Any sources for 1/35 figures of pre-1990s U.S. Infantry or Armor troops in winter parkas?
I am looking for a couple of figures in winter parkas for a 1980's East/West German border winter scene.
Verlinden used to have a set of two figures in what looked like M51 fishtail parkas with fur hoods that I thought could be modified to work. How similar are these to the later M65 parka used into the 70s-80's? I was in a crew of a Bradley in Germany in the 80s and some of the crew were using the later version. I am not sure if it was the M65,it was O.D., but as I remember it looked similar to the Korean War version although with less quality man made materials (the hood fur was almost plastic string-like). We never called such equipment by its specific model number or variation type. it was just "parka" to us.

I think I've got one of those in my attic. I have not seen any of those old parkas in 1/35, but I wonder if yu can't modify the torsos of some of the WWII German figures that had them.

Ive been looking for these for a long time. I love the Cold War stuff and do a lot of mid 1970's reforger stuff.

My only solution was to use putty and sculpt the figures. Putting the hood with the fur on it is the one thing I havent done.

I'm convinced that there's no decent source of figures in garrison uniforms or the ever popular m65 field jacket. I've made a couple of ponchos before, but when trying to do a rain jacket like armor crew wear it just ended up looking more like the PillsBerry Dough Boy.

I'll be anxious to see what you come up with. let me know how you solve this deficit.

Edwin the main difference between the two is the hood. The M51 has the hood as an integral part of the parka whereas the M65 is hoodless and a hood can be buttoned onto the collar if required. The M51 also has button fastening epaulettes in both shoulders. Visually they're the main differences. I've owned both types (still got my M51) as I used to wear them on my motor scooter so know a bit about them...lol. If you're going for a 1980's scene it would be the M65 either with or without the hood. Hope that's of some help.

The upcoming 1/35 Takom "Chemical Defense Soldier" with AK-47...would that work?

Edwin,

Dragon did a figure set of the 10th Mountain Troops. They are WWII, but they are all in parkas and might be adaptable for your purposes. I think the set is OOP, but I did find a set on ebay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dragon-6377-1-35-US-10th-Mountain-Division-Italy-45-4-Figures-/321082441906?pt=Model_Kit_US&hash=item4ac20140b2#ht_191wt_904

I hope this can help you.

Dave

I've looked at these too but noted that the parkas are pull over type and need pockets and split down the front. Also, I think the web gear belts and shoulder straps are molded in as well as the bandoleers.

Would be a possible starting point though (but $20?), still have to do some putty work and stuff though. Their boots look like mickey mouse type or at least rubber. These could be carved into combat boots though - although big white Mickey Mouse cold weather boots might be more interesting now that I think about it!

I've got to look into that set Dave Black. Some of the guys in vehicles would use the Mickey Mouse Boots because the vehicle heaters were so unreliable.
Peter, it looks like a lot more R&D with an emphasis on the "D" for me.
Bruce, some of our officers and n.c.o.'s would take the rain jacket and have the post tailor sew parts of green wool blankets into them. Isn't next year the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Soviet Union/End of the Cold War? Yeah, why no figures in parkas or field jackets???

I tried my hand at modeling ones out of putty. I think that after my first attempt, I'd try adding the pocket flaps separately instead of just pushing the green putty around with a knife... Here's my first attempt/practice...


I'd also make the M65 a bit longer. Not too sure how to do the hood with the fur without the fur looking like just a jagged edge.. maybe it's in the painting, I dunno yet. Not confident enough to actually use one of these with my vehicles for a contest or anything.

Not a bad first attempt. I think with a little work (as you say add the flaps separately)you will have a winner. You might try rolled up cotton pushed into the putty to simulate the fur lining.

Ahhh.. Cool idea!