tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69815801578549909682024-03-13T08:52:39.561-07:00Smashes, Bashes, and Kits, 1/6 scale action figuresDuanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16316361297063801542noreply@blogger.comBlogger26125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981580157854990968.post-50997695120970797372021-11-17T11:16:00.001-08:002021-11-17T11:16:11.619-08:00*BOOM!*<img id="id_496f_8edf_44ab_3fb4" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/MMWWhyAomLmYIjTFMHCZ8GHy_IBLcQt2-dMPNDP-APMhsa5qbPxUkfjGYuz8hM8YKnE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br> <div>The blog is active again. We’re going to try it for awhile to see if we get some readers and some interest. If you read it, post a comment. Even if you don’t like it, let me know. I can fix it if I get input. If you have a figure, a diorama, a review, a tip, a suggestion, or a how to, I’ll run it. This isn’t all about me. </div><div><br></div><div>Enjoy!</div>Duanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16316361297063801542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981580157854990968.post-5296118457009916372021-01-16T19:02:00.001-08:002021-11-15T08:26:56.291-08:00 A mediocre at best set of figures<img id="id_21b4_7540_e5cb_83b9" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/R-ipi5xsmM3MRFy17K3dCUgvNSB6jxPQmCkmvvcrzeljhv92hCTM1Mk7Mbflnic" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_f6d0_291e_d7eb_e1bb" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/zHXjcQ9SIzt9wtHmUUcpy8giAC4SOBhdtE2fXFvZt6A_7z9O7jBKIaaFLHDM55c" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_8132_44d1_bcc2_4ddc" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/xLRMRQpuzJPH5e9WRCfQpQn99tIblvZ4ygHKWAu6WsC9dohkz_2Wem9x06Ck1aQ" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_fe2e_3f12_ecec_5084" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/tdfxrY-Azj7Gk-8vepqYesGDEnOFlLawdgmedJeuACpBioxANEBi_p70OrNlLqc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Let’s look at these paratroopers. The person who made them says that they are US Airborne in June 1944. It’s a noble endeavor. Or, is it? We’ll label them #1, #2, and #3. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Trooper #1:</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">He’s probably the best of the bunch, but is he a good figure? First of all, look at the aid kit tied to the helmet net. Reenactors love it that way. Modelers love it that way. Action figure enthusiasts love it that way. Is it correct? Not at all. Paratroopers jumping into Normandy didn’t do it that way. They used a lot of burlap scrum to help break up the silhouette of their helmets. They wouldn’t tie an unnatural looking object into them.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">How about the musette bag? It looks good, right? It’s on backward. The idea was for the jumper to land, drop his chute harness, drop his life vest, and toss the musette over his head and wear it like a backpack. That doesn’t work when you wear it this way. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">A trench knife in the reserve chute rigging? Really? What happens to it if you use the reserve chute? When you are in a hurry and quickly drop your harness, will you remember to grab your trench knife?</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">What’s with the compass on the wrist? Troopers said they rarely if ever wore them that way.</span></div><div><br></div><div>Trooper #2:</div><div><br></div><div>The musette bag is backward. See above. </div><div><br></div><div>He wouldn’t have his binoculars loosely slung around his neck. In the first place, he’d lose them as soon as he jumped. What would happen if he had to use his reserve, and they got snagged in it? He’d either strangle himself, or they’d bind in the rigging, and his chute might not open properly. Then, what?</div><div><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Why would you have smoke grenades in the parachute rigging? Would you remember to grab them when you dropped your chute? If not, what good are they? </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">He has the wrong parachute on. The parachute used in Normandy hooked in the front. The one with the buckle harness wasn’t used until Market Garden.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Figure #3:</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Is he good? Nope. His musette bag is backward. See #1. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Why the trench knife in the reserve parachute rigging? See #1.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Double-buckle boots? First of all, they weren’t issued at this time. Most importantly, paratroopers took pride in their jump boots. They earned the jump boots, and the boots were a status symbol. Only recruits and replacements brought in later got the double-buckle boots.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">A BAR? Unless he’s 82nd, he has the wrong weapon, and even then troopers didn’t jump with them. They were too big and too bulky to jump with. </span></div><div><br><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Compass on the wrist? Nope. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Why is his canteen in front?</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Learn from these figures. If you want yo do good, realistic figures, look at photos. See what was worn and how they wore it. Do a bit of research, and the rewards will pay off. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">By the way, the purpose of this post isn’t to ridicule or to demean anyone. It’s our hobby. We all do things our way. However, if you are trying to represent a group of real people, even if you aren’t doing a specific individual or group of individuals, you owe it their memory to do it right. Reenactorisms took over what was once a great hobby. Don’t do the same thing in 1/6 scale.<br><br></span><br> </div>Duanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16316361297063801542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981580157854990968.post-5150886357315946922020-12-12T07:01:00.001-08:002020-12-12T07:01:37.100-08:00Scam Seller on eBay...Watch Out!Here’s the listing as it appears:<div><br></div><div><img id="id_c0e9_4130_3d3a_14ee" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/fnOCIHCY7RI4SaHZph_oaiW9CaGUrBe3Rxl2Spd34M1I5LqTFqH897hEiAOC53w" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"></div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_3ca6_9ba2_d21a_951c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/_IKW-lD7AgF-Ezi6HqZlyP-FCLw99z1piSa31z2HAbNWx4HjcXX7mLWOHtouyVU" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"></div><div><img id="id_7610_b700_f4ee_2c39" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/cZgkbuqpoZCMbjzdeAWI23DQ8oSdcnINsr09hQTVE-xt0X51sQmceXWtfRcDmWM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span><br><br></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_fb57_d333_e065_c7ee" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Hu4riw7zwaYuH6bK_fJIMYeXV-Jtu8AbRywH4IVToWpYNzOxMcI-Wmn1OIU4sTw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><img id="id_78fe_51e8_66ed_d488" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/9ioYWOuOzTVz2IcoqkxsPavYVnrBq3L8YmQmWWLWo39a-IpFV-fg-9egQwbF2qI" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Let’s look at the problems with this listing. First of all, the price. $1,500? It should be in the $300-$500 range.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">He was contacted by the film industry to use it on the big screen? Doubtful. Hollywood wouldn’t pick the cheapest, most basic tanks out there.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">He states that it’s customized to be an M3, but it’s not. The original Haunted Tank was an M3. This tank is still in M5A1 configuration, They wouldn’t use the wrong tank in the film industry.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Supposedly it was customized, but nothing about it is changed from original configuration. Nothing about it makes it worth 3 to 4 times the cost it should be. He says it was supposed to be in the film industry. So, what? That doesn’t increase the value. Maybe if it was in some type of movie, it would command a premium as a movie prop, but this one wasn’t.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">I don’t have the space to show the pictures of the crew, but they’re horrendous. They’re kinda close to being accurate, but basically they are 4 GI Joes with an assortment of cheap, mismatched gear.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Sellers like this make it hard for honest sellers to do business. I feel sorry for the people who don’t know better, who believe the hype, and greatly over pay. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Buy with care! <br></span><br><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span><br><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span><br><br></div>Duanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16316361297063801542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981580157854990968.post-17223244659032622132020-04-21T06:54:00.001-07:002020-04-21T06:56:53.040-07:0082nd vs 101st<img id="id_b1e1_9a7c_c60d_dea5" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/GoI75Hay9xR9q4af9QsTz_aRLY_8IpTQ0R0Tgc1XUhGEI7vn_inxAn7_Mp1ot5o" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_5e2d_ae80_c7e_948c" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/w0U-tImckTdj7noihbju8Ju_lud4PSwHAIqpmqUY07n4sLkvk_y1N3_ZG3cvNYc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_fdef_faf0_ee9a_ac07" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/zZR-IKdbJsBw6cMwrbfy47_RF0TDY5_W6V-JIGwZTH1B2RG40EjaZk-eKQ0NM7g" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">As the paratroopers organized in the dark and came together, the fighting began. Objectives were accomplished, and a series of small battles was fought throughout the Cotentin peninsula. Unit cohesion had basically disintegrated, and troopers partnered up with and fought with whoever they met. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Before we get too far away from the 1/6 scale and turn this into a history blog, it’s time to look at the individual US Airborne divisions. How were they they same? How were they different? They were unique units, and the qualities that made them unique were often subtle at best.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">The 82nd was the first US airborne division established. It was a combat hardened division whose men had fought in both Sicily and Italy. The division’s first combat jump was in Sicily, as part of Operation Husky.