M2A2 ODS in OIF dio, "On Patrol" done...
Florida, United States
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
Armorama: 13,742 posts
Posted: Monday, February 06, 2006 - 08:13 AM UTC
This is the completed dio for a customer of grunts and a M2A2 ODS Bradley from 3-15 IN, 3ID in Iraq, 2003. It is based on the below picture.
The Bradley is the Tamiya M2A2 ODS with scratch pieces added to fix what Tamiya missed. The interior is from an Academy M2 kit (copy of the original Tamiya M2 kit). The figures are converted Dragon ODS era figures with home cast resin torsos wearing modern IBA vests and gear. Flags and 3ID patches on the figures are hand-painted as well. The base is plaster over wood. I painted it with enamels and weathered with acrylics and chalk pastels. Hope you like it. Comments welcomed.
Actual picture:
Edit: New PICS.My dio:
Close up of the pole:
More here. Field Artillery --- The KING of BATTLE!!!
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell
Showcase
Michigan, United States
Joined: December 11, 2003
KitMaker: 5,409 posts
Armorama: 3,777 posts
Posted: Monday, February 06, 2006 - 08:27 AM UTC
I like it alot. You captured the photo's essence very well.
You don't support the troops if you don't support the mission!
Wisconsin, United States
Joined: October 19, 2002
KitMaker: 1,571 posts
Armorama: 764 posts
Posted: Monday, February 06, 2006 - 08:46 AM UTC
Very well done. The only thing I think it lacks is that the Bradley looks too clean.
recon
Singapore / 新加坡
Joined: April 27, 2005
KitMaker: 1,396 posts
Armorama: 0 posts
Posted: Monday, February 06, 2006 - 08:49 AM UTC
I would like to see more dust/dirt to the ground. Other than that... great job on the Bradley.
Singapore / 新加坡
Joined: August 03, 2005
KitMaker: 2,709 posts
Armorama: 1,818 posts
Posted: Monday, February 06, 2006 - 09:07 AM UTC
Hey Gino,
I think it looks fantastic!
Quoted Text
The figures are converted Dragon ODS era figures with home cast resin torsos wearing modern IBA vests and gear.
Forgive my ignorance but did you create a mold to replicate the torso?
I wouldnt fully agree with making the Bradley dirtier as im aware its not always covered in mud. Some customers like it clean as well.
I would suggest adding more of what looks like electrical poles from the actual photo and also more rubble to give the base more character.
Other than that, excellent work as usual Gino.
Jeremy Wee
"A man is incomplete until he is married. After that, he is finished.."
Colorado, United States
Joined: February 06, 2002
KitMaker: 1,526 posts
Armorama: 1,294 posts
Posted: Monday, February 06, 2006 - 09:20 AM UTC
Happy modeling!
Warning: possible addiction may occur.
Currently on the bench: Maquette T-34/76
Florida, United States
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
Armorama: 13,742 posts
Posted: Monday, February 06, 2006 - 09:26 AM UTC
Thanks guys. The base and Brad are as dirty as they are getting. I like them a little clean, lightly weathered, so you can see the details. They look dirtier in person as well, the camera and lights tone it down some. As Jazza said, not all vehicles are covered in muck and grime as well. Also, if you look at the picture, there isn't that much rubble or dirt, etc. on the road and sidewalk area.
As to the IBA torsos, yes, I made RTV Rubber molds of Dragon's Modern Marines and Trumpeter USMC OIF figures' torsos. Then I casted them in resin. I then swapped them out with the PAGST torsos in the original Dragon figure kits. I like how they came out. It opens up all sorts of possibilities for more modern figures as well. You can use just about any figure in BDU's and swap out the torso to get modern figures.
Field Artillery --- The KING of BATTLE!!!
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell
Showcase
Singapore / 新加坡
Joined: August 03, 2005
KitMaker: 2,709 posts
Armorama: 1,818 posts
Posted: Monday, February 06, 2006 - 11:40 AM UTC
Quoted Text
As to the IBA torsos, yes, I made RTV Rubber molds of Dragon's Modern Marines and Trumpeter USMC OIF figures' torsos. Then I casted them in resin. I then swapped them out with the PAGST torsos in the original Dragon figure kits. I like how they came out. It opens up all sorts of possibilities for more modern figures as well. You can use just about any figure in BDU's and swap out the torso to get modern figures.
