Semper Fi War in the Pacific

Rob , what paints are you using for the flesh colors ? I like the looks of the heads already .Like you i mostly am invested in MM enamels with a few Tamiya acrylics .

I've used the tissue that you use for wrapping presents and such and think I will try that unless I buy myself a suit Thanks very much for the color lay out. I was afraid you were going to say that you used Vallejo.  Have never used these but see so many are.  Think I should get some of these paints one day and try them out.  I have only MM enamels and about 4 jars of tamiya, have never tried anything else.

Your figures are BREATH TAKING!  Really looks nice!

Bit embarrassed to show what I have done so far but here goes.

First painted a base coat with skin tone shadow tint.  Next painted in the eyes and went around them and the nose and mouth with skin tone dark tint.  Then highlighted/ painted the bulk of the skin area with skin tone warm tint.  Finally highlighted with skin tone light tint.

Head one

Head 2

They looked a lot better before I took pictures of them. LOL  Will give them a wash and see if that helps blend the colors together.  Have also painted the hands in the same manner.

Wow , impressive figures G .

G - Those are very nice looking.  Will use the tissue as you if i get any of those kits.  What colors did you use for the camo?  It looks perfect!  About to paint my helmets and was trying to come up with proper colors.

G and Rob , i never thought of any of that when doing accurate figures . How would it look if the helmet covers camo was only painted on the helmet and no material used to simmulate the cover ?

And you know i havent used M B figures .

G - Thats a really good point about that Guadacanal set.  I have plenty of Grands, carbines and thomsons to replace their '03's and if I can get enough figs some may have lost or not had the helmet covers.  Could also try using tissue to make helmet covers?  Biggest problem I see with all the sets, except the 6554 Peleliu one, is they do not have their sinature packs on   If I was to use them, I may have to move inland where maybe some may have staged their packs somewhere.  Will see how things go, had really wanted to stay on the beach.

Have any of y'all built Master Box figures?  I have not.  Seen quite a few people building there Afican Corps set and they looked to be pretty good.  I ask because these sets look very intresting.

Set #3542

#3543

#3544

Rob , this dio will be a challenge for my abilities . Now i'm picturing the Sherman stopped while  in the process of pushing a burm . Good idea .

I'll give you a wheel barrow ride if you split the wood ...............its down hill and i may spill the load , meaning you .

Thanks for the info .

BILL - That fig came out really nice, much better then I would have expected   The overall molding is pretty nice.  That Stuart looks like it would be nice to.  Also like the texture on the trees.

CARL - I want a wheel barrel ride!  Bet the wife will be watching the video over and over, have the popcorn ready

That sounds like a great idea for a dio  The Sherman could have been used to flatten the work area out as you said but also maybe it would have pushed up a berm around the shop?

Get a lot of my tools from Micro Mark but think I got this set of bits at the hobby store in Cape Cod. 

Good thing ANDY is here to watch our figures

I do agree those guys faces are a bit round but Bill has showed they can work well when done properly.

The sets I am looking at getting are these (I'll pick up a set at a time, slowly throughout the duration of the build).

Set # 6272

Set # 6379

The one not available yet, the one I really want Set # 6554

Just go to the dragon site and you can see all the details.  Found a bunch of really good Warriors figure sets and their figs are in much more action poses but they are $20 - $30 for two in a set

The set I'm working on now is Set # 6408

Nothing done on the model today . Moved fire wood to the wood shed While the granddaughter was here . That takes a while when your answering questions from a 5 year old ..............."Granpa , why did you cut down the trees ? " Why do you have to put it in the wood shed ? " Can i ride in the wheel barrow ? "I'm cold , can we go in now ?"........................................I love it !

Then tonight she was in a Christmas play so the wife and  i went to that and i video'd it .

Guys , Here's an idea i came up with recently for the dio . I was thinking of the scene being at a field shop still . With the hood of the jeep open .The A frame hoist is set up . The Sherman dozer would be parked in the area, close . Maybe it is in the process of leveling the area .These guys are all relaxed , behind the front lines . All of a sudden a sniper is firing at them . They hide under the jeep and behind the blade of the dozer . Thats the only cover . Some  guys have grabbed their M1's and a helmet . One guy is stuck under the jeep . I'll have the hatches open on the Sherman .

