My current project is a diorama featuring American Red Cross Volunteers known as Donut Dollies facilitating a recreation program to members of C Company, 2d Battalion, 47th Infantry (Mechanized), 9th Infantry Division and a couple guys from the BN Maintenance Section in the motor pool area at Binh Phuoc, Vietnam in 1969. There is going to be 11 figures in all with a facade of a conex as a backdrop to provide the setting. There will be various items that would be present when track crews are maintaining their tracks during a standdown.
This is the basic layout. Since this photo was taken, I changed one of the figures out, but this is the initial composition for this piece.
And these are the figures I will be using. They comprise of conversions of figures from Bravo 6, DEF Models, H3 Models, Royal Models, Masterbox, Alpine, and even a conversion of a figure I sculpted that has been released by Custom Dioramics in their Yanks figure range. Since the figures are from several manufacturers, and some were WW2 Germans that I converted into US GIs in Vietnam, I sculpted pockets on all of the jungle fatigues to be of the same size among each figure as they would be in real life. Two of the Donut Dollies from H3 had their heads replaced. One reason was because the original heads did not have friendly nor happy expressions. The main purpose of the Donut Dollies was to raise moral and the H3 faces were dreary. The other reason is that these figures represent actual Donut Dollies who were assigned to the 9th Infantry Division.
The seated Donut Dolly depicts Emily who was known to bring her guitar with her and involve the guys in sing alongs. In this diorama, her guitar will be beside her while another Donut Dolly, Sherry, is facilitating a game. The third Donut Dolly is new and is watching what is going on. Here are some photos of Emily and Sherry as well as some from other locations showing what they do when they visit units.
Like I mentioned in the previous post, I am going to include a facade of a conex container as a backdrop. Basically it is just one side of the conex from Gecko. I will be adding a door after I prime and paint it. Then there will be some items used to maintain the M113s such as road wheels, track sections, tools, and crates of parts.
I painted this one like the one the Maintenance Section had in the motor pool area complete with the FTA in the bottom left corner.
I also painted some pallets and some crates. Since these are not the main focus and any writing would be illegible at viewing distance, I just made representations of the stenciled nomenclature, etc., on the crates.
There are other crates and stuff like small arms ammo crates and ammo cans. I just haven’t taken any photos of those yet.
Since one of the figures (the conversion of the DEF Models Vietnam driver figure) is going to be leaning against some crates, I glued to of them to the side of the conex. It also serves as a way to hold up the conex facade.
On Sunday I started painting the first figure, the conversion of one of the figures from Masterbox’s “Somewhere in Saigon” kit. I completed him this afternoon. This is one of the guys from the maintenance section. I will probably add some dirt and grease stains after I paint the other maintenance guy which I started painting tonight.
I always enjoy seeing your pieces come together James- they are masterclasses in both figure sculpting/conversion and painting as well as scene composition.
James your work is stunning- your figure painting is amazing; I also appreciate your attention to detail and historical accuracy in depicting these uniforms and equipment. Its nice to see you focus on regular infantry units and mech units too!
Thanks for the positive comments. They help keep me motivated.
About an hour ago I finished painting the second of eleven figures. It is of one of the maintenance guys. Any sweat stains, grease, and dirt will be added when the other figures are completed.
Not sure which figure I will start painting next. Since the rest are wearing boonie hats their faces will take a bit longer to paint. Perhaps I will paint one of the Donut Dollies next.
Thank you. I am glad that you like my work and the effort I put into the uniform details. As a figure guy, it is something I notice when looking at figures and dioramas.
This evening I completed the third of eleven figures for this diorama. He is a conversion of a WW2 German figure from Alpine. I sculpted the jungle fatigue shirt and thigh pockets, carved jungle boot details into the existing boots, replaced the head with one from Hornet that is wearing a boonie hat from Bravo 6, and changed hands with some from Royal Models and Bravo 6.
Excellent (and historically accurate) work as always. Great idea to pay tribute to these wonderful young women who didn’t have to be in RVN but went and tried to make life a little better for the troops. The Red Cross Volunteers and Military Nurses will always be high on my list of real heroes.
Nice job, can’t wait to see the finished product.
