Figures for Yugoslav T-34

Fabian D.
currently busy on the boots, converting them into laced ones...

John Van Kooten
That is looking GREAT, Fabian! Very well done! 👍 👍

Fabian D.
Thanks John, it´s actually easier than I thought, maybe because the figures aren´t too detailed... 😉
boots are done (not perfect, but acceptable), work on the other ones continued...
I´m currently waiting for some more figures and other stuff to surce weapons and heads from...

Alan Rush
Hi Fabian. The vehicle was great and the figures are a match. It will make a great scene when it all comes together. Keep at it and looking forward to more photos.

John Van Kooten
I think you did a great job on the figures so far! Customized to fit the scene; excellent!! 👍 🙂

Fabian D.
Thanks, I´m pretty pleased with the results aswell... Milliput is great to work with if you take your time...
Got some new figures today, pretty good ones by ICM, which would fit in without too much modification. Current plan is to replace the unfinished one with the writing guy from the set, and use one of the resin heads on the guy with the laced boots...wich leads to the question wich arms to use on him... pointing somewhere maybe? 😉

John Van Kooten
Pointing somewhere... hahaha! Please don't! 😉 lol

How is the quality and level of detail on the ICM figures? I have never had any but I'm very curious! 🙂

Fabian D.
Why not? You can´t have enough pointing... must be a German thing though 😉 😄

to be honest, I´m a bit surprised. I´ve got some of their older ones (reboxed by Revell), poses were always interreting, but detail a bit soft. Those look quite sparply moulded, pretty detailed on some areas, qualitywise a bit better than the older Dragon (non Gen2). But there are some ugly ejector marks to clean up (in the bucket and in the tactical vests... impossible without a motor tool) and the folding stocks of the AKs should be replaced as they look a bit clupsy.

John Van Kooten
LOL! 😉 the pointing has been done to death both by modelers and by manufacturers but also by war photographers. Lots of pointing figures, looking at... uhm... what? It makes no sense (to me). I have seen sooooo many pointing figures and wondered what the heck they were pointing at, that I can't stand them anymore 😛

Cool about the ICM figures. So basically they are very decent quality, apart from some cleanup to be done. Ejector pin marks in the body are pretty bad though.

Good to know. Thanks for that! 👍

Fabian D.
They´re one of the few sets for a soviet-influended cold war setting... and this is not a bad one.
4 of the 5 ejector marks in the whole set are on the back parts of the vests, those are not worn, just an acsessory, so the figures itself won´t need any other cleanup than on other good sets.
I´ll get some pics of that sometime on the weekend and will set down to finaly fix a setting (without someone pointing in the air) 😉

John Van Kooten
Aaaaah! Okay! It's on the accessories! That's great! So they are definitely worth investing in, right? 🙂 would be great to see a few pictures 👍

Hahaha! Please, don't change anything because of what I said, right!? Just because I don't like it, doesn't mean it's bad or that you shouldn't like it either 😉 If well executed it could work but it's just that most of the time it makes absolutely zero sense in the scene and it also adds nothing but confusion over what it is they are supposed to be doing 😉

Fabian D.
They´re worth the package deal, but not for the acsessories it self (2 vests, 1 bucket, 4AKs with folding stock, caps, and other personal gear)
I don´t really like the no-reason-pointing either, but when I was asked for directions I realized that I was in pointing in directions aswell. 😄
Shure, ther must be a reason (Map eg..), but I´ll see what like best, as I havent really made any plan...

John Van Kooten
Exactly! Do what you like and think is best! 👍 I'll be supportive even if they are pointing everywhere 😛 hahaha! 👍

And funny about the giving directions!! Hahahaha! When I think of it, I can almost see it in front of me 😄 😄

Hunter Cummins
Ihave a ww2 russian figure set from icm that I got from a friend on here that lives in germany. (See my t 34 album. And I must say, thatset was very well detailed.

Fabian D.
@ John: I´ve got you the pics...
@Hunter: I can´t really tell how old this set is (no copyright info in the box and nothing in the DB). I´m just assuming it´s a more recent set, as the detail is shaper as their others I´ve got (all around 2002/3 or so...)
What I like are the extra arms and the overall detail of the set...

