Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: April 10, 2011
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Posted: Wednesday, January 07, 2015 - 07:55 PM UTC
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i'm following too. The first figure is fantastic.
Have you looked at the Hornet Heads with Berets?
I have seen those but had none on hand. They look good but still don't capture that certain veteran USArmy para look. I still have to work on this one a bit more.
Thanks for your kind words,
J
Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: April 10, 2011
KitMaker: 7,941 posts
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Posted: Wednesday, January 07, 2015 - 08:04 PM UTC
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... Also- where was your weapon stowed in the arctic configuration?
On the side of the paired snow shoes or between the two skis.
And, yes, it's all very heavy. Even in the aircraft, someone has to help the first jumper to his feet so that he can help the next guy to stand, and so on. A "Non-Jumping" Jumpmaster is usually used for GMRS jumps since a "jumping" JM can't spot the DZ markings or release point. For CARP, it's just "Green Light - Go."
When jumping the skis, a Safety is required to go along and check the leg tie-downs on each jumper's skis since the jumpers can't bend over to do so themselves.
In the extreme cold, the subsistence load (your rucksack) grows exponentially larger and heavier, while your fighting load and mission equipment never decrease. Add snow shoes or skis just to get around, and the entire prospect is just damned hard physical work.
Apologies to Jerry for taking his thread off on a tangent. 
Hyjack? I don't know Mikey,but I don't think that you should type that word in the same thread that an Israeli para is reading? You know how they are with airplane/airfield security!! Hahahahaha
I got to see that first hand when my girlfriend got on a ElAl flight to visit or friends in Israel. Wooooah baby. Intense questions.
That must be some pretty good misery,um,I mean training when you jump that arctic load bubba. I went through the Minn. NG winter warfare school when I was stationed at Ft Carson and that is some bulky stuff. 210 duel purpose skis,micky mouse boots,trigger mittens,parka,etc etc. Maaan.
Did you guys have to bring along an akeo sled and arctic tent?
I am willing to pit my load I jumped into Panama against pretty much anything though. I just remembered I also had a PRC77 in my ruck as well as all PSG's and Plt Ldrs had to jump those.
Thanks for the S-2 and S-4 support buddy,
J
Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: April 10, 2011
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Posted: Wednesday, January 07, 2015 - 08:13 PM UTC
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Brings back a lot of memories, Jer. Hard to believe that we were ever that young... LOL!
YES!!! Things I did on a regular basis back then now take me a few days or weeks to recover from! Hahahaha
J
Unfortunately I know exactly what you guys are talking about!
Just back from (yet another) M.A.S.H. I must say this thread is surely one of the presently most interesting (and nostalgically relevant 
) topics on Armorama!!
OMG, we were actually that young, weren't we!!
Hard to believe...!!
Jerry m8, you are the one and only man to do this modelling job!!
And fortunately there are other veterans here to assist with valuable info should the memory fail!
Regarding the beret I see your point! I always found that your way to wear it was very different from ours, especially the pulling up of the front part sporting the badge.
Cheers
Romain
Nice t see your presence on the thread ol buddy! Even though you were one of those officers!! Hahaha
Yes,the beret must be gotten just right as the guy receiving this fig will spot a bogus looking one straight off.
I have the "tilt" towards the front at the unit crest and the top looking OK but I need the "falling" part on the left to slope more towards his left eye and not have the crease. I will get at this when I apply the first round of putty.
I spent quite a while yesterday selecting small items of gear and making a master mold for them so I have plenty. I also detailed the hermann helmet with an interior and the foam pad in back plus the name tag and rank patch,"cat eyes",etc etc. I poured the first half of a two part mold for it as well.
Thanks guys,I was thinking no one was interested in this. I am pleasantly surprised and grateful for your comments.
J
#284
Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
Joined: October 04, 2006
KitMaker: 3,094 posts
Armorama: 2,942 posts
Posted: Wednesday, January 07, 2015 - 10:39 PM UTC
Mike and Jerry- thanks for answering my questions
!
On The Bench:
Ethiopian BMP-1 (Trumpeter 1/35)
AMX-13/75 (Takom 1/35)
Wien, Austria
Joined: May 20, 2011
KitMaker: 1,744 posts
Armorama: 1,727 posts
Posted: Thursday, January 08, 2015 - 12:13 AM UTC
Jerry,
your last reply made me think...as the figure is for a specific guy.....do you have a photo showing him with a beret???
Or asked the other way round...was his way rather "extreme" or strict to regulations??
Cheers
Romain
un pour tous et tous pour un!
Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: April 10, 2011
KitMaker: 7,941 posts
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Posted: Thursday, January 08, 2015 - 12:18 AM UTC
We always carried our berets and when not being worn they were snuggly in the trousers' cargo pocket.
