"I don't need a stinking Convoy Permit!" diorama

[JamesOLeary]

Over the past several years I have been working on a series of projects depicting Soldiers from 2d Battalion, 47th Infantry (Mechanized), 9th Infantry Division in Vietnam for their upcoming regimental reunion in 2022. This diorama is going to depict an incident that occurred in 1967 and is recounted in a chapter of Brice H. Barnes' book, "Vignettes from Vietnam". His platoon was operating north of Long Binh and received orders to change mission so they could respond to an element from 2d Battalino 39th Infantry who were in contact with the enemy. Since cutting through the base at Long Binh would be a quicker route, COL Barnes (then a LT platoon leader) had his platoon drive through Long Binh. Shortly after they were moving through the base, they got pulled over by an overweight MP asking them for their convoy permit. LT Barnes took off his CVC helmet, opened the collar of his flak jacket to expose his LT bar, jumped down from his track and commenced chewing out the MP for stopping him for something silly like that when he was on his way to lend assistance to a unit under fire.

The first figure is of LT Barnes. It may be hard to tell in these photos, but the collar of his shirt with the LT bar visible is present. The figure is also in the pose that Brice told me he would have been in while chewing out the MP. The figure is a conversion consisting of Hobby Fan, Alpine, and Bravo 6 parts topped with a Hornet head.

The MP is in progress. He is based on a saluting German tank commander from Doug's Originals. I sculpted in some Vietnam uniform specific details, used a photo etch belt, and then holster and pouches from Bravo 6 and Dragon. His head is a modified Hornet head.

I worked on him some more last night and will take a post photos soon.

Thanks for looking.
Cheers,
James

 

[Iron Mike]

Nice work!

 

[JamesOLeary]

Thanks, Mike.

Last night I completed the arms and added the name and US Army tapes to the MP. I still need to clean up some blemishes now that he putty is dry. The photos were taken when some of the putty was still dry.

Here is how the figure of LT Barnes will be interacting with the MP.

Here are some additional shots of the MP. I will be adding his helmet after painting.

Thanks for looking.
Cheers,
James

 

[moon puppy]

"Interacting"

 

[Barney]

 

[Sharkmouth]

Yeah... these figures grow on you!

Regards,

 

[JamesOLeary]

This past Saturday I presented a class on painting figures to some of the guys in the Oklahoma City AMPS and IPMS clubs. We had a good time and I think everyone learned at least a little something. I decided to use the MP figure as a medium to show various techniques and also to make some progress with this diorama. I still have a long way to go with this figure including fixing the right eye. I was demonstrating how I shade and highlight in sections so I can use both the shadow and highlight colors at the same time then tone things down with a very watery wash of the base color as can be seen on the trousers. You can also see the creases from the trousers being starched and pressed that I inferred by painting a line of the lightest highlight to represent the crease.

In hindsight, I should have used a figure with tighter folds and creases, but since the other guys' figures had them, I was still able to show them how it is done.

Thanks for looking.
Cheers,
James

 

[Iron Mike]

Very nice!

 

[JamesOLeary]

Thanks, Mike.

 

[moon puppy]

Excellent!

 

[Duke Maddog]

I love it! He's really looking great!

 

[Steve Ski]

Great work James, the guys I'll bet are loving it. Keep em going if you can James, some guys just need that nudge to find out anyone can do this if they just practice enough. Painting figures should be fun for anyone.

Excellent work, Ma Brotha!

 

[sprueman]

Love your work

 

[Skinny_Mike]

Awesome work!

 

[centaur567]

Looking good James!! Gary S. LGB XLV MMXXIV