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">The 101st airborne division was new to the parachute infantry. It was formed in August of 1942 from the old 101st division. Cadre for the 101st, in the form of NCOs and officers was provided in part by bringing men over from the 82nd. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Does this mean that they both were the same, and only wore different unit patches? To a point, but the men of each unit were proud, the men of each unit thought their division was the best, and they did their best to distinguish themselves as “All Americans” or “Screaming Eagles.”</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">How were they different? While their uniforms and equipment were mission-specific and basically the same, some subtle difference were evident. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">While both wore helmet nets, the 82nd used considerably less burlap scrim. Members of the 101st stuffed as much in as they could.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">The 82nd used both straight handlers and folding entrenching tools. The 101st primarily used the folding etools. It was rare to see a Screaming Eagle with a straight handled shovel.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">The men of the 101st were given cricket clickers to use as a means of identification in the dark. The clicker was a toy that made a click-clack sound when squeezed. One click-clack was answered by two click-clacks. The 82nd didn’t get them.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">Members of the 82nd primarily wore holsters for their pistols on their belts. Members of the 101st primarily wore shoulder holsters. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">During Overlord, the 82nd often sewed American flag path patches on their right arm. Men of the 101st did not. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">While some members of the 82 carried BARs, the infamous Browning Automatic Rifle, into battle, it was not used by paratroopers of the 101st, because they thought it was too big and bulky to jump with, and many hated the logistics of having to carry magazines. They waited for M1919 light machine guns to be dropped in canisters. BARs would be brought in by the glider troops in a day or two. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);">There are other minor differences, but when making 1/6 paratrooper kitbashes, keep these ideas in mind. Subtle, factual distinctions often mean the difference between good figures and great figures.<br></span><br> </div>Duanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16316361297063801542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981580157854990968.post-83407560497823779412020-04-20T06:43:00.001-07:002020-04-20T17:57:18.602-07:00D-Day Paratroopers, the Americans...<div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><img id="id_4757_1d20_2ddc_bec5" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/Q2E8CClZGF87c-cE0xJfSWsuc6c7GiF3cej9YXa0RxW2ttNaF3hy2L5KsosjI1k" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_cc0_a01d_6fb_5b7b" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/fCDAcyImBj4UCLtTwQfRHoLaW6bSHcS278Vv9s5GGAibya9UEKubfVkCwVlpHsM" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_ed15_b28c_a7b4_e542" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/ykzuQVNE2aZZapUAVPuMzMSgLfw9MV9JYdVQZcOjXQURy3-cHLFVX8O3ljlU_Cw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">This is the first in a series of posts dedicated to paratroopers on D-Day. We’ll talk about the troops that landed, their objectives, the differences between the divisions, the role of the glider troops, and some tips on making the best possible 1/6 scale Normandy Invasion paratroopers in later postings.</span><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">In the early morning hours of 6 June 1944, thousands of paratroopers from the British 6th Airborne, the US 82nd Airborne, and the US 101st Airborne divisions began landing all over Normandy to begin Operation Overlord, the Allied invasion of occupied France. Each division was later reinforced by glider troops. All 3 of the divisions had specific objectives. They were to mass their forces after landing, and assault and hold such things as bridges, causeways, crossroads, etc. As part of their defense, the Germans had flooded large fields in an effort to restrict movement of any invaders, and it was the primary goal of the airborne forces to not only cause diversions and disruptions behind the German lines, but to seize and to hold causeways and roads that would allow ground forces, and eventually armored vehicles and supply trucks to move inland.</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Just after midnight, pathfinders from the airborne divisions were dropped. Their mission was to find and mark drop zones so that the aircraft could more easily drop the troops in the proper locations. They had lights, radio beacons, and so forth that they were to use. The pathfinders were the first invaders on the ground, and their mission was both highly important and extremely dangerous. There weren’t many of them, and they were lightly armed. They would be on the ground by themselves for hours before additional forces landed.</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">Due to a series of problems during the drops, many planes missed their drop zones. Paratroopers were scattered throughout the Normandy region, many far from their designated drop zones. Some of them couldn’t even find men from the planes they were on, let alone the rest of their unit. Unit cohesion disintegrated, and the troops on the ground met up, organized, and fought with whoever they found in the dark.”. Many of these men were from other units. In some cases, men of both the 82nd and the 101st banded together, tried to determine where they were, and moved toward their designated objectives.</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">By daybreak, when the beach landings started, paratroopers were organized and assembled into viable fighting forces. Many of the designated objectives had been seized and were being held. It is said that the misdrops actually made the paratroopers more effective. Since they were scattered all over the place, the Germans were never able to organize and mount a strong counterattack, as they were unsure of where the paratroopers were or where they were headed.</div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;"><br></div><div style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;">In the next post, we’ll talk about the differences between the 82nd and the 101st. They were not just they same kind of guys with different patches. There were many differences.</div> Duanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16316361297063801542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981580157854990968.post-54637717890206729532020-03-27T23:28:00.001-07:002020-03-27T23:28:19.939-07:00Geronimo!This blog is going active. We’ll be sharing ideas, showing off figures, giving helpful tips, and showing the work of others. I’ve been silent for too long. It’s time to speak up again!<div><br></div><div><img id="id_24d4_6b92_9252_9d15" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/FyMXmrCZ77n9wECQrq048SDhvmiPg1j_l-rQiVyLHc36pcYMSqzzAG2XPz-cqDg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div>Duanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16316361297063801542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981580157854990968.post-72387139819734344862019-11-17T20:40:00.001-08:002019-11-17T20:42:41.207-08:00USMC Scout SniperSilent in action, but deadly in the end. This is the shooter of my newest sniper team. I have the spotter coming up later, and I’ll take them outside as a team for upcoming photos. He has the basic Hasbro ghillie suit, with some add-ons and improvements. <div><br></div><div>Scout-snipers infiltrate silently and very inconspicuously, moving slowly, making no noise, and blending in completely with their environments. Oftentimes they don’t go out to make a kill, but when they do, one shot is all it takes. They strike from far away and blend back into their surroundings. On missions where they don’t shoot, they often do scouting of enemy strength and numbers, supply routes, defenses, terrain, and so forth, and after calling in the required info, they provide fire support for friendly troops.</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_edee_6df0_583b_80f" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/ZExkvfNhIEt8xPag8MauKJr_TBeOY9qCDAw-a2ljdwm0NZ6hIGR-T6BRWz0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_468b_c214_300b_a1ef" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/mevM8l7N8HEn5Fbsj0tumIghKjY0gDw4PSWrxTP8k6O-i0TuOxW-htSOfKE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_6d26_46b3_8189_3c8d" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/N6iElq1VxeNAsFmBM0bbBmNRtpkvzRzY3JsK2Mqx0pNKeaXPJAGjSMORSGY" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_abdc_d3bf_6ac0_378" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/gAYjLSOcIRas6oTvFtDDMqgvLI-nfFmrIVRLSgxCAVEBxjflaYA3XNZI97o" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_512_13f2_9da9_ce54" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/UoFQ2ZfgczEhW5PSXqmHyAZI_oQkxJBIeufCPfE3V4mbPKgf9vwpYBIjGpg" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div>Duanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16316361297063801542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981580157854990968.post-12995433628710754862019-08-14T18:28:00.001-07:002019-11-17T20:32:33.595-08:00Boom!Sometimes, you can put a lot of planning into a shot, and you still may not get what you want. You can try different poses and setups, vehicle placement, and so forth, and you still might not get it.<div><br></div><div>Other times, things just kinda happen by accident. You can snap several pics, and you can get one or two that are at least as good as, or better than you were hoping for.</div><div><br></div><div>That’s what happened here...</div><div><br></div><div><br><br><br><img id="id_1d96_c68c_2d50_7281" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/IxrdI1-tBpyL2GrX4zhbcQCHul8O4Ll_YoX1MFXj3Qc4pBcgmLhcNyyTMXA" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_c9f8_961b_b74f_7364" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/MC90FcvM6gzzo199VhywYqkhLMWpQYnsNM71piVVAluh9aFnLvafiF61Zck" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br>I wanted to make it look like a Stuart tank was hit with a Panzerfaust. I didn’t have any smoke bombs, and it was after July 4, so no Texas fireworks sellers were open. I decided to improvise.</div><div><br></div><div>I took a piece of paper towel that was about 2 inches by 3 inches. I put around 50 grains of FFFg black powder into it, rolled it into a pouch, and rolled a small streamer off of the front of the wrap. I placed the tank, put my powder pouch about a foot away from it, got down in the grass to tank level, lit the streamer, and snapped away with my iPhone.