Dragon-Models
Illya Soviet Anti-Tank Unit NCO (DX Edition)
By
Aug 17, 2005, 13:13

Illya Mironov is Dragon Models Limited latest WW2 Russian figure, or rather figure(s) since it was released in two versions. One being the General release, which still is a very nicely equipped figure, and then there is the Dragon Expo Exclusive version, which comes with an Amobea camouflage coveralls and an extra helmet. I was fortunate enough to attend Dragon Expo and pick up the DX exclusive edition, and here are my thoughts on it.

FIgure/Body:
Neo body, comes with rifle hands and one 'semi' bendy hand. Nice head sculpt, but the pant job makes him look very pale. I guess it's those Russian winters. Rating: ****


M43 Gymstorika:
While I thought they improved the last set of Russian uniforms, these are even further improved with a darker color, thicker material and significantly improved shoulder boards. Rating: ****

Marching boots:
A new sculpt of marching boots, these look much more "worn in" than the previous sculpt, and a bit smaller. A really nice sculpt, my set was very lightly weathered. Rating: ***

Belt with PPS43 pouch and canteen:
New belt from the previous plastic one, this time made of a vinyl/pleather material with hole and a working buckle. The cloth banana PPS/PPSH magazine pouch is really nice, and we finally get enough magazines to fit in the pouch. The canteen is more or less the same as the past few Russian releases. Rating: ***

Binoculars:
The binoculars are black with a slight whitewash. They are well sculpted but made of soft plastic with a "pleather" sling.


Winter snow camouflage (white) coveralls:
These are the coveralls worn by Russian troops during the winter, and were intended to be worn over a winter weight uniform, hence the bagginess of the pants and jacket. They are nicely made with drawstrings at the ankles, waist, neck and hood, but may prove difficult to get on as the gloves are pre-stitched to the jacket. A nice addition to an already nice figure. Rating: ****

Amobea Camo Coveralls:
Like the winter coveralls these were intended to be worn over a uniform, and were cut extra big, as DML has done. They also have drawstrings at all of those points, although I was having some trouble with the one on the hood of mine, but after some tinkering it looks much more satisfactory now. These were generally issued to the Razvedchiki Russias elite Scout unit, mountain troops and snipers. It's also quite possible members of an Antitank unit would be issued these. These even feature the masquito/camo net that covers the face. These are well made and I hope DML chooses to issue them as a general release. Rating: ****

Russian Helmet(s):
Here we receive two versions of the much sough after DML M1940 Russian helmets, one a white washed one and the other a plain green version. Both have improved liners from the previous version, although they are a bit difficult to get on, and sadly the "peel and stick" adhesive DML includes with the set is not very effective. Rating: ***

PTRD Antitank Rifle:
The PTRD Anti tank rifle was issued to Tank killer units which were assigned to Rifle Companies. Generally each rifle antitank gunner had an assistant making a two man team, as the rifle itself was so long and cumbersome it could be difficult for one man to carry. An individual needed to be in fairly close range of a tank for one of these to be effective, although they pierced most of what the Germans used until around 1943. DML's version is very nicely mad, but simple, like the 1:1 article. It features a working bolt action with an opening chambering which you can actually fit a round. It also has a swiveling handle, a removable bipod and a cheek plate. The paint job is a dark gun metal gray with slight weathering. Rating: ****

Cartridge bag and rounds:
The bag for the PTRD cartridges is made of tan cloth with "pleather" straps. The nice thing is that you get lots of extra cartridges to put in the bag, you even get a few extra spent brass rounds which are great for dioramas. Rating****

PPS-43:
DML's PPS-43 is a really nice piece of weaponry, with a working mechanism and a cloth strap with leather fixtures, it's one of DML's nicer soviet weapons. It also features a folding buttstock and 3 extra magazines, so they have at lastgiven us enough enough to fit in the pouches ! Rating****

Packaging: Picture of figure on the box, no artwork. ***
Accessories: **** Lots of stuff, especially the DX version.
Overall Rating: ***** I have to say I rarely give a figure five stars, but opening Illya I felt like I was geting a $60 figure for $40. I'd probably give the regular version four stars, but the DX version deserves five IMO.

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