WIP US Marines in Hue during the 1968 TET Offensive

[TRM]

Well played!!

[dennis]

Hello Gents, I am sorry I have been so slow with my latest update/post, but I have been undertaking the painting and positioning the ammo belts on the M60 gunner and the assistant gunner.
Stage 1 preparing for painting and undercoating; this stage was completed quite quickly the preparation was fiddly but a system using a miniature razor saw was used to clean up the belts.
Stage 2 painting: this was an absolute PIA, Vallejo and Andrea metallics were very hard to put on in a convincing manner, so ammo belts were re-undercoated in black once again.
Stage 3: Dennis now moves away from the desk swearing and very unsatisfied.
A couple of days elapsed and Xmas came to this modelers rescue, my wife's metallic ink markers for her Xmas cards and present labels were quickly and furtively relocated to the man cave and hey presto they worked well. Andrea red was used to tip the tracer rounds.
I positioned 3 belts, 1 on the gunner and 2 on the assistant gunner not an easy operation as the model ammo belts are more finicky than the real ones
Thanks for popping in for a look more will follow soon.
Dennis

[TRM]

Looking smart there Dennis!! Nice find with the wife's stock in pens!!

[deafpanzer]

Those ammo belts look stunning... really dig the red tips for tracers!!! Take your time... looking forward to updates.

[pantherf..-Email Not Valid]

Oh wow... and this is 1/35th? 


I really quit now. 





Jeff

[dennis]

Hello Gents, thanks for your encouragement, I am pleased to report to you that I have finally positioned the M60 team on the diorama base, complete with all ammo belt in position on the M60. The figures have been given the usual coat of pastel chalk to tie them in with the rest of the figures and the groundwork. I have also added the case of the Violet M18 Smoke Grenade.

For this photo I have put on the Honda motorcycle and I have decided I will go for that on the final model.

I am now finished with the figures and just have the Motorcycle to finish and some more additions to the goundwork stones, leaves and waste paper etc. I also have place a helmet and M16 for the USMC casualty, an M16 for the assistant gunner, a load of empty cases and if I can make then some disintergrating link.

So there is a glimmer of light at the tunnels end

Thanks for popping in for a look more will follow soon.
Dennis

[deafpanzer]

Man, I am REALLY LOVING this... M60 team is delivering more ACTION to the whole thing!

[Leon]

WOW!! Dennis you have captured all the action perfectly and fantastic painting on the ammo belts.

[Steve Zuleski]

Gee wiz, sorry for the delayed reply.

Man, you can just hear that 60 pounding away while the poor Sgt. is trying to use the radio. The chaos in this scene has been more than perfectly portrayed and conveyed, with intensity, mind you. I think you're going to create some flash backs for those who served in that brutal battle. You captured the moment my Brother, you captured it perfectly with realism and definition. Congrats Bro.

Incredible work Dennis, incredible!

Cheers, Ski.

[wbill76]

Very impressive work here Dennis, very impressive!

[dennis]

Hello everyone, thank you Andy, Leon, Steve & wbill76 for your encouraging comments.
I have tried to portray those moments of frenetic mayhem that happens in these situations and these great Bravo 6 figures have helped me do it.
I am going to get some desk time tonight to try and make progress on the Honda Motorcycle, place the number plates wire up the parts that need it and tie in the weathering.
My next move after that is to finish off the ground work and obtain a title plate from "Name It" here in the UK.
Thanks everyone for popping in I will post more progress shots soon.
Dennis

[tobias5555]

Great Scene with a lot of action in it.

[desertrat]

WOW!!!!!! thats superb!! well done dennis,

[sabre]

Dec 19, 2014 12:48:59 GMT -5 Steve Zuleski said:

Gee wiz, sorry for the delayed reply.

Man, you can just hear that 60 pounding away while the poor Sgt. is trying to use the radio. The chaos in this scene has been more than perfectly portrayed and conveyed, with intensity, mind you. I think you're going to create some flash backs for those who served in that brutal battle. You captured the moment my Brother, you captured it perfectly with realism and definition. Congrats Bro.

Incredible work Dennis, incredible!

Cheers, Ski.

Well said Steve, well said.

This is just another example of why I love logging into MSC, fantastic work Dennis. I'm in awe of your skill my friend... simply stunning.

[dennis]

Hello Gents, I am sorry for the lapse in keeping you up to date with my progress but I have had a bout of Sciatica, so sitting down to paint was a no no for a few days.

I have made some progress and have made some signage to go on the walls, and a small sign to raise the top of the outcropping wall which makes the Rock & Roll Marine pose and position within the scene more beliveable.

