about the kit

One of many elements that set the Vietnam War apart from other wars was drug use, which was rampant among soldiers. Marijuana/Weed was grown all over Vietnam, and many soldiers had their first experiences smoking it overseas. It helped them mellow out and continue fighting. It took their mind off what the war was about and helped if they didn't necessarily believe in the cause for which they fought.
Although smoking weed was a punishable offense under army rules, many soldiers still indulged. Some leaders chose to ignore the problem. Others encouraged marijuana use, because it kept their men mellow and focused, because it diffused social problems in the group, because it had fewer side affects than alcohol use and abuse, or because they simply could not imagine trying to prohibit it.

Shotgunning was a popular way in Vietnam War; one soldier blows marijuana smoke into the ejection port of a shotgun as another inhales it from the muzzle.
Inspired by some Vietnam War documentaries and movie scenes like Platoon; Vladimir once again sculpted two unique figures smoking marijuana with a shotgun and kit is released by BRAVO-6 as B6-35076 U.S. G.I.s Shotgunners.

packing&casting

Figure parts come well packed, inserted into three seperate zip-lock bags, inside a light brown cardboard box. Front part shows a photo of painted figures that may serve as a simple painting reference.
Parts are cast in gray resin in crisp details and represented with easy to remove casting blocks. No need for a serious cleanwork or filling as the review samples have no casting mistakes, air bubbles or flesh resin but seamlines on the arms and shotgun will need to clean. Extra attention to barrel may need when removing shotgun from sprue.

figures

Kit includes two 1/35 scale figures depicting G.I.s of Vietnam War. Both figures wear Tropical combat uniform trousers with trotters inside boots and leather/canvas combined Jungle boots.

FIGURE-A
Standing and posed to lean forward to blow smoke into the shotgun, he wears an OD t-shirt. Folds and wrinkles are well defined.

Head : Facial details, hair, moustache, long whiskers and cloth headband are well represented. I especially liked the pose of lips blowing smoke and eyes looking down left to the sitting figure.

Left arm is posed to hold the shotgun and has a wrist watch.

Right arm is posed to hold shotgun’s stock. He carries a Remington 870 shotgun and left hand holding forestock is cast on the gun.

FIGURE-B
Sitting cross-legged on the ground, he has barechest. Body is sculpt in nice muscular details and hole under the left breast is for correct posing of the helmet on the lap. Head shows nice facial details. Hair, sleepy or dazed expression on the face and pose of the lips inhaling smoke are very well defined.

Right arm is posed raised to mouth to hold the barrel of shotgun to breath smoke and has a wrist band.

Left arm is posed to put on his thigh. He has a wrist watch and boxart shows he carries a marker to make graffiti on his helmet. Inspired by a Vietnam War photo ; Vladi added a nice detail to the figure and this can be easily scratchbuilt.

Helmet with Mitchell pattern camo canvas cover and helmet strap is given as a seperate part to put on the lap of figure.

conclusion

This is a nice kit to make a Vietnam War weed party scene. Poses are very good and fit together. As always, sculpt is sharp and detailed, cast is clean and without mistakes. They can be displayed alone or combined with some other at rest posed BRAVO-6 kits.