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Soviet Tank Riders (1943-45) 35640 1:35 ICM There's no denying that tanks provide both protection for the foot soldier, and ease their journey from one place to the other, so hitching a lift into battle or between was and still is a popular hobby for the infantry to save their energy and shoe leather. This set of four figures from ICM depicts just such a situation where the riders are alert and ready for danger, hunkering down slightly with their eyes front (at least in the boxtop shot), and weapons at the ready. They are dressed in the familiar quilted uniform seem during this period, with the typical fur hat with ear-flaps tied over the top and a depiction of the red star on the front. Three are armed with the PPSh-41, while the remainder has the smaller PPS with curved magazine, which was a cheap alternative to the more expensive and robust PPSh, and typically used in vehicles as a personal defence weapon. Each soldier is provided with a crude daysack, equipment and mag pouches and a drinking bottle, but none carry a sidearm in case of weapons malfunction. The figures are all broken down as torso, two separate legs and arms, separate heads and hats, and all the pouches. Even the PPSh-41s have separate drum mags for ease of moulding. Sculpting on the figures is excellent, with different faces on each head, and subtle differences between the figures, such as medals adorning the chests of three of the figures. Construction is so simple that it is ignored, relying on the painting guide having all the information you need such as part numbers, and that a picture speaks a thousand words. Don't be deceived by the seated figure at the bottom of the drawings appearing twice. This is to show the arrangement of his load carrying equipment. Colours are called out in red letters in boxes, which corresponds to a table on the flip side, giving names for the colours as well as Revell and Tamiya paint codes. Conclusion A lovely set of sculptures to adorn your T-34 or KV-1 with or without a diorama setting. Careful posing and painting will add an additional human point of reference to the expanse of Russian Green of your model. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of