@LeeCHeSSS:
Also, is there still a way to order a full red-coloured replacement set for the USSR (AAE40 - it’s almost impossible to tell USSR and Italy apart under artificial light)?
If you go to Historical Board Gaming and check under Axis & Allies Pieces, Europe 1999, click on “Soviet Union, Maroon”. Some issues of the Europe game had Soviet pieces in a dark red color, what I call burgandy and is very close to the color of FMG’s Soviet Combat Dice. You will find this color of Soviet Pieces there. You can buy them individually. If you are wanting to get a large amount of them, you could contact Coach and perhaps he could work out some sort of deal with you. Just remember that these pieces are out of print now so they are hard to come by.
Also, there will be some differences between these pieces and the current sets. Since Europe came out in 1999, this was before WOTC added Cruisers, Tac Bombers and Mechanized Infantry to the games so there will not be any of those pieces available in the burgandy color. Also, the destroyer and battleship will be the older versions which are basically copies of British units (Johnston class Destroyer, Royal Oak class Battleship).
Another note: I believe when FMG makes it’s Soviet Union set, they intend on using the burgandy color to match their Combat Dice. The Soviet Union set from FMG will be done later next year (2012) if you simply want to wait for them.