WWI Russian Heavy Infantry
Dated: March 23, 2007.
Hello, my name is Raphael Lemahieu. I'm a Belgian living overseas and I've been painting 1/72 soldiers for 3 years now. My "talent" has been rather limited to badly painted soldiers since I've mostly lived in third world countries where you can't buy any real equipment to specifically paint and even buy soldiers this small (These countries probably have other things on their minds, like developing:). Now that I'm back in Europe though (Austria, to be exact), my skills have flourished here and I see a big improvement in
the figures that I paint now compared to the figures that I painted just 6 months ago in the jungles of Myanmar. I know that I'll never reach the skill of some of your other contributors, but I really would like to share my pictures of your WWI Russian infantry Heavy Weapons Set anyways. I really enjoyed painting them, and because of your distinct style and detail with figures (and your extremely cooperative and sharing website) I have my eyes fixed on HaT, as it ranks as my favourite 1/72 soldier company at the moment. Thanks, and if you don't mind, I'd like to send some more dioramas in the future!
This is my diorama. It's around 8 cm wide and 11 cm long. It depicts a unit of Heavy Russian Infantry on the advance in Austria-Hungary in the beginning of WWI. These men have quickly mounted their guns and are firing at Austro-Hungarian troops in the distance.
The spotter of the Maxim gun observes a number of enemy troops moving in the distance. The Russians take full advantage of the situation and with that, the Maxim gun is in full flare as its crew fires down upon the enemy.
The Maxim gun shutters to an end as it runs out of ammo. A Russian soldier
comes in with more shells. This short silence gives an opportunity for the
field telephone operator (at the back) to do his job without the constant
nuisance of the guns. The driver of the truck (also at the back) curiously
lingers behind for a few minutes before he departs.
The Maxim gun shutters to an end as it runs out of ammo. A Russian soldier comes in with more shells. This short silence gives an opportunity for the field telephone operator (at the back) to do his job without the constant nuisance of the guns. The driver of the truck (also at the back) curiously lingers behind for a few minutes before he departs.
At the back of the truck, an officer coordinates (he's a Revell Russian WWII figure with a HaT Heavy Russian WWI cap) all the equipment needed. Since the Russian advance was rather hastily organized, he ponders under the stress of the jumbled mess of materials and fuel barrels, while the crew of a 58mm mortar gets ready to shoot a few rounds at the enemy in the distance.
An old, wise Russian General admires the fast mobility of his men. To him the war is surely on their side and will certainly end in a few months; if this rapid advance keeps up its momentum. But alas, even his wisdom deludes the fact that this war will drag on for many more years; in the trenches of the eastern front. For now though, he is swollen with pride. Who can stop his motherland, Russia? No one!
Many thanks to Mr. Lemahieu.