USMC Vietnam

[chailey]

Hi all,
I'm embarking on a project that I know very little about, a 90mm US Marine from the Vietnam period. I'm already having problems with the colours, some pictures show the uniform a definite olive green shade, others appear to have a greyish look, did the uniforms differ from the start of the war to the latter part or was it down to other factors (suppliers, wear & tear etc.)
Any suggestions on a suitable acrylic (Andrea/Vallejo) palette for this would be most welcome!
Steve

 

[Babelfish]

I'm guessing it's the Pegaso figure yes?

I've painted that one myself and I used Vallejo U.S. Dark Green (893) as my base colour. After that though I used oils for shades & highs. I wrote the 'recipe' down but unless you're an oils man it will probably be of little interest.

I think though you're best going for something that "looks right" to your eye because as you suggest and as with most uniforms, colour depended on all sorts of factors (source, wear & tear, exposure to the elements or whatever), so you have some leeway I would think. I don't think it's an exact science.

- Steve

 

[MasterGunns]

Steve - I'm not sure which figure the two of you are refering to, but the colors involved will be dependent on whether the uniform depicted is the cotton sateen utilities or the ripstop jungle utilities, both of which are commonly referred to as "utes". If you're not familiar with which is which, the jungle "utes" have cargo pockets on the sides of the trouser pockets, and the chest pockets are slanted instead of being verticle. If jungle utes, you'll need to decide if you want to depict the early solid green (pale olive green) or the later camouflage version which is similar to the later "woodland" camo pattern. If the figure has the cotton sateen utes, then a wide range of faded pale olive green can be depicted, depending on how "salty" you want to portray your "Leatherneck". Whether you depict your utes as camo or sateen, the cloth helmet cover will need to be camouflage. In fact, if depicting the sateens, you can depict the spotted camo pattern on the helmet cover as was used in WWII and Korea as is depicted in my avatar. I'll be following your project with great interest.

Semper Fi - MasterGunns

 

[Mike Stevens]

Uniforms will start out in the same family of Color, slight variations. The more the uniform is used and exposed to the elements will dictate color changes. You should look at Color photo's of the period to get a feel for the variation. Follow this link for examples.

https://images.search.yahoo.com/yhs...=yhs-mozilla-001&hspart=mozilla&hsimp=yhs-001

 

[chailey]

Steve, your quite right, it would be the Pegaso figure, I'm chuffed to bits about getting this one, and I'm trying (with variable results) to progress from oils & 'umbrols to 'modern' techniques!
Thanks for the link Mike, I think if I err on the side of caution and stick to a faded olive colour I shouldn't be too far out!
cheers all for your help.
Steve

 

[Oldironsides]

Hi Steve - I found the following book very useful in sorting out the colour of US uniforms used in Vietnam.

Vietnam: U.S. Uniforms in Colour Photographs (Europa Militaria Special No3) by Kevin Lyles.

I don't think it is still available in print, but you might be able to pick up a decent second hand copy or borrow it from a library.


Mark

 

[chailey]

Mark, good news....I found a copy on 'Amazon', the bad news is I need to sell the model to pay for it !!!
I think I might try the 'borrowing option.....
Steve

 

[Oldironsides]

Steve - I looked on Amazon UK site and fell off my chair! Maybe a PF member might have one to sell to you for less than an arm and a leg!

Mark

 

[chailey]

Another question for our American Vietnam buffs if I may....did the Special forces wear the M55 flak jacket?
I just have a urge to try and paint 'Tiger Stripe', I know I'll need to adapt the pockets on the 'utes' and modify the equipment somewhat, but I cant do anything about the Flak jacket!

Steve

 

[oldtrousers]

Hi Steve,
I don't ever recall seeing a picture of a Vietnam era SF soldier wearing a flak jacket in any of my references. I guess maybe it was possible in an A Camp? If your looking to do a bust of a US SF soldier in Vietnam wearing Tigers, I would recommend the Miniatures PMC one seen here:
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nSxl7alRn1k/T33mcU5rxKI/AAAAAAAAATI/ZxUhyVMyFBA/s1600/PMC0001.jpg
Scott

 

[housecarl]

This site may help Steve.

 

[chailey]

Super link Housecarl, question answered....he stays as a Marine!
Thanks guys, Steve

 

[Mookie]

Hi Steve.
Have that book in my stash,Could scan some images for you as reference if that helps.
Richard

 

[chailey]

I have managed to find what I need on a download, but thanks ever so much for the kind offer Richard.
Steve