John Van Kooten
Great! Thanks Fabian! 👍

I like the level of detail on the hands and faces. Looks pretty good. A fair amount of flash, like you said comparable to the older Dragon sets, but nothing that can't be cleaned fairly easy with some scraping / mild sanding, right?
If the fit of the parts is good as well then they look like worthwhile additions to the figure sets collection 🙂

Thanks for posting those close up shots 👍

Fabian D.
No problem John, moulding seams will require some re-engraving, but well, I´m a bit trained 😉
The figure without arms will get some holding a folded map and will be pointing... ON that map 😛
If I´m in good mood the writing guy takes part in the map pointing by holding the other half of the map and marking something on it... well let´s hope the best 😉

John Van Kooten
Hahaha! You found a way to point! LOL! 😛 😉 😉

But yeah, that would actually be cool, two guys discussing strategy by using the map! 👍

As for the engraving, what would you use to add detail back in? A scriber tool and/or cutting knife? I have very little experience with figures (other than putting them together as they are) but I really need (want) to get into that 🙂

Fabian D.
It will look cooler than just one with a map... but it´s again a lot of work... seems to get an never ending project.. but I´ve got time... next week 😉
Have to meet an awful deadline this week, and no clue what tool I´d use, but I tell you which was next to my hands...deal? 😄
but now back to work... clearences, torques, allowable fixtures and technical drawings... 🙁

John Van Kooten
Exactly, no rush! Easy does it 😉

And deal! I'll be watching this to see what it was you used 😄

So you're in engineering? Metal constructions? The company I work for manufactures industrial Heat Exchangers & Air Fin Coolers and the terms sound familiar 😄

Good luck on meeting the deadline! 👍

Fabian D.
Thanks... but I rather hope not need too much luck... 😉
I´m not yet an engineer (still studying) but we´ve got some kind of test were we can feel like full grown engineers 😉
Although we´ve got an fairly easy topic this time ("just" to construct a hand leaver which is supposed to hold a pice of plastic) I´ve ceept me some work for the next nights... but nothing new to me 😄

John Van Kooten
Sounds interesting! 🙂 and getting some "hands on" experience (even in a simulated way) goes a long way 👍

Fabian D.
It's been a while... I couldn't get the first cammo right, so I've chosen an easier one. MOL 68, a patten intended to be worn by Jugoslav recon and sniper units. Relatively easy compared to the M89. [img1]

John Van Kooten
Good call on going with MOL 68 🙂 That'll work out great by the looks of it 👍
Indeed the M89 pattern is quite hard, I reckon! 😮

Fabian D.
Thanks for ceeping with me John 😉
I´ve worked on the AK (from the ICM set), repaced the stock and added another mag. It was "taped on" with a small stripe of masking tape. Probably the most colorful weapon I´ve ever done 😉

Matthias Weiss
Looking very good, Fabian!! Great work.
Took you hours for the Miliput-stuff? Well, like me bending PE-parts just with the difference that you don´t screw it up like I do... *haha* 🙂

Fabian D.
Thanks Mathias... but turst me I´m srewing up PE just as Milliput... the good thing with milliput is, if you like an result, don´t touch it until it´s cured... that doesn´t really work with PE. If you don´t like it, you can simply start over again 😉
I´m not shure if I want to add the third figure... there is a huge difference in quiality. Not only my fault, but the Trumpeter figures are quite simple, while the ICM figures are miles ahead. As bad as they are, that´s why it´s so great to work with them.

Es-haq Khosravi
Great job Fabian!

John Van Kooten
It's all my pleasure, to keep following your progress 👍 🙂

Love what you have done with the AK!! The stock and especially also taping the magazines, just like on the real thing / in the field. It looks very cool!! 👍 👍

If there's a huge difference in quality in the third figure then indeed, probably better not to add it. It would detract from the high quality of the other ones.

Matthias Weiss
Does anyone know why these magazines are taped?
Watching videos from Syria and Lybia shows that pretty often, why are the gunners doing that?

Soeren R.
They taped two magazines together so that they can switch easily to the other magazine after the first one is empty.
On this photo you see it really good : [img1]

John Van Kooten
Indeed, it's for rapid magazine swapping.

I have a metal adapter for my AR15 in which two magazines are fixed with the opening pointing upwards. That way I can eject the empty magazine, move a few centimeters sideways and insert the loaded magazine. Swapping magazines is a matter of two seconds that way 🙂

Matthias Weiss
What are you doing with a AR-15?