Rob , if i really get into this dio i may end up ordering some of those figures you mentioned . Did you get your bits from Micro Mart ? Them little bits are dang expensive ! I've broke a few also .

Andy , thanks for the tutorial . i'll give it a try when i get to the figures . and

Bill , that figure turned out pretty well really . There is something about their molded faces that doesnt make me think "Marine " right away . The faces are actually too round and the eyes are angled . I'm going to seee what i can do with the faces by trying to recarve them a little . If i ruin it , oh well .

Later my friends .

Hi Guys,,,,      I will be adding some figs to my build as well,, as soon as I get to that point of course.    I have that Italeri Marine set too,, they are not all that bad.   I built this scene many many years ago using one of the figs. Today, I probably would have replaced the head (maybe)....    but the fig set cleans up ok really.

I'd practice on one of figures you plan not to use or something like that.  I would focus on the edge where the shirt/collar and skin meets.  It shouldn't be that bad... once it is done you will be pleased with the result.  Just a thought... no need to buy me another . LOL

I did that to my old Dragon figure... edge was too soft for my taste.

Scripted...

 Result...

With deeper depth, it allowed me to dark wash using oil paint Burnt Umber or so.  Just a thought... you know how much I enjoy painting figures. 

CARL Those guys will work for your idea of a field shop, bit more relaxed environment.  Surprised with the one guy even has the USMC on the pocket.  Thats not the kit I was thinking of.  There is another older figure set that I think I used to have?

I was looking for some figures that were involved in action.  Spent some time looking for some sets and came up with quite a few, I was surprised!  Theres two particular ones by Dragon that I may order after the holidays, the wife will not be here  There is another set by Dragon that I really want but its a pre-order and looks like it's not due out until June, will get it then I guess.

Warriors had quite a few sets but they are pricey   Still biggest problem, can't seem to find some that would work for manning the MG's on the LVT.  Thats what I really need at the moment so that I can build them into the LVT.  The other figs disembarking can always be added at any time.

Broke one of my favorite small drill bit trying to open up the sleeves on the flame thrower guy  His sleeve came out good though.

ANDY - Glad I could help   Wasn't sure what you would want for sure so just listed everything that I could find.  YES, keep an eye on Ebay.  The Eduard sets show up on there all the time.  I had trouble finding the Eduard set for my Somua and did not really want to order from overseas, I called Great Models because was not listed as having in stock but they had it just a couple days after that and received it pretty fast.

Andy , well they might look better if painted properly , dont know if i will be able to do that but i'm going to try .

Carl- Those Italeri figures don't look that bad!  Just softer edges... maybe its perfect for PTO.  You can always use the rear of exacto blade to create better edges.  I am impressed with the eye detais... better than Tamiya you can say. 

Rob- You are AWESOME did I ever tell you that?  I looked everywhere... google, eBay, Amazon, & three major online vendors such as Great Models, Sprue Brothers and Squadron and I didn't see them... only Verlinden sets.  It looks like I have to order those Eduard PE sets oversea from a supplier in UK.  I will do that after the holidays... maybe I will keep eyes on eBay for few weeks.  Thanks!

Rob , there are 6 figures plus equipment .

Andy here are some upgrades you could choose from:

1. Yanks Miniatures Set# 9711
2. Eduard  # 35509
3. Eduard  # 35530
4. Verlinden # 1635
5. AFV Club T16 tracks

Now will try to find some USMC figures??

Really like the shotgun that came with the figure but think it might be to skinny to fit in the hands properly.  Going to try to get it in there though.

Rob- 15-20 figures?!?!?!  Oh I am going to enjoy this GB... I only did five figures at once and it took me more than 3 weeks.   I am with you about using Dragon figures over resin... $$$.  I won't mind using resin only for tank commanders for now because there are not many choices out there.  I really like the latest Dragon figures... they came out better than older ones. 

Nice shotgun!  It is the first time I have seen one from Dragon...

I am surprised that I haven't been able to find upgrade sets for M8 Howitzer.  I already have the stowage set from Verlinden.  They also offer interior set but I am not sure if I am interested... you won't be able to see much inside with limited view.

