I have had this for a long time. This is an all resin kit and is suppose to replicate an American Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW) Gunner during Desert Storm.
Prior to the initial kit photos I've already removed all of the resin blocks, seams, etc. from the parts. Here is what it should look like once it is assembled. The photos show a suggested paint style but he could also wear camouflage from other areas of the world, or even a full green or sand cammo scheme, brown/tan boots, etc.
Based on the amount of gear he is carrying, he has to be a grunt without a ride as most would not be hauling thier max load through the desert. I do like that the kit supplies the whole battle load to include the Alice Pack, NBC Mask, kevlar helmet, body armor, LBE with ammo pouches, canteens, entrenching tool, first aide pouch, flashlight, bayonet, grenades, etc.
The photo below shows the SAW assembled from four parts, and the main body assembly from five parts. You may notice a shine to them which is in part the mold release which has to be washed off prior to painting.
My painting process begins with a base primer, in this case it was gray acrylic. Next is the base multi color camouflage and gear colors which are also in acrylic. On this figure I will be using Testors Model Master and Vallejo paints. Once these base coates are dry I wash the parts with a very diluted dark mix of enamels to bring out the recess areas and wrinkles.
As for the skin I am trying a little different technique this time of applying a base primer of dark tan acrylic. Next will be the dark enamel thinned wash. After that I will work on the skin areas using a combination of successively lighter shades of Vallejo and MM skin tones, water color, and possibly even pastels (?).
I just applied the dark wash waiting for it to dry. Once it is fully dried I will use a soft cloth with a light enamel thinner application in it to remove some of the dark wash over the outward areas. This will help with the forced shadow effect. Then I will begin adding the lighter shades to the uniform and gear to bring out the depth and hopefully add realism to the figure.
Here is where I am currently (dark wash waiting to dry; kind of the ugly before the good stuff starts to happen)
Wish me luck as I try some new techniques. As always your feedback is encouraged.
Ben