WIP Airborne Miniatures, 1/9 US SF x2

[newtonk]

yep, working on the premise that 2 is 1, and 1 is none, I'm doing these two guys from Airborne Miniatures (first image) in tiger stripe, original (second), not desert (third - CIA), as it is one of the few camos that I've not done. I am hoping that Airborne might release a US MOPP figure (forth) that I can do a US woodland figure - there is something sinister about that gas mask and the whole get up in general...

I brought the figures awhile back and was recently injured due to falling off my bike whilst cycling to work... something I do not recommend, so I figured I'd start a project that I'd wanted to do for a while. I'm fine, too; the bike is as well, and the road is completely indifferent. I did not see a rock in the lane and suddenly became one with the asphalt at a great rate of knots. Face is scrapped up, but no lasting injuries, thank God.

Anyway, I have a leave pass on working around the yard for a bit, which I intend to put to good use with bench time!! I just need to figure out how to wear a dusk mask and keep it off the grazing. Or some alternative when cutting resin.

k.

 

[newtonk]

the inspirational image,

 

[newtonk]

First figure, the leg are sitting on the shoes, there is no glue; the arms are also just pushed in to show the fit. One feature I really like about this figure is the inclusion of the sling for the rifle. Nice. I would have liked some direction /instructions for assemble of the 40mm grenade launcher. The figure itself it straight forward. I am contemplating modelling a couple of the grenade pouches as empty, to show these guys in action.

the fore grip is pushed on to show fit - which is perfect, it is not glued.

as you can see, there are some large lumps of resin to remove.

 

[newtonk]

Second figure, no glue, pushed together to show fit and overall pose...

I don't think that mag in pouch is meant for this rifle, it looks like a 556 to me.

 

[Briggsy]

Pleased to hear you are fine, two wheels tend to leave the rider rather vulnerable, heal quickly.

Figures look great and the proposed camouflage will be good. I'll watch with interest.

Cheers Simon

 

[Viking Bob]

Superb detail on the figures and will follow as this looks great.
Bob

 

[clubcat]

The kits look really crisp and detailed. Not my cup of tea but I'm sure they'll look fanastic.
Melanie

 

[Warren SMITH]

Very interesting piece, Id no idea the tiger camo scheme is used today.. looking forward to seeing this come together..

 

[Nap]

Hi Kylie

Hope your feeling better

This is going to be good to follow , the figures look good as well , great pics and references

All that camo scares me ! ....looking forward to seeing yours

Following with interest

Have fun at the bench

Nap

 

[newtonk]

thanks gents, face is healing nicely, if a little crusty, nothing was broken, thankfully; currently on night shifts, but resin cutting is well and truly underway.

All things being equal, I expect to break out the glue and primer this weekend, early next week.

Nap - The camo is the challenge! embrace it!

 

[Steve Ski]

These definitely do look well detailed and this is an excellent scale to work in, Ruck On!

The camo is the challenge! embrace it!

This is a good one to learn, for sure.

 

[newtonk]

Progress of sorts, clean up of parts continues... I drilled out the 40mm tube, not recommended. I drilled a pilot hole then went in with a 3mm bit as 4mm would have destroyed the tube wall. That's a 2mm bit to demonstrate the bore is through.

Check out that air bubble, the hand is checked for fit and will need some putty, Tamiya white, for natural alignment of the arm - hand. Not a big deal at all

 

[Nap]

Hi Kylie

That’s progress for sure , very accurate drilling indeed

Minimal puttywork so far

Keep prepping

Look forward to seeing more

Nap

 

[Briggsy]

I hate drilling things out, alway make a hash of it and end up with the bit in my finger! Kind of glad I do 54mm there must be so much to clean up on a kit this large, still more modelling fun I guess.

Cheers Simon

 

[newtonk]

Why stop at drilling out the tube... I thought I'd make things a little more interesting and show a couple of the grenade pouches empty with a couple of fired grenade cases as his feet, see attached image. I'm scratch building the empty pouches out of lead foil, and "what do you know about lead?"(is a pop culture quote from 'The castle").

The other option was to drill out a pouch, but I'd still need to make the retaining strap. I'll go with option one with option two as a back up if I'm not satisfied.

Yeah, I may be over thinking this.

 

[Nap]

Hi Kylie

It’s all about trying new ideas at the bench ...no matter if scratching or painting

Look forward to seeing more

Have fun

Nap

 

[Briggsy]

It's always good to see the added details people put on their work and even if they are only seen by people in the know, you know you've done it. Love the idea of empty shell cases for the grenades, most modellers never even consider spent brass, but modern weapons create a lot of it.

Cheers Simon

 

[Steve Ski]

That'll work!

 

[Canterbury Coxswain]

Good morning Kylie,
Likewise, I shall be following this with great interest, as I'm 'newish' to this website, but also have a Mitch's Figures 200mm Royal Marine Commando from Operation Herrick in Afghanistan. He will be in desert camoflauge, is already 'prepped', pinned and primed....but other figures to be started/completed first. Your build has 'wetted the appetite' though, thanks!
Kim

 

[newtonk]

Welcome aboard, Canterbury Coxswain, good to have you here. Which Canterbury is that? NZ or the mother country? Surely not the other one in the republic?

I've just come off shift and am looking forward to a couple of days working on these guys. I ditched the foil in favour of drilling out a pouch, the foil collapsed and looked like a crumbled mess. Because it was. Drilling out the pouch was straight forward, looking at you Briggsy, with a pilot hole first, then reaming it with a 4mm bit. I fabricated the retaining strap using tissue with a drop of CA glue on it. Bingo. On one of the two, the hole is slightly off centre, but I'm not going to lose sleep over it, it'll be covered with the strap...

I did try to prime these guys this afternoon, due to it being rather sunny and warm, and then start the camo tomorrow, only to discover that the nozzle of the can was blocked. Not the greatest timing.

I had wondered about freehanding tacticool ink (tattoo) on the arms of the M230 guy. Maybe next time.

Further, I will be going with Multicam on the plate carrier, you know, just to make life difficult. This'll mean plenty of masking with tape and tac, blu-tac. Bahahaha