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Special Forces Figure ***COMPLETE - 13MAY09***

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  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: clinton twp, michigan
Posted by camo junkie on Thursday, April 30, 2009 9:30 AM
sorry dude...guess i can be a bit of a "downer" sometimes which is what i was trying to say in my last post. i know your excited and i agree with you about it. its that never ending nagging feeling that it has to be done and the desire to see it thru. im sure in the end it will look great on the shelf/in person so no worries bud. and as for painting...do the one that u feel most comfortable with. personally i'd paint the acu....again again and again just until i got it....you do have it (know how to paint it) which is y i myself would do it. that's me. good luck with it whatever u paint it. i need to get ready to go back home so i'll talk to you guys later 2-day. should be interesting with the new pup!!
"An idea is only as good as the person who thought of it...and only as brilliant as the person who makes it!!"
  • Member since
    March 2008
  • From: East TX
Posted by modelchasm on Thursday, April 30, 2009 8:50 AM

Thanks guys ...

Camo, you always have a way to remind me of "reality". And you're 100% right .... it doesn't matter how long it takes me. The only problem is .... the longer this one takes me, the more attached to it I get. I'm wondering how it would look on MY shelf now!!!

Things are going well with the painting. However, I'm working mostly on the face ... still trying to mix colors for the uniform ... RRRrrrr.... But I think that I'm getting closer.

For 1/2 a second I actually thought about doing this one in ACU since I know the colors!!!

"If you're not scratching, you're not trying!"  -Scott

  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: Cavite, Philippines
Posted by allan on Thursday, April 30, 2009 4:29 AM

Wow!  Great work on the helmet.  From the pics the texture looks spot on.

How about supergluing on a piece of plastic inside the notch and sanding it smooth afterwards?

 

 

No bucks, no Buck Rogers

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: clinton twp, michigan
Posted by camo junkie on Wednesday, April 29, 2009 7:39 PM

a couple of months....whoopie dude...just dont make it 6 years ok!! Laugh [(-D] we all have lives outside of modeling (like u need me to tell u) so no big deal. as u know i've been doing mine for almost 5 months now!!! whatever i can finish when i want to... Yuck [yuck] Laugh [(-D]

what have ya used to fill that gap/crack? could always make more "cookies"!! Chef [C=:-)] have ya tried to just fill it with ca glue then sand when dry?? we should like the progress...its good...not to mention we can live through you via all that scratching!!! contrary to some earlier posts...i do enjoy seeing the "progress" of builds...i just ultimately think that whether you show them or not....eh, whatever....never mind...i enjoy the builds and i'll just stop trying to legitimize my thoughts through written word!!! Dunce [D)]

it looks great model...im jealous as always...the detail you provide is fantastic. im just glad i can throw in a few tricks and things you guys arent aware of to help you in your builds as well as you guys help me!! in case i hadnt mentioned it b4 thank you both!!Make a Toast [#toast]

"An idea is only as good as the person who thought of it...and only as brilliant as the person who makes it!!"
  • Member since
    March 2008
  • From: East TX
Posted by modelchasm on Wednesday, April 29, 2009 5:46 PM

Thanks guys. I'm glad that you like the progress. Yes, there's a notch out of the cap's bill. Not intentional, but I've tried to fill/ reshape it twice w/ no luck. Any suggestion would be great.

And yes, although I agree that more time was actually a good move for this build, I never meant for it to stretch out to a couple of months. But ... oh well.

"If you're not scratching, you're not trying!"  -Scott

  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: Colorado
Posted by psstoff995 on Wednesday, April 29, 2009 1:49 PM

Awesome work! I don’t know about you, but I’m glad this moved away from the 24-hour quick build OOB thread. All the scratch building looks great. Was there a notch taken out of the hat bill? Can’t tell from the progress shots if you puttied that or not.

