_AUICygC&biw=2133&bih=1215
OK, here is a link to a top, side, front and back outline drawing.
First, all the pictures show the machine gun mounted in the right half of the turret including the slot for the gun to peek out of.
Therefore, the gunner must be sitting in the left half with the butt of the gun pressed deep into his right shoulder with him leaning over the gun and slightly forward to aim down the barrel.
Tough-luck if you were left-handed. These things were designed only to be used for right-handers.
Also, it looks like only a couple of thin young-bucks could fit inside these tiny armored cars. Big body builder type guys like Arnold Schwarzenegger simply wouldn't fit. (Did you know he was in a tank crew in the Austrian Army before becoming famous. He actually owns and drives his own tanks in Southern California still today).
Therefore, if I were you, I'd put my gunner in the turret on the left side of the gun, since he typically couldn't fit fully behind it. I think his pose type should be like a rifleman, not a typical machine gunner with two hands in front of his chest. Try to drape his right arm over the barrel.
Regarding uniforms and helmets, most of the period photos show the crewman wearing overalls and the soft helmet when they were on recon/scouting duty. Just driving through town, anything and everything was worn, the photos largely show.
I could be wrong, but … ?
Copy and paste the link below into your browser and WAIT, WAIT, WAIT for the single picture to upload - Sorry:
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=%D0%91%D0%9064&rlz=1C1GGGE_en-gbGB401&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjtuoqz5s7bAhWIDsAK#imgdii=stOVju_bkBZZkM:&imgrc=MugVOtqI0ZgtwM:
Thanks for the thoughts, yes clearly ofset in the picks, I hadn't noticed that when I googled. On the models I think if is central, so some amendment to do.
Since buying my first Tanks and Crews for all the major WWII armies in 2017 and early 2018, I discovered my favorite and most complete resource without having to buy a zillion books, was / is Google Images "Tamiya Tank Crews" or "Tamiya Russian Tank Crew" etc.
Great research and great pictures.
Just as an aside note, everyone criticizes Caesar Miniatures for making so many German sets. Well, while purchasing many of their sets last year it became apparent to me that nearly all of their sets and poses are copies of the larger scale Tamiya Sets, and some other makers. Just Google "Tamiya WWII German Infantry" and compare with the PSR Caesar 1/72 pictures and you'll go, "Really ?!"
Yes, really. That's why they are so nicely detailed, and their production runs and release schedules made / makes no sense.
And all of Strelets new and various WWII Sets and Airfix Classic Sets mix really well together with them.
Just saying!
Thanks for the info Garrison, I have the Summer tankmen from Orion and might well use some of them although most of my Soviet armour is buttoned up. I don't feel that you lectured be, just being helpful.
The information in this thread is of great use to me and the bit about Kaiser miniatures was certainly food for thought. Pity they cannot produce some of their original projects like the Dutch WW2 troops!
Usually I stick to WW1 (Strelet are spoiling us with the Arab sets!) or early WW2 (Still no sets of Early WW2 BEF!) Western allied subjects but I want to build a lend-lease Valentine III or IX. Its interesting that when the British/Canadians wanted to stop producing the Valentine the Red Army stepped in asked for the production line to continue.
PSC have produced the Valentine in 15mm (Mks II, III, IX) and will be shortly scaling up to 1/72.(why has it taken so long considering that you can get upteen models of fantasy tanks that never appeared?).
I am on the look out for soviet tank crews. Which set of tank riders would you suggest are the most realistic as it was a common practice with the Red Army?