B is for Box-ticking - WWII Russians - Cherilea+

So, onwards and upwards to one of the wackiest sets of toy soldiers, and as with several others from the 'wackiest' listings; it's Cherilea! Although it's arguable a pink background contributes slightly to the weirdness!

I'm sure the Soviets got a few Bren-guns before their own production was up to full war-footing, but the idea that the Cossacks went to war with only LMG's or heavy weapons is stretching the idea of artistic license somewhat, I fear!

But again, they were only meant to be toys and - although ours came from the church-fete (with much playwear showing in the paint) - we loved these as kids, double-breasted chef's jackets, fairy-tale prince's hats, rectal flame-probe an'all!

Re-issued recently (Marlborough/Dorset?) in several colours (I've also seen a lighter tan), there are also originals in a paler sand and with lighter-grey trousers. Hats were a bit off-the-radar, although the red flaps each-side seem to have been the genesis for the later Crescent set (seen earlier today here at Small Scale World) with their twin badges?

And - spot the deliberate mistake: the one damaged one is the one pose I haven't found in the newer versions either . . . go figure!