Thank you B_Man and Barry !
This post is for the painting of the figures and accessories.
I am a RC tank builder, not a figure painter. We all have our strengths. So, the finishing of the figures is always on a best effort basis with the two hours I am willing to put on each. I have found that the simpler I keep the faces, the better they seem to be... From experience, me trying to apply shadows and highlights on faces just create a big mess. So, I keep it simple.
The scenario for this build is the US invasion of Cambodia during April-June 1970, which makes me realize it is the 50th anniversary. This was a limited incursion to destroy enemy bases. Sheridans of the 11th ACR (Armored Cavalry Regiment) accompanied by its M-113 ACAV spearheaded the operation. The build is showing a vehicle of the 11th in this operation as seen in references. As such, it needs to have a lot of stowage to be realistic. Can't show a clean vehicle as if it was on a week-end show of force on a German autobahn, or on a short patrol around base. It needs to be messy and everything really dirty, men included.
Overview of the stowage and the crew that were prepared so far. I am still waiting for a few items in the mail and to build a few myself, but this will have to do. I order to determine what to show on the tank, I put myself in the shoes of the commander to determine what I would bring for at least a month long operation, in the middle of nowhere, thick jungle, bad roads, in the heat of summer. Need to be able to sustain operations for a few days between resupply, length of mission and enemy strength undetermined. I addition to the few items that the tank can carry internally, most of the stuff will have to fit in the turret basket and around the hull.
So, here we go, just for the fun of it;
- 6 boxes of C-rations, 12 meals each. checked.
- 7 cases of Carling Black Label beer, checked.
- 22 boxes of .50 ammo for the M2s, checked.
- 5 extra boxes of 7.62mm ammo for the coax mg, checked.
- 4 boxes for 40mm grenades, actually used to carry the crews personal stuff, its waterproof, one each. checked.
- 4 20L Water jerrycans, for crew and radiator. checked.
- 4 20L Fuel Jerrycans, emergency reserve, checked.
- 1 small cooler, filled with frozen Ram steaks and a few cold beers, checked.
- Tent, waterproofed sheets, covers. checked.
- Pack with stove and mess kit. checked.
- Commander's M-16, checked.
- 4 cots, missing.
- 1 case of 5.56mm rounds, missing.
- 2 cases of 81mm mortar rounds for the mortar platoon, missing.
- M551 Sheridan Airborne light tank - Vietnam - build
Starting with the crew;
This is the commander. He will be on the lookout in the birdcage with his M2, covering the frontal area. He got 5 gooks already.
- M551 Sheridan Airborne light tank - Vietnam - build
This is the loader, sitting outside with his CAR-15 carbine, tired, fed up with the whole thing. As the tank is navigating through thick bushes, he is on the lookout on the left side for anything in the bushes where his M2 is not well positioned to suppress, shoot first, ask questions later. His uniform is very dirty from being in operation for the past month.
- M551 Sheridan Airborne light tank - Vietnam - build
The driver, resigned to his fate in case of mines.
- M551 Sheridan Airborne light tank - Vietnam - build
For the drive through a thick jungle trail, the commander invited 4 soldiers of the M-113 platoon to ride on his Sheridan. This has the benefits of providing extra eyes and firepower for the tank, and freeing space on the crowded M-113.
This rifleman will be assigned to checking the right side with his M-16. He is also armed with an M-72 rocket launcher and can't wait to blast anything with it. He carries Malboro cigarettes and what seems to be bug repellent and oil jugs on his helmet cover strap.
- M551 Sheridan Airborne light tank - Vietnam - build
A Vietnam war scene is realistic when presenting black soldiers. He is armed with an M-60 machine gun and a M-1911 pistol. He is covering the back and right of the tank.
- M551 Sheridan Airborne light tank - Vietnam - build
This rifleman is equipped with a M-16 rifle / M-203 grenade launcher combination, and will be covering the front right of the tank as point man who will shoot at anything that moves. He will also look for any trace of footstep in the mud that would indicate potential mines.
- M551 Sheridan Airborne light tank - Vietnam - build
This soldier is armed with a single shot M-79 grenade launcher and shot gun. He is short, tough and stocky. He will cover the rear and right area. He likes to use devastating buckshot rounds at close range with both, perfect for bush clearing and stir up anything hiding in there. He also chain smoke Malboro's and carry Vietnam death cards on his helmet as business card.
- M551 Sheridan Airborne light tank - Vietnam - build
Close up on the 7.62 ammo boxes
- M551 Sheridan Airborne light tank - Vietnam - build
Close up on the 40mm grenade ammo boxes.
- M551 Sheridan Airborne light tank - Vietnam - build
continuing on following post.