Im going to ask a silly question here so bear with me but why not just use the Trumpeter kit for all the figures? Does Dragon produce better all round figures with the exception of the torso?
Jeremy Wee
"A man is incomplete until he is married. After that, he is finished.."
Florida, United States
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
Armorama: 13,742 posts
Posted: Monday, February 06, 2006 - 12:05 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Im going to ask a silly question here so bear with me but why not just use the Trumpeter kit for all the figures? Does Dragon produce better all round figures with the exception of the torso?
Trumpeter's OIF figures are a mixed bag. The Dragon figures are better all around and I could better match the poses I wanted with them.
The Trumpeter ones have softer detail and the heads are trash. Other than the torsos and some of their gear, the Trumpeter figures are pretty bad.
Trumpeter's weapons are as nice as Dragons though, which are excellent.
The reason I copied both Trumpeter and Dragon torsos was to get some variety. A couple of the Trumpeter ones have hoods for Gortex jackets or JSLIST chem suits too, and one had the Camelbak already on it.
Given the choice, I would rather convert the Dragon ones. They look much nicer with crisper molds and finer details. More variety using their older figures as well.
Quoted Text
I would suggest adding more of what looks like electrical poles from the actual photo...
Actually working on a telephone/power pole now. A couple people suggested that and I agree that it would add more depth to it. Will have an updated pic up tomorrow sometime.
Field Artillery --- The KING of BATTLE!!!
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell
Showcase
Florida, United States
Joined: April 25, 2005
KitMaker: 110 posts
Armorama: 84 posts
Posted: Monday, February 06, 2006 - 12:21 PM UTC
That is outstanding
You did a great job on the dio
Kansas, United States
Joined: August 17, 2005
KitMaker: 725 posts
Armorama: 340 posts
Posted: Monday, February 06, 2006 - 12:30 PM UTC
I like it a lot! Good work! I think that the Bradley is just fine the way it is. In a desert environment vehicles get a lot of care and in and urban area it wouldn't get that dirty. I think you got it just right!
"The Marines I have seen around the world have the cleanest bodies, the filthiest minds, the highest morale, and the lowest morals of any group of animals I have ever seen. Thank God for the United States Marine Corps!" Eleanor Roosevelt
Paris, France
Joined: August 30, 2005
KitMaker: 2,315 posts
Armorama: 2,158 posts
Posted: Monday, February 06, 2006 - 02:45 PM UTC
Dear Gino
Great work
Totally agree with Jazza you need to put more stuff on the street poles, dumpsters
IMHO, it looks too empty or too clean the street ??
Cheers
seb
England - North West, United Kingdom
Joined: July 28, 2005
KitMaker: 360 posts
Armorama: 334 posts
Posted: Monday, February 06, 2006 - 02:47 PM UTC
You have a great looking dio there. Better than I could do.
Keep up the good work
Buskerud, Norway
Joined: July 31, 2005
KitMaker: 1,871 posts
Armorama: 1,423 posts
Posted: Monday, February 06, 2006 - 03:00 PM UTC
Outstanding as allways Gino.
You really captured the feeling of a dismounted armoured patrol. I guess your customer (a fellow soldier, I suppose) will be very happy with this work of art.
Cheers
Erik
Texas, United States
Joined: December 22, 2001
KitMaker: 3,586 posts
Armorama: 2,556 posts
Posted: Monday, February 06, 2006 - 06:21 PM UTC
I take off for the weekend to play soldier and this is what I come back too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Antoher great looking dio SIR!!!!!!!!!!! I'm jelous know! I WANT A GINO MASTER PEICE KNOW!!!!!!!!! :-)
Pete Becerra, Jr. SGT(RET)
HHC, 71st BfSB - TEXAS
HHB, 36th ID DIVARTY -TEXAS
B Co.(-), 949 FSB, 56th BCT, 36th ID - TEXAS
B Co., 324th FSB, 3rd Brigade, 24th INF DIV(MECH)
563rd ORD Co. - GERMANY
Florida, United States
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
Armorama: 13,742 posts
Posted: Monday, February 06, 2006 - 09:27 PM UTC
Thanks guys. Glad you like it. Power pole will go in today. Am also adding slings to the rifles. I'll update soon.
