Thank you all for your encouragements.
Ad Lav wrote:Louis, you sir are a bloody cracking modeller.
I am giving up
Hey, joke aside, i am really trying to show how 'easy' doing this really is so that all modellers might be tempted to do something similar and push it further with more time and patience. I have to admit that it does look good and I am happy with the results. There was a good level of risks and potential for critical mistakes at many steps. It went well and fast but it is a dirty and dusty business.
Here I am presenting the ARVN build up phase
- ARVN build up 1/18 Ultimate soldier
Got a whole bunch of Ultimate Soldier 1/18 Vietnam figures today that I bought as a lot, bags in above picture and sample below. Many of them are from the "Platoon" movie series. These seems to be collector items now. They are expensive but I managed to get used ones for about $8 each. They come with many additional parts, such as extra stiff arms and legs in a kneeling position, which is great because I can used these extra parts for the build without damaging the main US Soldier figure that can then be used for other future builds.
I think the 1/18 scale figures are good for 1/16 tank as ARVN or Nato Armies. I mean, most vendors only create Caucasian figures representing 6 feet 4 inches muscular guys. This is not realistic, it is ok to also show 5 feet 7 inches guys and 1/18 scale is good for that as long as 1/16 gears and weapons are used with the bodies.
- ARVN build up 1/18 Ultimate soldier
I was missing the jacket part that shows below the flak jacket so I reworked the infantry figure I did the other day with the extra part I got today. It looks better now.
- ARVN build up 1/18 Ultimate soldier
- Capture1.JPG (96.87 KiB) Viewed 4505 times
Although the tank crew will be fixed to the tank, I am likely to keep the infantry removable, and put them on when the tank is on the shelf. I'll see
- ARVN build up 1/18 Ultimate soldier
These extra arms come very handy for Dr. Frankenstein that I have become. They do not require much work to fit and look good. Cut the holding pin and trim a bit and they fit right in the socket of the flak jackets in perfect position for the weapon.
- ARVN build up 1/18 Ultimate soldier
Those "Platoon" movie figures are really cool. This is Charlie Sheen as Taylor. It is quite resembling. I am planning to use his face to represent his father Martin Sheen as Capt Willard for the planned build of a 1/18 "Apocalypse Now" PBR patrol boat. I asked my wife for the 1/18 RC Pro Boat PBR for Christmas... so this is planned for 2019. I have enough parts for the whole crew.
- ARVN build up 1/18 Ultimate soldier
This is Tom Berenger as bad guy Sgt Barnes, would fit well on a M-113 or Huey. You can hear him say "Stay out of this Elias, this ain't your show"
- ARVN build up 1/18 Ultimate soldier
- Capture7.JPG (81.39 KiB) Viewed 4505 times
This is William Defoe as SGT Elias Grodin, I always liked his role in the movie.
- ARVN build up 1/18 Ultimate soldier
- Capture8.JPG (80.59 KiB) Viewed 4505 times
This will be "Chief Phillips" on the PBR
- ARVN build up 1/18 Ultimate soldier
- Capture9.JPG (71.85 KiB) Viewed 4503 times
Last pic comparing the Reedees 1/16 and 1/18 Ultimate Soldier M-16A1 rifles.
- ARVN build up 1/18 Ultimate soldier
I am still waiting for a shipment of Japanese Marines (for their heads) so that I can finish the figures.
Regards, Louis
Damn thing looks as real as can be!
