couple small notes on an excellent build so far:

* Marines did wear cammies (we called them PJ's). But were a rare sight in the bush. Can't remember seeing a guy with them out in the bush, but the DaNang warriors had them!

* the shooter in the second photo looks to be a dead ringer for J.T. Ward (107 kills). Used to do the road sweep detail with Alpha Troop 1st/1st Cav out of Hawk Hill every now and then.

* rifle and scope supplied will date you to mid / late 67 or later. Bolt guns prior were Winchester Mod.70's. The earlier scopes looked nothing like what they did, and is really current to today. Do a search for Leatherwood scopes, as that was the hot item in in 68 & 69. The Weaver K4 and a couple similar hunting scopes were used before the Leatherwood. Even earlier they used a fancy target scope that used spring and external adjustments (can't remember the name of it)

gary

Very useful information Gary, thanks!

Finishing touches (spotter is with full ERDL camo), the base is covered with DAS clay, the sides are painted with black spray paint. I will make textured paste for the terrain and then the real work with the vegetation and water.
I will add rifle slings later













Thanks!

Forgot the binoculars case, I will repaint it later

I covered the same A.O. as Carlos Hathcock, but never met him. Ward and a couple others I did meet. Never saw a sniper wear a flak jacket. You never wanted to get shot wearing one!

Not everybody used a bolt gun, and they were actually a hindrance under 350 yards. Many guys used the M14 with the Leatherwood scope or even N.M. peep sights. The reason why was a quick second shot into a group of bad guys. The downside of a rapid second shot is they know where you are.
gary

Thanks for comment, Gary!

Proceeding with the base-a tree and fallen trunk, made from DAS clay, bark is applied with universal acrylic putty from DIY store.
Then black spray paint for primer and light coats of Agama wood brown (or any light brown color). Then drybrushing two darker colors for variation. I will add moss and washes later











Venelin

I've made earth paste (talcum/baby powder+PVA glue+some fine chinchilla sand+acrylic colors), it was lighter in color intentionally. Dries fast, no cracking when applied in thin layers. Then various washes, achieving the wanted earth tones. Fresh mud wash, where the water will be. Finally drybrushing Vietnam earth pigment here and there.
Next some scatter leaves and vegetation.













Regards!

nice subject , great job

i think I still have a pair of my old ones !!

Gary the scope you mentioned above with the knobs and springs was made by Unertl. JFYI

I could not think of the name to save my life. I've seen guys use everything from a Springfield 03 to a specially built 50 cal from one time to another. There was another early target scope used on Winchester Mod. 70's built by Lyman. Never saw one over there, but have seen them in the states many years back.
gary

Some scatter from tea, spices, crushed dry leaves etc.







Venelin

Incredible work is all I can add! I would say, knock down that sheen on the figures before you call it good.

Excellent paint work, if I do say so myself!!!!!!!


Cheers, Ski.

Thanks, Steven!
The shine will be dealt with Ultra matte varnish

The first try with the water was unsuccessful, I used AK still water, but although I applied it thin, it shrinks and cracks. So removed the stuff (along with the soil ) and restored the terrain with the textured paste.
This time I used Pebeo crystal resin-lovely stuff. No bubbles either when mixing or casting the water. I tinted it a bit with oil colors for effect. I have to sand the sides and some corrections, but I liked the result.









Regards

I like the second result, looks much better. You're more gutsy than I. I haven't done any water features yet, but it's acomin. Great work!

For a first try with water, I'm satisfied . Maybe I will use the AK stuff for other effects-ponds etc., but the crystal resin is very nice-you can cut and sand it. Only that capillarity has to be dealt with (slightly rising at the edges), I will add second thin, transparent layer to level the water.

Venelin

I added also some ivy, for visual interest







Regards

Wow, looks great so far!

Very nice work with the vegetation, well done!

Mario

Your groundwork is coming along really well. Your second attempt at the water effects looks pretty good. I have not tried recreating any sort of water yet, but many of my upcoming dioramas may require that I include water. You have my respect for taking on that challenge and having it turn out well.

Can't wait to see the completed diorama.

Cheers,
James

That is looking very cool. Following your build for sure...

I added more rice stems, grass and a rock. Some ferns and bamboo left to do and is almost finished. The figures will be weathered and glued in the end.












Thanks!

Great looking dio! One thought I had, if I were patrolling, that light colored rock in all that green would probably draw my attention. Wayne

I noticed that, thanks! I will brush some pigments to correct that

Regards

Small progress with the bamboo
I cut 2 mm and 1 mm plastic tubes in small parts, which I widened a bit at the ends with a toothpick. Then with thin cement, I pressed the parts to glue them. Painted with different colors and I will make some more leaves and put them on the bamboo stems.














Cheers!