introduction

Vladimir Demchenko sculpts more to fill the gap on complemantary figures that can be displayed with Vietnam War U.S. vehicles. B6-35062 U.S. Officers Briefing - Nam includes two figures checking a map in standing poses. I believe they will make a great scene next to vehicles like M48, M113, V-100 and more.

As an alternative idea ; you may create a more relaxed scene, replacing map to a Playboy magazine as figures are making comments on a Centerfold Playmate.

packing & casting

The kit comes in standard light brown cardbard box labeled with a photo of the assembled and painted figures. Figure bodies are inserted in seperate zip-lock bags, arms and pistols are lumped together in a third bag.

Parts are cast in grey resin and represented with the casting blocks. Resin quality is good, details are clean and sharp. No air bubbles, casting mistakes, excess resin or visible seamlines on the figures. All you need is to remove blocks and maybe a fast sanding on the arms. This is another wash,prime and paint kit from BRAVO-6.

figures

Each figure comes in four parts;

Body with head

Right arm

Left arm

Pistol

Facial details and hair, especially military haircut high and tight on Figure B, are nice sculpted. Facial expression like checking a map is well defined on both figures.

They wear 2nd pattern Tropical Jungle Uniform. Jacket has shoulder loops, nametags, shirt style cuffs with 2 buttons, two angled breast pockets and two waist pockets, all with diagonal flap covers and concealed buttons. Trousers has two cargo pockets on sides and two slit rear pockets again with flap covers and concealed buttons. Trotters are inserted inside Vibram boots. Both have M1956 Pistol belts and carry M1911A1 pistol in leather holsters on right thigh given on a seperate sprue. Uniform details and cloth folds are well represented on both figures.

Figure A
He wears a M1952 Flak vest, over his uniform. This vest was developed during the Korean War and was used during Vietnam War. The vest contained semiflexible layers of ballistic nylon cloth and sponge rubber over the ribs and shoulders which served as a shock absorbing layer to reduce contusions and fractures from the impact of missiles. The vest is closed with a full length zipper and could be adjusted by laced closures at both sides. It had shoulder straps, two chest pockets and two rows of web hangers over pockets for grenades etc. A two-cell .45 caliber magazine pouch is attached to pistol belt on the right side.

Left arm is posed to hold one side of the map as right arm with wrist watch carries a T56-6 CVC Helmet w/M44 Goggles. Combat Vehicle Crewmen helmet was a lightly padded crash helmet providing head protection for the bumps and jars. It was composed of plastic-resin coated ballistic nylon and gave almost equivalent protection as the M1 helmet. The details on the helmet like Exterior draw string which allows the wearer to snug up the earphone cup allowing a better fit, Send/Receive switch box and interior details are very nice represented.

Figure B
I noticed Vladimir added a pen to the centered hole on left breast pocket as a nice detail. Left arm with wrist watch is posed to carry a map and right hand points a location.

If you have no desire to handpaint uniform details, water-slide decal sheet inside the kit comes to the rescue. It includes breast U.S Army tags, individual nametags , sleeve rank insignia for staff sergeant and sergeant, unit badges of 1st Cavalry and some Infantry divisions served in Vietnam and a few MP helmet markings for your stash.

Maybe a big expectation but a map added to kit content would make it a perfect one. When building this kit, if you need a 1/35 scale Vietnam map; you can see My-Maps© and feel free to take a printout in original size.

conclusion

An admirable kit for Vietnam U.S. Armor and diorama modelers. Ease on assembly with less parts, nice sculpt and flawless cast in crisp details. CVC helmet details are top quality.

Highly Recommended