Carl- I count only 12 girls... Rob said he is going to do 15-20 figures.  So you still owe us few more girls. LOL  That second girl from the right is my pick.

agentg- Since you are from Las Vegas, he could use your help finding more showgirls...

Well i'm not any good at doing figures either Rob . I'll get the set out and post some pics .

OH no Carl, didn't mean it that way.  I'm actually quite intrested in the Italeri set.  Pull it out and lets take a look.  I'm intrested in any USMC sets. 

I think what I was saying in a round about way was my lack of ability to make figures look the way I want them.  All of these different figure sets (old and new) look great when the hands have the skill to do them.

Rob , ok , sounds like your not interested in the Italeri set so that means i wont go looking at it . Looks like the figures that you have are pretty versatile.

G, I would guess it had a lot to do with which factory it was produced in and how far along in the production run they were in?

Yep, played many of those games

I use to have that Italeri figure set but don't remember anything about it.  I am pretty selective when buying figure sets so I don't have many.  This set I'm now working on is alright but I have seen better ones by Dragon.  Being that they came with the kit I'm happy with them.

First figure almost ready for paint.  Will let the arm dry more before sanding the putty around the arm.  The last arm will need to be put on with the shotgun in hand so will wait and paint the gun first.  Had to fill good size gap from front to back in the crouch and see in the picture that it needs a little more put in the back.  The rest of the seam filled in fine.  Mainly trying to show how the openings for the hands and feet came out.

While this one drys will start opening the same spots on the next figure, the flame thrower man.

Rob , your talking from experience about the games aren you .......she had me playing a game she made up and i could never win because the rules kept changing .Sound familiar ? Yes , i'm very happy to be in her life now . After raising two boys she's something else for me and grandma .

I agree , resin figs , could be expensive . I have a Italeri USMC set but its probably out of production and not up to todays standards . Havent looked at them yet . I should do that .

I'd say those figures are better than anything andy can do !

Nice figures Carl.................

Carl thats the figure set I have been looking for to go in my LVT!!!

It is really good that you spend the time with your granddaughter.  I'm sure it means a lot to her and you.  Just don't be to upset if you cant win at the games or don't look as pretty when you play dress-up

Had found a few more pictures of the flame version but not many.  Ruled it out, could not find any real detail of the gun itself.  Like the idea of having all the Marines in and around the LVT anyway.  Don't really know if I will be able to find that many figures of USMC.  They would probably mostly have to be resin figs and that would be pricey.  Will see what I can find but mainly want some to man the MG's on the vehicle and then can add other figures as they are found and can get.  Would have to find the MG figures soon so that they can be positioned when fitting the guns on.

Almost done drilling on the first figure and will post results of him hopefully soon.

Rob , 10 to 20 figures ................ now thats going to look cool . Lots of ways to position that many figures . with the ramp being lowered you have a lot of options . The extra work your doing on the figures will add realism . I take it your not going with the flame throwers on the trak . I looked for info LVT 4 with flamethrowers but only came up with a British version the "Seahorse".  Oh , the grandaughter found me down here in the basement yesterday . I ended up playing 5 year old girl games for the next 2 hours .......

Andy , I also enjoy figures

ANDY - You know I'm doing these figs just for you............Use to build figs all the time but have not in about a year or more.  You may have to give me some pointers at times.  Mine are not as good as yours.  You do a FINE job on your figs.

Still opening up the holes on the first fig.  This is going to take a while to do.  May also look around for some more figs, 10 -20 more.  Would be pretty cool to load them up in the back of the LVT with them disembarking from the rear.  Would definitely like to find some to man the MG's on the LVT.

Have you found any more pics of an M8 or you still plan on using the one picture you had found?

Rob- You are going to do figures?  Life is good!  You know how much I enjoy figures... looking good with the openings now.

G - That was some great info about the M4, thanks.  Still have a lot of learning to do with the Sherman's, have not built many of them and do not know all the in and outs with them.

This is going to be the first figure.

Not very exciting but thought would show y'all my first time consuming project.  The lose clothing and position of the figure makes what should be large openings around the arms and legs. 

Have decided to drill and carve the openings open.  Had thought about cutting off the hands and feet then cutting the hole but thought would lose to much needed material in the cut.  That meant doing it the long difficult way.  Here is the first leg have done work on.