Field Artillery --- The KING of BATTLE!!!
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell
Showcase
California, United States
Joined: December 24, 2002
KitMaker: 4,105 posts
Armorama: 2,492 posts
Posted: Monday, February 06, 2006 - 09:36 PM UTC
Looks very good, Gino.
When you talked about torsos, I thought you used the Verlinden conversion set.
What material did you use for the gray street and where did you get the wooden base?
Florida, United States
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
Armorama: 13,742 posts
Posted: Monday, February 06, 2006 - 09:48 PM UTC
Quoted Text
What material did you use for the gray street and where did you get the wooden base?
Peter,
HeavyArty's Dio Building 101:
The wooden base was made by me as well. It is a 1" x 10" piece of pine, cut to size, routed the edges, and finished with stain and an acrylic clearcoat. The wall is a piece of 3/8" plywood sunk into the base in a routered channel. The sidewalk is a piece of artists foamcore board to raise it up above street level. The whole thing is covered with Spackling Compound, plaster used on drywall, and smoothed out with a putty knife. Once dry, I further smoothed it with sand paper. It was all then painted with enamels, and weathered with acrylics, enamels, and pastel chalks.
Thanks for the compliments.
Field Artillery --- The KING of BATTLE!!!
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell
Showcase
Illinois, United States
Joined: January 07, 2005
KitMaker: 226 posts
Armorama: 41 posts
Posted: Monday, February 06, 2006 - 09:52 PM UTC
Looks phenomenal. Really captured the essence of the photo very well. Great stuff.
p.s. what's the rifle on the ground for?
On the sixth day God created man... mostly out of Aves Apoxie Sculpt and other greeblies found about His hobby room.
Florida, United States
Joined: May 16, 2002
KitMaker: 17,694 posts
Armorama: 13,742 posts
Posted: Monday, February 06, 2006 - 10:15 PM UTC
Quoted Text
p.s. what's the rifle on the ground for?
Discarded Iraqi weapon. They were all over the place there. We found all types too. I personally found a few AK's, an RPK, an Uzzie, couple RPGs, and a couple pre-WWII vintage Lee-Enfields stamped 1936 and 1938 on them, and other assorted weapons. All these were unfortunately turned in to Bn and subsequently destroyed. Would have loved to keep the Enfields though. No telling what they were worth.
Field Artillery --- The KING of BATTLE!!!
"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." -- George Orwell
Showcase
Kobenhavn, Denmark
Joined: January 16, 2005
KitMaker: 878 posts
Armorama: 697 posts
Posted: Monday, February 06, 2006 - 10:59 PM UTC
I think it looks good. I like the litter on the street and the tension in the dio.
Also like the picture. Always nice to see where modellers gets their inspiration from.
Thanks for sharing.
Simon
Texas, United States
Joined: May 30, 2002
KitMaker: 1,038 posts
Armorama: 377 posts
Posted: Monday, February 06, 2006 - 11:38 PM UTC
Hooah sir!
Infantry, Queen of Battle
Porto, Portugal
Joined: November 01, 2005
KitMaker: 199 posts
Armorama: 197 posts
Posted: Tuesday, February 07, 2006 - 01:07 AM UTC
Very good job,Ilike it a lot
Pedro
England - South East, United Kingdom
Joined: April 30, 2005
KitMaker: 746 posts
Armorama: 389 posts
Posted: Tuesday, February 07, 2006 - 01:29 AM UTC
Congratulations on a fantastic piece of work, you have really captured the Essence of the pic, Nice one
redleg
Scotland, United Kingdom
Joined: May 25, 2005
KitMaker: 2,218 posts
Armorama: 1,050 posts
Posted: Tuesday, February 07, 2006 - 01:35 AM UTC
Excellent job, really nice!
