@Jakko do you have any figure recommendations for replicating the crew as pictured. I’ve found some good Valkyrie model ones but not sure if the uniforms are to modern.
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Sorry, I don’t — I’m not really up to speed on figures suitable for this time and place. But by removing any front pockets from a figure wearing a more generic coat, then adding a collar and sleeve pockets from some putty and/or plastic card, you’ll probably go a long way.
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Chechen war era Russian figs and some Afghanistan era Soviet figs will get you the shape of the uniform with the fur collar but I doubt it would be easy to get the correct Yugoslav head-wear. Just heads without any hats/helmets would be an option.
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@Jakko that was my initial thought as well.
@Karl187 i do have a few chechen era figures. The head gear would be problematic so maybe no helmets or hats.
Edit:
I think the dragon motorized infantry figures may be a good starting point for this. At least they have the fur/ heavy coat. Miniart has some 80s tank crew members that have the heavy black jackets on.
Valkyrie models has afghan era tankers but they have on summer uniforms. Would they be able to be painted in the East German camo?
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As far as I can see the NVA jacket was very similar to the Soviet/Russian summer uniform so those figs would suit fine.
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@Karl187 glad to know these all work for figures. Also means any future East German builds just became easier.
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Actually, just looking at the Valkyrie set VLKVM35013 again- I don’t think that would suit this subject as they are depicted wearing the M1981 Soviet armor crew uniform- one likely not used by the Yugoslav forces. The other two sets would be okay.
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@Karl187 i think you’re right, the shoulder boards had me questioning if they would make sense or if i would have to heavily modify it.
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Would these figures be any good for a Croatian crew if i modified them. I feel like maybe one or two could work but they appear to almost be to close to afghan war uniforms?
Dragon - Soviet Tank Crew Set Figure Kit - 1/35 - 3010
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Those are the M1981 AFV and tank Crew uniforms- they were of a different pattern to the Afghanka uniform. However, they are not un-usable- just depends what you want. To be honest, only the very interested (like myself and others who have posted in the thread) are going to notice, say, the missing shoulder pocket or some minor detail like that. You have a tank and need a crew with post-war uniforms- and that is what is in that kit so if you are happy with that then go for it.
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Or add the missing details to the figures, alter incorrect details etc., of course.
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@Karl187 @Jakko i believe i can make the missing uniform pocket. Some modeling clay should do the trick.
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Even some thin plastic card will do, for a small, flat pocket.
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@Jakko i was thinking the same thing the other night. This will be fun
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if you are looking for a tank crewman, you would need to go with soviet/russian tank helmet. I wouldn’t comment to Croatian uniforms, as there are variety of them, but let’s stick to Yugoslav and Serbian ones:
period up to 1995, usual uniform was OD (SMB - Sivo Maslinasta Boja), which resembled in late ww2 German uniform. Leather belt and Y straps were brown, and boots were double buckled like US ones. Easy to use German figures to remodel them to JNA soldiers (even better if they have shoes and putties - few interventions make them as double buckle boots)
Helmet is a challenge (Neretva type), very rarely seen on the market - i have some resin ones, and a Czech company offers a 3d print Yugoslav helmet M59/85 (detail) :: FIRMA49
As for later versions, 1999 for instance, Kosovo war, camouflage uniform was standard (introduced as of 1989 for paratroopers, and then find its way to other units).
Uniforma, nova JNA iz 1991. kolekcionarska | Halo Oglasi
This had similar aranged pockets, and trousers featured thighs pockets as well. Boots remained the same, but green belt and straps appeared along leather ones, and eventually NATO ALICE straps were issued as well. Also a kevlar helmet identical to US ones appeared.
You could avoid helmet issue by using a berret.
Hope this helps a bit…
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@iguanac that helps a lot actually. How far fetched was it that Cristian soldiers used other uniforms and kit from captured sticks?
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