Armies Army Roll Out The 15mm Sci-Fi Russian Empire Force!
November 13, 2014 by brennon
Armies Army have shown off a neat selection of previews for the Russian Empire faction coming to their webstore for 15mm Sci-Fi wargaming. Check it out...
The army is in the production and molding process now so it will be out in the next couple of weeks. The infantry will be coming soon followed by the vehicles. The whole pack will contain Infantry packs, RPG packs, LMG packs, a HQ squad , HMG Squad, AT squad and also the Bogatyr and Kurganet Vehicles.
This looks like it would be perfect for a game like Gruntz which I've been hearing really good things about. Since we're not up on this game right now here at Beasts of War we're inviting people to talk to us about the game and if you're up for it, write an article or two on why we should be playing the game!
If this interests you contact me at [email protected]!
What do you think of these Russians?
Outstanding! The vehicles carry the pedigree of the BMP and BTR series, but with a futuristic edge. I like that very much. There’s even a main gun variant, much like the MGS for the LAV… but don’t get me started on that topic 🙂
What I don’t like is the integrated bases on the prone figures. I would prefer to mount them myself. But overall, great effort!
I was going to say, @cpauls , just breezing through the photos these don’t look very sci-fi (I mean that in a good way). Currently in the midst of an Arab-Israeli Wars campaign and these things look identical to the Egyptian and Syrian Soviet-era vehicles we’re using.
First picture, vehicle on the left is totally BMP, the second one BMP-2 except for the turret (as you mention). 🙂
Thenw e have what looks like either a BTR-70 or 80 (again, with **slightly** different turret) and finally an almost perfect replica of an old BTR-152 or BRDM-1.
Of course the infantry are another matter. 🙂
Yup. Now that I look at the top pic the vehicle on the left looks closer to the BMD, but it’s all good. The 8-wheeled BTR is a bit small scale wise. I’ve been through several variants and they really are a bus.
Looks like they’ve eliminated the stupid side doors, put the engine in the front, and put a ramp at the back… good plan. I never understood the rationale behind the BTR design: really hard for the section to bail out if the vehicle gets hit, and unless you’re stopping at an angle to your enemy (and therefore presenting a greater target) you’ll get mowed down as you dismount.
If I become inclined to go ahead with a near future game (need to be less busy first) this is the approach I would use. There’s no mistaking the BTR/BRDM bloodline in the bottom vehicle, but I find it actually reminds me of our Nyala patrol/convoy escort buggy.
Morning, @cpauls1 –
Taking each point in turn:
1) Top left vehicle is closer to a BMD than a BMP? The hull, yes, I would agree. What threw me was the count on the wheels. According to what I have, BMDs have five road wheels per side. This thing looks like it has seven. Granted, the BMP has six, but it’s closer. But what also made me say BMP is the placement of the turret. BMDs tend to have their turrets placed pretty far forward. But of course, these are sci-fi vehicles. 🙂
2) The “BTR’s” improved layout and size: Yeah, the more I look at that “BTR” the more I think you’re right . . . there are a lot less similarities than I first thought. The doors, the engine, and especially the placement of the turret. It almost looks like a cross between a smaller BTR and the old LAVs I remember from the USMC. The turret is more centrally placed, the overall hull is much smaller . . .
I’ve always thought that old Soviet military gear just LOOKED neat . . . their sleek warships (Slava class, Kirov class), their fast T-80s with the “swept-back” turrets, their AKs always somehow “look” more menacing . . . it’s just that it didn’t always perform so well, although a lot of that comes down to crew training in a 2-year conscript army that spoke 50 different languages. Based strictly on their **look**, however I’m not surprised when game companies choose to base sci-fi equipment on old Russian gear. I think it’s great.
The BMD call was purely based on the aesthetic. Though it used to be my job to count road wheels, the gaps in between them, and to get as close to the vehicles as I could, I’m well beyond that now lol. And of course, the tiny turret is far back on the vehicle, unlike the BMD’s which is well forward. It had to be, to squeeze four guys into the back. Stats say ‘six’ but they would have to be munchkins lol. Worse than a Bradley.
You’re right. Love the look of the old Soviet gear. It was utter crap but in the quantities the Soviets possessed it didn’t matter.
Presumably those are remote turrets, so they can be smaller and pretty much be placed anywhere.
Hi
Just seen this and sent the game designer of Gruntz a message on FB and a link to this to see if he wants to get involved
Those are rather nice.
These are great!
Ben , Robin is very approachable , and you will love how adaptable Gruntz can be.
Currently I am running the rules to emulate a 15mm Shadowrun battle , a straight USMC army and working on the rules to give it a Tron Cybercombat feel.
The 15mm community is huge , and I have just dropped 50 quid on stuff from the US, and thats given me over 40 models
Cheers
Robin has told me he has sent an email to Ben so hopefully we can see something soon
Hi all
Its Keith from ArmiesArmy here 🙂 Thanks for the interest and what a great discussion!
The Bogatyr and Kurnganet (top pic) are based on the next generation Russian vehicle platform, which are still only models and renders Ive gleamed from the odd Russian site. A Russian friend pointed them out to me 🙂 These are part of a new faction the ‘White Russians’ or Russian Imperial Army.
The middle BTR 290 was purely fictional, however based on the BTR series, however with a lot of artist interpretation. The idea was this was a first generation combat vehicle for my ‘R.U.S.K’ faction empire. A very Soviet themed army, which are currently embattled into a very Russian Civil war of ‘Reds v Whites’
As mentioned Ive also a more classic second generation (2nd line) vehicle in the venerable BTR 60 mould, again with some modifications around its power source and rear hatch. Its modular based with options for drone launcher, mortar, apc, Heavy Apc, Engineering, Repair, ADV and an Ambulance version on offer. The modular kits will be on sale separately in the future, so you can make your own variant. An example can be seen on my blog
The light wheeled utility vehicle is also based on some next generation equipment and its safe to say it has taken bits of several vehicles and melded them into my version 🙂
Glad you seem to like them and happy to listen to comments and feedback!
really great site to…shame Ive only just discovered it! 🙂
thanks
Keith
http://www.armiesarmy.com
[img width=550 height=225
[/img]
ArmiesArmy 15mm ‘Whites’ Russian Empires 🙂
[img width=550 height=241
[/img]
Ive infantry and vehicles ready for this release: )
[img width=550 height=353
[/img]
[img width=550 height=398
[/img]
All found on my http://www.armiesarmy.com site 🙂 10% off for preorders
drop me a message if you have questions 🙂