Tribute to SGT Russell T. Fant

[Jungle James O'Leary]

This latest piece is something that I made for a friend of mine who was the fiance of SGT Russell T. Fant as a tribute to his service and his memory. SGT Russell T. Fant served in C Company, 2d Battalion, 47th Infantry (Mechanized), 9th Infantry Division as the driver of track C09 which was a M113A1. He was killed in action on 3 February 1969 in Long An Province, Vietnam when his track hit a mine and was struck by an RPG killing him and 4 other Soldiers.

The figure is a conversion of the M60 gunner from Evolution Miniatures. I scraped away the flak vest and removed the pockets to the trousers. I sculpted in the jungle fatigue shirt and resculpted the trouser pockets. The head is from Hornet which Sharon Bloszko Swift, SGT Fant's fiance, chose out of several that I selected that had similar facial features to those of SGT Fant. The helmet with goggles is from Bravo 6 with a pack of cigarettes that I sculpted onto it. The left hand holding the cigarette is from Royal Models. The wedgie of the M113 is from Black Dog with tracks from DEF Models. The figure and the M113 are painted with acrylics.



Some details that make this piece special for Sharon are: SHARON painted onto the side of the M113, the pack of Winston cigarettes in the helmet band which is the brand that SGT Fant smoked, SHARON written on his helmet cover, and if you look closely at the photo in his hand, it is the one of Sharon that is shown below. This would have been one of the photos he would have been carrying.

Sharon was very pleased with this Tribute piece. I still need to have the title plate made when the people from the trophy shop return from vacation.

Thanks for looking.
Cheers,
James

 

[Briggsy]

Wow what a fitting and moving tribute, beautifully put together and painted, this is a wonderful thing you have done James. Keeping these memories alive is the least that can be done for the fallen and no less importantly for those left behind.

Cheers Simon

 

[MalcC]

That is a fitting tribute, and I'm sure it will be treasured.
Beautifully made and painted.

Malc

 

[Robert Jan de Wit]

Again amazing work. Dedicated modelling at its best.

greets,
RJ

 

[Babelfish]

Love this. Not just the (very nice) model but the sentiment behind it as well.

- Steve

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

James you’ve out done yourself with provenance on this one mate!

An amazingly special story & creation, with important details tucked into overall composition.
Pose & positioning of wedgee give sense of a moment captured by an imagined photo snap.
What’s your most pleasing aspect?

MikeTheKiwi

 

[Merryweather]

wonderful !

 

[Jungle James O'Leary]

Thank you for the positive responses. Although most of my work involves depicting actual Soldiers and Marines, this is the first memorial tribute piece I have made. It was very meaningful to my friend who I made it for and was an honor for me to create. I posted these photos on a FB page belonging to the unit SGT Fant served in and it resulted in one person who served with him getting into contact with Sharon.

 

[Jungle James O'Leary]

James you’ve out done yourself with provenance on this one mate!

An amazingly special story & creation, with important details tucked into overall composition.
Pose & positioning of wedgee give sense of a moment captured by an imagined photo snap.
What’s your most pleasing aspect?

MikeTheKiwi

Thank you, Mike.

I would say that the most pleasing aspect of this project is the effect it had on my friend and that it resulted in her being contacted with a guy who went to basic training, advanced individual training, and then served in the same platoon as SGT Fant.
From a modeling perspective, the most pleasing aspect was to include details that were meaningful such as Sharon's name on the track and helmet cover, the brand of cigarettes SGT Fant smoked, and an actual photo of Sharon in his hand.