Dragon 1/35 ARVN Ranger (Tet Offensive)

Harshman,

After reading comment you left for Berkerser, I really thought that you were an expert in building and painting figures. Before you criticize someone else with your harsh and rude comments, you should work on improving your own skills first. 

Stik - the detail you mention on slipping the antenna through the web gear was what tipped me off - I remember doing that with the short antenna, slipping it through a d-ring on the front of the LBE.  The tip ended up about at my waist, and I'm only 5'7".  Even given that these ARVN rangers are probably shorter than that, the antenna shown would have been down to the knee!  Funny the little details you remember.

Dan

Looks good! Back in RVN we worked with the Black Cats a lot. A couple of useless items of note:

They usually didn't "blouse" their boots, largely because their "boots" were "PF Flyers" same-same as was available here in the states. (Only all black rubber and canvas.)

Down in the IV Corps area (Mekong River south) helmets were painted with the "Black Cat" logo over a "tiger stripe" camo scheme.

And for some reason they would "tie" the forward end of their M-16 slings through the forward sight and around the forestock.

Regards,

Chuck

Thanks, guys. Now I remember. Some guys used to use the long whip, but only a few sections (most sections still folded, held in place with rubber bands or "Ranger bands"). Still though, what's in this build is clearly a short whip that's too long.

Thanks for jogging my remembery!

I just retired in Feb after 23+ years in the Army, Regular and Guard, differrent units, MOSs. Much of that time either in my Infantry years or later LRSU commo years was using, carrying , troubleshooting the PRC 25/77 series of radios (along with the newer SINGARS, HF systems, and different vehicle mount older FM systems) . Yes they came with two antennes, long whip and short tape whip, different base for each antenna, plus a hand mic in the canvas accessory bag that carried all the parts. Externally the 77 and the 25 looked the same, the only difference being that the 77 had the capability of a comsec device attachment. That only added a few more pouinds of gear and batteries to be carried in the manpack mode... 

As a side note, RTOs in a tactical situation usually liked to use the short whip tape antenna and angle it forward/down into their web gear to make them less of a target.

I actually did a little research online last night to verify my aged memory.  Here's a page that gives some details:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AN/PRC-77_Portable_Transceiver

The two antennae were the 3-foot "tape" antenna (which this diorama models), and the 10 foot "fishing pole" antenna, which was sectioned and held together with an elastic cord.  when put together, the long antenna was a rigid structure.

jthurston wrote:

...didn't the PRC77 have both a short whip and a long whip?

Yes it did, but it was a straight, pole-like antenna (like on your car, but longer).  It was not the tape-measure, flat-type like the short whip. 

Comanche Test wrote:

Your work is much better than anything I've done, so I won't comment on that.  One tiny nitpick - I've carried one of those radios (I'm that old) and the whip antenna isn't that long.  The real thing is 3 feet long.

Hi Dan! Not to be contrary, but didn't the PRC77 have both a short whip and a long whip? I'm trying to remember. I spent most of my infantry days finding ways to get out of carrying that thing.

Your work is much better than anything I've done, so I won't comment on that.  One tiny nitpick - I've carried one of those radios (I'm that old) and the whip antenna isn't that long.  The real thing is 3 feet long.  

Dan H.

ps1scw wrote:

ARVN Rifles, never fired and only dropped once

harshman5, Good job on these figs. I agree with everyone else about the dullcoat, and that the M60 gunner should be loaded down with ammo. But other than that, this is a really good build.

The weapons look good, the slings (harder than they look) are excellent. I'm impressed with the porkchop cord and with the shading in the uniforms (the wrinkles, etc). I think I'd want to pastel some red clay onto their boots, something like that, but I think you mentioned weathering already.

Very cool, thanks for posting them!

harshman5 wrote:

Spend abt 5 days to complete it. Sorry for the poor photo,cos using hp camera. I am still in the stage of whether to continue with a base for them or leave it??  Haha.. Hope u guys like it.

harshman5 wrote:

Haha.. Hope u guys like it.

I like it.  Going to make me go look at the handset for my PRC-25, too <sigh>

Dude toting the M-60 probably ought to have one loop of ammo over a shoulder--or the carrier for the box of 100 linked rounds (which dragon did not include). 

I really like the detail on the slings (even if the M-79's sling looks a tad long--which could be a photo posting effect, and not real length).

Still better than I can do. 

stikpusher wrote:

Great looking set of figures! I especially like that you added weapons slings, handmike cord and the antenna for the radio! Some dullcoat would make those guys superb!

HeavyArty wrote:

They look great.  Not sure if it is the camera or not, but they look glossy.  I think you should put them on a base.  They are a great set.  I have them on a base alongside an M41 fighting in the Cholon section of Saigon in Tet '68.  I say go for it.

Thanks for the compliment. I forget to put the matt finishing coat on them,thinking the weathering is enough to cover them..

Btw,I had stopped modelling for 2 years becos of courtship with my gf(Skill getting rusty now,LOL). Thankfully,she is my wife now and fortunately my passion for modelling is still strong. This is my first modelling project after 2 yrs,hope more will come... :)