</div><div><br></div><div>I ended up taking close to 50 photos. I was lucky. I got 2 that were excellent. I was willing to keep trying, but the first attempt was a success.</div><div><br></div><div>Check out the smoke detail in the second photo! By the way, there was no damage, even though in the photo, it looks like a devastating hit!</div>Duanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16316361297063801542noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981580157854990968.post-23358030210279547712019-06-10T09:01:00.001-07:002019-06-10T09:01:25.146-07:00Here’s another confused paratrooper...<img id="id_945b_f639_dc79_20f9" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/rd8sNgrEvIWnrh-rg3GNrwIUoTMa4Npg1WJxObN1KTVho9so_p2l1_bMQsE" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br> <div>Most people would think this is an extremely high quality figure. He’s not. He would be, but there are three glaringly obvious errors. </div><div><br></div><div>First, if he’s going into Normandy, he wouldn’t have his paratrooper aid kit tied to his helmet. That came later.</div><div><br></div><div>Second, he’s dressed and equipped for Normandy, but the parachute he’s wearing wasn’t put into US service until Market Garden. </div><div><br></div><div>Third, he’s carrying a Carbine, but he has a Griswold Bag. The Griswold Bag was used to carry a disassembled M1 Garand.</div><div><br></div><div>I don’t mean to sound overly critical. I’m not. This figure should be able to be purchased in the $50-$60 range. You could buy him at that price, and leave him “close”. Or you could buy him and spend another $30-$40 to make him right. </div><div><br></div><div>However, he’s listed for nearly $150 plus shipping. If you have that money to spend, buy one of the quality kit figures from Dragon, put him together, and make him yours. Stay away from spring-sprung. </div>Duanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16316361297063801542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981580157854990968.post-2623175506744745752019-06-10T07:55:00.001-07:002019-06-10T07:55:42.349-07:00Stay away from this seller!spring-sprung is an eBay seller who supposedly sells highly customized figures. He has hundreds of them listed, and some have been sold to people in other countries.<div><br></div><div>His figures aren’t that good. </div><div><br></div><div>They are over-priced, and often are only box figures with a pack of cigarettes added. Sometimes, the things done to them are just plain wrong.</div><div><br></div><div><img id="id_ee5c_aa5d_697b_660" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/VvD7cAb4YJaCTQGZfx-RxaCS0Tfickyr6T4WGiB9lrf6ODHUxzpDmplg8Cw" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_ffcf_8bd9_c021_1bc0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/RNsEBPYKF66-4d5kSqe3lJPzKPESwSBhJJehQfogzjK-K5UinH-_q6ReKT4" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_7402_7a74_ea8c_bfd2" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/EUKPQhovS9z_E7Xzk0Y8GKwbQJPMW_BVJVVB25WNKct20iHV6hJv6rVuxkc" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div><div>This figure has a serious identity crisis. He’s not sure if he’s jumping into Normandy or Holland. Aside from the fact that a paratrooper wouldn’t wear a white silk scarf into battle, what is on his helmet?</div><div><br></div><div>It’s true that during Market Garden, some troopers tied their paratrooper aid kit to their helmet. While many figure crafters also do it for Normandy, that is an inaccuracy. It wasn’t done then, and any figures showing it are historically incorrect.</div><div><br></div><div>However, this figure has his regular aid kit tied to his helmet. Why? That kit, or one similar to it, was issued to every soldier. It had hooks on it, and was made to fasten to the grommets on the Pistol, cartridge, or BAR belt. I make a bold statement. No trooper ever wore it that way.</div><div><br></div><div>You’ve been warned. Stay away from this guy. There are better figures out there that cost a lot less.</div>Duanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16316361297063801542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981580157854990968.post-830719240229473762019-05-30T15:19:00.001-07:002019-05-30T15:19:49.079-07:00D-Day Normandy 75th Anniversary It’s coming in a week. Stay tuned here for some recreations of historic photos in 1/6 scale. It should be fun. So far, these are the three I’ll be doing;<div><br></div><div><img id="id_41a8_3937_2186_375e" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/Vdx9CKq0q0XDG52AcrafjtQWGXzr-jZ1jzkrT6BLu-mfYiyUHtOBInGjJFk" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_595f_711b_2518_b18e" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/FGYzLQl3h3iwt85NgzCXoZ1qmjgB0Eko-7JR0f_WolVax04bN-QwmzINzug" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_649d_eab0_fbd0_a3a2" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/HU8Alv6tBxQHiuxn51Z3BGVmQHxWA5xyp-Lpd_2GJck8SnTrPO771h_B4b0" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><br></div>Duanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16316361297063801542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981580157854990968.post-57657579550279542172018-07-09T20:06:00.001-07:002018-07-09T20:06:31.317-07:00My Civil War MarineI don’t know the maker of the uniform, or what kit his gear is from, but I’ve had him for over 6 months. I bought him from a guy in France, of all places. He came with an Enfiekd rifle-musket, but I switched it out. The Marines were often used aboard ship, and they tended to like their smoothnores, so I gave him a ‘42 Springfield musket. With the buck and ball round, this thing was wicked at close range. I also figured that since is on campaign, he needed a knapsack. I also switched out his muslin haversack with this tarred canvas one, and gave him a cup. <img id="id_73b3_dda3_e22b_3c2c" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-O_Vi0AgEHhA/W0QirVSvp1I/AAAAAAAABMI/TGcqYXozYwEN0oHoJWPeAAfsOFOCjEJ2QCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_f59d_ab8a_b0c7_e890" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LAQu9o23NLs/W0QisDMPVvI/AAAAAAAABMQ/P5EAW_e3aY8KspDvPdAj2eBabA38DhVHACHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_2ef7_3445_9134_97fc" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UheSZ3GsZsw/W0Qir954NwI/AAAAAAAABMM/U5DuY2auYKIRXOE7BJMXqjSS9aY48hfUQCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_672f_f297_694a_2f2d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xheKR14RseQ/W0QirFa__LI/AAAAAAAABME/8SHZ5edF9bUAb8tOdN6wMBtnN6a0fzGWwCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_957f_2dd5_9f82_ad36" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-cG8wPZrEUhw/W0QitVi-FqI/AAAAAAAABMU/M0rCZ5U2TYQjiMx91G99-l3XR_vTEhh6wCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><div><br></div><div>I think he looks pretty good. He wasn’t cheap, but if you want quality, you pay for it I guess!</div>Duanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16316361297063801542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981580157854990968.post-84514180457500510092018-07-08T21:35:00.001-07:002018-07-08T21:41:50.812-07:00The new home of “The Misfit Squad.”So, we had a page on Facebook, and it brought about nothing but troubles. I was reported for publishing hate speech, because my WWII story involved German soldiers and the Waffen SS. I had to change the page name, because another page had the same name. Facebook even threatened to shut the page down due to reports it was receiving. <div><br></div><div>Well, I beat them to it. I’m tired of their bullshit. Period! Here’s the story, with the photos I want, the name I want, and the story I want to tell. Read, enjoy, and comment. We’re going to have fun with this one. The shackles have been removed, and it’s time to get down to business!</div><img id="id_b797_3a88_d2b7_cdd2" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MK4FOTOVpVE/W0LmCjjZNUI/AAAAAAAABLM/aYJhq2chwDYCMdfavjnykALbetxhzLYpwCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_15a1_2fc4_9514_dec4" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-N-qc3pbPQs4/W0Llsi2_16I/AAAAAAAABK8/Z3tLHpXY7b09Xtmmx-ovVBxO0oSulxthACHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_fc6b_95da_c0c9_f41b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-36sZqwGOEj4/W0LmCKZTvlI/AAAAAAAABLI/rgQ5hLqCf68cyyoimroks2eqr9mYmKirwCHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_310_d0b9_62e0_731b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jki8uDFFvqY/W0LmC3UENvI/AAAAAAAABLQ/68K_81fBdywY6K0EK5yQzv3bqjaztobMACHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br><img id="id_8716_db14_2835_d091" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--hHABwyIQ3U/W0LmB8IVGDI/AAAAAAAABLE/K6ZhxYob9HoYgnc3EqWDVNlSiGy4ZGs2ACHMYCw/s5000/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"><br><br>Duanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16316361297063801542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981580157854990968.post-41362971630662557752017-05-17T13:11:00.001-07:002017-05-17T13:11:32.297-07:00Historical Reenactors<img id="id_be3b_ea54_8748_bacc" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-n5pVLUVVv9I/WRyuQ72G8HI/AAAAAAAABJc/QQt7ZFooGkQb9_6-fAbgFEp2FdrAZkVJwCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"> <img id="id_1839_73c6_2b0b_3f2f" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l6wkhWaJw_o/WRyuUGfIP_I/AAAAAAAABJg/DS01DiPr2scGsdtFK-d6rBiRHdy9SEt6QCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"> <img id="id_bfc5_d6b6_d363_a029" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ajfJCcTGaDU/WRyuaCZ9ngI/AAAAAAAABJk/d_sRlZ9CZmgFwlfrbUVJQlLnPsyMx-TswCHM/%255BUNSET%255D" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"> Here we go! Let the hatred begin. Go for it. I can hack it! I'm going to ramble a bit away from 1/6 Scale and about historical reenactors, and what I say about reenactors won't at all be good. I'm going there anyway. It won't be pretty. <div><br></div><div>Let's reference all of this by first saying that I was a reenactor for 20 years. I started doing Civil War reenacting as a Confederate. I also did some Union reenacting. I ventured into the realm of WWII reenacting, and I loved every bit of it. I thought reenacting was great. We could spend ridiculous amounts of money on weapons, uniforms, and gear. We could research the folks we were trying to be, finding out such things as who they were, where they fought, how they fought, and why they fought, and we could justify it all in the name of history, remembrance, education, or whatever the appropriate catch phrase of the day was.