Jungle James O'Leary
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- May 13, 2022
- Messages
- 89
It has been a long time since I have posted anything on this site. This is my latest diorama which I completed last weekend. The diorama depicts Soldiers from 2d Battalion, 47th Infantry (Mechanized), 9th Infantry Division during a rare standdown at Camp Bearcat, Vietnam in 1967. The guys are relaxing and some are finding a bit of amusement in the misery of an unlucky Soldier who caught the First Sergeant's eye sporting hair longer than allowed by regulation. He was hoping to grow his hair out a bit so he wouldn't stand out once he got out of the Army upon his return to the world, but the First Sergeant killed that plan and this young Soldier is not happy about it.
Something I should point out is that you may notice that there are no weapons present. At Camp Bearcat, since it was one of the larger bases, it was policy that weapons were not carried within the basecamp unless if you were on duty that required them, the base was under attack, or if you were departing for or returning from operations/missions outside the wire. Since these Grunts are on standdown, their weapons are secured with the rest of their gear. This may have be a precautionary measure instituted by higher headquarters to prevent the likelyhood of drunken shooting incidents.
The figures consist of two that are original sculpts by me, four conversions of Bravo 6 figures, and a conversion of a Royal Models figure. They were painted with acrylics. The bunker depicts one of the types used for protection from rocket and mortar attacks which is based on photos of the bunker that was located behind my dad's tent. The bunker facade was created by gluing some pieces of balsa wood to a part of the base that I had cut out from the block of wood forming the base for this purpose. Once the doorway was in place, I made the door flap out of thinly rolled Magic Sculpt, painted it once dry, then started stacking sandbags. The sandbags are made from Magic Sculpt and were textured with the cross thatched pattern of the tightening knob on my hobby knife.
Overall, this was a pretty fun diorama to build.
Thanks for looking.
Cheers,
James
Something I should point out is that you may notice that there are no weapons present. At Camp Bearcat, since it was one of the larger bases, it was policy that weapons were not carried within the basecamp unless if you were on duty that required them, the base was under attack, or if you were departing for or returning from operations/missions outside the wire. Since these Grunts are on standdown, their weapons are secured with the rest of their gear. This may have be a precautionary measure instituted by higher headquarters to prevent the likelyhood of drunken shooting incidents.
The figures consist of two that are original sculpts by me, four conversions of Bravo 6 figures, and a conversion of a Royal Models figure. They were painted with acrylics. The bunker depicts one of the types used for protection from rocket and mortar attacks which is based on photos of the bunker that was located behind my dad's tent. The bunker facade was created by gluing some pieces of balsa wood to a part of the base that I had cut out from the block of wood forming the base for this purpose. Once the doorway was in place, I made the door flap out of thinly rolled Magic Sculpt, painted it once dry, then started stacking sandbags. The sandbags are made from Magic Sculpt and were textured with the cross thatched pattern of the tightening knob on my hobby knife.
Overall, this was a pretty fun diorama to build.
Thanks for looking.
Cheers,
James