The helmet looks really cool with the texture- glad that turned out for you. That throat mic looks great! And so does the first coat of flesh Thumbs Up [tup]- at least the fill texture for the skin in smooth, it's easy to roughen up a uniform with the hard edge colors, but the flesh tone and the gradual shading would make things difficult. I too am a fan of the WIP pictures; a lot of neat tricks and techniques come out of them. Glad you’re making some progress- should start picking up soon- paintings my favorite part anyway, maybe that’s why it goes faster for me...Confused [%-)]

-Chris

US Army Infantryman

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: clinton twp, michigan
Posted by camo junkie on Wednesday, April 29, 2009 10:51 AM
i think your right, that textured paint worked well on the helmet. its ok that we differ on stuff...that's how we get to learn from one another...wouldnt be much of a forum if we all did everything the same. Zzz [zzz] but it looks good (as i knew it would). your attention to detail is really good and that makes a difference. i on the other hand, prefer the detail...just not always in the mood to put it on or with it....lol. nice to see it coming along and looking so good!!! keep us posted!
"An idea is only as good as the person who thought of it...and only as brilliant as the person who makes it!!"
  • Member since
    March 2008
  • From: East TX
Posted by modelchasm on Wednesday, April 29, 2009 10:29 AM

Here's some pics from what I've had going on lately ...

Just test fitting the helmet to the hand. This is how I plan to pose it. I'm debating however to have the figure hold it by the shell near the ear piece, but this is my first thought ...

I've sprayed the helmet with textured spray paint and then primed it along with everything else. Looks goo , IMO, but you have to be careful not to touch the texture when wet otherwise it flattens it out quite a bit.

Here's the new ear piece/ throat mic, along with the first flesh coat on the face ...

Comments welcome ...

Hope to have more pics of the painting process as it comes along ....

"If you're not scratching, you're not trying!"  -Scott

  • Member since
    March 2008
  • From: East TX
Posted by modelchasm on Wednesday, April 29, 2009 9:31 AM

As far as posting pictures ... thats where you and I differ ... UH-gain ...

I like to see work progress, and I'm sometimes suprised at my own work when I see it in pictures. Sometimes I see things that I don't when looking at it face to "face". I also like to get feedback from others as they tend to catch things b/c I sometimes tend to keep my face a little to close the canvas.

The flour paste does work well. Dries much harder than putty alone. However, I've not tried to dilute Sqaudron putty (basically the same process). As far as keeping the paste where it belongs ... that's more a problem when you've got to clean it up later after it dries. With the paste, I was able to apply it just the way I wanted with scuplting tools and little to no clean up was needed.

I've just been annoyed lately b/c I haven't been able to get the smooth finish on things that I want .... again, I sometimes keep my eyes a little too close to the TV screen! It's not so bad when you back off and the details are "smoothed" by distance.

Pics are coming ...

"If you're not scratching, you're not trying!"  -Scott

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: clinton twp, michigan
Posted by camo junkie on Wednesday, April 29, 2009 9:01 AM
 modelchasm wrote:

Well, I like cookies ...

who doesnt!! Smile [:)] i wondered if it would "pop" out if messed with. i suppose if you threw or mixed it with some glue it would maybe stay put better. but glad it works! how about sanding does it need alot? paint on the face...alright!! at least its moving along! and if ya want to post you can but dont have to...i prefer to see the final product anyway!! Propeller [8-]

"An idea is only as good as the person who thought of it...and only as brilliant as the person who makes it!!"
  • Member since
    March 2008
  • From: East TX
Posted by modelchasm on Wednesday, April 29, 2009 7:27 AM

Well, I like cookies ...

The flour paste works pretty well. Dries rock hard. But still will pop out if messed with. But with that said ... Once another coat of primer/ paint is put on, it would be fine.

With that .... the face start to receive paint yesterday. I've been bad about posting update pics on this one, so I'll be sure to so it today.

