Able Archer/ RFR rules (?) - Russian Invasion of Ukraine 2022 in 20mm (part 2) - First few infantry and Kamaz improvisations.

First few Russian infantry battalions made and a few "Kamaz 4x4" to join the six BTGs in the make. In fact, excluding 4 infantry battalions and a few artillery, the Russian BTGs are almost done. Then it will be time to start the Ukrainian side. 

The contemporary Russian infantry is only available through the excellent Alex Miniatures (some of the green figures in the next picture). Even so I managed to find a total of six boxes of Orion Russian Federals on ebay as they tend to be rarer due to the sanctions on Russia and they were used to beef up the ranks. Those figures are aimed at the Chechen conflict and still Ok for the Russo-Georgian war of 2008 but not up to the reforms of 2012 on. Nowadays the Russian army introduced the Barmitsa and Permyachka combat suits and this forces some changes in the Orion figures. All of the Orion got new goggles and extra equipment made in GreenStuff and thus they can be placed side by side with the Alex Miniatures. 

A big problem with the Orion is the number of silly figures, around half of the set. Some can be adapted to action poses but many are a complete waste, at least for wargaming even if nice for dioramas. 

Here you see the 1st battalion made with all adaptations I mentioned above. 

The 'specials' of the battalion, both weapons and command companies. Most of these are Alex Miniatures with a few Orion carefully placed on the stand in order to protect the fragile Alex Minis as they are resin and the weapons are easily breakable. 

Again the same idea. One Alex Mini and one Orion figure per stand. Hopefully I´ll try to remember always to hold the stand by the Orion figure...

This Vasilek 82mm mortar is also Alex Miniatures. Beautiful but very fragile, so I used resin to strengthen the parts and a reasonable sized base to protect the group.  

The second battalion was finished a few days later and benefited from better light while taking its pictures. The 120mm mortar stand had some of the silly Orion figures, namely the one peeing, now holding a 120mm mortar round! 

One of the AGS-17 groups from Alex Miniatures. 

 The command group of the 2nd battalion with two figures from Alex Miniatures and one Orion (officer with pistol). 

Finally some Kamaz 4x4. This image is one of these machines captured by the Ukranians and a command or ambulance version. 

As I need numbers of these I used some 1/100th or 1/87th large trucks conversions bought at the local Chinese shop in order to have something relatively close to the true Kamaz. 

Only the original cabin and chassis were used. Parts added were: a front bumper; new lights, five old Atlantic wheels and the cargo area made of plastic card and insulation board. 

Well, not a work of art but a handy addition to the Russian BTGs. 

Next: maybe the promised video or a new Pantsir-S1 together with the 3rd infantry battalion.