Mick's Vietnam Project (Finished XPS USMC Khe Sanh inspired Base) page 14

[Mick_in_Switzerland]

I have a dozen Empress 28mm NVA and I want to paint them to cover the main colour variations.

I have not seen a painting guide so I am going to do one and put it on my Facebook groups so that anybody can have it for free.

My main reference book is the huge Dorling Kindersley The Vietnam War - the Definitive Illustrated History.
This is a very good book but only shows one variant of the uniform.

From what I have seen there was a jungle green (Vallejo 70.924 Russian Uniform) and a yellowy khaki (Vallejo 70.988 Khaki).
The tropical cork helmet looks like Vallejo 70.843 Cork Brown.

I have heard that there were also grey uniforms. Does anybody have a picture of this.
I am sure that there were some posted on LAF a few months ago but I cannot find them.

What colours do you recommend?

[NurgleHH]

I think the greys were the Vietminh in the french Vietnam time. Try the old page of red star miniatures. They had a good tutorial.

[carlos marighela]

I suggest you have a look at this militaria site. Stocks change naturally enough but it will give you a palette range of what was available as well as some reasonably well informed commentary on colours and materials.

https://enemymilitaria.com/shop/?fwp_military=565632a595691964d5e068e0fc77042c&fwp_product_category=uniforms-footwear

As an example:

https://enemymilitaria.com/product/north-vietnamese-army-enlisted-shirt-kelly-green-2/

Grey uniforms? Yes.

https://enemymilitaria.com/product/north-vietnamese-army-enlisted-shirt-gray/

https://enemymilitaria.com/product/north-vietnamese-army-officers-tunic-4-pocket-blue-gray/

[FreakyFenton]

Interesting! 

[Mick_in_Switzerland]

@Carlos Marighela
Thank-you very much - that is an excellent link.
The variety of colours is more than I had expected. This will be fun to do.

[Mr C]

That is a good link. If its any use I've been going for the reed green (dark green) colour and found that Vallejo model colour 896 - extra dark green (highlighted to varying shades with white) makes a fairly convincing colour. I did try painting a couple of figures using flat green and uniform green but didn't like the result. Russian uniform also looks pretty convincing to add variety as does the odd khaki coloured shirt.

 I can see from the above link and from the book 'Weapons and field gear of the north vietnamese army and viet cong' (by Emering) that uniform colours were all over the place in varying shades of green, khaki and grey. Just go with what looks right to you.

[Mick_in_Switzerland]

Cowboy, Joker, Eightball, Animal Mother, Gunnery Sergeant Hartman and Private Pyle. The cast of Full Metal Jacket.

These are almost finished. Yesterday, I added the helmet graffiti (Born to Kill & I am become Death) with a pen but it turned into a black blob with the varnish. I will have to bus a waterproof fineliner so that I can finish them off.



I have decided do a guide for USMC as well. I will post a link here when it is ready.

Here is a comparison of Gringo, Empress, Gringo and Empress. Gringo figures are bigger but the ranges can easily be mixed.


Gringo 40 USMC.

[Ultravanillasmurf]

Very nice work.

[Mick_in_Switzerland]

Inspiration, History and Great Sculpting.

[tomrommel1]

Have a look at this book. Many pictures of uniforms and equipment.

[Mick_in_Switzerland]

Thank-you Tom.

I must admit there are very few books on the NVA and VC uniforms available beyond a couple of Ospreys.

[Mick_in_Switzerland]

First Draft of the USMC and NVA painting guide is here.
Feel free to make constructive comments.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/136386787001968/files/

[Blackwolf]

Hopefully Mick you will post the guide here? Many of us don’t use Facebook 

[Mick_in_Switzerland]

I don't know how to post a file on LAF. If I could, I would.

[Poiter50]

Perhaps send your PM address to Mick and he can email you the file?

I don't know how to post a file on LAF. If I could, I would.