John Van Kooten
I am a licensed member of a gun club. I shoot it 🙂 and clean it, of course 🙂

Holger Kranich
...and sleep with it under the pillow! LOL

I had the pleasure to shoot the HK 416 a couple of days ago! But i will never acustom myself with the position of the cocking handle!

I commend me the G-36!

Matthias Weiss
Aha, understood. And I always thought you guys over there in Netherlands get rid of your aggressions in a different way... 😉 😛

John Van Kooten
@Holger:
Hahaha! Indeed 😛 LOL

Yeah, the 416's cocking handle is strange at first. But there is something to be said for it I think. By using your right hand to cock the weapon (after reloading, for instance), you can keep your weapon aimed at your target more easily. You can keep the weapon locked between tight grip left hand and your right shoulder, while keeping your right hand in proximity of the trigger while reloading and cocking. But I admit, it does take getting used to 🙂

I so totally agree!! The G36 is KING! What a truly magnificent firearm that is! There is nothing quite like it! In my humble opinion of course 😄

@Matthias:
We Dutch people have no aggression 😛 😛 We are all Windmills and Wooden Shoes 😄 😄

Matthias Weiss
Haha! Now honestly, I did not expect that you can own such a rifle as a private person in Netherlands. Or let's say in any country in central Europe.

Fabian D.
@Mike: I don´t want to start a topic about gun control, but whatch this, and think about it again... (In no possible way I´m comparing "US gun control" with any other gun control...) Youtube Video

John Van Kooten
@Matthias:
Sure you can 🙂 with the proper license and as long as it is (converted to) semi-automatic. Full-auto is prohibited and only allowed for law enforcement and military.

Until recently (2006) it was even possible in Belgium to own full automatic weapons on a specific "War Weapon" license but Belgium firearms laws changed in 2006 and full-auto weapons needed to be converted to semi-automatic or, even worse, demilled.

I'm not sure about German firearms laws but I think they are still part of C.I.P. so probably the same as in Belgium? Does Germany still have the 10 cartridge maximum restriction in a single magazine load in place? I'm not sure.

@Michael:
You can still own guns in Australia as wel, right? Just tightly restricted.
But honestly, probably just as resticted as over here, which I actually think is not a bad thing!

Anyway, this is not my thread!! 😮 Sorry Fabian, for hi-jacking your thread! 😉

@Fabian: can't watch the video right now due to internet problems I think (getting an error). But I will watch it when I'm home tonight 👍

Fabian D.
Actually I think it´s again quite interresting (I like that about Scalemates, a thread can lead everywhere 😉 )
I´m not aware of the exact regualtions Germany, but full automatic are entirely banned (just law enforcemt/military). There have been slight changes after a mass shooting in 2009, making unannounced controls possible. These controls are aimed at registered weapon owners to check if their guns are stored properly. Weapons have to be stored seperatly from ammuniton and most owners are only allowed to "transport" their weapons to the gun shop, shooting range or hunting ground. Which means you´re not allowed to ceep you gun "at the ready" just in case you "might need them"...

Concerning US gun control, I thnink that this video is one of the best contributions ever made to that topic, Showing the pure idiocity of NRA and fellow organisations. Anyway, if you´re interrested, have a look at the NRAs opinion on the recent try to thighten the US ban on Ivory... with their "great insight" they maintained the US as a valuable finacial surce for Boko-Haram, al-Shabaab and others...

Choppa Nutta
Especially now the Republicunts have taken over the senate, a lot of bad decisions are going to be made, more than normal..... 🙁

John Van Kooten
Ouch! That video was quite confronting. I would have probably laughed if it wasn't for the fact that that was entirely serious and real 😮 the only thing out of this World, aside from Australia obviously 😛 lol , is the level of ignorance displayed in his answers and attitude. I sure hope he isn't representing any kind of majority of anything 🤔

Yeah, I also like that about SCM, any thread can lead anywhere 😄 Haha!