</div><div><br></div><div>Only at a Civil War reenactment could find groups of men ogling a garment and analyzing stitch count, construction quality, fit, and sizing. Only at a reenactment could one find men spending $100 for a pair of pants because they had "the right look", and then dragging them through the mud to make them look better. </div><div><br></div><div>As I say, I've done it. I was there. I was one of them. I've spent a lot of money on things I didn't need, and I've always wanted more. I've read the books. I've watched the documentaries. I've done the research. I've driven the miles, and have gone to many states doing so. I've read the drill manuals. I've visited the battlefields. I've marched in the ranks and worn the uniforms. I've run out of ammo. I've burned myself on the weapons. I've slept on the ground. I've cooked over the campfire. I've been rained on, snowed on, stormed on, been in the wind, and have been outside in nearly every type of weather imaginable. I've been hot. I've been cold. I've been wet. I've sweated nearly to death, and frozen nearly to death. I've acted skits. I've done scripted events. I've laughed, moaned, groaned, cried, complain, been hurt, helped others who were hurt, ran out of ammo, ran out of water, ruined shoes, torn trousers, and had weapons malfunction. I've been victorious, I've been defeated. I've won tacticals. I've lost tacticals. I've seen fear in the faces of other reenactors who were being flanked. I've shown the same fear when I was flanked. I've slept under cannons, slept in the rain, slept on concrete, slept in frost, and slept in a bush in Gettysburg. </div><div><br></div><div>Does this make me a better person than anyone else? Of course not! Does this mean I've seen the elephant, and know what combat is really like? Not even close! Does this mean I can understand the mindset of the Civil War soldier or WWII GI or paratrooper? Nope!</div><div><br></div><div>What then does it mean. It means I've mastered the art of playing army. I've grown up without ever really growing up. I've played an expensive adult version of a childhood game.</div><div><br></div><div>Why?</div><div><br></div><div>That's what we'll explore in the next post. Bye for now!</div>Duanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16316361297063801542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981580157854990968.post-18746773908665541122017-04-22T07:58:00.001-07:002017-04-22T07:58:34.252-07:00Upcoming; "The Misfit Squad."<div><img id="id_4607_8487_fdbd_80b0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ye-45P8v4Co/WPtvmKYh0HI/AAAAAAAABJA/QZ5eZ0Xk2rY/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div><br></div>Coming soon will be my online comic called, "The Misfit Squad." It will take place in the days immediately following the Normandy invasion, and will be loosely based on the old "Haunted Tank" comic. There will be ghosts, and a tank haunted by JEB Stuart, but they aren't the main characters. Details will follow here, including photos, pre-production notes, and a background on each of the major characters.<div><br></div><div>I'm casting, equipping, making sets, and working out story lines. Anyone wishing to loan or to donate figures or gear are quite welcome to do so, and all are appreciated.</div>Duanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16316361297063801542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981580157854990968.post-34112968562224157232017-04-02T08:22:00.001-07:002017-04-02T08:23:32.610-07:00"Codename Gravedigger"<div><img id="id_c6b2_8d76_69a6_3ead" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DzhzEV9KwDg/WOEXMFQHkJI/AAAAAAAABIc/mACaew5gf3M/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"> <br></div><div><br></div>Gravedigger was the code name given to an African American special operative during WWII in D.C.'s "Men of War" comic book series. Captain Ulysses<span style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);"> Hazard</span> became "Gravedigger" after he covertly raided a Joint Chief of Staff meeting in the Pentagon after having his talents wasted on grave detail. Born in Mobile, AL, Hazard suffered polio early in life, but he fought and forced his body to overcome the disease. He had a strict regimen of strength and endurance training, and he became an expert with almost every handheld weapon known to mankind. After convincing the army of his worth as a solo operative, he was sent to war and given only the highest priority and most difficult missions. In an early episode, he was captured by the Germans, tied to the front of a Tiger tank, and used as a human shield. It was during this incident that he suffered the head wound that left him with the distinctive and unique scar, the cross between his eyebrows.<div><br></div><div>My Gravedigger build was simple. He is a comic book character, so detail and historical accuracy really aren't an issue. His uniform in the comic book appears to benothing more than a t-shirt and a set of HBTs. It was a pretty simple setup to recreate. I gave him a grease gun. I also labeled his helmet with his codename. Though this was never shown in the comic book, I wanted anyone who saw him to recognize that he was supposed to be more than simply an African American GI with a gun. </div><div><br></div><div>For the distinctive scar, I heated a pin with a cigarette lighter, and melted the shape until I was happy with it. I then cleaned up the edges with a hobby knife, colored it with a red magic marker, and wiped away the excess.</div><div><br></div><div>I think he turned out pretty good, considering it was in reality a very simple figure. What do you think? Tell me in the comment section, and feel free to send pictures of any similar figures that you may have.</div><img id="id_6ecf_daa4_8516_e17b" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8-0tT4zPkyA/WOEXMNXPwvI/AAAAAAAABIY/w19DK-QPYzs/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"> <img id="id_f106_4a64_b0df_2c3e" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YIlm8wSZxiY/WOEXNYmclbI/AAAAAAAABIg/Ld6z5bpZ1E8/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"> <img id="id_a0ca_be46_3c58_cd3a" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-69TWN0dW3GU/WOEXOYeHoiI/AAAAAAAABIk/o9CWLJyq3ZE/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"> Duanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16316361297063801542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981580157854990968.post-9972819787031813242017-04-02T06:49:00.001-07:002017-04-02T06:49:09.447-07:00I'm back, and it will be better than ever!<img id="id_229e_f99d_1300_a616" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-is9olgRcDsw/WOEBULKo7zI/AAAAAAAABH4/hAJAahmUXEg/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"> <img id="id_9c50_b657_f7ec_71ad" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-T44YVSDXqdo/WOEBVPGnMNI/AAAAAAAABIA/4n2RjSms_pg/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"> <img id="id_51e9_9b50_f8a6_642d" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yYyWBtyZrVY/WOEBTwR3MLI/AAAAAAAABH8/2GINOAtFlsM/%25255BUNSET%25255D.png" alt="" title="" tooltip="" style="width: 353px; height: auto;"> <div><br></div><div>My 1/6 scale blog is back, and I hope to make it better than ever. It's been a few years, but let the rebuilding begin.</div>Duanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16316361297063801542noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981580157854990968.post-55068869390761274042013-11-24T07:25:00.001-08:002013-11-24T07:47:24.468-08:00"One motivated Marine, and his rifle!"<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3YZhNOyjjCU_Wxl16ITozc4Grt9mdZUPXVCEJW08LAJCRw_f5drvWGxM7SAsUy-zxWyCVIQ2-fUEkynyGPE4uYCHhxK8fzCKoO-3bLI4sUcDP_EmeClxLSL_RJQZ-XieHTg-3A4WWaw/s640/blogger-image--1630505831.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3YZhNOyjjCU_Wxl16ITozc4Grt9mdZUPXVCEJW08LAJCRw_f5drvWGxM7SAsUy-zxWyCVIQ2-fUEkynyGPE4uYCHhxK8fzCKoO-3bLI4sUcDP_EmeClxLSL_RJQZ-XieHTg-3A4WWaw/s640/blogger-image--1630505831.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdTxwxi0rgbZ9Dj5_TGet_TYzPN-blbKM7VbU6AR5Gf5j6S0aT7V1txHisBDvsDS0Hfl9gc-zRirBPCvUkyGoy0S1v2-iahrBmPTuQ4MgH1QrlDVThAOhQ3JQu4Ug-PAvp31iuiiXNMA/s640/blogger-image-1547888057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdTxwxi0rgbZ9Dj5_TGet_TYzPN-blbKM7VbU6AR5Gf5j6S0aT7V1txHisBDvsDS0Hfl9gc-zRirBPCvUkyGoy0S1v2-iahrBmPTuQ4MgH1QrlDVThAOhQ3JQu4Ug-PAvp31iuiiXNMA/s640/blogger-image-1547888057.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ko5icvB-gSAd47gFFkpEqEUMiX8wB4im9lLThyWViQg6tdSW7VM6-3bQqy_XU-epYg85QTVCQhtewe9oPzzkutw5orFqSFpq1jE5nD0vQjCv7auA5tey4t-chkRlFPIH0G2nZGcULw/s640/blogger-image-2131966578.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ko5icvB-gSAd47gFFkpEqEUMiX8wB4im9lLThyWViQg6tdSW7VM6-3bQqy_XU-epYg85QTVCQhtewe9oPzzkutw5orFqSFpq1jE5nD0vQjCv7auA5tey4t-chkRlFPIH0G2nZGcULw/s640/blogger-image-2131966578.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Sideshow Toys is known for making quality figures. I have a few of their Civil War commanders series, and they are well done. They are the best Civil War figures available. They also did a series they called "Bayonets and Barbed Wire", which as you can guess was based on WWI, the Great War. Though Sideshow has gotten away from the military figure aspect and instead have begun producing figures based on the movie industry, many of the Sideshow military figures are out there.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I recently purchased one such figure, and he is the basis of this post. He's a Sideshow 5th Marine Regiment WWI figure. Going into the Great War, many politicians and army brass wanted to do away with the Marine Corps and blend it in to the army proper. Marines, both those currently serving and those who had served in the past, of course strongly resisted this idea. They were of the "First to Fight" mentality, and believed the USMC was both a viable and necessary fighting force that had repeatedly proven itself in past conflicts. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Marine Corps recruitment screening was the strictest in the US Armed Forces. In order to enlist, a recruit had to be at least 5'4", no less than 124 lbs, be able to read and write in English, be at least 18 yrs old, be of sound mind and body, have good hearing and eyesight, and have at least 20 teeth. Thus, prospective Marine candidates were some of the finest and fittest the country had to offer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">At the start of the war, the effort to preserve the Marine Corps was becoming a formidable obstacle. The forest green uniform that made Marines distinguishable at a glance from the soldiers of the Army was being done away with. It came to be that only new recruits fresh from the states wore the Marine green outfit. Much of the replacement gear was being supplied by the French and the British as well. In the wet and moldy environment of the stagnant trench warfare, uniforms and equipment wore out quickly, and oftentimes replacement gear was hard to come by. Marines were given the distinctive British "Brodie" helmet and small box respirator. The respirator, or gas mask as it was called, was the most important piece of gear issued to individual soldiers and Marines, as the threat of German gas attacks was constant, and to be without a respirator meant almost instant, and very painful death. The French "Adrian" helmet, French M-2 gas mask, canteen and boots were also being worn by US troops, and the leather Marine gaiters were quickly replaced by the British puttees.