WWII Pacific Marine

[pokrad]

Thanks Jason, I was not aware of the differences in dogtags.
The idea about the pouches over the shoulder and the rifle behind neck is from the idea that he is walking through water - so it wears them that way not to wet them.
And the suspenders could be disconnected from the belt. But You are right in a way: the lower part of the suspenders would hang freely in that case - would not be V shape as I made them.
I am redoing sleeves anyway, so the next version should be better...I hope

Great input, thanks again

 

[JasonB]

Just an FYI, its most likely that if he were crossing water and felt the need to keep his belt dry, he would remove the entire set of suspenders and belt, and sling them over his shoulder, as all he would have to do is unbuckle the front and slide them off like a vest. To remove the belt from the suspenders, he would still have to take the entire set off to reach the hooks that attach the belt in the back, then reattach them once he was across. Oh,and if he detached the suspenders from the belt, they would slide off his shoulders, as they wouldn't be connected to anything to keep them tight. Its kind of an interlocking system...

 

[pokrad]

You are probably right, it makes sense to remove compete set (belt and suspenders together).
Probably can find a way to move suspenders over his left shoulder together with the belt.
And looking at the images You are also right about the blouse. It has too many folds, that's why it looks too tight. The blouse material is much more stiff. Will change that too

 

[pokrad]

 

[Steve headley]

Looking good.

Steve

TFB Miniatures Team

 

[pokrad]

After removing suspenders (they are now under the pouches and visible only on the left shoulder), right shoulder is empty.
So I am experimenting with shoes that are hanging on shoelaces:

Pros:
1. Right shoulder is not empty
2. It helps to sell the story about walking through water
3. Good excuse to show one more piece of equipment

Cons ?

 

[JasonB]

If I may chime in again (sorry), and as someone who has followed intently the history of the USMC in WWII, I have honestly never seen any pics of Marines removing equipment or their boots to go through water. Several reason for this. First, in those campaigns where there would be significant water, it rained constantly, so taking off equipment to keep it dry would have been useless. Secondly, they would likely never remove their boots in any situation other when they were in the rear in a relatively secure location. There is the one famous pic of the guy sitting on a dud shell emptying out his boot, but turns out, that was staged by the photographer. Marines on Guadacanal, New Georgia and New Britain (notorious campaigns for wet weather) literally had their uniforms rotting off them but kept their gear on because they could be attacked at any time, and one doesn't want to be running around sans boots. Okinawa same thing. That being said, its your figure and its not out of the realm of possibility, so you can do as you like. One thing, the Marine Boondocker boots were much more shoe like and less like a boot than what you are starting with there.

 

[Steve headley]

I can see both sides of this, the sculpt is giving a sense of wading through water and it gives a chance to fill out the story.

On the other hand we have Jason’s knowledge of the marines at that time. It’s a hard one, could this have happened at some point during the campaign? It does seem logical that it could have happened ? I think it’s a difficult call to come down on either side.

I like the story it’s telling, it does show off more of the kit a marine has. Will the equipment be historically accurate yes? I know it will, then we have the story it’s telling. I think the vast majority will buy into the story. Would it have ever happened who knows but the guys who were their. Just maybe the odd marine did this we will never know. But I leave it to Pokrad to decide which direction he wishes to go with it. TFB put their faith in you and are looking forward to seeing the end result which ever path you decide to go down.

Steve

TFB Miniatures Team

 

[pokrad]

If I may chime in again (sorry)

Sorry for what ? In the contrary, thank You for heads up and info !
For the boot, I have references, except lover part of the sole nothing is finished, and this was just quick and dirty "sketch" to put them there to see how it fits...
If I put them there they will look like marine boots
If not, I really have to find something to "fill" the right shoulder as it looks like empty canvas

 

[pokrad]

Jason (Yes, I am that rude and desperate to address You directly )
What about SCR-536 "handy-talkie," or "spam can" ?
It has a belt that could go over the shoulder, and would fill the "hole" nicely ???

 

[pokrad]

Something like this

 

[pokrad]

And fitted something like this:

 

[JasonB]

That works, though I don't think you necessarily NEED anything on both sides
If you really wanted to enforce the idea of him crossing water, you might consider moving the gun in front of him instead of resting on his shoulder. Usually when crossing water, unless its a heavier weapon like an MG, the guy would keep it in front of him so that he can swing his arms a bit and keep his balance, plus its ready to use. The impression I get of it now is just a guy standing relaxed with his rifle on his shoulder. But that could just be me...

 

[Nap]

Hi Pokrad

Great to see the responses and information from members on this , it's really interesting to follow and read ...and learn about Marines

Look forward to seeing more on this

Going to be a really good addition to TFB's catalog

Happy sculpting

Nap

 

[Steve headley]

Liking the radio idea works well in my view keep it going.

Steve

TFB Miniatures Team

 

[pokrad]

I stick with the radio, and I think that the back side is there too:

 

[Steve headley]

Looking good like the radio works well .

Steve

TFB Miniatures Team

 

[Nap]

Coming along nicely, radios a good idea

Perhaps have the rifle strap hanging down a little ...looks too tight

Just my thoughts

Nap

 

[pokrad]

I was thinking about that, but I am also thinking about casting. If I make it hang more i will complicate the casting as the strap would interfere with the fingers.
And I found more than one image on internet where the strap is pretty tight, for example:

http://www.thegunmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/m1_garand.jpg

 

[MattMcK.]

Fwiw, I liked the original, more aged and worn face