"If you're not scratching, you're not trying!"  -Scott

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: clinton twp, michigan
Posted by camo junkie on Tuesday, April 28, 2009 6:37 PM

ok i know how you feel always looking at it and seeing what should've or could need changing...difference between u and i is that i would leave it alone (most of the time...lol)...where you change it to make it look better. nothing wrong with it (in fact i think i just complimented you) just saying.

as far as the colors...i told you b4 in some way far away post the colors and consistancies i use for the tri color uniform...but i know u use acrylics...just wish i knew something comperable to what i use via acrylics. you seem to have an idea with what u want so u know me...good luck and i hope it works 4 ya! Propeller [8-] which i'm sure it will!

flour and water....hmmmm....are we baking g.i. cookies or painting figs?? Laugh [(-D] j/k. i know exactly what you mean about making imperfect casts....seems like i try and try and it never works like it should....oh well. i just usally have small holes or something and fill it with either green putty or a/b putty. i wish u luck though with the paste and hope it gives ya the results u want. let us know brother!! Smile [:)]

"An idea is only as good as the person who thought of it...and only as brilliant as the person who makes it!!"
  • Member since
    March 2008
  • From: East TX
Posted by modelchasm on Tuesday, April 28, 2009 4:06 PM

Sooooo .... I'm sitting here looking at this figure, trying mix paints, and the more I look at this thing the more horrible I think it is! Everytime I pick up the figure, I continue to notice all the imperfections that the primer coat picks out.

So I stopped with the mixing and went back to the figure. (Yes, I'm messing up my prime coat ... UH-gain!) I'm continuing to try new techinques to get these dang casting holes filled. As much as I try, I can't get a PERFECT cast. But then again, I sometimes get crappy casts from NEW kits, so I don't feel that bad ...

Anyway, I'm throwing this post out there b/c what I'm using now seems to be working pretty good. I had recently read about using baking soda and CA glue. Didn't have BS, so I tried flour. Worked pretty well, but for the smaller fills, it was hard to get the CA right where I wanted it, so I ended up with a little "donut" ring around the fill. So now, I went back to the flour, but instead of CA I went with ..... WATER! Why now just make a flour/ water paste!?! Seems to be working well, but I'm a little curious to see how it sets up went it dries. I figure that once I prime it again it'll be ok, but we'll see...

I mixed it to a pretty thick paste. I used the "sump test" people use to test concrete. (There's always Google if you don't understand... I'd explain, but I feel like building today!)

Just thought I'd share.

"If you're not scratching, you're not trying!"  -Scott

  • Member since
    March 2008
  • From: East TX
Posted by modelchasm on Tuesday, April 28, 2009 2:18 PM

Ok, so here's what I've got thus far .... (BTW thanks for the color advice guys ... I just needed a place to start and you guys gave me what I needed.)

... I'm going to start off painting the base layer with Vallejo's deck tan, probably darkened a tad with brown. Then I'm going to use either the rust or burnt sienna, as suggested, but lightened a tad with the deck tan for the darker brown color. And then for the lome green, I'm planning on using MM's dark green or OD green lightened to the shade I want using the deck tan color.

I like using MM and Vallejo as these two don't seem to have any "quams" when I mix the two. Some paints are just finicky like that, but not these.

Well let you know what it turns out ....

I'm looking to get the base sprayed on tonight.

"If you're not scratching, you're not trying!"  -Scott

  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: Colorado
Posted by psstoff995 on Monday, April 27, 2009 4:41 PM
I use equal parts flesh and tan (should probably use more tan) and mix it with a majority part light green made by a co. called folkArt – “Poetry Green” –color swatch looks like this



And for the brown, I use MM “Rust” or “Burt Sienna” right out of the bottle, maybe go over it with a NATO brown style color just to make it less vibrant. Here’s how it all looks after weathering

-Chris

US Army Infantryman

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: clinton twp, michigan
Posted by camo junkie on Monday, April 27, 2009 9:40 AM
try my painting using mm or if the color comes in acrylic. get some "sky" color (green) i know tamiya makes it then throw in some khaki drab and should come out close enough...mine does (but i use better paint!! Yuck [yuck])...just a thought!!
"An idea is only as good as the person who thought of it...and only as brilliant as the person who makes it!!"
  • Member since
    March 2008
  • From: East TX
Posted by modelchasm on Monday, April 27, 2009 8:19 AM
What about the lome green? I'm not too worries about the tans ... but I'm not real sure where to start with the green?

