28mm USMC Vietnam etc

[Ultravanillasmurf]

Extremely good.

I remember him doing an interview post Desert Storm, weirdly enough on BBC Radio One (the pop music channel), with Steve Wright ("in the afternoon").

[Rommel]

Nice painting and nice figures! Both Empress and Gringo’s 40 have a nice range, but different style! If i could start a new period it would be Vietnam and maybe Gringo’s?

[Ash]

Now that's a stormin Norman!  Lovely work.

Cheers Carlos. It's interesting how much the camo pattern disappears in black & white pictures, I dropped the colour from one to see if the same happened...

Extremely good.

I remember him doing an interview post Desert Storm, weirdly enough on BBC Radio One (the pop music channel), with Steve Wright ("in the afternoon").

Thanks, I've been reading up on him a bit. I knew about him from the Gulf War, but not his time in Vietnam. Just bought a copy of his old biography "It Doesn't Take a Hero".

Nice painting and nice figures! Both Empress and Gringo’s 40 have a nice range, but different style! If i could start a new period it would be Vietnam and maybe Gringo’s?

Thanks very much, can't fault these figures. Mr Hicks clearly does his research with regard to the historic photographs.
When it comes to choosing a range to collect it's ultimately got to come down to a personal preference for the figures.
I did pick up a few from other ranges at the start, just to get a hands on comparison, re size and 'looking the part', for me this range (Empress) literally ticked all the boxes.
 
I do have some unrequired bits, from other companies, currently on eBay if interested...


https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/335146401644

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/335146399010

[Russ justice]

Absolutely stunning work, beautiful brushwork on a beautifully sculpted figure.

[CapnJim]

Lovely work!  Well done!  And it looks like the B&W photo of the figure produced the same muted effect...

[Dr. Zombie]

That is some top tier brushwork on that camo on Norman.

[Ash]

Cheers guys.
Had a rummage through the just about empty spares box, and found another couple of ARVN blokes from the AFV crew pack, and a lonesome ANZAC. After a bit of minor adjustment, the Aussie has now joined 'Norman' in his advisory capacity, and they have an MG team to keep them company.






Took the opportunity to upgrade Norman with his US wings and name tape badges.

[Russ justice]

Absolutely love it, your stuff is truly inspiring 

[Ash]

Thanks Russ, that's me out of Nam stuff... Well I do have a cart with a brace of water buffalo.

[Sparrow]

Lovely, just lovely!

[CapnJim]

Lovely!  Just lovely!  Hope a tracer doesn't hit that fuel drum...

[mikedemana]

Took the opportunity to upgrade Norman with his US wings and name tape badges.

They look fantastic, Ash. Can I get a closeup of his name tape so I can truly appreciate your madness? 

Seriously high quality painting!

Mike Demana

[CapnJim]

Oh, here's a nitpick - sorry.

The name tape goes over the right pocket.   The US Army tape goes over the left pocket (over the heart - yeah, it's corny, but that's the Army for ya).  Same for badges and medals.  Individual stuff goes over the right name tape, while unit stuff goes over the left.

Sorry to rain on the parade for such a pedantic issue.  But it certainly doesn't take away from the high quality of the paint job...

[Ash]

Lovely, just lovely!

Thanks Sparrow.

Took the opportunity to upgrade Norman with his US wings and name tape badges.

They look fantastic, Ash. Can I get a closeup of his name tape so I can truly appreciate your madness? 

Seriously high quality painting!

Mike Demana

In this case the madness only extended to tiny blobs and squiggles on a green background! Added them as they were in the reference picture Carlos found on flickr.
Should probably have made the 'writing' a tad longer as he has a rather large name (literally and figuratively).

Oh, here's a nitpick - sorry.

The name tape goes over the right pocket.   The US Army tape goes over the left pocket (over the heart - yeah, it's corny, but that's the Army for ya).  Same for badges and medals.  Individual stuff goes over the right name tape, while unit stuff goes over the left.

Sorry to rain on the parade for such a pedantic issue.  But it certainly doesn't take away from the high quality of the paint job...

Never need to apologise for pointing out mistakes (it's helpful), and for US use of name tapes I'd agree with you, however...



...Westmoreland is clearly adhering to the uniform dress code. Norman nevertheless has his name on his left, as does his colleague.
Could be something to do with being seconded to a foreign army unit, showing solidarity with the troops etc

Found some other reference pics of a similar look:

The big guy looking slightly the worse for wear; different shirt, with more badges (CIB etc)



Couple of other advisor's shirts, in private collections:




The bottom one has some nice modifications with the zip pockets behind the chest pockets (very French), pen holders and all the badges being embroidered onto camo material.

[carlos marighela]

I love the 'This bloke's a fucking dickhead' expression Schwarzkopf has as he looks at Westmoreland.

The backstory holds that to be true. Apparently Westmoreland turned up with press in tow for a photo op and ostentatiously pulled Norman aside for a word. Expecting the big cheese to ask about him about his troops and how they were fairing apparently Westy asked him how the food was. 

Norman was supremely unimpressed.