No doubt the USMC lagged one step behind.

Back to the Army, here's pop 1952.

I had a nice long detailed reply typed up, but when I went to get a photo and come back, the typical site FUBAR action wiped it out and logged me off.

Pathetic. 

CapnMac82

But the field gear stayed brown until during VN.  Which then started in a bunch of over-dying of existing leather, with mixed results.

SF & Ranger units started using black boots in the 60s, which may have started a trend.

 

Harold

  U.S. Army Paratrooper Jump Boots

Vietnam era Standard issue U.S. Army Boots

I wore Corcoran jump boots while in the navy in the late '70's. They fit better than the boondockers and they looked like they had steel toes which was starting to be a requirement back then. I couldn't wear steel toes due to a motorcycle accident and left foot then out of calibration.

HooYah Deep Sea

I wore Corcoran jump boots while in the navy in the late '70's. They fit better than the boondockers and they looked like they had steel toes which was starting to be a requirement back then. I couldn't wear steel toes due to a motorcycle accident and left foot then out of calibration.

 

Harold

Harold, those Corcoran jump boots look just like the ones in my closet that I bought in 1973 at the RAF Mildenhall BX. My original issue boots were too beat up to take a shine, and the Corcoran's were really comfortable.

M1GarandFan

Harold, those Corcoran jump boots look just like the ones in my closet that I bought in 1973 at the RAF Mildenhall BX. My original issue boots were too beat up to take a shine, and the Corcoran's were really comfortable.

 

stikpusher

 

Yes, either jump boots or the M-1948 boots mentioned in the Olive Drab article. Those had a capped toe also. 

I still have my Corcorans. But they could use a new heel and front sole. 

Great job there SP! The tiger face came out perfectly!!! 

I’m back to work on this one too! Over the weekend I applied and cleaned up an oil wash.

Love that SP! 

stikpusher

 

It turns out that making faces at your enemies as you enter into battle has been done for thousands of years. It is believed it serves two purposes, one is to put fear in the mind of your enemy and the other is to build your own confidence in battle. The traditional New Zealand Maori face Haka War look is the most recent example of this devil-demon-monster-dragon impression. It is intended to convey the idea that he will not only kill you, but that he will eat you too.

Harold

Gamera, Graysnake, Harold, thank you all for your kind words. I'm happy to hear that you guys like how this is turning out.

Harold, I do like the Korean War “tiger“ tanks. Such a unique and “look at me” bit of tank paint schemes. I am pretty sure that each tank was painted by its own crew, so that accounts for the variation in looks. Here is a link to a blog page with a good rundown on all the units involved.

https://mikesresearch.com/2019/02/24/operation-ripper-korea-1951/

That is really a very unique paint scheme indeed and the oil wash pops all the details really good. That is one of the coolest looking paint jobs I have ever seen on a tank.  

Thanks PJ. Some day down the road I’d like to do one of the Korean War E8 Sherman’s in the Tiger scheme also.

That is just too cool. Not sure I could even think of pulling this off. Awesome artwork for sure.

BK

BrandonK

That is just too cool. Not sure I could even think of pulling this off. Awesome artwork for sure.

BK

 

Thank you Brandon. Its not as hard as you think. Just take it in stages. Base color, then secondary colors.

Stik,

I just found this thread. Outstanding work there sir! I really like everything about it but especially the Tiger or Dragon paint job, very impressive.

I took the plunge this summer and built eight tanks to get my *** back. I’m not sure if I’ll post the picures, but I now know the path to the Dark Side... or Heavy Metal, whichever you prefer.

Steve

Sorry that I missed your reply earlier Steve.  Good to hear that your building some armor. Hopefully youve done more since you posted that message!

As for me, I’m working on getting this one wrapped up soon. I don’t want to jinx myself by saying more than that. I’ve started putting stowage on the beast. Photos show some unit tanks with a improvised rack on the left fender for holding ammo cans, so I scratched one up from rod and strip styrene, and filled it with some .30 and .50 ammo cans.

I also began adding soft stowage onto the turret and hull. The right side is almost done. I’m trying 5 minute epoxy for attaching the stowage so I don’t get any fogging like with CA. I used heavy foil for the pack straps. I need to go back and touch up the paint that flaked off when I bent the straps over the attachment points.

I know I'm late to this show, but that is some impressive work stik, very authentic. The  wonderful build quality only adds to the angry tiger. I look forward to seeing your mean face sherman in the future.

Ben

She's coming along fantastic SP! Love the storage and have seen photos of tanks with the extra ammo cans from the Korean War so it's a really nice touch there.

Plus the tiger paint looks even better close up!

Drums, Gamera, Graysnake, thank you one and all for your compliments. Stay tunes for more updates over the next few days.

I love what you've done with this build, Carlos. 

The extra ammo cans a re a nice touch and the extra gear too. Pardon me, but may I suggest another highlight layer on your packs? They tonally blend poorly and some extra highlights would make them stand out a bit better.

That should help score you some extra points at the event. 

M. Brindos

I love what you've done with this build, Carlos. 

The extra ammo cans a re a nice touch and the extra gear too. Pardon me, but may I suggest another highlight layer on your packs? They tonally blend poorly and some extra highlights would make them stand out a bit better.

That should help score you some extra points at the event. 

 

Carlos,

I love what you've done with this model.  I was impressed with your painstaking approach and hard work on the tracks.  It might have been easier to use Friulmodel metal tracks, which are incredibly easy.  Great job!

Bill

 

M. Brindos

I love what you've done with this build, Carlos. 

The extra ammo cans a re a nice touch and the extra gear too. Pardon me, but may I suggest another highlight layer on your packs? They tonally blend poorly and some extra highlights would make them stand out a bit better.

That should help score you some extra points at the event. 

 

M. Brindos

I love what you've done with this build, Carlos. 

The extra ammo cans a re a nice touch and the extra gear too. Pardon me, but may I suggest another highlight layer on your packs? They tonally blend poorly and some extra highlights would make them stand out a bit better.

That should help score you some extra points at the event. 

 

Thanks! And I have not yet done highlghlights on the packs... that will be done soon.

Today was adding more bits of stowage here and there

Just need to do some touch ups on the foil straps.

I'm sorry for presuming you were done with them. 

I'd also like to make mention of the exhaust system discoloration. That's a nice detail!

Thank you Mike. And no worries about the stowage stuff. I tend to keep my narrative minimal during the construction descriptions.

Last stowage items added to the fenders.... added buckles to the jerry can tie down straps... touch up paint on the foil straps

Flat coat next... then dry brushing and weathering...