"If you're not scratching, you're not trying!"  -Scott

  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: Colorado
Posted by psstoff995 on Sunday, April 26, 2009 11:18 PM
Don't know about brand, but I usually take whatever flesh tone, mix it with almost equal amount light tan, then a hint of yellow. Kind of amateur I know haha but it’s never the same mix twice. I guess we can call that lighting, I call it guestimating, call it by look more than anything.

-Chris

US Army Infantryman

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: clinton twp, michigan
Posted by camo junkie on Sunday, April 26, 2009 10:25 AM
i use some mm paints but very rarely. 99.9% of the paints i use are humbrol (hence the real close appearance tri color uniforms i paint). to me and again, only my opinion...humbrol paints are the best. you get deep rich colors both hand painted and airbrushed!! however, you've gotten great results from what you use so...whatever works 4 ya. just my My 2 cents [2c]
"An idea is only as good as the person who thought of it...and only as brilliant as the person who makes it!!"
  • Member since
    March 2008
  • From: East TX
Posted by modelchasm on Sunday, April 26, 2009 9:38 AM

I sat in the garage too! But my neighbor came over and now I'm down a six-er. Oh well ....

I'm actually getting some bench time this morning before church, and I think that I'll get pretty close to finishing the throat mic. So, we'll see how much I get done this afternoon. Hopefully, I'll be able to get some pictures up this afternoon.

Camo/ psst ... what paints have you guys used in the past for the tri0color uniform? I like MM and Vallejo acrylics, but I'm open to suggestions .... I just don't re-inventing the wheel.

"If you're not scratching, you're not trying!"  -Scott

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: clinton twp, michigan
Posted by camo junkie on Saturday, April 25, 2009 9:53 PM

he doesnt have a problem...they like all those dark places! Mischief [:-,] had some thunderstorms here all day too...just stopped raining. was gonna cut the grass b4 i leave 2-morrow but not sure that'll happen. i didnt get anything done either model wise model. spent this morning cleaning and sweeping out my garage. doubtfull i'll get much done 2-morrow either since i have 2 get my stuff 2-gether. will work on it during my time there though.

you enjoy your coffee and modeling 2-morrow model...lol...just dont get any cherrios or fruity pebbles stuck to his gear or anything b4 ya paint him!! Laugh [(-D]

"An idea is only as good as the person who thought of it...and only as brilliant as the person who makes it!!"
  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: Colorado
Posted by psstoff995 on Saturday, April 25, 2009 9:19 PM
 modelchasm wrote:

Besides ... the SF figure talked to me and said that he liked hanging out in the paint booth ... I think he's got a problem!?!

Laugh [(-D] tell him to keep it together! All those fumes!! lol

 modelchasm wrote:
  

Here's to hoping ... (that I have some build time in the morning...)

Thumbs Up [tup]Big Smile [:D]

-Chris

US Army Infantryman

  • Member since
    March 2008
  • From: East TX
Posted by modelchasm on Saturday, April 25, 2009 8:09 PM

Unfortunatly, I didn't get to work on things today lik I wanted. Rain off and on today, but I just couldn't get in the mood. Besides ... the SF figure talked to me and said that he liked hanging out in the paint booth ... I think he's got a problem!?!

Anyway, I don't have any real plans tomorrow, so I'm going to enjoy a little modeling with my coffee in the morning. All I really need to do it scratch the throat mic, prime it, and then start trying to mix my paints. I may also try to work on my base a little. I haven't really even looked at creating the "3D" effects for the images I'm going to use. I'm not worried about making the desert terrain he's going to be standing on ... although the plastic palm tree might be a little tricky, but I'll figure that one out.

Here's to hoping ... (that I have some build time in the morning...)

