Wow! who knew a small vignette would spark such a raging debate. I sincerely appreciate all of the input.
Chas~ I have read through your tutorial and I like your method. The only drawback for me is that I am trying to complete this project on somewhat of a budget. The palm tree trunk I had made over three years ago when I first read the article. I had also bought the silk leaves way back then. I figured now is as good a time as any to use them to add a little spice to my setting.
Niel and all of the others~ I too have done some research on the Khe Sanh, Tet Offensive. The Marines in both battles would have been issued pretty much the same web gear with few exceptions. I understand with battle requirements load outs will differ. That is still common today. When I served in Iraq the combat load that I carried on my gear was different from the combat load carried by the infantrymen sluggging it out in Fallujah.
I have seen many pictures of varying loads in, on and around Khe Sanh.
I have also seen differences in gear loads among Marines stacked up on the walls in Hue. Speaking from experience Marines lose gear constantly. The gear list may call for two canteens but LCpl Knucklehead might have lost one on his last patrol.
The argument is really symptomatic of the tendency of us modellers to replicate an actual event. I am merely trying to pay homage to Marines who shed blood in a life and death battle. I am not taking away from any service men and women who served during Vietnam. In my opinion there are too few salutes to these courageous vets.
Chas~ I will update my HF post. I have been updating this post before I go to work in the morning and have only been able to update the posts on Armorama and FineScale Modeller.
Here is tonight's progress
Tonight I cut out the plywood base and I have cut the sections of wall out of pre-poured skim coat. I am starting to carve in the brickwork.
Thanks for keeping up. I will have more later.
Brian
