Hi guys,

I'm working up the resources for a future project and an looking for 1/35 scale figures of US infantry (Army or USMC) from the early-mid 1960's armed with the M14 and with the M56 type webgear.

The more modern eras are not my usual fortet, so I could use some help in sorting through what's available.

Specifically, I want to model either (preferably) troops from the 82ABN or (alternatively) Marines from the 4th MEB circa 1964-65. My project reference photos show the troops wearing the standard two-piece fatigues (not jungle's), armed with the M14, and either with or without the flak jacket. Of course, the webgear varies a bit from the Army to the USMC.

I'm not looking for dynamic "in action" poses, more like standing around pulling guard duty or checkpoint poses.

I'd be willing to modify some later Vietnam-era figgies, but hopefully I can find what I need requiring as few changes as possible. The main problem with the Vietnam-era figures is that they almost all have jungle fatigues and later webgear and M16's which would create a lot more conversion work that I'd hope to avoid (in addition to just the difficulty in finding 14 rifles). I think it might almost be easier to take Korean War vintage figures and modify them.

Either resin or plastic would be good (white metal only if they're almost perfect - a lot more work to modify that!). I would probably replace the heads and hands anyways with resin AM parts, so I'm actually willing to do quite a bit of work, just hoping to not have to do these guys almost from scratch.

At any rate, maybe some guys here have ideas or suggestions about good starting points.

TIA,

This makes me quite curious as to what you will be doing eventually.

Mike,
I think you will be having a "long row to hoe" as I have been wracking my brain housing group and can't recall a single set or figure with ODs and M-14s.
Did the antique Tamiya kit of the 4.2 mortar crew have the correct fatigues? I have a tackle box filled with old figgies and I will check it out. If any are lurking in there I will send them.
J
J

Believe it or not, you may want to check out the old Monogram set of 18 Infantry Figures. I recall it was an odd mix of weaponry, as some of the riflemen had M1s, and one had a Thompson. However, two riflemen had M14s, and the MG gunner had an M60. Shep Paine was able to do some amazing things with these figures. They may be a good starting point for what you're trying to do.