Vietnam War Help

The best figures would most likely be the Dragon US 1st Cavalry figures. They represent Soldiers from the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), as your description below shows that your cousin was a member of. This is the figure set:

These figures, with a UH-1D, again available from Dragon (see below), would be a perfect tribute.  If you are looking to have unit patches on, both Verlinden and Echelon offer decal sheets that include 1st Cav patches on them.

Dragon UH-1D (review, w/pics here.

Basically any Vietnam era figures would work though.  Most figure sets do not represent a specific unit and can be made into just about any unit with the proper shoulder patch.  The uniforms, weapons, etc. were basically the same for all units so the figures can be used for any one of them.

Good luck.

You'll have to do a little converting if you're looking to portray your cousin accurately.  The DML figures are all wearing the 1966-and-later jungle fatigues, while in the Ia Drang Valley in November, 1965, they were still wearing the OG107 fatigue uniform with high visibility patches and name strips.  Converting the figures shouldn't be too difficult, just remove the cargo pockets from the trousers and you'd have to re-adjust the pockets on the shirts. 

 Jon
 

I wonder how small I can get a nametag decal to be.  My painting skills aren't good enough to paint his name on the nametag for the uniform.  I will have to see if I can get some photo's of him in uniform.  Those will work fine.  Too bad there isn't a 120mm or even a 54mm figure of him or that I could make work as him with a little putty on the face.

I REALLY appreciate this guys.  Unfortunately his mother passed on several years ago, but his uncle is still alive and would love this. 

Michael

Figures.  Well I have an idea for a nice diorama.  I can't call it small though as a 1:35 scale Huey isn't gonna be exactly small.  Was thinking if I can find one, use that dragon figure set, and a 1:35 scale huey with proper markings if I can find pics of them, and have the chopper dropping off his unit, then put the list of names of him and everyone else coming out of the chopper.  Whether it's landed or they are repelling/jumping.  Whaddyall think?

Michael

Sounds like a pretty good idea. The choppers landed and the troopers jumped out at the Battle of the Ia Drang/LZ X-Ray fight. For figures exiting a helo, Legends has a set called US Cavalry Heliborne (Vietnam) that has guys climbing down from the chopper.  Also, it would have to be his Squad (9 guys) or Fire Team (4 guys) exiting the chopper.  A Huey usually carried 8 to 10 pax, plus the 4 man crew.

For more info on UH-1Ds that supported the Battle of the Ia Drang, check out this thread.  Also, check here for info on accurizing the Dragon (ex-Panda) Huey into an early D model.

The Dragon UH-1D kit comes with decals for helos that participated in the battle.  For more options, Fireball Modelworks offers a UH-1D/H decal sheet that also has helos that were in the battle. 

Let us know if you need any more help and keep us posted on progress once you begin.