The guy commissioning these two figs said he wants one with beret so...money talks,nobody walks!
J
Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: April 10, 2011
KitMaker: 7,941 posts
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Posted: Thursday, January 08, 2015 - 12:23 AM UTC
Here are the mold boxes drying. All my small parts are therein.
J
Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: April 10, 2011
KitMaker: 7,941 posts
Armorama: 7,934 posts
Posted: Thursday, January 08, 2015 - 04:38 AM UTC
In a burst of energy and time available,I completed just about the whole basic web harness. I now have to move onto the pack tray in the back and still finish the canopy release points in front. These are the two release points for the risers and the jumper pops one of these open to release one set of risers,thus deflating the parachute. Hopefully after he has landed! LOL
I am also slowly bashing the beret into shape. Not there yet though. You can also see the handle for the overseas bag now and a bit more shaping on the pants and pockets. Just for fun,I added the d rings on the front of the harness that the reserve parachute hooks on to. These won't be seen when I add that 'chute but now at least,others can see how it hooks up?
Any questions jumpers? Todays' jump will be 800 feet AGL. Standard training height.
J
Alberta, Canada
Joined: August 20, 2008
KitMaker: 1,295 posts
Armorama: 1,191 posts
Posted: Thursday, January 08, 2015 - 07:29 AM UTC
I love that you put the details like the D rings in, even when they won't be seen!
Maybe you could make the chute removable? Like in real life, or not? Either way, it is cool to know you take the building of this Para as seriously as you do. Keeps the rest of us honest I thimk...
Happy trails to you...
Do what you love, and love what you do... then everything else is simply an extension of that which drives your heart.
Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: April 10, 2011
KitMaker: 7,941 posts
Armorama: 7,934 posts
Posted: Thursday, January 08, 2015 - 07:46 PM UTC
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I love that you put the details like the D rings in, even when they won't be seen!
Maybe you could make the chute removable? Like in real life, or not? Either way, it is cool to know you take the building of this Para as seriously as you do. Keeps the rest of us honest I thimk...
Happy trails to you...
Thanks for the kind words Dave.
I will be casting parachutes as a separate piece when I build the master for it. This is only for ease of casting though,as the parachute was attached to the harness you see already on the figure. There is also still a "bellyband" that needs to go around his waist. This band is attached to the main parachute packtray and was passed through two loops on the back of the reserve parachute. The reserve was also snapped onto the two D-rings I already have on the harness in front.
As I said earlier,when we jumped into Panama the drop altitude was so low the reserve parachute was useless as there would be zero time to use it if the main didn't deploy,as you would be on the ground before you could react. Fun times,
J
United States
Joined: October 30, 2009
KitMaker: 18 posts
Armorama: 8 posts
Posted: Thursday, January 08, 2015 - 09:45 PM UTC
2LT: At this exit altitude, how long do we have to pull our reserve if we have a malfunction.
Jump Master: The rest of your life, Sir. The rest of your life.
Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: April 10, 2011
KitMaker: 7,941 posts
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Posted: Thursday, January 08, 2015 - 10:04 PM UTC
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2LT: At this exit altitude, how long do we have to pull our reserve if we have a malfunction.
Jump Master: The rest of your life, Sir. The rest of your life.
Hahaha,good one!! I have heard that one before but it bears repeating.
I was just reminded of the slogan that was printed on the front of the book we were issued when we signed in at Jumpmaster school....."Because the Sky,even more than the Sea,is unforgiving"
And,we all joke about Lts but to be fair,I served with some guys that were outstanding officers right off the bat. Of,course,there were others that really fit the stereotype. Heheheh
J
Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: April 10, 2011
KitMaker: 7,941 posts
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Posted: Thursday, January 08, 2015 - 10:20 PM UTC
As per my usual practice I shot some primer on right quick to see what is what. The single matt color really helps when you are looking for flaws,etc.
I have added the front part of the belly band. The attachments to the packtray in the back flair out so will have to be separate pieces.
Did a bit more on that pesky beret as well. Still not satisfied but getting there
The next jumper is waiting for his airborne buddy to help him put his harness on and get ready to get his knees in the breeze!!
I have changed my plan a bit. I will take the lessons from building the first jumper and use them on the second guy and use him as a master pattern. He is more demonstrative of a regular jumper anyway as he has the jungle boots and no beret.
Good plan?
Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: April 10, 2011
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Posted: Friday, January 09, 2015 - 07:10 PM UTC
Another burst of activity saw me almost finishing the parachute packtray. It still needs the static line.
I also see one lead piece has gotten loose! That's why these pics are always helpful to me.
J
South Carolina, United States
Joined: May 07, 2010
KitMaker: 2,238 posts
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Posted: Friday, January 09, 2015 - 09:19 PM UTC
Wow, you're really making progress on these guys, Jer.
