Z Miniatures released their new figure in several scales.
This is partial text from the full article (usually with photos) at https://armorama.com/news/aircav-from-vietnam-war
This is partial text from the full article (usually with photos) at https://armorama.com/news/aircav-from-vietnam-war
2 Likes
I’m not an expert on early pattern jungle fatigues, I’ve never seen exposed buttons on the jacket closure or single exposed button on the pants. (I know exposed buttons on jacket pockets and epaulets are correct on early uniforms)I was in RVN in 1970, so only had 3rd pattern uniform. Would like to see comments from someone more knowledgeable about early uniform.
2 Likes
The buttoned wrist cuff seems off to me also. Wayne
2 Likes
I just looked at jacket I brought home 56 years ago, it does have the wrist closure with 2 buttons. But, it’s a late war issue, don’t know if earlier ones had them.
2 Likes
Where is his ammo?
2 Likes
He’s got a John Wayne rifle, one clip lasts all day!! Ha ha Wayne
3 Likes
This is another example of a figure that had the potential to be a pretty good figure, but inaccuracies in uniform and equipment make it not so great.
I have examples of all of the various Tropical Combat Uniform version including a few experimental sets. Just starting with the uniform itself, no version of jungle fatigues had exposed buttons on the front shirt closure. They should be covered. Since this shirt resembles the 1st pattern TCU, there should also be epaulets. The shirt should be longer, but sometimes when uniform resupply showed up, it was sometimes a crap shoot trying to find items in your size, so that isn’t too much of an issue. The button cuffs on the shirt are fine. At lease the 1st CAV patch is high enough on the arm to look about right. His name and US Army tapes are located appropriately for that version of TCUs. The thigh cargo pockets do not match any US unform from the era. It should have three expanding sections of the main pocket, and the flap should taper from the front with a smaller width to the rear with a larger width. The jungle boots are not quite right, either. The drain holes are located in the instep, or arch, of the boot, not on the outside like on this figure.
His lack of a means to carry extra ammo is a concern. It doesn’t necessarily need to be in ammo pouches, but should be in at least a bandoleer or two or a claymore bag. There is some sort of pouch on the right rear of his belt, but I cannot see it well enough to comment on it. The rucksack and frame seem decent enough. Not a very good idea to be carrying your grenades there and not have them up front where you can get to them. The e-tool was not normally carried like that. Recommended placement was upside down with the handle pointing upward and tied down. He should also have more than one canteen.
This figure had the potential to be a pretty decent figure. If only the creator did a bit of research and perhaps get on a forum like this during it’s development where there are plenty of people who have good reference material to help his get the details correct. Unfortunately, it seems like the days of researching modeling subjects are tapering off. What I don’t understand, and it frustrates me because Vietnam is the main subject I model, is how can someone get so many details wrong where there are so many reference books, photos, and actual items quite readily available out there. I bet if it were a WW2 German Soldier from whatever unit, more care would be taken with the details.
4 Likes
Man, there’s SO MUCH wrong here…..pose , rifle, and helmet look good, as does the face/head…..the ruck and frame are useable too…..BUT, the jungle fatigues are ALL wrong….length of the blouse is too short, not sure if these are 1st, 2nd, or 3rd pattern jungles, but exposed buttons were covered after the 1st pattern….the trousers are bad, just bad….the cargo pockets will need to be completely removed and redone. The jungle boots (I think that’s what they’re supposed to be) are lacking the nylon ankle reinforcements….he has no small arms ammo pouches, grenades are hooked, somehow, to the ruck frame, no bayonet….this is just a horrible release. Hard pass.
2 Likes
Just basic research, found on the net, would’ve helped this immensely, not to mention books….for anyone who needs it….
2 Likes
Based on the exposed buttons on the blouse/coat, it appears that they were attempting to depict the first pattern, but they did not have exposed buttons on the opening flap. They also should have epaulets with that pattern. The lack of the nylon reinforcements could be that the guy who did this figure was depicting the 2d pattern jungle boots.
I agree that there is a lot wrong with this figure. I will pass on it, too.
2 Likes
I wore the ERDLs for a time. I couldn’t tell you where the buttons were or how many there were. But as I have an inkling of knowledge on weapons -
Grenades are hung by their spoons. 
You’ll never lose them that way…
The seven vents on the handguards suggest a CAR15 platform. Six were more common, but seven could have been seen. Ten for the standard length M16. Either way, the brass deflector is definitely (not defiantly, BTW) out if place. It didn’t show up until much later. And the flash hider seems a bit stunted to me, not sure. Don’t care by this point…
1 Like
I was waiting for you to comment 
as you know more about RVN uniforms than anyone I’ve seen on these forums. You’re right also about the e tool, never saw one carried that way. I was so focused on the uniform that I didn’t comment on his lack of ammo and odd places to carry grenades. Too bad, this could have been a nice figure with some research.
2 Likes
For those traumatized by this, here is an antidote from Concept Miniatures, UK
173 Airborne, Vietnam
3 Likes
Nice, but again - the M16. That’s the standard length - 10 vents in the handguard, but it appears way too short. The proportions in general are just off. Look at the magazine. What is he shooting - .22 LR?
3 Likes
Agreed, the uniform is a lot better, but the M16 is off. Two canteens and one ammo pouch would be a pretty light load, we usually carried ammo In bandoliers. You’d think RVN era uniforms and equipment would be easy to research since it was so well photographed and there are so many books/web sites with contemporary photos. I bet there are plenty of old farts like me on this site that have bits and pieces of uniforms & gear we brought home 50+ years ago sitting in the closet and are more than willing to answer any questions we can. This is one of the few wars in which a model builder can actually talk to someone who was there, you can’t easily do that if you’re into Afrika Korps or D Day stuff. OK, I’ve said my piece….
5 Likes