Seems like the regulations in Germany are pretty much the same as over here. That's a good thing 👍 Unfortunately for us, gun control doesn't work though 😛 whooptidoo! 😄

@Choppa: republicunts? I'd be willing to become a participating member of that group, I think 😄

Alan Rush
Still enjoying your photos Fabian! 🙂 Great to see your idea take shape and really like the work you have done with the figures. Completely original work. Liked the discussion that started on gun laws and the Daily Show video. Living in Canada we have a completely different set of statistics than the U.S. for gun violence and crime. Makes me shake my head in disbelief when hear guys like that say that gun control will not make a difference. Unfortunately John, the guy in the video holds an opinion of a lot of people in the U.S. Not a majority opinion by the poll numbers, but the voice of a very strong lobby in the National Rifle Association that sways a lot of votes in Congress. I don't hold any hope for change in the near future. Just hope it stops at the border even though some Canadian politicians are starting to sound very similar to that. Back to you Fabian - keep it going!

Choppa Nutta
No John, I don't think you would, you're to much of a nice guy 🙂
they are way too anti science, women, human etc. They are just a bunch of self serving religiotarded crazies who will do a great deal of harm in America and elsewhere....

And yes, I too like the free flowing nature of conversations here SCM 🙂

Fabian keep up the good work 🙂

M.Julian Marles
The gun laws aren't too bad here in Canada, except I disagree with some of their items on the restricted list such as the AR and AK family. However there are many fine semi-autos that are leagal such as the FAMAE SG542, the CZ line , Robinson Arms carbines..and of course .50 calibre rifles which if you are in the military are "anti-materiel" rifles but if you are a civilian they are "long range target" rifles lol 😛

Canada requires anyone who owns or buys firearms to have a license, and a criminal check is done when you apply. However once your check goes through there is no wait period like in the US since the criminal check is required to get a license.

John Van Kooten
@Alan:
That is unfortunate indeed 🙁 I don't know, it sometimes sounds as if some of those idiots want to re-live the Wild West or something... I just hope the more sensible citizens will keep them in check and will be able to contain that virus from spreading. Please let Canada remain the Canada we all know and love!

@Choppa:
Thanks for the compliment, mate! Really appreciate that! 👍 🙂 and you're absolutely right, I wouldn't last a minute amongst people with that type of retarded mindset and attitude. I always try and want to believe everyone is inherently good but unfortunately the reality is that some people are simply beyond help or repair...

@Julian:
Hahaha! A 50 cal, yeah, that's quite something 🙂
You guys can't shoot AR's? That's kind of strange? Any specific reason for that?

Choppa Nutta
I find trying to maintain a more neutral position is probably fairer and more honest but given that the vast majority of people are pretty stupid (history proves this time and time again as does the modern world) it is probably best to keep ones expectations to a bare minimum, that way there is more room for pleasant surprises 😄

Good video though, I like it ! "Woopty f'kin doo" I here you say..... 😉

M.Julian Marles
@John, the AR and AK's were put on the restricted list (ironically by the Conservatives) in 1990-91. This was a result of political pacification due to public backlash after Marc Lepine killed 14 women in Montreal with a Ruger mini 14 (which is still non-restricted). The items prohibited or restricted don't really make sense - just political decisions - the semi-auto FN is prohibited while the SG542 is not even restricted. At one point Swiss Arms carbines were non restricted, then with a stoke of the pen they become prohibited. The .50 cal barret M99 is non restricted yet a ruger .22 rifle is prohibited! Lol. As long as you have a restricted license you can own a restricted firearm but you have to be a member of a gun range, only shoot it at a gun range, get a permit to transport from the police, etc. so it's a giant pain.

John Van Kooten
That certainly is some strange decision-making. And it makes no sense to freely allow 50 cal and prohibit .22 rifles 🤔

I don't think it's possible to own 50 cal weapons over here. To my knowledge there are no gun ranges that have a .50 discipline, other than military of course, which means you can't shoot and own one. But regulations are complex and I must admit I haven't really looked into that.

I did shoot Browning .50 cal in the city of Den Helder when I was in the Army though. They were mounted on the M63 Mount and set up for AA. We had to (try) to shoot a flag pulled behind a small radio controlled airplane. That was fun!! And MUCH harder than I could imagine! During the first excercises, from the 1000 rounds I fired I think only about 100 or so actually hit the target! My mates didn't do much better either 😉 However, at the end of the training we were able to get a 75% score. Not too bad and quite an improment 🙂 Having said that, the airplane was flying in a straight line, so not exactly a true combat simulation. In combat I think the percentage of hits would drop considerably! 😉