SK Miniatures 1/9 US Vietnam Marine Bust

[Guest]

Many thanks Greg.

Here's what he looks like now:



I'm struggling a bit with this one. As I mentioned above, some of the finishes on the sculpt leave something to be desired and there were some areas that I had to accept a compromise on. These included the hands and M79 which are rougher than they looked unpainted. I also ended up removing the watch at the join of the left hand, as I just couldn't get it to look decent - taking a blade and sandpaper to an almost completed paint job was nerve-racking, but fortunately I only had to do some minor touching up. The belt is just blocked in at the moment - most of it will be covered with the kit, so I'll just touch in what's showing after it's in place.

I was surprised when looking at the reference how bright the flak jackets were, so I used a combination of Vallejo Medium Olive and Camo Olive Green to try and replicate the rich colour. The t-shirt was based on shades of Camo Olive Green and the bandolier on Luftwaffe Green (all lightened and darkened with Camo Black Brown and Off White).

Just the helmet and kit to do now.

[Si Benson]

Wow....seriously good stuff Peter:smiling3:
Si

[Tim Marlow]

Hi Peter
Making a great job of it as usual....after your AN quotes I’m surprised you never went for the tiger stripy M79 used in the film....
Cheers
Tim

[Guest]

Si - Thanks. Bit more in love with him now. On problem is that my work space is very bright in the summer, with the consequence that everything looks terrible - the light shows up every lump and bump. The evening light is much kinder to him.

Tim - Thanks also. I did think of doing the Roach's tiger stripe M79, and may still attempt it.

Willard -'Soldier, do you know who's in command here?'
Roach - 'Yeah.' (walks off).

[Guest]

What can I say Peter ? Again I'm stunned. You're using acrylics ? If so, which brand please ? Thanks sir.

[Guest]

Very kind of of you Guy. I use Vallejo Model Colour.

[Guest]

Your work progresses much faster than mine me being an oil paintslapper.

[SteveH]

Superb work on the 3 contrasting greens.

The rear of the flak jacket looks so realistic, I have to say, the think the Negro soldier really does lift the contrast with the greens, even more than a Caucasian would.

The bar has just gone up another notch Peter

Regards

Steve H

[Guest]

Can't stand waiting for paint to dry Guy.

Thanks Steve. I did try to let the skin tones suggest the colour of the greens. I would usually use a more washed out OD, but felt I could get away with something warmer here.

[Jim R]

Hi Peter
You have certainly got the face spot on. Looks right for Afro-American. Combination of superb sculpting and painting.
Jim

[Wouter]

Oh, that is great paintwork Peter. Not that I expected any less from you ^^

Cheers

[Guest]

Jim - Thanks. The face is an amazing bit of sculpture, which sure helps.
Wouter - Thank you my friend. Working on the helmet today - camo!

[Guest]

That's the next stage done:



I started today with the helmet. I found the easiest way to do it was to paint on the pattern in the various basic colours, then shade and highlight each patch individually. It took a while, but I found the process very enjoyable. I decided on a packet of Malboro, as that way the lettering is hidden under the helmet band (lazy, I know) - the cigarette packet is the wrong shape, but I think it looks reasonable.

There are no straps included with the kit, so the next stage was to make some. As the scale is larger than usual, I used a thin card to get the right thickness. The chin straps utilise some Miniart Napoleonic buckles with bits of card and metal foil - the result is not totally accurate, but has a semblance of the real thing. I did the same with the M79 strap, adding wire to make the attachment ring - the card wrinkled convincingly when bent, which was a bonus.

I placed him on the final base at this stage, as the last step is to paint and attach the various pouches, which will make later handling difficult.

[Andy Belsey]

Excellent!!

[scottie3158]

Peter,
Absolutely cracking mate.
Scottie