I also think you're a wise man planning ahead to use the second figgy as a master for resin copies.
One of the lead pieces has gotten loose! Where's a Parachute Rigger when you need one...
Mike Roof
AMPS #1632
Chapter Contact
AMPS Central SC
Visit us at http://www.ampscentralsouthcarolina.org
Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: April 10, 2011
KitMaker: 7,941 posts
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Posted: Saturday, January 10, 2015 - 02:13 AM UTC
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Wow, you're really making progress on these guys, Jer.
I also think you're a wise man planning ahead to use the second figgy as a master for resin copies.
One of the lead pieces has gotten loose! Where's a Parachute Rigger when you need one...
,Yeah well,I needed a new snap hook safety pin anyway so...get that rigger over here!
Yeah,the second guy is more 82nd jumper looking by far.Thanks again for sending the FM out takes,
J
Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
Joined: June 03, 2014
KitMaker: 277 posts
Armorama: 66 posts
Posted: Saturday, January 10, 2015 - 02:38 AM UTC
On one occasion we actually jumped in our "dress" uniforms which we refer to as "aleph" with our red berets in our pockets. It was a publicity thing and there were all sorts of press etc. I remember the left shoulder strap pressing my jump wings pins into my chest so hard it bled. I wasn't the only one either. We then had to pack up the chutes and march them back to meeting point all in those hot polyester crap uniforms so I feel for the guy jumping with the beret.
Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: April 10, 2011
KitMaker: 7,941 posts
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Posted: Saturday, January 10, 2015 - 08:53 PM UTC
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On one occasion we actually jumped in our "dress" uniforms which we refer to as "aleph" with our red berets in our pockets. It was a publicity thing and there were all sorts of press etc. I remember the left shoulder strap pressing my jump wings pins into my chest so hard it bled. I wasn't the only one either. We then had to pack up the chutes and march them back to meeting point all in those hot polyester crap uniforms so I feel for the guy jumping with the beret.
Yeah,that would raise the level of"suckiness" a lot!
No one ever jumped with berets on. I am just showing this guy wearing one before he puts his "brainbucket" on for the jump. It's the way my customer wanted it so....
Thanks for your comment buddy!
J
Michigan, United States
Joined: July 23, 2005
KitMaker: 155 posts
Armorama: 121 posts
Posted: Saturday, January 10, 2015 - 09:55 PM UTC
Jerry, that is some GREAT work!! Your 'troopers are looking fantastic! I'll be keeping a close eye on this one!
Great job, buddy!
Rod
Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: April 10, 2011
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Posted: Saturday, January 10, 2015 - 11:01 PM UTC
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Jerry, that is some GREAT work!! Your 'troopers are looking fantastic! I'll be keeping a close eye on this one!
Great job, buddy!
Rod
Thanks Rod,
Nice of you to say!
J
Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: April 10, 2011
KitMaker: 7,941 posts
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Posted: Sunday, January 11, 2015 - 02:26 AM UTC
Another burst of energy and time resulted in the pack receiving it's static line(except for the piece that goes over the shoulder with the snap link on it)and also the complete reserve parachute. I had to make the reserve so that missing snap link has something to hook up to,namely the top carry handle.
So,next up will be the combat web gear,which we wore unbuckled in front so it kind of swung loose in back. Then I make the M1950 weapons case and finish up with the arms and helmet.
J
Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: April 10, 2011
KitMaker: 7,941 posts
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Posted: Sunday, January 11, 2015 - 09:56 PM UTC
Pressing on. The large alice pack was jumped by myself and all platoon and above leaders as we were required to jump a radio(prc77). It created a prodigious load. The NBC protective mask is carried strapped to the back of the rucksack and here we have a large canteen attached to the right and the e-tool attached to the left. The e-tool was SOP but the large canteen was for this jump into a tropical climate.
Still have the web gear and 1950 weapons' case,helmet and oh yes...arms.
J
England - North West, United Kingdom
Joined: March 27, 2007
KitMaker: 803 posts
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Posted: Sunday, January 11, 2015 - 10:22 PM UTC
Very nice work Jerry, great to see it take shape and its looking better than the original
Kind Regards
Dan
Pennsylvania, United States
Joined: April 10, 2011
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Posted: Monday, January 12, 2015 - 12:32 AM UTC
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Very nice work Jerry, great to see it take shape and its looking better than the original
Kind Regards
Dan
Thanks Danny,
That was the aim so I'm glad you like it!
J
Wien, Austria
Joined: May 20, 2011
KitMaker: 1,744 posts
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Posted: Monday, January 12, 2015 - 10:34 PM UTC
Wow!! Superb show Sir!!!
Eager to see it completed and painted up!
Thanks for sharing m8!!
Cheers
Romain
un pour tous et tous pour un!
