Point Du Hoc

[deafpanzer]

Just awesome!!! Those pictures make great reference for accurate painting!

[Steve Zuleski]

Totally agree, Carlos. I just appreciate you pointing it out. Sometimes I think I've done enough research only to find I missed quite a bit, but as long as it's not too egregious an error, it's an optional fix.

Here's a few more pics I had to ponder before I made the final color decision.



So, these two ref pics pretty much go directly to your point, the Ranger having the browner tone whereas the non-assault trooper has the greener tone. I'm not a buff on these uniforms, didn't do enough research, but these were my ref pics along with the reenactors, which appear to be way off the target color wise. Both of these pics have issues with correct color tone, imho, but there we have it. Like anything else, it can be a tossup.

[stikpusher]

You’ll notice that those two guys are wearing the wool uniform pants and not the cotton HBT fatigues that the Rangers wore on D-Day. The HBT pants were made from a green cotton Herring Bone Twill and have the thigh cargo pockets and are very easy to pick out in photos. Your figures in this diorama have them.

here is a good period photo of them 




Here is a more distant photo of the wool pants with the M1941 Field jacket worn by the 1st ID & 29th ID soldiers on D-Day

[Steve Zuleski]

Yep, I noticed the pocket on one figure, but not the other two, Carlos. So, I'll take the middle ground and carry on. This does happen on occasion when working in 1/16th or bigger, but I really didn't pay it much attention.

Excellent ref pics, btw, tanks!

[deafpanzer]

Those are great reference pictures and I really enjoyed them. You boys know how to make things very interesting here! Those are part of my collection and I am hope to add M41 field jacket to make it complete. And it shows how huge the differences our US GIs wore during the war. The left figure is early war 1942-1943 while the right is late war 1944-1945 but the Rangers still wore the M41 field jackets at Normandy.

[Steve Zuleski]

Feb 11, 2024 10:34:49 GMT -5 deafpanzer said:

Those are great reference pictures and I really enjoyed them. You boys know how to make things very interesting here! Those are part of my collection and I am hope to add M1 field jacket to make it complete. And it shows how huge the differences our US GIs wore during the war. The left figure is early war 1942-1943 while the right is late war 1944-1945 but the Rangers still wore the M41 field jackets at Normandy.

Wow, I'm way off, thanks, Andy, HA! Ok, I get it, beat a guy when he's down; what are friends for, right?

Those are excellent pics Andy, pretty impressive collection. The tones are so light in comparison to other pics, but I'd say the reenactors are wearing clothing that is way off the mark, color wise. I'm sure they just followed orders and put on the gear, but the consultant who picked out those colors neesds some counseling, HA!

[roland66]

I like the faces and especially the teeth.

[Steve Zuleski]

Feb 11, 2024 14:20:54 GMT -5 roland66 said:

I like the faces and especially the teeth.

Thanks, Roland. It helps quite a bit when the teeth are sculpted well. Sometimes they can be tougher than painting eyes.

[vw8243]

Hi Steve

Love your work, doing a great job with this one , as for the colors of Gi uniforms its very much like the German field grey color debate ? you had so many manufacturers producing uniforms that you would never get the same color ,there would always be a variation.

[stikpusher]

Spring/Summer 1944 in Italy...





France, Summer 1944

[Steve Zuleski]

Theater specific as well. Ya, I remember seeing my dad's military uniform box, what a massive amount of this and that, and the other thing. I don't know how all yall grunts kept track of it all. Not only did the USAF have a very simple uniform line-up, we also had swimming pools, two to a room only, great chow halls, and, and,....ok , sorry, I'm getting off track here, HA!

Tanks, Carlos and VW!

[406 Silverado]

Jeez.....the information in this thread is just overwhelming. Steve you're really doing this set up some good justice buddy. I can never get enough of looking at your work in progress and am usually saddened when any of your work starts drawing to a close. Man this is some good stuff.

[deafpanzer]

Oops. I meant to say m41 field jacket. Lol

[Steve Zuleski]

Feb 11, 2024 16:41:44 GMT -5 deafpanzer said:

Oops. I meant to say m41 field jacket. Lol

Oh my, I would have never known if ya didn't say so, Andy. I must admit, my research coulda used a bit more umph to get this right

Feb 11, 2024 16:30:21 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

Jeez.....the information in this thread is just overwhelming. Steve you're really doing this set up some good justice buddy. I can never get enough of looking at your work in progress and am usually saddened when any of your work starts drawing to a close. Man this is some good stuff.

Tanks, Joe. I could easily say, another day at the office, but that would be boring, HA! You know as well as I do that the close of a build is a mental letdown when it's all done, for most every builder. Not sure why that is, must be an attachment kinda thang, but sometimes it takes a while to regroup and get back in the saddle. No wonder our wives think we're crazy, HA!

BTW, Joe, I've seen your work Brother, you got it dialed in, and thanks for the kind words!

[stikpusher]

Feb 11, 2024 16:30:21 GMT -5 406 Silverado said:

Jeez.....the information in this thread is just overwhelming. Steve you're really doing this set up some good justice buddy. I can never get enough of looking at your work in progress and am usually saddened when any of your work starts drawing to a close. Man this is some good stuff.

Are you kidding?! His finished stuff is a feast for the eyes when it's all put together... so much to see it usually takes several viewings to get all the details and nuances... 

[Steve Zuleski]

Feb 12, 2024 22:02:06 GMT -5 stikpusher said:

Are you kidding?! His finished stuff is a feast for the eyes when it's all put together... so much to see it usually takes several viewings to get all the details and nuances... 

You are too kind, Carlos, tanks, Buddy!

[Steve Zuleski]

Finalizing the Figures

Capt. Walt, SSgt. Bruce, and Cpl. Luke are just about ready to be mounted on the cliff. The figures have been completed minus some touch-ups on the brass and anything else that I might have missed. This has been a fun set to work with from start to finish. These figures are really well sculpted and that always makes for a fun build.

I’m really getting a kick out of Cpl. Luke’s facial expression, he’s looking a bit nervous, HA! Don’t worry, Luke, Sarge won’t let ya down, he’s always got your back!



The cliff section is in the painting process right now and will be mounted on a nice wood base stained and lacquered. We are almost done with this fine vignette.

Final pics will be posted soon and thanks for following along, it’s been a fun build.

Cheers, Ski.

[deafpanzer]

DAMN GOOD!!! Their facial expressions just make me want to jump in and help them!!!

[Steve Zuleski]

Feb 17, 2024 11:57:58 GMT -5 deafpanzer said:

DAMN GOOD!!! Their facial expressions just make me want to jump in and help them!!!

Lol, Luke is messin his drawers, no doubt,

[kyledehart5]

Those gentlemen are looking great Ski!

[handiabled]

Once again you are really bring these figures to life!

[TOWGunner]

Incredible work, absolutely incredible. You are a very talented man, Ski. With a magnitude of skill and patience. Everything looks perfect.

[Steve Zuleski]

Thanks, Guys. Looks like Luke may get a change of drawers soon enough, the cliff is almost done, HA!