WW3:TY Soviets

The Soviets have a wide array of support unit options for Recon, Artillery, Anti-aircraft/helicopter, Observation and antu-tank.  I’m sure I’ll add to these over time (especially with some of the new units in the new Soviets book).  But for now I have a modest selection to mop up some of those remaining points:

• 1x BMP-1 Observer
• BMP-2/3 Recon options; using teams not used in Motor Rifle Company Transport – build not included in this section
• 3x 2S1 (Carnation) SP Howitzer Artillery
• 2x SA-13 (Gopher) SAM Platoon

So after a quick build, including the first I’ve done with Battlefront Resin/Metal components I’ve got the following 6 models for this section…

Some decisions to be made with the BMP-1.

• I’ll probably mount a binoculared bod stuck out of the top
• Considering whether to give it a unique (in my force) camo pattern for stealthy forward observation

Decisions made: meet the PRP-4

BMP is the designation for Infantry Fighting Vehicles, but the Artillery observation vehicle isn’t therefore a BMP, it’s a PRP based upon the main body of a BMP-1:

PRP:  Podvizhnoy Razvedyvatel’niy Punkt = Mobile Reconnaissance Post

The USSR and subsequently the Russian Federation have evolved many versions over the years, but given I’m pitching my force in the early to mid 1980s I’m considering mine a PRP-4 “Nard” which lost the missile launchers of its predecessors.  I’m not usually that obsessive about such things, but let’s find some reference images to work from:

Time to sprue-hack something vaguely looking like it, rather than the BMP-1.  That means losing the 73mm gun, the missile launcher and arming with only the 7.62mm MG.

The turret was also larger to allow for two cupolas side by side and for the tech equipment to be mounted on it. so took a BMP-2 turret and adapted it, including drilling for a second hatch

This was fitted further back on the vehicle, so the circle on the hull had to be shaved down anda magnet fitted to the front of the new turret (hull magnet was already well stuck).  Before priming it looked like this:

All support units primed: