Ron's...."It 'aint all bad here in 'nam, Ma"

[spanner570]

Hi all, here is my stab at this build.

If I can, I like to try and go off on a bit of a tangent with these builds and I've come up with this idea:-

Vietnam was not all blood and guts, so picture this. In a rest area well away from the fighting, a young G.I. has taken a short walk and has stumbled across a little bit of paradise and his thoughts turn to home..........

No sprue shots yet as I am still trying to source a figure.

Bit of a long shot, but has anyone got just one surplus G.I. Vietnam figure + gear, they would be willing to part with? Anything would do, as I will be butchering him to suit my needs anyway. If anyone has, can they P/M me please? Thanks.

I intend to incorporate small waterfalls falling into a good sized pool, jungle greenery and anything else that comes to mind during the build.

I had a rummage in the loft and found some right angled polystyrene, so I used this for the 10" X 5" X 4" base and 'cliff face'. The pool ledge is a bit of styrene stuck down with UHU all purpose glue. The pool edge and watercourse is built up in the same way. Then I covered the thing here and there with my usual tile adhesive to form the rockface ect. Some people prime the poly with p.v.a. first, I don't bother and the adhesive sticks just fine.....The waterfall lip is formed from a bit of scrap styrene.

Here are a few pictures of this morning's progress, and as it's still raining, I have a good excuse to push on with the model!

Thanks for looking,

Ron

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[tr1ckey66]

Sounds interesting Ron. Looking forward to the progress.

I'm afraid I don't any GIs circa Vietnam War (not really my area of expertise) but someone surely has one figure? If not can eBay come to the rescue?

Anyway, best of luck with the build.

Cheers

Paul

[spanner570]

Thanks for that Paul. It will only be a simple mini dio. but there are elements in it I've never attempted before.

I've looked on ebay and there are single figures available, but the cost is rediculous.....£12.00 odd for one 1/35 figure!

I'm sure something will turn up and there's plenty of time for this build, so no panic....yet!

Cheers,

Ron

[papa 695]

A very interesting idea Ron, and i'm looking forward to seeing this one develope

[Guest]

Hi Ron, I love how you build your masterpieces from mostly scrap, that's modelling at its best. Cheers Derek

[Guest]

you do come up with some great ideas ron, i have joined the P.A.S (polystyrene appretiation society) for my latest build and will forward my subscription to you asap.cannot wait to see what you come up with on this one.

[Gern]

Hi Ron. You could have the two figures from my Ontos build if they're any good to you. They're free to a good home so if you're interested, PM your address.

Gern

[yak face]

Great stuff ron, its going to be interesting to see how it develops, cant wait to see the waterfall, cheers tony

[Guest]

Some of you blokes make something great out of nothing.

You are very imaginative Ron.

Would it not be great to have a national exhibition of the work produced on this forum. I think the general public would be stunned by the imagination technical ability & artistic nature of the work..

Laurie

[spanner570]

Thanks for the comments boys.....

Ian, I'm waiting for some inspiration so it can develop!lol

Derek, the great scratch building on your trawler is far more difficult than anything I've done, but thanks for the compliments just the same.

Andrew, thanks mate, marvellous stuff isn't it? I look forward to receiving your subscription in due course......

Dave, that's great, thanks. I'll p.m. you my address.

Tony, you can't wait to see the waterfall......neither can I, it should be a hoot!

Cheers,

Ron

[spanner570]

First off, a great big thanks to Dave (Gern) for his generous offer of his spare 'Ontos' figures.....Cheers Dave!

I know I did my 'Iwo Jima' dio. a while back, but I'm hoping this one will be 'Thick jungle', and not having done it before, I'm looking forward to having a bash at it....

O.K., it's still raining, so I have pushed on a bit!

I have done some more work on the 'pond' and stream. I deliberately used a thick polystyrene base (1") to allow me to dig out the water feature using an old screw driver.

I then painted the bed with various greens and blues, finishing at the deepest spot, under the waterfall with black. Using a dark colour last gives the illusion of depth, even on a flat surface....... The pictures show the stages.

Next I added some garage sweepings and bits lying under my modelling table to simulate stones ect.

Then I used a bit more adhesive to layer the area around the water's edge and a bit more to the cliff side. When this dries, I will do more work on the pond.

I have also started to add some slime, using green paint from a cheap set of kiddies watercolours. The boulders are just roughly placed for now and will be painted!

The base is starting to look something like now, so as soon as the rain stops, I can start foraging in the lane for some jungly stuff! (I'm sure one day someone will see me and ring up for the 'Happy Bus' to come and collect me!)

Cheers,

Ron

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[papa 695]

Looking good Ron Just stick it outside now and it will be a real waterfall LOL

[geegad]

Another one of your quality build a coming.. keep them pictures coming

[Centurion3RTR]

The master is at it again i see, going to watch this with interest.

Have fun mate, John

[Guest]

I like the twist in this theme Ron, looking forward to see what you do with it, mind you the start ain't that bad