How would I go about converting the new Dragon Marines at Guadalcanal to represent US Army infantry from the Pacific? I've seen comments stating it can be done but nothing more.

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Russ, A very good question ! I would also like to know this as I am hoping to make an Early War Vignette of The fall of Batan. I have all the weapons and gear, but lack the required figures. Hope someone has the answer to your question. milvehfan

basicly, not much. There is a EGA emblem on the flaps to fill, and you may want to swap out the weapons depending on the time frame. Other than that I dont think there is much difference...though i may be mistaken so somebody who is a US Army uniform expert could pipe in.
Or you can also do a google search and see what kind of info you come up with.
Andy

and pipe in i will
the main difference is the cut of the jacket which are shown below

us army


usmc


also worth noting is that us army did not wear any helmet covers

another point is that some units just wore the standard brown wool uniform and other wore the tropical uniform examples below
wool uniform



summer/tropical


so some good research is in order if you want to get it right

good luck with your respective builds

cheers

Simon

Thanks for the help and the photos. It's going to be quite a project. Adding another pocket to the shirt, flaps on the pockets and most photos I have show Army infantry with leggings. Most of them are also wearing packs. Those with the wool uniform have it untucked, but the majority of the photos from the Philippines show the tropical uniform. This will be my first time trying to modify a figure.

What material would work the best for adding the sculpted details? Paper? Putty? Has anyone done the laces on the leggings? I have looked for a prior tutorial but haven't had any luck.

thanks Simon for that...those are some good photos and info.

Russ, I would just use some very thin plastic sheet to add the pocket flaps and extended colars. Use a very small amount of liquid cement to glue on, then blend in (if needed) after the glue dries. Additional buttons could be added using some thickened epoxy or white glue and put on with a needle.

I would also guess that those wearing the tropical uniform probally left a couple of the upper buttons un done in the heat. Like Simon said...research research research

Simon,

Not to nitpick, but there's a bit more of a difference than the cut of the jacket. In fact the cut of the jacket isn't a factor - they're totally different jackets

Cut would mean for example one jacket is better (or worse) fitting, lapels are different, different number of buttons, etc but essentially they are the same basic design (like the difference between a M1937 German officer's jacket and that of an enlisted man).

Russ,

Which period of the Pacific are you intending to represent?

Rudi

turn of phrase which i qualified with the pictures

I'm trying to show Army infantry from the Philippines to go with the M4 composite I am finishing. This image is from Guam, showing soldiers of the 305th RCT.



I've been searching for good closeups of Army infantry from Leyte or Luzon. Most show what appears to be the tropical uniform.