So now that I'm into VSF.............

[dodge]

Not saying that I am at all, as I have enough going on

I was thinking (but I'm not really) of doing an imperial russian vsf force.

Where would one go if they were lookin' (which I am not at all) for figures etc........

dodge

who incidentally is really not looking to any of the above at all but was just wondering 

[Doc Twilight]

Dodge -

A lot of options for the Russians these days; still not as many as say, for the British, but the options are growing. Askari, for example, does "Colonial Russians" and they're pretty decent looking - might be worth having a looksee. Parroom Station does (or did, I assume it'll be available again soon), one of the giant "Czar Tank" type pieces, essentially a big steam chariot; they also do clockwork Russian soldiers, complete with a Russian "Automoton Master."

Ironclad Miniatures also has a great line of landships, many of which would work very well for the Russians. Scheltrum does some lovely vehicles, too.

Course, with their relatively simple lines, landships can be scratchbuilt by experimenting with various basic shapes and forms. Worth a consideration.

Haven't built any Aeronefs (yet), but there are quite a few guys on the board here who are in the process of doing it. I sort of imagine a "circular aeronef" in the style of the round battleships built by the Russians during the 1870s, but that's just my take. I imagine you could do something very nifty with them, regardless.

-Doc

[Svennn]

If I was you I would concentrate on the hardware and initially use the Ruskies you have. Weapons will be a bit modern on the figures but not in game mechanics. If you do catch the bug and come down with really stinking symptoms then you could get some figs from 30-50 years earlier taylored for the job.

[Rabbitz]

I would agree that concentrating on the hardware first would be the way to go.  Its all a matter of taste though really.  Our VSF universe is actually set in 1903 (ish) with Queen Victoria being preserved through some wierd pickling substance.

The Copplestone russians look quite nice but really it depends on your time line.

Dont forget to post pictures WHEN you get started 

[Ramshackle_Curtis]

Imagination is the way forward here. I played gaslights for the first time the other day, and units just get allocated generic shooting weapons. However, brass steam blasters or actual historical rifles? WHo cares? In the end, its FICTION, so yeah, even ultra modern weapons(mith added rivets of course) can look great if done well. Obviously, things like armoured suits are cool too, so conversions of space marines or other models cannot be ruled out. Just give them a pith helmet/prussian pointy helmet/french berret and you have instant theme, stick on a few rivets and its all go from there. Please dont take it too seriously, if you want serious then go for boer war or something....

[Thunderchicken]

Dodge, have a chat with Sterling Moose, he's a nice fellow and doesn't bite. He's putting an admirable Russian force together, they recently saw action in the link below (you've gotta love those Cossacks):

http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=9097.0

[thejammedgatling]

I bought some of the Old Glory Russians from the Boxer rebellion range and they're not too bad, if a little basic (but quite cheap though). I'd have to agree with Rabbitz about the Copplestone ones. The RCW range is pretty good as it contains quite a few ragged troop types as well as the spit and polish ones, though the poses are a little limited. Other ones I've seen that I like are the Brigade  ones, and their armoured train is already crying out VSF.

PMC terrain makes (or at least has in the past) a Russian aeronef circular ship in 28mm, though it may not have been popular as I have not seen it for a while. Though not hard to make.

Another range which is often ignored for the Russians is the Foundry Crimea range. Fair enough the uniforms are early but still Victorian era and as Curtis says this is a fantasy. If you look on ebay right now there are quite a few at about half the Foundry price:

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/WARGAMES-FOUNDRY-THE-CRIMEAN-WAR-RUSSIAN-INFANTRY_W0QQitemZ300292215311QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Toys_Wargames_RL?hash=item300292215311&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A1%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

Good luck and lets see them on a tabletop soon!

[Svennn]

A little bird told me there may be a new Crimean range on the horizon too.

[Dewbakuk]

This thread discusses Russians quite a bit and has my own suggestions on figs and equipment

http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=8389.0

[BaronVonJ]

Here's mine:
http://baronvonj.blogspot.com/2008/05/kersplatskis-expeditionary-force.html

[dodge]

Guys you are all very lovely,

I will have a squint through all the links you have given me.

I chose russians because I have a load painted and hoped I could blag it a bit and do a few vehicles

but I'm sure I'll need to sort out uniform colours though.

dodge

[fastolfrus]

Use what you've got and add a few characters, standard bearers etc to give more flavour to your army. See how it goes from there.

[Gluteus Maximus]

Good VSF choice, I think!

As to uniforms, use what you have for most scenarios, ie green tunics or greyish-brown greatcoats etc. However, if you must insist on venturing into Persia, Afghanistan etc, the same style uniforms, but white tunics with red trousers and a havelock-covered kepi would be better for the troops. They are only peasants, though, so they won't complain about the heavyweight clothing, as they are used to being treated harshly.

If you get stuck, I have some plates of the tropical uniforms somewhere, which I will try and find, scan and e-mail. It could be a long job, though.....

Anyway, it's all theoretical as you really are not all interested in this VSF nonsense, are you?

As if! 

[Bullshott]

Dodge

Strangely enough, as a long term project I am working on a small VSF Russian force, based on 'historical' Russians I am collecting for the Boxer Rising.

SInce you already have BoB White Russians these would be an excellent starting point. Just take a balanced force (infantry, cavalry and maybe a field gun) and add a few bits of VSF technology.

Can discuss this more when we meet up for that long delayed pint.

Dave

[Thunderchicken]

Can discuss this more when we meet up for that long delayed pint.

Dont do it Dodge! He's a hooligan after half a bitter shandy!