DEF Model released a new figure depicting a truck driver from Nam era.
This is partial text from the full article (usually with photos) at https://armorama.com/news/us-driver-from-vietnam
This is partial text from the full article (usually with photos) at https://armorama.com/news/us-driver-from-vietnam
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Props to DEF for giving us photos of the actual print of the figure instead of just renders of the CAD!
Very nice, figgy, too!
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I agree, great figure. Looks like they are continuing their drivers after this one.
I can attest that this one is a really nice figure as I used it recently, I added the M16A1. He has an uncanny resemblance to Richard Petty to me.
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Good thing they released this fig I think we need more figs without the web gear on.
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everytime i see a new vietnam era figure i always look at the cargo pockets on the trousers and every time i see they get them wrong.
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Could you please show the example of “right” then?
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@Pawel all the pocket flaps have a thin end and thick end, this is the same for the shirts as well.
you can see what i mean in the picture below.
Photo shows tapered pocket flaps on pants, I just looked at jungle fatigue shirt I brought home from RVN 54 years ago, all 4 pocket flaps are tapered as well. Have to admit, I never noticed that little detail.
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@SFCJJC yeah its more noticeable on the shirt pockets.
there are two different versions, exposed buttons and covered buttons which is the later version.
once you notice it, you can’t help but look for it on figures of that era.
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This figure isn’t that bad. Until I see the full side view of the trouser pockets to see if they got the tapered flap, I will give them the benefit of the doubt. They might be correct. A good sign is that the little gathered thingy near the knees is present. Most of the time these are not present on most figures.
The reason why I sculpt my own pockets on my figures is because most commercial figures have problems in regards to pocket shape, size, or placement. And then to make them constant among the figures especially if I am using figures from multiple manufacturers for my conversions.
There are actually 4 versions of the tropical combat uniform or jungle fatigues. The first is with exposed buttons, epaulettes, gas flap, and waist adjustment tabs. The second version is similar but with the pocket flaps covering the buttons. The third version has the epaulettes, gas flap, and waist adjustment tabs removed. A shoulder yolk is added. The fourth version is similar to the third but is in a rip stop material replacing the cotton poplin of the first three versions. Some details were removed/simplified such as only the left pocket having a hole in the flap for pens and the sleeves no longer having a triangle of material at the closure.
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That can’t have been comfortable 
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You really can’t feel the difference, but it is supposed to be a reinforcement for that area of the shirt.
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ii got my information from Shelby Stanton’s book about US uniforms of the vietnam war as well as Kevin Lyles book of a similar name. both have plenty of pictorial references.
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I have had those books for decades. I also have examples of each version of the uniform. Look through those books again and you will see there are more than two versions. In Shelby Stanton’s book there are several photos of the first, second, and third patterns being worn by different individuals simultaneously. Most are in sections talking about other uniform and equipment items and are not pointed out. I was kind of disappointed that he didn’t mention the different versions and when each first got issued since he did such an excellent job explaining the effects of the supply system and the development of the ERDL camo pattern as a standard camouflage for the Army. In photos it would be difficult to tell the difference between the third and fourth pattern unless if it were a close up.
More recent uniform reference books cover the differences better. Paul Miraldi’s book about Infantry, LRRP, and Ranger uniforms and Adrea Press’ Grunt book show and explain the development and differences better. Some of the experimental fabrics are covered as well.
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I have worn everything from the ERDL on up to the current OCP. Nothing beat the slant pocket jungles.
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I have, too. Jungle fatigues are still my favorite.
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When I served, BDUs were just coming in, and IIRC were about $18 for the trousers or blouse. The jungle fatigues were less than $3 each, and authorized to wear due to the desert climate. Guess what I wore. This was '83-84 I think.
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For all we know the guy was a Cad. ( Cad: [noun] (merriam-webster dictionary), “kad”.
1**:** a bus conductor.
2 : a man who acts with deliberate disregard for another’s feelings or rights. "A selfish cad.
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i will need to source these other books you mention as they sound very interesting and i too have collection of some of these uniforms which aren’t easy to get hold of in the UK.
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Lucky_13, those were some good old days. I wish they still had them. When they first reached the shelves at Clothing Sales at Fort Sam Houston in 1984, my dad picked me up from school and we headed over to clothing sales. My dad got me four sets of jungle fatigues for $8.40 a set and a pair of jungle boots for $15. I wore them both out in the woods playing war and for JROTC. They were optional wear for the Army from 1984 - 1987 while the hot weather BDUs were being developed.
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