Thanks, everyone, for the positive feedback.

Peter,
The vegetation consists of jute twine for the shorter grass, Scenic Factory Field Grass for the tall grass, and one of their other products (can't remember the name) for the weeds.

Cheers,
James

scares me to death!! You did him right, and all I can say is "Welcome Home Brother."

He does look a touch naked! Hang a couple belts on him, and the normal 21 mag load out. I like the way the kid looks, as there's no fat boys in the bush. 140lb. of muscle, with the standard ten thousand yard stare.

Lastly; hang an orange juice can on the side of that sixty!
gary

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scares me to death!! You did him right, and all I can say is "Welcome Home Brother."

He does look a touch naked! Hang a couple belts on him, and the normal 21 mag load out. I like the way the kid looks, as there's no fat boys in the bush. 140lb. of muscle, with the standard ten thousand yard stare.

Lastly; hang an orange juice can on the side of that sixty!
gary

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Glad you like him Gary. I tried to get the haggard look and stare right as I have looked like that a few times during my career. He does look lightly equipped, but in this case, he is equipped correctly. As a former Recon Marine who was loaded down pretty heavily due to not being resupplied during missions and as a retired Army Light Infantryman who carried a lot of gear, it took me a while to get used to depicting Mechanized Infantrymen from 2/47th Inf (Mech) since they were equipped much lighter when dismounted since they were usually pretty close to their tracks. This scene takes place after the fighting around the Bien Hoa / Long Binh area where 2/47th Inf (Mech) was sent in to engage the attacking VC in those areas. I spoke to many Tet veterans from this battalion over the years and this is based on their descriptions. In film footage of the Scout Platoon and a platoon from B Company fighting at Widow's Village, you can see the dismounted Infantrymen carrying mostly claymore bags and bandoleers with very few of them wearing any web gear. As the battles raged on for the next two days, they had to replenish their ammo from their track by switching out empty claymore bags and bandoleers for full ones. Since this scene is after the fighting is over, this Soldier (who is the same guy sitting next to the bunker in my "Leave that snake alone and let's go!" diorama), all he has left are some magazines in the claymore bag over his shoulder. The canteens on the top of the track are there to show that the Soldiers were returning to the track to get a drink and take a break. I am glad you mentioned attaching a can to the feed tray of the M60. This was a common practice to help prevent the belts of ammo from kinking up prior to loading which could cause a jam. Only about half of 2/47th Inf (Mech) M60s had cans attached to them at this time, so I opted to go with one that did not (mainly because I had used all of my c-ration cans in the "Breakfast in the Boonies" diorama.

Cheers,
James

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scares me to death!! You did him right, and all I can say is "Welcome Home Brother."

He does look a touch naked! Hang a couple belts on him, and the normal 21 mag load out. I like the way the kid looks, as there's no fat boys in the bush. 140lb. of muscle, with the standard ten thousand yard stare.

Lastly; hang an orange juice can on the side of that sixty!
gary

---

Glad you like him Gary. I tried to get the haggard look and stare right as I have looked like that a few times during my career. He does look lightly equipped, but in this case, he is equipped correctly. As a former Recon Marine who was loaded down pretty heavily due to not being resupplied during missions and as a retired Army Light Infantryman who carried a lot of gear, it took me a while to get used to depicting Mechanized Infantrymen from 2/47th Inf (Mech) since they were equipped much lighter when dismounted since they were usually pretty close to their tracks. This scene takes place after the fighting around the Bien Hoa / Long Binh area where 2/47th Inf (Mech) was sent in to engage the attacking VC in those areas. I spoke to many Tet veterans from this battalion over the years and this is based on their descriptions. In film footage of the Scout Platoon and a platoon from B Company fighting at Widow's Village, you can see the dismounted Infantrymen carrying mostly claymore bags and bandoleers with very few of them wearing any web gear. As the battles raged on for the next two days, they had to replenish their ammo from their track by switching out empty claymore bags and bandoleers for full ones. Since this scene is after the fighting is over, this Soldier (who is the same guy sitting next to the bunker in my "Leave that snake alone and let's go!" diorama), all he has left are some magazines in the claymore bag over his shoulder. The canteens on the top of the track are there to show that the Soldiers were returning to the track to get a drink and take a break. I am glad you mentioned attaching a can to the feed tray of the M60. This was a common practice to help prevent the belts of ammo from kinking up prior to loading which could cause a jam. Only about half of 2/47th Inf (Mech) M60s had cans attached to them at this time, so I opted to go with one that did not (mainly because I had used all of my c-ration cans in the "Breakfast in the Boonies" diorama.

Cheers,
James

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reason I said to hang a juice can on that sixty was because all of them in that era had a feed issue. I was around B Troop 1st of the 1st CAV a little bit, and just as soon as the track stopped they got off. Big target! Infantry guys road on top till it didn't look good. Then the smart ones got off and walked. Ammo came in boxes that were placed inside a bandolier. It would hold seven boxes. The pockets were a perfect fit for a 20 round magazine. Hince you slung three bandoliers around your neck. Remf's got the issue magazine pouches, but guys in the bush used the bandoliers. Most everyone used standard 300 round belts of 7.62, but a lot of guys in the 101st actually carried ammo cans slung on their backs. Seems like it would be noisy, but guess it worked for them. New guys hung grenades on their harness, old guys used pouches. When I carried grenades, I used a gas mask bag with a bunch of them inside. Not sure I was ever issued a gas mask in the combat zone, but I bet the REMF's had one. Too much weight anyway. The whole idea here is it's better to be caught with, than without it.

