**Finished!!! 07May09** Taking Cover Hue 1968

Gamewarden5 wrote:

I am not very good at modifying figure positions so I am going to make the ground work fit their positions. The figures don't have any deuce gear so I am scrounging all of that from other figure kits. The palm tree is scratch-built from coaxial cable, twine, and tissue paper. The wall is going to be thinset that I have already poured. At scale thickness of 1:35 the wall will be approx. 11 inches wide. Here is a mockup. Here is what I have so far

Hey Gunny

I like what ya got going on here... my only suggestion (and I know you said that hacking up figs isn't really your thing, but...) would be to try to drop the legs on the M60 gunner just a bit.  He is exposing a whole lot of vital flesh above that wall.  If they are taking a lot of fire, especially in an urban setting, I'd picture him hunkered down with just the muzzle up over the wall.  That way, only a bit of his helmet would be exposed.

SEMPER FI

(I retired after 20 years, 7 months, 19 days, last April...)

I know Hobby Fan and Verlinden do quite a few Vietnam subjects, and I just nabbed this one on Ebay... 

Legend 1/35 US AFV Crew set(Vietnam)

I wasn't aware the Dragon 'Nam kits were rare these days. I think I've got most of the ones released. The US Marines (Khe Sanh 1968) set would be close to your scenario.

Looking good and a good idea.  To make your figures more accurate and easier, since they come with all the gear, you should look at getting one of the below sets.  They are not currently in production, but come up often on Ebay and the trade forums.  Either set would work for your needs.  They are much better quality than the blobby Tamiya figures too.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Sergeant Major Brad Kasal is one of the Marines I look up too. He is an iconic hero of the Marine Corps. A leader of Marines. Though I have never met him personally, he is one of my personal Heroes. The word Hero is thrown about loosely today. Brad Kasal put his life on the line for his Marines in a no-name house in a place that no one will remember 20 years from today.

When I think of Sacrifice I think of this image.

 

 

Gamewarden5 wrote:

Also it is the foundation for the tactics that we use today in clearing a city house to house.  These same tactics that Devil Dogs discovered under fire in 1968 are taught almost 40 years later to the Marines who are entering service today.

That’s very cool, I remember watching a documentary on the Battle of Hue and they’d fight for streets, houses and blocks- now that you mention Fallujah and having served during that time period of the Iraq war, it makes sense that you’d model this as a throw back to Marines of the past and present.

Gamewarden5 wrote:

My "Motivation" is a silent salute to all service men, and women who served during America's most hated, and disputed aremed conflict. It is also a tip of my cap to those Marines who fought one of the most courageous battles in the anals of the Marine Corps. Their bravery, and sacrifice is toasted at every Mess Night, and gathering that Marines assemble at. Their blood, flesh, Honor, Courage and Commitment will never be forgotten as long as this Marine still draws a breath.

I’ve read Shooter: The Autobiography of the Top-Ranked Marine Sniper and am looking forward to reading My Men Are My Heroes. Thank you, and all Marines and members of the Armed forces that have served and are serving our country. I’m really looking forward to seeing this Vietnam tribute piece as it continues. 

Good catch Hammer.

Let's See 1994. I was just a young Sergeant, not quite in charge of a whole lot of Marines just a small squad of coxswains in Small Craft Company. Fast Forward 10 Years and 2004 is the date I am looking for. So Many Years, So many dates hard to keep em' all straight in my addled infantry brain. Must of been the RPG that rattled my brain housing group.

I am very chagrined.

I am a veteran of the battle of Fallujah, in Iraq during November-December of 1994.

Might wanna reload and shoot that alibi, Gunny...

Wow! Thank you for asking. I served twenty years and 4 days in the Marine Corps. I recently retired as a Gunnery Sergeant. I am a veteran of the battle of Fallujah, in Iraq during November-December of 1994. (Correction 2004. )I was wounded during my tour of duty and subsequently medevaced on January 1, 2005. There is nothing worse than being separated from my Marines.

The motivation for this vignette came initially from the special category for the contest I am going to enter. Vietnam 1960-1975. I wanted to connect the Marine Corps to my entry for the special category. Naturally the Tet Offensive and the battle for Hue city came to mind. Many Marines served during the Vietnam War and their service is little known or recognized.

You are absolutely correct that the Battle for Hue was a turning point in the war. Also it is the foundation for the tactics that we use today in clearing a city house to house.  These same tactics that Devil Dogs discovered under fire in 1968 are taught almost 40 years later to the Marines who are entering service today.

My "Motivation" is a silent salute to all service men, and women who served during America's most hated, and disputed aremed conflict. It is also a tip of my cap to those Marines who fought one of the most courageous battles in the anals of the Marine Corps.

Their bravery, and sacrifice is toasted at every Mess Night, and gathering that Marines assemble at. Their blood, flesh, Honor, Courage and Commitment will never be forgotten as long as this Marine still draws a breath.

 

Very nice! I almost asked if he’d have the M79 instead of M16- but chose the latter as I figured it to be more common. I like the idea of an M16 slung across his back. Are you going to drape some 7.62 belts across the wall like they plan on holding the position for a while? Or perhaps leave the area free of gear like they are moving up a line quick? Just a curious question, I’m kind of a self-proclaimed military “enthusiast” more than anything. I know that the Tet Offensive was one of the turning points of the war, but as far as Marine tactics at the time and actual firefights that occurred, I’m clueless... I’d love to hear the inspiration and the “story line” of your vignette

He will be an M79 "Blooper" Gunner. In Vietnam the grenadier's primary weapon was the M79 and his sidearm was the M1911 .45

I am considering slinging an M-16A1 across his back as if he picked it up off the battlefield.

Additional deuce gear will be canteens, gas mask carrier, butt pack, compass case and possibly M16 pouches

The M-60 gunner will be carrying a couple of spare bandoleers of 7.62 ammo. All I need to find now is his A-gunner.

Tonight I am working on the foliage for the palm tree.

Very nice- I like the 60 gunner! I'm wondering, will the figure taking cover be shooting an M16/peeking around the corner or the like?

Excellent job on the palm tree, looks like you got the texture down.

I am not very good at modifying figure positions so I am going to make the ground work fit their positions.
The figures don't have any deuce gear so I am scrounging all of that from other figure kits.
The palm tree is scratch-built from coaxial cable, twine, and tissue paper.
The wall is going to be thinset that I have already poured. At scale thickness of 1:35 the wall will be approx. 11 inches wide.

Here is a mockup.

Here is what I have so far 

 
 

Yeah, that makes sense, I know the feeling. Dragon used to have quite a few kits of Vietnam figures, however some of them are hard to find now.

Good luck on the search, I do like the small size of this one. Straight forward and to the point.

I agree with your suggestion. Finding Viet Nam Era figures is difficult. Unlike some of the very skilled modelers on this site I am not so skilled in Frankensteining and reposing figures.

The figure I have is posed as if he is leaning up against the wall. I will try to find others that might fit in with the plan and to emulate the picture.

Thanks for your suggestion

Brian

Very nice reference picture! I'm looking forward to seeing the progress. Are you only going to have one figure? I might add two more and make it three or so if I were you, just so it's not a lone guy on a CD sized base. I think it would add a lot of interest to see three soldiers all stacked up on each other like the photo you were inspired by.