introduction

BRAVO-6 added another U.S. Infantry figure to Vietnam War Rumble in Jungle series. B6-35059 Buckshot Blast depicts an Army soldier in standard uniform firing with his Ithaca 37 shotgun. Shotguns were used as an individual weapon during jungle patrol in Vietnam War. Infantry units were authorized shotguns but it was not a general issue to all infantrymen. It was a select issue, such as one per squad. Ithaca Model 37 combat shotguns used in Viet Nam were riot guns with 18-inch barrels or trench guns with 20-inch barrels, with wood stocks and forearms and parkerized metal parts. It had plenty of firepower in a small package, with a disconnector mode that allowed one trigger pull to discharge a full magazine as fast as the forearm can be cycled.

box

Figure is served in standard company cardboard box labeled with a photo of the assembled and painted figure. Parts like arms, shotgun and personal gear come inside a small transparent zip-lock bag and this bag is inserted into a bigger bag together with body part.

parts

As always, figure is sculpted by Vladimir Demchenko and cast in grey resin. Parts are represented on easy to remove casting blocks, but extra care may need on the muzzle of shotgun. Resin quality is good and casting is clean. No air bubble or casting mistakes, just a few slightly visible seamlines to clean.

Posed to fire his shotgun on kneeling position, figure comes in 7 parts.

Body with head : Head is turned left with an aiming position. Facial details and hair are well defined so the figure can be displayed without helmet. Right cheek is sculpted proper to the fit of the shotgun’s stock. He wears standard army uniform of tropical jungle jacket with two chest and two lower bellows pockets - all with flap covers, jungle trousers with two rear and two bellows cargo pockets on both sides and canvas-leather combined Vibram jungle boots. Trotters are inserted into the boots. He carries M1956 LCE ( Load Carrying Equipment) which consists of Pistol belt and H-harness with M-16 ammo pouches , probably loaded with sgoutgyn shells, on both sides and on the back. Wrinkles, folds and pockets of the uniform and field gear details are well defined.

Arms are posed to fire/aim the rifle. Both are sculpted with upfolded sleeves and show nice cloth folds.

Shotgun : He carries a Ithaca Model 37 Riot Gun with 18 inch barrel. It was introduced in 1937, based on a design originally patented by John M. Browning in 1915, with both loading and ejection through the same bottom port. Besides ease usage by right and left-handed soldiers, this design helped keep dirt and mud out of the action as compared to most other standard slide-action shotgun designs that utilized an ejection port in the right side of the receiver. Model 37 has another version - Trench Gun with 20 inch barrel, ventilated heat shield over the barrel and bayonet adapter. Hands with leather gloves are cast on the rifle. Right hand is cast on the stock with finger on trigger and left hand is cast on the fore-end, suitable for a firing pose.

1 Qt canteen in canvas cover - 2 pieces to attach on both sides.

M1 Helmet with Mitchell pattern camo canvas cover with LSA oil and C-ration matches attached to helmet strap.

Water-slide decal sheet including various insignia, ranks and nametags is given inside the kit.

conclusion

Another nice posed Vietnam War figure that can be used in jungle, trench or urban dioramas. Good addition to Rumble in Jungle series with his shotgun.