Hi all!

This is a discussion I’ve had with my wife and I was wondering what your thoughts on the topic are.

My grandfather is a Korean War veteran, he served with the US 2nd Infantry Division from June 1950 to January 1951 when he was severely wounded and evacuated. He doesn’t talk much about it but I interviewed him 10 years ago for a school project in my last college year. One story he told me is of getting a ration of beer, 3 cans/bottles per man, when the order came to attack a hill. He and his buddy packed their 6 bottles in an empty ammo box, each grabbed a handle, took the carbine in the other hand and they ran up that hill, stopping and crouching only to reload. “We didn’t hit anything but there was no one on the hill anyway.” he told me smiling.

My idea was to recreate this scene in 1/35 scale and place his ribbons (which he gave to me many years ago) on the base. Better than letting them dust over in a bin somewhere...

My wife thought that was a strange idea, saying it was something you’d do for a dead person and it was strange to do it for someone still alive.

Now before I confront my grandfather with the idea I’d like to know if it’s just my wife or if you think the idea is strange as well. I’d appreciate any comments!

Cheers
Stef

Not strange to me at all.

I did this for my grandad who is still alive:

And this for a Battle of Britain veteran who lives around the corner.

And this for another veteran around the corner:

Go for it mate, he will appreciate it I'm sure.

Chas

I don't know your grandfather, but if he's like my Dad he'd like it. I did a T28 for my Dad who used to work on them. I think it's a way of honoring what he did do and it's a great way of recognising his work before he leaves. I'd rather say thank you before he leaves rather than after.
One way to ensure your intent is to give a good name like "Rewards are worked for" or "Ahh what a reward."

Not a crazy idea at all. My wife's grandfather was a B-17 ball turret gunner, then POW in WWII. Many years ago, I made his aircraft, mounted in flight on a base with his unit patch and a brass nameplate with his name, rank, crew number and unit info on it. I presented it to him for Christmas one year, and he loved it. He displayed it proudly in a place of prominance in his home.

Unfortunately, he has since passed and it now sits on a shelf in my model room as a rememberance of him.

Stefan,

I think it's a great idea and I do believe that your Grandfather will be really happy to see the results.


BTW: M4A2Sherman is just starting an Ancestors In Scale Campaign - it would be a great subject for it.


Here you can find all info about this CAMPAIGN and here is FORUM.

Once again - I think it is a great idea and I really think that your Grandfather will find it very nice of you to show interest in his life and to portray it this way.

A.

I think it's a good idea. Trying not to sound too depressing- but the person who will appreciate it the most is your grandfather, so isn't it best done while he is alive?

Thanks for your replies guys!

I guess it's the fact that I would portray him as a person in a scene he actually experienced in a (sort of) combat situation, that made me feel strange about it. I think it’s different to an aircraft or vehicle he crewed.

I think I’ll just go ahead with the idea and see what comes out of it. Now to find some appropriate Figure(part)s...

Good idea for a title, Scott.
Great models Chas!
Gino, you have some pics of that one (once you get back to the states)?
Ben, I suppose you're right about that part, he's 79 now (but still in fairly good health, travels to Switzerland from the west coast USA every year or so)...
Andrzej, I read something about the campaign, didn’t realize it was just starting. Don’t know if I can make it in the deadline though... I’ll work on my idea a bit and then decide if I’ll join in...

Cheers!

Definitely do it! I'm doing a dio from my Father's experience in WW2, the only really slow thing has been collecting enough figures. I've been painting vehicles from his unit for a while now, and am working on some vehicles from the 6th Armored, the other unit involved. It is, I believe, a true mark of repect to honor the service of these men in this way. I'm even trying to come up with something for my Mom, who was a true "Rosie the Riveter". They shouldn't be forgotten either.

John

John, thanks for your reply. Sounds like a huge project if you're collecting vehicles! A Rosie the Riveter Vignette would sure be interesting, be sure to post some pics when you get to it.

Getting the right figures for the running pose will be kind of a problem. I can take one from the DML Pusan Set, don't know where to get the other one. I guess it will involve some swapping and scrach building, something I haven't really done before on figures. I'll just have to learn, won't I...

Thanks again or your support all!