Background: Sometimes I acquire a "collection of figures" over time rather than for a project, knowing that at a point in the distant future when a critical mass/event is attained they will be painted (when the stars align and the "painting interest bug bites"). That ably described the relationship I have with my Platoon 20 Vietnam figures. I collected them [along with plastic vehicles models and plastic helicopter models] when I could - knowing "their" time has would come (see below, first in line for action - a US Infantry Officer):
Their time has come. The annoying thing about painting US Infantry in Vietnam is that it seems to be a futile exercise in painting various shades of green and then murkier green - everything seemed to fade and be stained differently. I am left with the feeling that "everything looks right and wrong at the same time", a bit like the war I guess.
The challenge for me is to make a distinct transition between the uniform and the webbing/flak jacket. It does seem to be a question of "Which of the fifty shades of green is it today? I am currently bouncing around with variations on the following painting recipe:
Uniform Tunic: Vallejo Model (924) Russian Uniform WWII [Base] with Vallejo Model (881) Yellow/Green [Highlight]
Webbing: Vallejo Model (887) Brown/Violet - although this seems to be a controversial choice in some quarters, as it may look too brown, with Vallejo Model (988) Khaki [Highlight]
Tunic and Webbing Wash: Vallejo Wash - Green mixed with Citadel Shade Nuln Oil, applied over all tunic/webbing area then repeat [Base] and then add [Highlight] -- Note: This step seems to make a real difference (++)
Flesh: Vallejo Model (927) Dark Flesh [Base] with Vallejo Model (955) Flesh [Highlight] - alternatively Vallejo Model (872) Chocolate Brown [Base] with Vallejo Model (983) Flat Earth [Highlight]
Gun: Vallejo Model (950) Black [Base] and Vallejo Model (995) German Grey [Highlight] - plus additional Vallejo Game Gun Metal [Edge Highlight]
Boots: Vallejo Model (950) Black [Base] with Vallejo Model (995) German Grey [Highlight] although others would say that is far too neat and should be "dusty brown" reflecting all the trudging through the mud
Helmet: Vallejo Model (924) Russian Uniform WWII [Base] with Vallejo Model Yellow/Green [Highlight] although I have yet to experiment with the four colour camo helmet look ... using Vallejo Model colours [(983) Flat Earth, 50:50 (882) Middlestone and (833) German Camo Bright Green, (924) Russian Uniform WWII, (890) Reflective Green]
Useful "Painting Guide" video links discovered to date, both of which produce works of art, disturbingly opting for Brown rather than Green Flak Jackets (variety is the spice of life):
- Rubicon - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaeZFtxHL-c
- Wargames Soldiers and Strategy (WSS) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Hi6kc5gi9s
2 comments:
Lots of shades of green is about right, and based on what I've seen of VN re enactors, doing the webbing and Flak jackets darker looks right. The uniform is really very unlovely. Interesting that Russian Green makes such a good base though (I use it for British late war khaki drab vehicle camo), I can't imagine who at Vallejo decided that Russian uniforms were such a bright green in WW2!
Cheers Martin,
In my happy delusion I thought the slightly darker Russian Green (984) is for vehicles and Russian Uniform WW2 Green (924) for cloth .. but my happy simple sanity was blown out of the water when I then saw a specialist Vallejo pack of paints aimed at 1/35 models entitled Early War Russian Tank Paints - Airbrush and a dozen bottles maddingly similar to me in colour.. the bottom line is "if it looks right at arms length it will do". Glad you are in the dark webbing and flak jacket club!
Cheers Mark
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