Kit Review" Miniart 1/35 scale Kit No. 35055; Soviet Soldiers Riders; 70 pa rts in grey styrene; retail price US$14.95
Advantages: nice, casually posed figures perfect compliment to late war Sov iet tank models
Disadvantages: Nothing major noted
Rating: Highly Recommended
Recommendation: for all WWII Soviet fans
Figure sets these days now come in one of two options: sets of four to six figures which are not really compatible for use in a single vignette or mo del (e.g. "four guys in a box"), and sets that make up a dedicated vignette or diorama centerpiece. This set is one of the latter types. The set provides a relaxed tank commander in his hatch and four infantry r iders sitting in various poses on the tank (probably best if it is a T-34 o r T-34-85 based on the geometry of their legs). Each one uses traditional b reakdowns of six basic parts (head, torso, arms and legs) and a separate he adgear, either a steel helmet or "pilotka" side cap. Two soldiers carry PPS h submachine guns and two Moisin-Nagant rifles. Each carries a small backpa ck, canteen, and entrenching tool.
Three of the figures are seated in different positions and one man is knee ling with what appears to be his arm on the top of the turret.
Artwork is by A. Karashchuk dated 2008 and is very well done, and also dou bles as the painting guide for the kit. Color codes are given for Testors M odelMaster, Tamiya, Humbrol, Revell, Mr. Color, and just names for the colo rs in English and Russian.
Overall another great set of figures from Miniart.
Cookie Sewell
NOTE: Miniart was unfortunately located in Simferapol, which is in the Cri mea. At this time there is no way to predict what will happen to their prod uct line or how badly it will be disrupted by the current situation in that area.