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">They may not have been pretty or even uniform in appearance, but after brutal fighting that would have almost surely overwhelmed any other fighting force, the Marine legacy of being the hardest and most tenacious fighters was preserved during the fight in the Battle of Belleau Wood. Belleau Wood was a brutal, 20 day affair that saw some of the most viscous fighting of the entire war. Marines were pinned down, flanked, wandered into areas behind the German lines, and were thought to be in a fight they couldn't win. At the end, however, the Marines, though suffering massive casualties, indisputably held the entire field. They began being called "Teufel Hunden", or "Devil Dogs" by the German soldiers unfortunate enough to get in their way.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The 5th Marine Regiment, one of the participants in the fight in Belleau Wood, was a regiment that came to France in June of 1917. It was comprised of many veteran Marines, and its commander was a Medal of Honor recipient. The 5th and 6th Marine regiments were joined by the 6th Machine Gun battalion to form the 4th Marine Brigade, which became a part of the 2nd Allied Expeditionary Force (AEF) Division.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Even after the fighting in Belleau Wood, there remained the push to do away with the Marine Corps, but the Marines held out and remained separate. They would fight valiantly in such notable battles as St. Mihiel, Champagne, and the Argonne Offensive.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR8FJ5KOFssHdI4mjrDOdpO4rOmaJH3bwXtbqD16iBSKhfHlIEHDevFZaK7ByOANmEVm6w1j7Q1ve5og3eq1VXfIjJLEuuShfI1fAPpsrwdR_qUJdWJ-ojvUQ1As_eRdjgkekXjTQneA/s640/blogger-image--630370029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR8FJ5KOFssHdI4mjrDOdpO4rOmaJH3bwXtbqD16iBSKhfHlIEHDevFZaK7ByOANmEVm6w1j7Q1ve5og3eq1VXfIjJLEuuShfI1fAPpsrwdR_qUJdWJ-ojvUQ1As_eRdjgkekXjTQneA/s640/blogger-image--630370029.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Review of the Sideshow figure to come soon in Part 2.</div></div><br></div>Duanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16316361297063801542noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981580157854990968.post-47793879444202281942013-11-10T11:26:00.001-08:002013-11-10T11:31:01.075-08:00"One, two, three, four...<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheVWBeUSUho-VYdLSKxmoZj3wK2mVhfsTMeNCM-D1BCf5yusuCZLV5gIgu1mgBZstUMGia9TgNRswk32z3yJGEU_ce6yQlWBprPhN13EacbXe29EMrBcPH-yLuy7KTA8hUSA2B4VZtsQ/s640/blogger-image-1908437952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheVWBeUSUho-VYdLSKxmoZj3wK2mVhfsTMeNCM-D1BCf5yusuCZLV5gIgu1mgBZstUMGia9TgNRswk32z3yJGEU_ce6yQlWBprPhN13EacbXe29EMrBcPH-yLuy7KTA8hUSA2B4VZtsQ/s640/blogger-image-1908437952.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div>...United States Marine Corps!"<div><br></div><div>We're going to do something a bit different today. I'm breaking with the usual way of doing things and am making the same post on both blogs, as I feel the topic is that significant.</div><div><br></div><div>10 November 2013 marks the 238th anniversary of the USMC, so this post goes out to all who wear or have ever worn the Eagle, Globe and Anchor insignia. Founded on 10 November 1775 by Samuel Nicholas in Philadelphia, and being credited with having its first recruitment drive in the Tun Tavern in Philadelphia, the Marine Corps began when the Continental Congress formally authorized the formation of two battalions of naval infantry. Thus, a legend in military lore was born.</div><div><br></div><div>The Marines are regarded by many as the finest fighting force in the Untited States Armed Forces. Though their mission has changed, the Corps has been there in every conflict the US has ever been involved in, often leading the way and being "the first to fight!" A saying among Marines is that the single most deadly weapon in the World is a motivated Marine and his rifle.</div><div><br></div><div>During the World War II era, there was talk of defunding the Marines and disbanding them as a branch of military service. That all changed when five Marines and one Naval Corpsman, in a moment that they considered almost insignificant, made history on a small, ash-covered island in the Pacific.</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Vu4hQkW0iD0YEuTrifSsR0ZO3QNccoujGmtvY9wqlpgBqnYdLQMZAjfTj6touhRgV4PaPCmddVeJv2xmSkjz-u9J6L8_m59piCRiogNzPQY7EFKyjBdD6A33IQbtd5AYe3vjBF2IsQ/s640/blogger-image-1717869614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0Vu4hQkW0iD0YEuTrifSsR0ZO3QNccoujGmtvY9wqlpgBqnYdLQMZAjfTj6touhRgV4PaPCmddVeJv2xmSkjz-u9J6L8_m59piCRiogNzPQY7EFKyjBdD6A33IQbtd5AYe3vjBF2IsQ/s640/blogger-image-1717869614.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In response to this photo, the Marine Corps was given new life.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><ul><li><p align="left"></p><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto; "><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The raising of that flag on Suribachi means a Marine Corps for the next five hundred years. [James Forrestal, Secretary of the Navy; 23 February 1945 (the flag-raising on Iwo Jima had been immortalized in a photograph by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal)]</b></div><b><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><b style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </b></div></b><p></p></li></ul><div>Thus they were formed, fought, were re-born, and continue to lead the way in the fight today.</div><div><br></div><div>"Semper Fi!" Marines, and God bless you. May the United States Marine Corps live forever!</div><div><br></div><div>I have a father, and several good friends who are Marines. Even though they no longer serve, everyone knows they will always be Marines. The following photos are of figures crafted by me that were made to honor the Corps and those who are part of it.</div><div><br></div><div>Early-War Marine, with an '03 Springfield:</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4liM9dJvJMJzMO0sIPaBWaTJ7MlHlKbDmsrgNOGjwnKIUxPDXpX-uSF8rPgGK0beWFGPQUViq9bj3BrugPVfniQanoMJ99B6Q_SH_1e4sYlZtdxm4_pmKM_19o-JGEoleVxQJq6rQlw/s640/blogger-image-1624064489.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4liM9dJvJMJzMO0sIPaBWaTJ7MlHlKbDmsrgNOGjwnKIUxPDXpX-uSF8rPgGK0beWFGPQUViq9bj3BrugPVfniQanoMJ99B6Q_SH_1e4sYlZtdxm4_pmKM_19o-JGEoleVxQJq6rQlw/s640/blogger-image-1624064489.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Marine in HBTs island-hopping in the Pacific, armed with a Thompson for close-range firepower:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_H5lII8F27l-kA7VOMN01lv7R4m0-ygIUbgB83LCRVrljhlpyvJK0Z7idh-GJkZsE3yea7HJ24CJZk0NZailFBf750ux75ULFgjOHs_bdcUiFTPwYxCZcrhla0SlhZbJezxx7kGTr3A/s640/blogger-image--1094883357.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_H5lII8F27l-kA7VOMN01lv7R4m0-ygIUbgB83LCRVrljhlpyvJK0Z7idh-GJkZsE3yea7HJ24CJZk0NZailFBf750ux75ULFgjOHs_bdcUiFTPwYxCZcrhla0SlhZbJezxx7kGTr3A/s640/blogger-image--1094883357.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And finally, one motivated Marine in camos, and with an M-1 Garand:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOsSTUNYU5okX1g9LkjzIeuLjzknk3O_8RDURC3dRKfON3izlZ3RantxonP_6iUNRik1kageMI5fy-d_Nu-khI08u-Bpu19DoyBgdcn-2y1nJfrAwO2kven2m0yawnExGBeg2XAgYX8Q/s640/blogger-image--139599248.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOsSTUNYU5okX1g9LkjzIeuLjzknk3O_8RDURC3dRKfON3izlZ3RantxonP_6iUNRik1kageMI5fy-d_Nu-khI08u-Bpu19DoyBgdcn-2y1nJfrAwO2kven2m0yawnExGBeg2XAgYX8Q/s640/blogger-image--139599248.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></div></div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Duanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16316361297063801542noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981580157854990968.post-19873237049102615762013-11-07T19:07:00.001-08:002023-07-28T06:11:39.189-07:00So, what's the best way to photograph your action figures?<div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilo1AMnqWvsi_hWEIL0nasYDI0mk7qmaXrg2tLyeXI_2xK48zgOiUbxilrZALH5u8ihqvGhI5iE1bMTvmMdw8IxvrR7twbD9VvTyxQzj1H-zJrrPkLshzfA7zQttACUaYRmvJ3v81DBQ/s640/blogger-image--721283511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilo1AMnqWvsi_hWEIL0nasYDI0mk7qmaXrg2tLyeXI_2xK48zgOiUbxilrZALH5u8ihqvGhI5iE1bMTvmMdw8IxvrR7twbD9VvTyxQzj1H-zJrrPkLshzfA7zQttACUaYRmvJ3v81DBQ/s640/blogger-image--721283511.jpg" id="id_2fe5_f866_f1ba_5b1a" style="width: 358px; height: auto;"></a></div><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div>We see the photos on Facebook and Twitter, and all over the Internet. We all like to show off our collection and point out the detailing and effort we put into our creations. The Internet makes doing so very easy, but to really show them off the photo must be good.</span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">What makes a good photo? </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sure, you can take pictures of them on a shelf. I do it often purely for convenience, especially when I'm trying to show off more than one figure. It's quick and easy.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNFkk3xsTnpgUWjmv-0ZE26sIBTHgVLUe6a0SQyWBOvsRBh-J_zB7qbYe_xMsRfbRwKAQxGvp53UFPH5lsJF64WTfJKFW12CVcplHFIFpcQJAGCyYAlyN9RUiUbx6SjKZm22fw08Z1gQ/s640/blogger-image--1584931495.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNFkk3xsTnpgUWjmv-0ZE26sIBTHgVLUe6a0SQyWBOvsRBh-J_zB7qbYe_xMsRfbRwKAQxGvp53UFPH5lsJF64WTfJKFW12CVcplHFIFpcQJAGCyYAlyN9RUiUbx6SjKZm22fw08Z1gQ/s640/blogger-image--1584931495.jpg" id="id_2764_88fb_a8fe_f3e" style="width: 359px; height: auto;"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">You can take photos outside, like Danger did here:</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDWnB43On-trrmcHTVW3EgGneEJO8vJOKuvSly0Ki2_4IY7GmTlXihSo6cNd5KonET4KQKeHaPsnMTywgFXaQWv83RQbp1JDvVY97vFdWOICr3OttswzMwqrTaNFpUvbuickmqzdMKaQ/s640/blogger-image--2068924577.