1:72 Soviet Militia 1941

Soviet people's militia 1941 (1:72 scale)

This set of figures in 1:72 scale captures members of the Soviet people's militia, the opolchenie, of 1941. It is not a model of a vehicle; the figures serve to populate dioramas, to complete a finished vehicle model or as a display scene in their own right. Scale 1:72 is very widespread for infantry figures and the small size makes it possible to build a more extensive scene in a small space.

The real subject

After the German attack in June 1941 the Soviet leadership resorted to an extraordinary measure: in the threatened large cities, divisions of people's militia were hurriedly formed from civilians. In Moscow alone tens of thousands of men came forward within a few weeks, and the militia was raised on a similarly massive scale in Leningrad. They were workers from factories, clerks and students, often with no training, no artillery and no tanks, with equipment gathered wherever it could be found. That is exactly what gives the opolchenie its unmistakable look: workers' caps next to helmets, coats and jackets next to military tunics, simple equipment and older rifles. The militia divisions suffered crushing losses in the autumn fighting, and some of them were later turned into regular rifle divisions.

Tips for painting figures

In 1:72 scale the key is contrast, because fine shades are lost at a distance. Flesh needs only two or three steps: a mid tone, a dark glaze in the eye sockets and under the chin, a small lightening on the nose and cheekbones; better not to paint the eyes at all, because a dark shadow is enough to suggest them. You bring the strength of the subject out by not painting all the figures alike, because mixing earthy browns, grays and muted greens creates the impression of a unit equipped in a hurry. Keep the military pieces in a muted olive and set the civilian clothing apart in brown or dark blue. A wash, that is a dark glaze run into the folds and under the straps, ties everything together, along with drybrushing in a lighter tone. Finish with a flat varnish and fine dust on the boots.

Who the figures are for

• modelers building dioramas of the Eastern Front of 1941
• collectors of Soviet subjects and of less usual themes
• modelers in 1:72 scale who want to populate a scene with vehicles
• figure painters who prefer the quicker painting of smaller scales

The figures are supplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue, paints and accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.