The walls have been darkened, but I am afraid my photographic skills/equipment show the walls as being light, I can assure you the walls along with the signage are darker than they appear in the photographs.

There is still a fair ammount of small things to be done but I will stick at it Sciatica allowing.

I must thank Steve Ski for his input here as it got me thinking and then acting as did the input from my modeling club mates

Thanks for popping in for a look more will follow soon.
Dennis

[kiwibelg]

Hi Dennis,

Wow, wow, wow! I had a read through your thread a few days ago and I couldn't help but admire your eye for detail on each figure through to your diorama. The little extras in this scene are just amazing, the smoke grenade  remnants is well thought out!!
I wish my figures could turn out as well as yours!!
Excellent work mate, I hope that your back is feeling better. Is it a hernia that you have?
Cheers,
Shay

[kaytermarram]

This is sheer brilliant. Hell, all that communication in between the group of soldiers, aiming at an enemy only visible in the dead Vietcong, all those small and smaller details, the top notch paint job and the balance of the whole scene. Figure modeling at its best! And all the best for your back!!

Frank

[deafpanzer]

LOVING IT!!! I have learned a great deal following your build. I am so glad I got the book The Grunt.

Hope you get better SOON! Am really looking forward to your next update...

[armorguy]

That's a cool full of action diorama Dennis, high figure painting skills !

[elco]

Nice job and a high standard on all figures. A lot of action and a pleasure to watch

[Steve Zuleski]

Oh yes, lookin real perty now Dennis, coming together quite nicely! Bravo.

Cheers, Ski.

P.S. Hope you get to feelin better Bro.

[dennis]

Hello Gents, thank you Shay, Frank, Andy, Armourguy, Elco and Steve Ski for your kind comments, and thanks to NHS prescribed drugs I am feeling a lot better Steve.

I have been working on and have added the Moped and some home paper rubbish in the shape of bandage wrappers, a discarded bandage and a Viet Cong flag in the area of the medic and casualty.

Incidentally the Moped provides “street furniture” that the Marines encountered when they moved into urban street fighting rather than being out in the rural (boondocks) areas they were more used to in Vietnam

The small articles were fashioned from cigarette papers originally for hand rolling cigarettes

Thanks for popping in for a look more will follow soon.
Dennis

[nicusi]

Dennis, you realized a great scene. All the scenery is well conceived, has its dynamic. I'm not sure if you already did it, it's just a suggestion, maybe you could make some bullets, holes more dense in the lateral wall of the area where are hiding the first 3 soldiers and the part where is laying the dead soldier could have some more. Also some on the piece of wall near to our regard, just above the injured soldier and his fellow, will add a little more authenticity.
Warm thanks to share this with us!
Nicolae

[dennis]

Thanks Nicusi, it is on my list to do, I have put 3 bullet holes in the small Lambretta sign on top of that wall, as I made it. I have to put a couple of holes in the Marine side of the wall to tie in the bullet holes in the sign and the dead VC on the other side.

You are right it will lend more authenticity to the scene. I have about 5 things on the to do list.
Thank you for following and your input.

Dennis

[Steve Zuleski]

I keep looking and finding more details Dennnis, like the smoke stain, the beautifully added wall signage, trash details, all making this dio explode with eye movement covering the entire scene. Now that is what it's all about Ma Brotha, Bravo!

I know, I know, I'm slower than most, but lack of sleep can do that to ya, lol.


Cheers, Ski.

[Leon]

Everything is tying in nicely Dennis! ;)Looking forward to your next update.

[deafpanzer]

Man, love those small details especially the VC flag. WAY TOO COOL! I am glad you are feeling much better!

[kaytermarram]

This here becomes more and more a museum quality piece! The add ons you did fit in very pleasing and the VC flag is another nice colour spot. But the topping of the cake is the motorroller. Best place and an absolute perfect add. There is nothing I could say things like "Looks nice, but..." Here is everything well balanced, top detailed and painted, well, you dig it. I am very curious whats more on your to do list for this little gem!

Frank

[dennis]

Hello Gents, thank you for your kind words I appreciate your support.
Frank, on my to do list is the following:
Order title from Name It in the UK. Finish painting the Assistant Gunners M16 and position it on the base. Finish painting the 2nd medical bag for the Corpsman, and position it. Re-polish the veneer of the base & position the title.
Not a lot to do so I will crack on.
Thanks Lads
Dennis

[kaytermarram]

Sounds like a plan! This will look great!

Frank