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDWnB43On-trrmcHTVW3EgGneEJO8vJOKuvSly0Ki2_4IY7GmTlXihSo6cNd5KonET4KQKeHaPsnMTywgFXaQWv83RQbp1JDvVY97vFdWOICr3OttswzMwqrTaNFpUvbuickmqzdMKaQ/s640/blogger-image--2068924577.jpg" id="id_943b_8bc2_e9fd_cc4f" style="width: 270px; height: auto;"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Personally, I think this is the best way. Action figures are representations of people who would be outside. The lighting is natural, and with well-done figures the colors look as they should. It helps even more when you have trees or plants that look scale, and when you can manipulate other things in the photo to add an element of scale realism.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">People like Pablo Martinez Estrada and Carlos Quintana make diorama-like bases for their figures. They can be quite effective again in adding a sense of realism. The base can be as simple as you want it to be, or it can be very complex and detailed. It's up to the builder.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Here is one of Pablo's figures on a base:</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3VELnFUCQJep2Oc7DThT0ylyJtygtPK7H9w92W1vRlUEXkRaVBtrLnb1kitzrVXgydKNzmY3cHW5xMdOrb53dYSIlD5O17gQSgfy0g8T2Y9IMMf4xsUP99mgyFtiNjoyL4bHCrgi0Bw/s640/blogger-image--172277330.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3VELnFUCQJep2Oc7DThT0ylyJtygtPK7H9w92W1vRlUEXkRaVBtrLnb1kitzrVXgydKNzmY3cHW5xMdOrb53dYSIlD5O17gQSgfy0g8T2Y9IMMf4xsUP99mgyFtiNjoyL4bHCrgi0Bw/s640/blogger-image--172277330.jpg" id="id_22e7_3037_e778_c8dd" style="width: 360px; height: auto;"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Here's one of Carlos' figures, also on a base:</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_BMTLWWAFjxgs8M1rCsEoAm812UQ1AsCPENq3D-pYsD3i3PhGCxEsGk9uhj7lC9GSD4oq6tGntrT_yCIbs8N6nxTyQu2tSO7QC8_MQygVN0DL5gAVYwwWelVZXKZOlMu63JzerbB1iw/s640/blogger-image--1566818222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_BMTLWWAFjxgs8M1rCsEoAm812UQ1AsCPENq3D-pYsD3i3PhGCxEsGk9uhj7lC9GSD4oq6tGntrT_yCIbs8N6nxTyQu2tSO7QC8_MQygVN0DL5gAVYwwWelVZXKZOlMu63JzerbB1iw/s640/blogger-image--1566818222.jpg" id="id_3351_7409_d395_447f" style="width: 358px; height: auto;"></a></div><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Vito Carlucci often takes a different approach. Vito tells me he has nearly 150 figures. Often, he posts photos of them on his Facebook page. Vito likes to put his figures in front of a photo that gives the look of a real person in his or her element.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Some examples of Vito's works are here:</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">A Spetznaz in the mountains:</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuPz0mlWmZS_0rlWO8rRJdvfoImGDjvJ3S3oh_jln0PftlFQc7mjdyuNEzKchdGjdPUhyT9agx5C3TvvzrYs3tDlytMeyUZ7J7aUQ4h6X3GKyJWMq7EHODMotffsZRDTFIITJC9zCG7A/s640/blogger-image--1273175764.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuPz0mlWmZS_0rlWO8rRJdvfoImGDjvJ3S3oh_jln0PftlFQc7mjdyuNEzKchdGjdPUhyT9agx5C3TvvzrYs3tDlytMeyUZ7J7aUQ4h6X3GKyJWMq7EHODMotffsZRDTFIITJC9zCG7A/s640/blogger-image--1273175764.jpg" id="id_268_59c6_fbe_e078" style="width: 640px; height: auto;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">An LA SWAT officer:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWKuIExi0ZVPHE_PBBZMKx4QWy_44Ev2q8CijbXeoG36cAPxupTng94WWgyrcvHw_1-0oc4zsWzbKNm446VOzv3EJ5esVvmzfieKCEVqvR1WlE2wrSpXLyZ9NMRkKVcW7RgrSGpCj-zA/s640/blogger-image--515386540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWKuIExi0ZVPHE_PBBZMKx4QWy_44Ev2q8CijbXeoG36cAPxupTng94WWgyrcvHw_1-0oc4zsWzbKNm446VOzv3EJ5esVvmzfieKCEVqvR1WlE2wrSpXLyZ9NMRkKVcW7RgrSGpCj-zA/s640/blogger-image--515386540.jpg" id="id_7c02_d8c1_7a06_116b" style="width: 640px; height: auto;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And a 160 SOAR airborne trooper:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk0NpLn8CgkT0nfqcTUeKar7I6EP-xCNr-x9gfBs4HUKJ_IR2kQPNYNNpXgH4XnGd8XxbC605m2lq-JUTcBwdWbUeJsjC17X0p9vuUj2Z_CqfaiGfEal6bKbQFJvyCr4zCdRq8GFhNkQ/s640/blogger-image--1282313488.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk0NpLn8CgkT0nfqcTUeKar7I6EP-xCNr-x9gfBs4HUKJ_IR2kQPNYNNpXgH4XnGd8XxbC605m2lq-JUTcBwdWbUeJsjC17X0p9vuUj2Z_CqfaiGfEal6bKbQFJvyCr4zCdRq8GFhNkQ/s640/blogger-image--1282313488.jpg" id="id_55fa_b404_7533_5132" style="width: 360px; height: auto;"></a></div><br></div><br></div></div></span></div><div><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">A few suggestions that I can offer are as follows. First of all, and most important, is proper lighting. You can't show off detail unless it's lit and highlighted properly. Flashes up close can wash out detail, and a picture that is too dark hides the details. All the intricacies in the World are lost if we can't see them.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Secondly, for realism try to pose you figures naturally. Relaxed poses are often the best unless you want an action shot or are capturing a moment, because, and let's face it, people in the field are often standing around doing nothing. Smart ones take advantage of any chance to relax. Also, if you’re doing a shooting pose try to make a realistic point of aim. They're not shooting to kick up dust 50 feet away, and they're generally not hunting ducks. You don't have to have him in a marksmanship challenge, but try to keep it as real as possible.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">While overhead shots are often necessary, especially in the case of dioramas or vehicles, I think the best photos are at or just above the figure's eye level. Don't be afraid to kneel or to lie down to get a good shot. We all live life at eye level, so things shown that way tend to look more familiar and more realistic.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Finally, don't be afraid to take lots of shots! In the era of digital cameras and camera-phones, more can be better. The more pictures you take, the better your chances of capturing the moment in a great photo.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">So there you have it. There's my take on action figure photography. If you are going to take photos of your figures, try out some of these techniques. And, if you don't take photos of your figures, why not? What are you waiting for? If they're yours, and you’re proud of them, show them off! Have fun, and try new things. You'll not be disappointed, and I guarantee that you'll enjoy it!</span></div>Duanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16316361297063801542noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981580157854990968.post-9940130865488693292013-11-05T09:51:00.001-08:002013-11-06T05:45:16.967-08:00One of the best figures out there!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ2zF7vN9yKysvEnAGMlbPERCjp3xiF9hbp8Gp9tFKAezFBLqNJVKJoLs6SrtH0-OOPGriT1OgTGLWPcADRglvsJrcQSf791J9Eoxvtb4Kn5muqpn0vCQmpoCKtKTsLiJdV67eX9swQA/s640/blogger-image--1804258790.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ2zF7vN9yKysvEnAGMlbPERCjp3xiF9hbp8Gp9tFKAezFBLqNJVKJoLs6SrtH0-OOPGriT1OgTGLWPcADRglvsJrcQSf791J9Eoxvtb4Kn5muqpn0vCQmpoCKtKTsLiJdV67eX9swQA/s640/blogger-image--1804258790.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcrmRaC_PkErpFwjvuc3kwmgIc9XKWLk6IAss200unDEO2pRT5YzWOLyhf1EMj6qBzJWs2FLDdJKwtI52G-TTpDu5tgkI7wJMkJDNEbfehCF_e_rum-qq9J-VSALNtrKWvixRKlYDQZw/s640/blogger-image--1323667016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcrmRaC_PkErpFwjvuc3kwmgIc9XKWLk6IAss200unDEO2pRT5YzWOLyhf1EMj6qBzJWs2FLDdJKwtI52G-TTpDu5tgkI7wJMkJDNEbfehCF_e_rum-qq9J-VSALNtrKWvixRKlYDQZw/s640/blogger-image--1323667016.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKstPhuXB-Nefam-Absm6EJAmzzn5YjmIzSj993dq1dCVuafeIdsRXRr-yT6Jsj8oAM_lbVsFeyVHTczEoXwzLCNK7zAvqXEsqdGMBEeT4SWooYwvea-xXQ3FEXzjH-OE2JGgmTG5BYA/s640/blogger-image--1880212871.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKstPhuXB-Nefam-Absm6EJAmzzn5YjmIzSj993dq1dCVuafeIdsRXRr-yT6Jsj8oAM_lbVsFeyVHTczEoXwzLCNK7zAvqXEsqdGMBEeT4SWooYwvea-xXQ3FEXzjH-OE2JGgmTG5BYA/s640/blogger-image--1880212871.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaxSpcCIzGjDcrNbVvofLUXpHtg5lTv2rmpEAtfYlgdleuiZRL6d_wMxSNnKEEvL_lKbdOZ2dwkEgI-zutdPBFQk0T53Igd3HKKEeq-rdhnxs-5dhVQKAnZJQ0XBv5Er0tODN96f68sA/s640/blogger-image--722331990.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaxSpcCIzGjDcrNbVvofLUXpHtg5lTv2rmpEAtfYlgdleuiZRL6d_wMxSNnKEEvL_lKbdOZ2dwkEgI-zutdPBFQk0T53Igd3HKKEeq-rdhnxs-5dhVQKAnZJQ0XBv5Er0tODN96f68sA/s640/blogger-image--722331990.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This Teutonic Knight, done by Pablo Estrada Martinez is an example of kitbashing at its best. Pablo paid strict attention to detail while making his figure, using paints to make plastic look like leather and steel, and adding the elements of dirt, age, blood and battle damage. This knight looks like he's been on the march for quite some time, and has seen more than his share of battle.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It's not my work, so I won't go in to the details. I'll let Pablo tell his own story (Please excuse some of the grammar; Pablo does not speak English and told his story through Google Translator. I think he did quite well!).</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">"<span style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "> Figure the long buy and Ignite brand , but as old is seen that the quality was not very good , too many plastic parts , a head that looked very doll as well as a very weak body , so I decided to make a few changes . The change the head by a head brand of actor Sean Connery play because I found it was the perfect head for the look you could give it to the figure ( a veteran battle-hardened Teutonic ) The Body use one brand did , that recess with a dremel machine shoulders , back and chest to prove not very muscular , plus the amount of clothing that would lead him. repaint belt with acrylic paints to give leather look , as well as chain mail to look like metal and not plastic ( this is Dragon brand ) The same hull was completely repainted with acrylics and washes to give aged appearance worn. Clothing and was aged layer with pastels and pigments Mig brand to make it look dirty, sweaty and no time to change clothes ( at that time was not changed often normal ) stains or blood spatter made with acrylic paint . The shield was also dirty , I made marks as knocks on the struggle for swords and axes and also I put blood spatter . I made a stand simple to give more realism to the figure and that's all.</span></div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; ">regards"</div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></div><div style="font-family: Noteworthy; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 24px; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0976563); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(191, 107, 82, 0.496094); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; "><br></div><div>Pablo obviously put a lot of time and effort into this figure. Seeing the pictures and hearing the story, it is time well spent!