US SOF Operator - Afghanistan WiP

[rubberduckie]

Hey fellas,

Recently bought the 1/35 Airborne Miniatures US SOF figure. Its really more 1/32 since its larger than the other 54mm and 1/35 figs that I have, and one of the few current up-to-date modern SOF kits around. The figure has been slightly edited: Changed the weapon to a BLAST models tactical M4, added those Oakely M frames which are all the rage with the SOF guys, sculpted in a shemagh/scarf and added an assault pack from another kit.

Anyways, rather than follow the 3-tone desert camo on the box art, I decided to try out Multicam pattern since many of the troops currently deployed in A-Stan are issued with that, and also since I have yet to see someone try painting MC yet...

Quite a perplexing affair tho, since theres alot of tonal shift in the actual pattern itself, with about 5-6 colors involved, blending into one another. Screwed up the first attempt, but hopefully this second attempt is better.

If anyone else has attempted painting Multicam pattern, I would be keen to hear any advice regarding it! Currently about 40% done with the figure, and probably going to paint the top in a field grey to represent the PCU jacket. One article of MC clothing is enough~!

Cheers,
Marc

 

[gordy]

Second version looks GREAT

 

[FSancho]

Hi Rubberduckie,

I think you're on a very good way ... More pictures of the process, please!
Regards,
Fernando Sancho.

 

[HiroshiAirborne]

Hi Rubberduckie! Lookin' good so far.

Do you own any multi-cam? If you don't I would suggest buying a combat jacket or a pair of pants, something large since a hat or mag pouch doesn't give the camo justice or you a good idea of what to go on.

Anyway, I noticed your base color for the MC pants is what looks like brown. Could be my monitor. I start by painting the pants with a tan, then paint large areas of brown, then I use a light green and paint a loose tiger-stripe over the brown and tan. Then I take a dark brown (NATO Brown tinted with flat black) and I use this to make the dark spots around the pattern. I then use a light tan to make the light spots that hang around the dark spots.

Hope this helps a bit. Pictures are great but having the reference article in hand is the best. Good luck!

 

[Maki]

Very cool! I have the same figure cleaned and prepped on the bench... I might try the Multicam as well. I own a pair of BDU pants in Multicam and the camouflage pattern looks very interesting to paint... I'm just reluctant with this particular figure as I haven't seen BDU-cut uniforms in Multicam pattern in Stan. Original Crye stuff and ACU-cut Propper uniforms, but no BDUs. Perhaps someone has more info on that?

Mario

 

[Argyll]

who stocks this in the UK?

 

[Maki]

I think Colorado Miniatures is the only distributor of Airborne Miniatures... There are no way of getting these in Europe other than ordering directly from Maciek: http://airborne-miniatures.blogspot.com/

Mario

 

[rubberduckie]

Hey Gordy thanks for the kind words mate.

Fsancho, will do!

Hiroshi, I own two sets of MC, altho it seems like different manufacturers have slightly different primary shades: one is slightly more greenish, while the other is more khaki. Id be interested to see the results of your method if you have pix somewhere! I think my rendition of MC is still slightly off, but Im abit reluctant to strip the paint a second time for fear of damaging the model.

Maki, there are BDU tops with th MC pattern today, and of course the ones in the original Crye cutting, of which there are the different 1st 2nd and 3rd gen uniforms as well. Althought the pants im not sure too, as like you said, Ive only seen the ones without the pads, but with the ankle pockets. Nonetheless, i think a little creative liberty can be taken sometimes when it comes to painting. Still i must admit, MC is slightly less perplexing compared to painting any form of digicam. Alternatively the old woodland pattern is making a comeback with some of the Army SF kitted up in that classic.

*edit: just found this, note the BDU pants in MC.
http://i49.tinypic.com/28jeb94.jpg

 

[Maki]

Thanks! I'm definitely for the creative liberty and I thought of trying the MC on this figure too... now that I see the pic you posted, it's even better.

Once again, great job and I can't wait to see the finished figure.

Mario

 

[HiroshiAirborne]

Maki, I've seen Operators with MC BDU pants and tops. Back in '07 when the transitions really began from Woodland BDU to the ACU, a lot of rear guys liked the pocket structure of a utility uniform rather than the "combat structured" pocket positions of the ACU.

When Tru-Spec Atlanco started making BDU Multi-Cam, a lot of Operators and Soldiers (who were allowed) bought those up instead of the ACU combat coat. From a dude I talked with from the 7th SFG, he preferred the BDU MC because the material they manufacture it with is a heavy 40/60 poly-cotton blend instead of the lighter 50/50 Nylon cotton blend. Don't have to wear as much extra lining when it gets cold.

Rubberduckie, I don't have any figures at the moment to paint. I'll see if I can find a kit somewhere cheap and I'll try to post a SBS. Might be a while though, sorry :\

 

[Maki]

Thanks for the info Hiroshi. I knew ACU cut was not favoured by SF, but I thought they used 3-color desert BDUs in RAID SWG and other modifications. Seeing those in MC is really cool... Thanks again.

Sorry for going off topic guys,
Mario

 

[HiroshiAirborne]

Last off-topic bit for Maki. SWG RAID is barely used, looks good on CNN though. SF guys use a real basic load-out with their uniform and if needed, will just take the bottom pockets of the BDU off and sew that on an arm. Where most SF guys operate, 3-Color Desert would make them stand out like a sore thumb since they are mostly in the mountains. Multicam and Woodland and popular picks with Multi-cam being great to blend in with the forests and the deserts.

Okay, back to multi-cam painting.

Rubberduckie, I found this about 10 minutes ago. It's similar to the way I would paint it. This technique was designed to be sprayed on weapons for airsoft, paintball, or real weapons.

http://forum.moatipaintball.com/index.php?showtopic=149082

 

[Maki]

Great link, thanks!

Mario

 

[rubberduckie]

Progress shot:

cleaned up the vest more, and started shading the PCU jacket, lined the pants with a light weathering on the knees just to see what it would look like.

 

[Maki]

Very nice! What's that on his wrist?

Mario

 

[afv_rob]

Really great work! The Multicam looks pretty good. I really like the little additions you made as well, how did you do the oakleys?

For anyone interested in buying this in the UK, see here:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1-35-scale-US...odelKits_JN&hash=item2a0a7a886a#ht_500wt_1154

 

[rubberduckie]

Hey Maki, thats a Garmin GPS. Seen a good number of operators have one either strapped to the buttstock of their weapon or wrist, so figured it would add to the detailing on this little dude.

Hey Rob, just used Greenstuff and sculpted it onto the face. (Saves me from painting those eyes too! )

 

[Argyll]

cheers for the link Rob .....

 

[ryall]

Great figure and gerat painting so far

 

[rubberduckie]

Hey guys, heres my latest updates to the work on this little guy. About 85-90% done I guess, just need to clean up the paintjob and the blending on some parts, and detail certain things like the shemagh and some of the patches.

Added in the mic boom, radio antennae. Made a single point tactical-sling from copper wire, which was a real tedious process to make. Slightly regretting not trying to paint his top in multicam after all, but oh well, less work I guess.