Hello All: I could use a little guidence I just bought a WW1 Russian starter army to run up against my Astro-Hungarian's and I'm not real sure on the uniform color? I use mostly Vallejo paint's the color to me seem's to be a brown/green? Does anyone have any suggestion's on what color Vallejo preferably would come close. Thank You in advance for all your help! Rougue(Mike)
From a quick google the following all seem possible colours
Russian Uniform
English Uniform
Green Brown
I expect (much as in WWII) the Russian army was so large that there were many suppliers of equipment, so there were many variations in colours.
As well as dark blue trousers - perhaps Prussian Blue? and some medium grey for great coats.
What rules are you thinking of using for WWI?
My tip is Vallejo Middle Stone with a wash of Army Painter Soft Tone Ink, which gives a slightly greenish Khaki effect. Since I painted up my figures I've discovered that Russian tunics came in a variety of khakis, often as a result of fading, so there is no exact colour and it is fine to have a mix ranging from light dust up to greenish brown.
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g440/dourpuritan/10mm%20RCW/IMG_0878_zpsb3a630f7.jpg)
Thank You Fred& Leman, Fred to answer your question I'm leaning toward's Spearhead Great War v2 but not completely sure. I'm interested in the early part of the war where it was still mobile and fluid. Trench warfare doesn't really appeal to me much at this time. Leman Thank you also I thought it might be that way on color's being as it was that way during WW2 and this being earlier than that but I'd rather ask than proceed and find I'd made a mistake. I'm more up on the German stuff Rougue
Hi Rogue,
I've also used Vallejo 882 Middlestone for both British and Turks. I would suggest using a mix of colours to give some variety. Jacket one colour, pants another, hat and puttees a third and not the same on each figure, gives a faded rag tag on campaign look.
What level of battle are you looking to play? GWSH seems to be focused on divisional and higher level. If you're looking for a brigade level game I would suggest "If the Lord Spares Us" by Too Fat Lardies. They are designed for the Middle East but play very well for any where there is still some manoeuvre.
PS Those look very impressive Leman
Leman - I do like the look of those figures. The colour seems a good match for many of the images I have seen. I wouldn't have guessed the recipe though, as middlestone on its own is quite yellowey.
We have used GWSH a few times for early war battles and it seems to work well - it is definately aimed a representing big formations. But that seems a good thing for WWI. Most of the WWI rulesets seem to use similar basing - around 30mm square so you aren't to tied to one set.
Hi,
For some inspiration in uniform colour variations check out from youtube a copy of the new Russian film "Battalion", the story of the first female rifle battalion in 1917. Jump to the point 1h to see summer uniforms. The beginning of the film is spring time training in greatcoats. Obviously I can't vouch for historical veracity as it is not a primary document.
https://youtu.be/QfneHFKkVHw
Cheers,
Aksu
Here's another one I've discovered: for early war German jagers Vallejo Green Stone:
(http://i1101.photobucket.com/albums/g440/dourpuritan/15mm%20ITLSU/IMG_1373_zps268fcf6b.jpg)
I've gone with Crush the Kaiser believe they have eastern front supplement in the works.
Mike, Google WW1 Russian uniforms and you'll find loads of colour images. You could search for Osprey Men at Arms The Russian Army 1914-18 available on Amazon at around £5. My copy suggest a light khaki, close to Vallejo 70.880 Khaki Gray.
I'd go with light khaki too, however, in old photos I've seen some infantry still appear to be wearing white tunics in the summer.
Slightly off topic, I remember seeing some colour film of a company of Russians marching through Berlin at the end of WWII, I don't think any two of them wore the same colour tunic. The colours ranged from light khaki to quite a dark bottle green. So I'm thinking that in WWI particularly by 1917 you could have the same miss match of uniform colours.
Is the story about the RAF being dressed in 1918 in cloth meant for the Russian army true?
If so, which Russian troops work dark blue-grey?
Never heard that one, although it is feasible.
IanS
Quote from: fsn on 21 September 2015, 11:36:44 AM
Is the story about the RAF being dressed in 1918 in cloth meant for the Russian army true?
If so, which Russian troops work dark blue-grey?
The ever reliable Wikipedia ;) has an entry on RAF Blue which says the cloth was intended for Czarist cavalry :-\
Mollinary
Thank You everyone for the imput I will try them all for some variety.John thank's I've got the osprey bookit's nice great color plate's but sometime's there description's of color's and other minor point's can be lacking,I'll try Google. I'll look into to Crush the Kaiser I'm not real set on any one set of rule's at this time. Thank's Again Mike