</div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Duanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16316361297063801542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981580157854990968.post-41612672124315081602013-11-04T09:00:00.001-08:002013-11-04T09:04:43.328-08:00An awesome WWII diorama.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLi5_4fEOwNeWMJhbsdp1A70MPoA6h8IjUnCrg5Fs0Yalwo0aBFx3lX0IgZPr0Z0C4WC_xRPERs8-hThsi4gVVA97LXrJDHjS3qecp9JRqO-11tqUk01crsoJmewOBhbpT3AHw-u4Zxw/s640/blogger-image--1753108787.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLi5_4fEOwNeWMJhbsdp1A70MPoA6h8IjUnCrg5Fs0Yalwo0aBFx3lX0IgZPr0Z0C4WC_xRPERs8-hThsi4gVVA97LXrJDHjS3qecp9JRqO-11tqUk01crsoJmewOBhbpT3AHw-u4Zxw/s640/blogger-image--1753108787.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS5rJpvpveTWhUokCE7oWtqts8eNdSm0EB_N9DtO-baoaEnlEr1M1B9ijBvaFf2Ujy-c-UnnfpsoJTM_-FW_lkfdb43-xnkAUzX3ZHK2rTbih6duBLdKHUq4ihLSdY9ht4M2P5wAdbSw/s640/blogger-image-919484668.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS5rJpvpveTWhUokCE7oWtqts8eNdSm0EB_N9DtO-baoaEnlEr1M1B9ijBvaFf2Ujy-c-UnnfpsoJTM_-FW_lkfdb43-xnkAUzX3ZHK2rTbih6duBLdKHUq4ihLSdY9ht4M2P5wAdbSw/s640/blogger-image-919484668.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWCprxf7ZFDNAAzhqW7YFls4W4XGEkHYCdK_a6qUBoH3PwykVRCb-nSiLpqV-UD_tU3AEN3Oh_dcHa0BLZy1Zx_XJoYnKcylghPbXd7YVemR8wDwgGGvbwgzlsgiHSBGCzz7Xpgz7kg/s640/blogger-image-53642256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpWCprxf7ZFDNAAzhqW7YFls4W4XGEkHYCdK_a6qUBoH3PwykVRCb-nSiLpqV-UD_tU3AEN3Oh_dcHa0BLZy1Zx_XJoYnKcylghPbXd7YVemR8wDwgGGvbwgzlsgiHSBGCzz7Xpgz7kg/s640/blogger-image-53642256.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH-FSIUCEHCfF75kgl1eCWpTTHwjZdDtzcqjT8fCAlVdy_qN7Ee3M7fio6Nv0VDQiLeGeV2iJXPysaPu2v-Ui2Q9gUxxlBWXM9aKbG9oKSRk8U7FWfpqQVGmOii7mruoxnQ59dH00oiw/s640/blogger-image--2077143560.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH-FSIUCEHCfF75kgl1eCWpTTHwjZdDtzcqjT8fCAlVdy_qN7Ee3M7fio6Nv0VDQiLeGeV2iJXPysaPu2v-Ui2Q9gUxxlBWXM9aKbG9oKSRk8U7FWfpqQVGmOii7mruoxnQ59dH00oiw/s640/blogger-image--2077143560.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj02n416MpWNQ3qLOKHNEOanE92Qg4Deej8TghpFJMtBysNqcukNjUlJsonL7AG_H9Y_nNo0SxVZesWkIgOPsKQXoKcRfWoe8YBXy6nmCxP0VXAh94pjRc1vqLV2hQcXUmc65sqy6GPQg/s640/blogger-image--1014438177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj02n416MpWNQ3qLOKHNEOanE92Qg4Deej8TghpFJMtBysNqcukNjUlJsonL7AG_H9Y_nNo0SxVZesWkIgOPsKQXoKcRfWoe8YBXy6nmCxP0VXAh94pjRc1vqLV2hQcXUmc65sqy6GPQg/s640/blogger-image--1014438177.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Starting with this post, and continuing with various posts over the next several weeks, I'm going to be featuring the work of others in the kitbashing and 1/6 diorama hobby. There is some awesome work out there. We see the pictures on Facebook and other places, but very rarely do we get the story behind the figures or of what inspired the dio. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">They're not my works, so it's not my story to tell. I'm going to let those who have done them describe them in their own words, so here we go.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The photos above are of a dio by Rob Field. Here's Rob's story on how and what he did:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><p class="s2" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="s3"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">"My first 1/6 scale Diorama</span></span></p><p class="s2" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p class="s2" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s3"><span class="bumpedFont15">I did this diorama recently. I have been collecting 1/6 scale figures for a while, mainly 21</span></span><span class="s4" style="vertical-align: super; "><span class="bumpedFont15">st</span></span><span class="s3"><span class="bumpedFont15"> Century with a couple of Dragon figures thrown in there when I could get them cheaply enough. About 5 or so years ago, I won an eBay auction </span></span><span class="s3"><span class="bumpedFont15"> where I got 50 figures of various head sculpts and body types (although all were 21</span></span><span class="s4" style="vertical-align: super; "><span class="bumpedFont15">st</span></span><span class="s3"><span class="bumpedFont15"> Century). Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on your point of view, those figures came with no clothing, supplies or accessories, which led me into the world of </span></span><span class="s3"><span class="bumpedFont15">kitbashing</span></span><span class="s3"><span class="bumpedFont15">.</span></span></span></p><p class="s2" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s3"><span class="bumpedFont15">Several years later, I have about 6 figures or so left </span></span><span class="s3"><span class="bumpedFont15">to bash and</span></span><span class="s3"><span class="bumpedFont15"> have enjoyed the heck out of </span></span><span class="s3"><span class="bumpedFont15">kitbashing</span></span><span class="s3"><span class="bumpedFont15"> these guys.</span></span><span class="s3"><span class="bumpedFont15"> All my </span></span><span class="s3"><span class="bumpedFont15">kitbashes</span></span><span class="s3"><span class="bumpedFont15"> are WWII related and they are pretty evenly split between GI and German, with an uneven smattering of paratroops and infantry on the US side and </span></span><span class="s3"><span class="bumpedFont15">Afrika</span></span><span class="s3"><span class="bumpedFont15"> Corps and regular </span></span><span class="s3"><span class="bumpedFont15">Heer</span></span><span class="s3"><span class="bumpedFont15"> on the other.</span></span></span></p><p class="s2" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="s3"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I came up with the idea of the wounded Lt when my youngest daughter, who was two at the time, broke the arm off one of the figures. My first thought was that I was just going to have a guy for parts, but as I collected more stuff to bash with, an idea formed in my head.</span></span></p><p class="s2" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s3"><span class="bumpedFont15">I </span></span><span class="s3"><span class="bumpedFont15">re-enact WWII</span></span><span class="s3"><span class="bumpedFont15"> (that is my main hobby, </span></span><span class="s3"><span class="bumpedFont15">kitbashing</span></span><span class="s3"><span class="bumpedFont15"> on a 1/1 scale if you will) and I always notice that there is a dearth of medic impressions. Just like in 1/6 kit bashing, rarely do you see </span></span><span class="s3"><span class="bumpedFont15">dios</span></span><span class="s3"><span class="bumpedFont15"> done of the medical arm of things. So I started to look for medical items, beat up clothin</span></span><span class="s3"><span class="bumpedFont15">g and equipment and of course, </span></span><span class="s3"><span class="bumpedFont15">the</span></span><span class="s3"><span class="bumpedFont15"> jeep.</span></span></span></p><p class="s2" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s3"><span class="bumpedFont15">That led me again to </span></span><span class="s3"><span class="bumpedFont15">ebay</span></span><span class="s3"><span class="bumpedFont15">, where I saw the medical jeep from SOTW </span></span><span class="s3"><span class="bumpedFont15">mis</span></span><span class="s3"><span class="bumpedFont15">-listed and cheap. I snapped it up with the outrageously low “buy it now” of $25. It included two stretchers and another figure so it was a steal.</span></span></span></p><p class="s2" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="s3"><span class="bumpedFont15">From there I took my busted figure and dressed him in a ratty shirt that I cut the arm off of and </span></span><span class="s3"><span class="bumpedFont15">tattered</span></span><span class="s3"><span class="bumpedFont15"> the short end. I wrapped his arm in a real gauze bandage and dressed it up with fake Halloween blood. I dipped the end of the arm into the blood, with the shirt on to get the effect I wanted</span></span><span class="s3"><span class="bumpedFont15">, a battle field casualty that the medics need to get to the field hospital ASAP!</span></span><span class="s3"><span class="bumpedFont15"><br></span></span><span class="s3"><span class="bumpedFont15">From there it was a straightforward bash. Two troopers with M-43 gear and a medic helmet later and it </span></span><span class="s3"><span class="bumpedFont15">was</span></span><span class="s3"><span class="bumpedFont15"> off to the back yard!</span></span></span></p><p class="s2" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="s3"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I have a ring of small pine trees around my patio that are perfect 1/6 scale. With the uniforms on the medics and the fact they were pine trees, I set the scenario as October/November of 1944, somewhere in Western Europe. From there it was just a matter of snapping pictures!</span></span></p><p class="s2" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><a name="_GoBack"></a></span></p><p class="s2" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="s3"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I hope you like the results!</span></span></p><p class="s2" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> </span></p><p class="s2" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="s3"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Robert Field"</span></span></p><p class="s2" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="s3"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></span></p><p class="s2" style="margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; "><span class="s3"><span class="bumpedFont15" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Awesome! I love it! They don't get much better. I hope you all enjoy it, and I hope to be able to share more like this.</span></span></p></div><br></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Duanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16316361297063801542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981580157854990968.post-89679013000924230172013-10-31T13:51:00.001-07:002013-11-02T08:58:03.809-07:00So, what makes a good display figure?<div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeY_KZJEf1yZbpOKS8zFzodgk2MTRPRWperoU6k5Rz1uJ3tKdIMlj4yLkSehLk8srSLb6-wf1vPazMfFTinuD1pdbk5UTdOt5lupwYDWnFR4Zt4YYpJvU0nKGQnTQUaT9lNrjGnZP38w/s640/blogger-image--376815317.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeY_KZJEf1yZbpOKS8zFzodgk2MTRPRWperoU6k5Rz1uJ3tKdIMlj4yLkSehLk8srSLb6-wf1vPazMfFTinuD1pdbk5UTdOt5lupwYDWnFR4Zt4YYpJvU0nKGQnTQUaT9lNrjGnZP38w/s640/blogger-image--376815317.