"If you're not scratching, you're not trying!"  -Scott

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: clinton twp, michigan
Posted by camo junkie on Saturday, April 25, 2009 8:05 AM

that sux. at least the red wings are winning!! do ya get into the stars at all down there buddy? j/c. supposed to be georgous today...like yesturday. 2nd weekend in a row. but while its 85 today i had the heat on b/c it was 38 earlier in the week. yep...that's what ya get in this state. you go from having the heat on to turning the a/c on. hmmm...! guess i can get the pool ready. going to the m-i-l's house late 2-morrow for about 5 days while she has surgery. will take some of my dio build with me so hopefully i will be near 90% complete by thurs. when i get back.

anyway, guess with the rain you can work on your guy like ya said. nothing better than a rainy day sometimes to get things accomplished!! oh....or put a coat of primer on....lol. Mischief [:-,]

"An idea is only as good as the person who thought of it...and only as brilliant as the person who makes it!!"
  • Member since
    March 2008
  • From: East TX
Posted by modelchasm on Friday, April 24, 2009 11:01 PM

Hey! ... mud just adds flavor to the water. Stop complaining!!!

Well, I just got back from a SORRY, LOUSY Astros game .... almost wish I'd stayed home to work on this build ....

Ho ... hum .....

Guess there's always tomorrow .... supposed to rain here, so I've got the best excuse in the world!!!

"If you're not scratching, you're not trying!"  -Scott

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: clinton twp, michigan
Posted by camo junkie on Friday, April 24, 2009 10:31 PM
yeah, clear as mud right? Mischief [:-,]
"An idea is only as good as the person who thought of it...and only as brilliant as the person who makes it!!"
  • Member since
    December 2003
  • From: Colorado
Posted by psstoff995 on Friday, April 24, 2009 7:00 PM
haha thanks guys, that clarifies it Smile [:)]

-Chris

US Army Infantryman

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: clinton twp, michigan
Posted by camo junkie on Friday, April 24, 2009 3:20 PM
there ya go p.o. that's more in depth. i just didnt want to turn this into a military channel/r. lee ermy talk about!!! Laugh [(-D] just tried to basic the idea without getting into real detail...does it matter in the end?? i didnt think so...Mischief [:-,] Laugh [(-D]
"An idea is only as good as the person who thought of it...and only as brilliant as the person who makes it!!"
  • Member since
    March 2008
  • From: East TX
Posted by modelchasm on Friday, April 24, 2009 2:13 PM

Actually an ODA team that used to wear the Green Beret in the field is where the whole thing came from. JFK thought it was a great idea.

As far as the term "Green Beret" ... If someone were to call themself a Green Beret, they'd really be calling themselves a hat .... hey, it's the truth. But "Green Beret" has become one in the same for the Army SF. If you're SF qualified, you're a Green Beret. Its not a seperate division or anything. They're all one in the same.

Also, ALL SF operators are Airborne qualified. Its one of the requirements for qualification. Some ODA teams are HALO or SCUBA in addition to being Airborne, but all are Airborne.

"If you're not scratching, you're not trying!"  -Scott

  • Member since
    January 2009
  • From: clinton twp, michigan
Posted by camo junkie on Friday, April 24, 2009 2:10 PM
the term "green beret" came from those special forces that battled in the vietnam war. they wore a green beret during that time. it was kind of a mix of special forces (army). l.r.r.p.'s, some sniper's, someone who lived through a few really dangerous missions search and destroy and such they would give (or ask) them s.f. status. the airborne like the rangers are just well trained infantry the diff being that a.b. jumps out of planes and i doubt they are given s.f. status for anything more than that. but yes, the green beret no longer exists and is only used as a catch all term as u put it. delta force which is another army "s.f. unit", is in a class all by themselves. they dont operate or answer to anyone but the southern command who is in charge of all s.f. units...navy, army, airforce, etc. anything more i cant tell ya buddy!!! Propeller [8-]
"An idea is only as good as the person who thought of it...and only as brilliant as the person who makes it!!"
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