28mm Empress USMC ANZAC ARVN

Looking good!

Thanks. Got the bases done.

Added another M113 to the ARVN

Love it Ash.... you have really nailed it with the 50.cal gunner.

Thanks. He was from the non Apocalypse Now PBR crew, had a head swap for a spare ARVN head.

again, another incredible job Ash! both the ANZACs and the M113.

Superb paint job (again...) of the figs and M113.
They look so real.
I like the color you use for M113.
Did you try Ammo MIG US Olive Drab for Vietnam color?

Cheers for the feedback chaps.

Richard MARQUIS wrote:Superb paint job (again...) of the figs and M113.
They look so real.
I like the color you use for M113.
Did you try Ammo MIG US Olive Drab for Vietnam color?

On these M113's I went with: a coat of black primer, then a coat of Tamiya TS-61 NATO green, highlight of Vallejo model air 'Green RLM62'. Game Wash 'Lavado Sombra Umber Wash', then watered down MIG Vietnam Earth pigment.

You have a superb collection now, but have you ever tried the Corpsman on the tank as in the very well known and tragic photos? I think the modelling here is incredible and inspired.

Liam

Yeah, that's really nice set. Got them last year when they came out. The ones I'm looking forward to are the photographers, apparently due at some stage.

Now that is worth seeing. I have never seen this pair painted up, on a tank. This even shows the toy octopus mascot on the helmet. A lot of research went into these two figures.

I have read so much about the two photos (different photographers, both famous) and the various claims to be the surviving wounded Marine in Hue, getting plasma from the Corpsman. The latter is convinced that his patient did not make it.

Photographers should be good. I had a go at Walter Cronkite and his film crew some time back, but I am totally committed to 1/72 figures (not my scale of choice) for a massive Waterloo Diorama, for our National Army Museum, right now.

I do enjoy seeing your work here, thanks

Liam

@ Liam: I've read quite a bit about the two sets of pictures of this chap & the Corpsman. The New York Times did a very interesting article on issue a few years ago:

https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/02/19/magazine/vietnam-war-photo-wounded-marine.html

Picked up the 'Barnes & Elias' figures from Studio Miniatures (aka  Tom & Will), very close in height to the Empress blokes.
Thought they would be in Vietnam era kit, however they were sporting more modern attire, mollie & rucksacks. Ended up removing the packs and filling the loops, then added more appropriate packs & webbing.

...and another chap for the SOG teams.
Converted ARVN M79 bloke.

Ash, you have been busy!  The medevac figures are so well
done and its nice to see flak jackets that aren't tan. Those
figs sure do say "no man left behind."
Loved the Barnes and Elias figures. Knew someone had done
a line from the movie Platoon. Can't believe they messed up
the 782 gear. Your conversion hit the money. Detailed and
a good representation of how big a load was often carried
in an ALICE pack and especially the extra canteens. Same for
that last SOG figure. Sure have been enjoying your superb
work. Like the old saying.....just when you think it don't
get better than this!  Thanks as always for sharing your
work.
best always,
Sam

Cheers Sam,

I started off doing the flak jackets in more of a tan / khaki colour, mainly to contrast with the uniforms. Over time, and the exposure to more reference photos my take on the jackets has got greener and the base colour for the uniforms lighter.
I started doing all the IFAK pouches, respirator haversacks & things like entrenching tool covers to look a bit more like older kit, have since gone back and added some thin green washes to a lot of bits.
Those 'Platoon' figures were not marketed as Vietnam War models, more as characters, so I can't critique them too much. It's a shame more companies don't show pictures of their creations from angles other than front on only. One of the things I appreciate about the Empress site, is being able to see all around a figure, what's sculpted on the back is just as interesting as the front. In fairness to who ever sculpted these two blokes, the fronts are pretty much as they were, 'Barnes' in particular has his iconic load out of ammo & stabby thing.

wonderful additions

Raided the spare parts box and put together another fire team.
RTO started out as an ANZAC, he got the head from the M79 bloke and a radio from the SASR pack.

Love these Ash, great conversions. The ARVN have got to be some of Empress's best figures. So much character. Really hope we see some more new releases to the range soon.

Only other things I have on the go are some tank crew:

great additions

I was going to do another M113 for the ARVN, fancied the idea of one with a twin .30cal turret. Couldn't find an M74C, toyed with the idea of doing something with the commander's cupola from the M48, ended up with the T50 turret from the Gage. Then realised the ARVN didn't use them...

However turns out the Aussies did.




Bit of what looks like a 'muddy' thumb print, will paint over...

Looks like a Panzer II turret, to me, atop an M113.

But nothing would surprise me from VN.

Love the weathering on the model. Just enough

Cheers, the turret is one of these:

Whale oil, beef,oct

I have seen all sorts stuck onto an M113 top, but not this. Brilliant work

Liam

Cheers Liam.