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhooSFZqVOHX0BCD5JDxICLZ2NDXEIl2T9eu6lGvBFbubLbah6FW8l42Cf7pUSmbRSO0foShxBsMV8V8uhOo4KdrRD-E_cgufoRQiexiAlzr8RuH_WOcKuOjI3DdFFCtdJmeQyAJMcg6Q/s640/blogger-image-1530409769.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhooSFZqVOHX0BCD5JDxICLZ2NDXEIl2T9eu6lGvBFbubLbah6FW8l42Cf7pUSmbRSO0foShxBsMV8V8uhOo4KdrRD-E_cgufoRQiexiAlzr8RuH_WOcKuOjI3DdFFCtdJmeQyAJMcg6Q/s640/blogger-image-1530409769.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAEERGto31upDz2eBeSaY0llLmZKrw8BWVkZ9uSe3yZu9xL7qnaEpChc2sLWTAWDy9zO7L-VQReIdgrT8p3wGvOuZxCG0lIAm3gLc3mmRLaQZlVzneAibnKr4L18ztFtPJOephSyOZSw/s640/blogger-image--1652723775.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAEERGto31upDz2eBeSaY0llLmZKrw8BWVkZ9uSe3yZu9xL7qnaEpChc2sLWTAWDy9zO7L-VQReIdgrT8p3wGvOuZxCG0lIAm3gLc3mmRLaQZlVzneAibnKr4L18ztFtPJOephSyOZSw/s640/blogger-image--1652723775.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></span></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div>In order to be good, does it have to be a Navy SEAL or other Special Forces operator, bogged down with almost every imaginable piece of gear? Or a highly-detailed SWAT figure or sniper complete to the last detail? What about simple figures? Can less sometimes be more? </span><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I ask this question as a serious question, and not as flame-bait. Everyone has their own opinions. My opinion is basically that it depends on the type of figure being done. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">When I do figures, I try to go for historical accuracy. For instance, I have 2 WWII 82nd Airborne troopers and one 101st Airborne trooper as they would have been geared and uniformed for the Normandy invasion, and one 17th Airborne trooper for later in the war. They all have appropriate equipment for their time. The 82nd troopers are displayed dug in a machine gun nest behind sand bags, so they have no mussette bags and very little gear. Since they're static, they would have dropped a lot of it. The 101st trooper is pre-jump ready, so he is equipped with everything, including the infamous leg bag. If it is something a paratrooper would have been issued or acquired, he has it. </span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">The 17th trooper has some different, late-war gear. He's wearing double-buckle boots instead of jump boots, and he has an M1943 jacket and para trousers. All have paratrooper aid kits, and here's where a slight rant begins.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It bugs me to see beautiful Normandy paratroopers with aid kits tied onto their helmet netting. It just wasn't done then, in either division. They put nets and scrim on their helmets to break up the silhouette, and they wouldn't have ruined that by tying aid kits onto their helmets. By the time of <i>Operation Market Garden, </i>though, they were tying the aid kits onto helmet netting. The 17th did it as well, so my 17th trooper has his aid kit on his helmet. He also has his trench knife in the later-issued M-8 scabbard instead of the earlier leather scabbard.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">End of rant,...almost. It bugs me to no end when reenactors do it, too!...now, it's the end of rant.</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">So seriously, what makes a good figure? I have the one in the picture above who is a combat correspondent and photographer. He's got khaki cargo pants, civilian-style boots, a black t-shirt, and a civilian vest for a uniform. For equipment, he's got a military-issue belt, ammo pouch to store misc gear in, and a military canteen. He also has a camera and a laptop bag. He's very lightly equipped, but is done appropriately for who he's supposed to be. Is he a better or a worse figure than say my paratrooper, who in reality would be loaded down with 150 lbs of gear, weapons, and equipment?</span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Comment if you want. Tell me your opinions. I welcome them all. Am I right? Can a figure be simple but still be good, or does he or she have to be loaded down with myriad amounts of gear and equipment?</span></div>Duanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16316361297063801542noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981580157854990968.post-39362736925998695992013-10-28T21:00:00.001-07:002018-01-03T07:44:02.234-08:00The 17th Airborne...<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTXborgBpuDN56rO6YiDwNwWHlNKDqOrZnahagpyQAPXoM60UntEJi13TpHb4UrP9ZsimTuZh31oAVsZlEHH09uTEb5PQKZiLvr5cjfh0MtFc_sIFjGcmN8cBxgdeS9k0UxRJ78VyvCA/s640/blogger-image--281015904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTXborgBpuDN56rO6YiDwNwWHlNKDqOrZnahagpyQAPXoM60UntEJi13TpHb4UrP9ZsimTuZh31oAVsZlEHH09uTEb5PQKZiLvr5cjfh0MtFc_sIFjGcmN8cBxgdeS9k0UxRJ78VyvCA/s640/blogger-image--281015904.jpg" id="id_175e_773d_7747_a77b" style="width: 358px; height: auto;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">...was a lesser-known US airborne division during WWII. Most everyone has heard of the 82nd and the 101st, and their actions in Normandy, Holland and Belgium, but not a lot of people know anything about the 17th. This is what inspired me to do this figure.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">While he's changed a lot since I originally did him, the concept is still the same. I got his uniform in a lot I bought cheaply at a flea market last year, and it has taken me a year to finally get him the way he is now. He looks good, so this is probably how he will stay.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I picked up the figure also at a flea market. I had the helmet and the boots. I originally bought a garand cartridge belt and gave him an M-1. I had another GI Joe with a BAR, so I decided to switch. He had no mussette bag or suspenders, and limited accessories until recently.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">But you can't have an under-equipped trooper jumping across the Rhine, so I finished him. I bought a few things, and took a few things from other figures I had changed, and made my 17th trooper ready to fight. I think he looks pretty good.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As an added note, the original 17th Airborne began forming in 1942, but was not officially activated until mid-1943. As such, it did not ship out to England until well after the Normandy Invasion was planned. It remained stateside to compete training.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Arriving in England after the invasion of France, the 17th was not chosen to participate in Operation Market Garden, as Allied high command didn't feel it would be completely combat ready. The division did see significant action during the German Ardennes Offensive, aka "the Battle of the Bulge". The 17th competed its only combat jump in March of 1945, dropping across the Rhine River and into Germany, along with the British 6th Airborne Division, as part of "Operation Varsity". Once the invasion of Germany had begun, the demise of the Third Reich was almost certain. The 17th remained active during the occupation of Germany, and arrived home to little fanfare or renown. It was officially deactivated in September of 1945.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">See, when you play with toys, you can learn new and interesting things!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div>Duanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16316361297063801542noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6981580157854990968.post-52594872939101878832013-10-25T07:50:00.001-07:002013-10-25T07:52:59.740-07:00A new look for a Max Steele<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHsl7R9mfhyphenhyphenuVR1uV9u66s7qnKMy0YZd_1nlE-wKWyEgCXLtDZyOzuM_dqOUeVYCbDvprK7sQiXiqMbIFvuu17Gtus4iV7sGXLj6YpTfBgNM8NDWBPOA3Oujeh4XaxqLqXlau7MuaNuw/s640/blogger-image--1738584478.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHsl7R9mfhyphenhyphenuVR1uV9u66s7qnKMy0YZd_1nlE-wKWyEgCXLtDZyOzuM_dqOUeVYCbDvprK7sQiXiqMbIFvuu17Gtus4iV7sGXLj6YpTfBgNM8NDWBPOA3Oujeh4XaxqLqXlau7MuaNuw/s640/blogger-image--1738584478.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjRfGFc5Y1_vnT-quLTVD_fV1QnRFUUB6mN54TkgpYf6FkPinCQmACFDIZFJsVKN2Fyt8dYyO1ebGYxVW0NfUADruy-7dbsCy1FhIdYYReXoSKmvNQcojYdkijGalVhN7yhSlEAZ6rag/s640/blogger-image--833944859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjRfGFc5Y1_vnT-quLTVD_fV1QnRFUUB6mN54TkgpYf6FkPinCQmACFDIZFJsVKN2Fyt8dYyO1ebGYxVW0NfUADruy-7dbsCy1FhIdYYReXoSKmvNQcojYdkijGalVhN7yhSlEAZ6rag/s640/blogger-image--833944859.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTlaHfowOLSE-lDcBqwC2S0T0j_zi8q4G-Y7n1wlI8-4qYvLfhwD2a7wt-Xlc7xrwyS9vF8HUpJaXktpjooCcalXAXaMmBhoEnhNE9JV8pjN1VUWvLKEg8KVRwjMrc16Fix7FjgwALEQ/s640/blogger-image--969443077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTlaHfowOLSE-lDcBqwC2S0T0j_zi8q4G-Y7n1wlI8-4qYvLfhwD2a7wt-Xlc7xrwyS9vF8HUpJaXktpjooCcalXAXaMmBhoEnhNE9JV8pjN1VUWvLKEg8KVRwjMrc16Fix7FjgwALEQ/s640/blogger-image--969443077.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So I'm in a thrift store and I buy a Max Steele figure for 50 cents. He has no clothing or accessories. His molded hair will make it so that no hat or helmet will fit. The painted streaks on his face also will limit his use.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">What to do?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I never give up, and going through my kit box I find a Vietnam era tiger stripe uniform. It comes together. I have jungle boots, and M16-A1 rifle, a grenade launcher and a bunch of other goodies. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I can do a Vietnam War LRRP. The LRRPs, or Long-Range-Reconaissance-Patrol infiltrated deep into enemy territory and spied on enemy units, troop strength and movements. Their mission would be compromised if they were detected, so they moved basically unobserved. Their objective was to avoid enemy contact. They moved in groups of 4 or 6, packed heavy firepower, and carried everything they needed for several days in the field.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">How would Max work as a LRRP? With painted face he'd be ok. With hair spiked up, I could use a drive-on rag for a headband. I have the uniform, weapons and equipment so let's do it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">It worked better than expected. Max turned out great. He's loaded for bear with rifle, ammo pouches, aid kit, knives, machete, two canteens, hand grenades, smoke grenade, rope, rucksack, claymore mine, and M-79 grenade launcher.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Thus, a kitbashed figure is born. What do you think? I think he looks pretty good.</div><br></div><br></div>Duanehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16316361297063801542noreply@blogger.com0