Zvezda Dog Tank Hunters WIP- update 4/4/12

K-9 IED'ds or homicide bombers?  I shot two of these bastards near Tula in Decemeber '41...

Indy,

DSHK MG's

Was that the heavy machine gun on 'Apocalypse  Now' the Vietcong used in the beach scene? A 51 caliber heavy MG if I recall correctly.

'Nice shooting Red 1, I will buy you a case of beer for that!' ~ Kilgore

Thanks for the advice on the figures, I will pick up a few sets next visit to a local hobby shop.

SuppressionFire

Indy,

If you approve figures from Zvezda then I will have to give then a go! Always wanted to build a Stalingrad diorama with snipers, looks like the first kit you pictured would work perfectly! Thanks for your expert opinion on their figures.

Thanks for the credit--they really are great styrene figures--some of the best along with Master box--these two companies I'd say make the best sculpted, moulded and thoughtout interesting styrene figures going. That said, they do of course require tons of cleanup of attachment points mainly and joint seems as you assemble them, like any plastic figures.

That sniper set looks really good on the sprue--It's a tribute to Enemy at The Gates ( I'm sure you've seen it--if not you MUST!)  No one in the box is a dead ringer, but close enough--some memerable things from the movie are included like the entire manaquin/sniper/scarecrow, the monoperiscope, a good-looking female soldier, and great looking sniper rifles.

The Soviet Machinegun crew set is very cool too and includes 4 men posed just like the boxart-with complete equipment kits--and not indicated on the box-BONUS- there are 2 DSHK MG's in the box -- one is as pictured on the heavy  portable tripod...the other on the wheeled 'Sokolov mount' like we typically see the Maximgun on. They include a clear part and decal for the AA sight.

Recomended 

Indy,

If you approve figures from Zvezda then I will have to give then a go! Always wanted to build a Stalingrad diorama with snipers, looks like the first kit you pictured would work perfectly! Thanks for your expert opinion on their figures.

Looks like another really well-crafted figure set from Zvezda. Sure it will be disturbing to many to learn about starving dogs that are trained to look for food under tanks as they blow themselves to smithereens, but it's hardly the worst thing war has offered . Maybe the worst part of it is it wasn't a terribly effective effort--though they did take out a few panzers that way. Even with that kind of history, I see this this kit as a tribute to a little-known part of the struggle, mighty interesting , and the figures look just great.

I recently recieved these kits from Zvezda, and am blown-away by the quality

cool guys! cant wait to see some paint!

I have no problem with the Subject matter.  Looking forward to seeing these painted.

Regards,  Rick

stikpusher,

Interesting this offends some people, it was a terrible conflict for all.

People often are more humane to animals than each other, look at modern medicine prolonging life when really the person wants and needs final peace with their creator.

Well to put the loyalty of man's best friend in context I would fight to the death for my mutt, I know he would do the same.

In Vietnam dogs were used for many missions that required scent identification. They scouted ahead on trails for traps and ambushes, saving lives for their sacrifices. Also in harbors they sniffed out sappers who used bamboo snorkels to infiltrate the perimeter. The worst chapter was leaving these canine 'heros' behind when the US forces left country.

The Soviet Union was facing complete destruction and annihilation, these desperate times called for sacrifice without regard to individual life. Every and any means to retaliate was needed in the context of the situation. The canine anti-tank weapons were not used after WWII yet training for these units continued into the late 70's.

All that being said I am looking forward to your figures. Plan on placing the canine units in a diorama? Post WIP's of your progress.