Potential Soviet Group!

My main interest is British and at the moment I can't see me doing re-enactment events as anything other than a member of PBI, that being said I'm quite happy to be part of a Russian group for airsoft events much the same as I am with the Doughboys for US airsoft events, so I will be looking to get the rest of what I need to achieve the minimum spec of kit and I'm happy to badge up to fit in with the rest of the group.

At the moment I've got some Russian kit, the only uniform is an amoeba suit, (yes yes the clown suit ), but I've got enough equipment that I only need to get the obr43 and boots to meet the minimum requirement.

On the weapons front, amongst my many outstanding projects I've got most of the parts to make a 91/30 & M38 Mosin as well as a PPsH41, (although I've no idea when I'll get round to building them )[edit] almost forgot I've also got parts for a SVT40 and a set of drum mags for a DP28 [/edit]

I have considered starting a Soviet group for quite some time now but the lack of numbers has made me hold off for a while. My thoughts were that it might be better waiting until we have more soviet players before starting, possibily after Boryszyn before attempting anything. The lack of active members has been problematic in a few other groups. However as you've started the ball rolling we may as well run with it I guess, there is no harm in talking about it anyway.

I think the choice of units is a fair one. Personally I would normally choose something more non descript given the general tendancy in reenactment to portray the more elite units. However I understand peoples desire to be linked with something more recogniseable. Plus of course the 8th were rewarded with Guards status for its fighting in Stalingrad rather the being formed as an elite unit. It being any army also means it encompasses alot of unit types, from which we can take our pick and the only additional equipment needed being a guards badge makes it easy to change.

I'm not sure about the living history side right now as I'm not sure how many people would be interested. I would concentrate on the airsoft side of things for now. We can use reenactment as a goal to work towards in terms of standards and keep it as an idea for the future without putting too much pressure on people. Plus it might be better to work with the existing groups such as the 2nd Guards for now rather than compete against them.

Weapons is the biggest issue for RKKA airsofters right now. Hopefully the situation should improve soon but until then we are very limited. The best option,as suggested elsewhere, might be to concentrate upon Razvedchik (scouts). They would have a higher proportion of captured weapons, would be lightly equipped (less kit for people to buy) and would fit with the small numbers of people we be would likely to have. The idea also fits with scenario for Boryszyn.

On the subject of uniforms I'd agree the M43 is perhaps the cheapest and easiest option to begin with (especially if you're skinny ), particularly if we concentrate on Boryszyn as our initial goal. However with the potential for earlier scenarios in the future, and given that M35s were the more common until mid to late 43 and still in use in 1945 I see no reason not to accept either. I'd also say low boots (including Brit and US lend lease boots) and puttees are an acceptable alternative to Sapogi.

Equipment wise your lit is good and most of it is covered in my guide, amongst others. However I think if we concentrate on the airsoft side for now, the bayonet is surplus to requirements. If going for the scout look however maybe a knife of some sort would be good, especially an NR-40. I wonder if we could get rubber ones made up?

I think I would include a gas mask bag within the recommended kit rather than optional. They were a common item and not having them leaves people with very little space to carry kit like grenades and extra ammo. Especially as MN pouches don't fit airsoft mags and Gyms should ideally lack pockets. I'd include a plash-palatka as well, they're not too expensive and very useful.

Other than it all sounds pretty good and lets hope we can attract the necessary members.

I tend to spend most of my free 'airsoft and reenacting' time with helping to run PBI, but i'd be happy to badge up my soviet kit as 8th Guards and make up the numbers at airsoft events i can make it to.

I've had a complete loadout for a couple of years now, and i'm yet to actually use it!

Webby is willing to have a go at making a few rubber NR-40s as he's planning to make a few other bayonets and knives. The only problem is I don't own a real one he can take a mould from, does anyone else?

Im in Soviet kit has been on my agenda of future projects.

Count me in comrade

Excellent. 2 more and we have ourselves a squad.

Pencil us in.

We're nearly there on the basic kit requirements.

ill be a "fill in player" too

ive decided whenever its germans vs yank/brit ill go heer or 9thss depending on scenario

whenever its an ostfront game im going to play soviet, that way i get to play both sides.

plus i just love the notion of screaming uuuuurrrraaaaaahhhhhhhhh and chargeing madley towards the enemy.

i expect my kill death ratio to be appaling when im a russain

So, which half have the weapons and which half have the ammo?

Various uniform bits for me are on the way as well... Aren't they Lardy?

So count me in.

Yes. Which reminds me. I need money to pay for them. Better start pestering people.

ive decided whenever its germans vs yank/brit ill go heer or 9thss depending on scenario

whenever its an ostfront game im going to play soviet, that way i get to play both sides.

I intend to do exactly the same, although i feel I should give Brit a go at some point.

Heh... I'll be doing slightly different... the major nationalities I won't have are German and Italian.

I've even got a Jap uniform on the way... my only Axis impression.

i will be in for this.

Is this Soviet Group viable yet? I was at Boryszyn and saw the turnout. I have sent an email to Chommers with detail but need a central contact for Soviets to see if you want to attend a re-enactment show and use some real steel weapons 2nd May Bank Holiday.
Need someone "Soviet" to take on being central contact and Liaising with event organiser. AFRA will supply pyro and SFX - This is an opportunity to have a bite of the re-enactment cherry.... Fancy it?

The numbers with Soviet kit continues to grow. It must be that there are almost as many in airsoft as in re-enacting.
You have a very strong bargaining chip there. There are never enough soviets at private battles and so many German units that would love to fight them.
If you fancy a cross over you should put the word out.

I'm in as long as i can be the 'Political Officer' standing at the back 'encouraging' you all with a Tokarev and Maxim!

Strange concidence this. I've never been interested in "traditional" reenacting, up until recently. I had been giving serious thought to joining 2nd Guards, as it's the Soviet side, believe it or not, which has begun to appeal to me!

Heh, I'm planning on joining them in the new year... probably! Not sure how many events I'll be able to get to though!