Camouflage, Camouflage, Camouflage

With the goal of expanding the painted minis I have suitable for 2nd War Chechens I painted ten more figures before vacation and nd the week after. Some of them would also work for the 1994-1996 war or other conflicts. There's lot variety in camouflage used by such troops so I've been trying to paint up many different examples. During the Second Chechen War VSR camouflage and woodland camouflage seem to be the most common schemes, but there's lots of others that show here in there in pictures. It takes a while, but sure is fun. After this painting a uncamouflaged force of uniform color is going to seem easy.

Next up my first attempts at Tiger camouflage and heavy weapons for the Chechens (Saggers, AA guns and an HMG).

RH Models EER2W; MULT20AK; MULTBHRPK

RH Models EER2W; EERBG; MULTBHRPG

RH Models URBSHOT; EERGUN; EER11/EER11A

Here's some pictures that inspired me.

Chechen fighters in Grozny December 17th, 1994

This is the only picture I've found of a Chechen fighter with a shotgun. I've come across a few pictures of Chechens with other types of hunting rifles and have found lots of pictures of civilian arms being used in Vokovar and Tbilisi (two other interests of mine). I supposed with a whole lot of green stuff and head swap Rolf's figure could look more like this character, but that is way beyond my sculpting skills right now.

Rebel commander in Grozny January 26th, 1995

Chechen fighters siting in relaxing near Noja-Lourt (October 1st, 1999)

The above image shows Chechen use of Smog camouflage (based on the successful British Disruptive Pattern, DPM). I tried my best to imitate this. Mine (figure with RPG) came out a bit brighter than I wanted, but I'm still pretty happy with it.

Chechens occupying trench in Grozny sometime in December 1999

I'm not sure what this camouflage pattern is called. It's a bit like the common Woodland camouflage, but in a different pattern. My guy wearing this pattern (with a grenade launcher) sports my first attempt at sneakers on a RH 20mm figure. I'll have to add a few more minis with those here and there as they were fairly commonly worn.

Chechen showing a dagger in Grozny: October 12th, 1999

This is another camouflage pattern for which I'm not sure of the name. It's pretty common for the 2nd War. It looks a bit like TTsKO, but the colors are totally different. My attempt (guy with ammo box and knit cap) should have came out a bit more grayer. It's definitely tough to get the right shades of colors to show up when painting 20mm miniatures. I guess I'm slowing self teaching myself color theory. Adjacent colors definitely alter the appearance of the base color.

Rebels praying: Grozny, October 11th, 1999

I once read that were many cheap Chinese made camouflage uniforms being sold between the wars. I suppose the Woodland camouflage of the guy in the back/middle with the yellow (not tan) splotches could be wearing one of these. One of my figures with an AK was painted to represent this.

Chechen firing AK somewhere in Grozny November 8th, 1999

I've seen lots of different types of winter SMK camouflage used in both wars by both sides. Some of have more blue base color; some have a more light gray base color. The over splotches vary from dark gray to black to dark brown. I tried my best to duplicate this version with my kneeling commander figure. So far this is one of my favorites.