Most people have little idea about what goes thru your mind in the boonies. First couple trips, your a naïve little kid. Then something happens near you, and the umbilical cord is forever broken. From then on it's a survival thing. I'm getting out there at all costs. You learn to read thoughts two steps ahead, and nothing gets between you and survival. You become a member of a clan with one job. To keep your right hand man's head attached. They replace your family and that old girl friend that sent the dear john. You'll anybody and anything for one of those guys. Yet some are never allowed in the clan. Race and thoughts have nothing to do with it. It's what happens when things light up.

That's why your figure scares me to death.
gary

Great Job James! In the recognizable 'O'Leary-style': like,like,like!

best regards,
Mark

ps. love your comments Gary: very helpful!

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scares me to death!! You did him right, and all I can say is "Welcome Home Brother."

He does look a touch naked! Hang a couple belts on him, and the normal 21 mag load out. I like the way the kid looks, as there's no fat boys in the bush. 140lb. of muscle, with the standard ten thousand yard stare.

Lastly; hang an orange juice can on the side of that sixty!
gary

---

Glad you like him Gary. I tried to get the haggard look and stare right as I have looked like that a few times during my career. He does look lightly equipped, but in this case, he is equipped correctly. As a former Recon Marine who was loaded down pretty heavily due to not being resupplied during missions and as a retired Army Light Infantryman who carried a lot of gear, it took me a while to get used to depicting Mechanized Infantrymen from 2/47th Inf (Mech) since they were equipped much lighter when dismounted since they were usually pretty close to their tracks. This scene takes place after the fighting around the Bien Hoa / Long Binh area where 2/47th Inf (Mech) was sent in to engage the attacking VC in those areas. I spoke to many Tet veterans from this battalion over the years and this is based on their descriptions. In film footage of the Scout Platoon and a platoon from B Company fighting at Widow's Village, you can see the dismounted Infantrymen carrying mostly claymore bags and bandoleers with very few of them wearing any web gear. As the battles raged on for the next two days, they had to replenish their ammo from their track by switching out empty claymore bags and bandoleers for full ones. Since this scene is after the fighting is over, this Soldier (who is the same guy sitting next to the bunker in my "Leave that snake alone and let's go!" diorama), all he has left are some magazines in the claymore bag over his shoulder. The canteens on the top of the track are there to show that the Soldiers were returning to the track to get a drink and take a break. I am glad you mentioned attaching a can to the feed tray of the M60. This was a common practice to help prevent the belts of ammo from kinking up prior to loading which could cause a jam. Only about half of 2/47th Inf (Mech) M60s had cans attached to them at this time, so I opted to go with one that did not (mainly because I had used all of my c-ration cans in the "Breakfast in the Boonies" diorama.

Cheers,
James

---

reason I said to hang a juice can on that sixty was because all of them in that era had a feed issue. I was around B Troop 1st of the 1st CAV a little bit, and just as soon as the track stopped they got off. Big target! Infantry guys road on top till it didn't look good. Then the smart ones got off and walked. Ammo came in boxes that were placed inside a bandolier. It would hold seven boxes. The pockets were a perfect fit for a 20 round magazine. Hince you slung three bandoliers around your neck. Remf's got the issue magazine pouches, but guys in the bush used the bandoliers. Most everyone used standard 300 round belts of 7.62, but a lot of guys in the 101st actually carried ammo cans slung on their backs. Seems like it would be noisy, but guess it worked for them. New guys hung grenades on their harness, old guys used pouches. When I carried grenades, I used a gas mask bag with a bunch of them inside. Not sure I was ever issued a gas mask in the combat zone, but I bet the REMF's had one. Too much weight anyway. The whole idea here is it's better to be caught with, than without it.

Most people have little idea about what goes thru your mind in the boonies. First couple trips, your a naïve little kid. Then something happens near you, and the umbilical cord is forever broken. From then on it's a survival thing. I'm getting out there at all costs. You learn to read thoughts two steps ahead, and nothing gets between you and survival. You become a member of a clan with one job. To keep your right hand man's head attached. They replace your family and that old girl friend that sent the dear john. You'll anybody and anything for one of those guys. Yet some are never allowed in the clan. Race and thoughts have nothing to do with it. It's what happens when things light up.

That's why your figure scares me to death.
gary

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Thanks for sharing your insight, Gary. The deep bonds and brotherhood one develops in combat are the strongest there are. Most people to do not realize that those bonds are stronger than those between actual family members.

Instead of thinking about the bad things when you see this figure, try to remember the good times you experienced with the person this figure you reminds you of. I know it is easier said than done. I've lost several good friends over the course of the 15 deployments I went on during my 28 year career, so I think I can understand how you feel. Anytime you need to talk, you can PM me, Brother.

Cheers,
James

I can't add any thing more that hasn't already been said, fabulous work indeed. What makes of paint do you use?

Its uncanny, he looks just like a Major I knew when I was in the 9th Division in the 80s--the guy I knew was also a 9th Division vet. Did you get the face from a photo somewhere? I swear its his spitting image!
VR, Russ