Brian McIver’s Viet Cong conversion photos arrived in my email my reaction was OMG. When I found out what figures were used, I was even more amazed. He used Weston Toy Mexican Peasant figures. Below Brian gives the background on doing the Viet Cong Conversion figures.
As I might of told you Paul my father served in the “Coldstream Guards” After he left the regiment in the mid 50’s his good friend by the name of Jack Reed went on to join 22 S.A.S. regiment & served in the jungle’s of Borneo & Malaya through the late 50’s
early 60’s I met him a few times in the late 70’s while he was a guest for dinner at our home. He told my father & myself he had also been to Vietnam while attached to the Australian S.A.S because of his Jungle warfare expertise. I have to say (& I know this has bad memories for lots of people in the U.S.) I was always interested in the War in Indo- China as it was called when the French were fighting the Viet-Minn & later the U.S. & other countries when it became Vietnam & fighting the Viet-Cong/NVA.
So here is my latest figures converted from Steve Westons Mexican peasants which lend themselves readily to Viet-Minn/Viet-Cong because of there loose clothing & sandals. There is a female with Russian “Mosen Nagant” sniper rifle. One with AK 47.
Wounded with a captured B.A.R. , RPG Launcher & type 100 SMG.
These do need a little tidy up as I just wanted to see what they would look like. The coolie hat were made with a washer & epoxy putty the weapons came from a company called “Brick arms” which make loads of custom weapons for “LEGO” figures (my kids put me onto these). With J Stengal jr figures coming out (sometime) I thought I would have a go & make these to fight against them.
Hope you like these Viet-Minn/Cong & it is not too much of a sore subject.
After receive the email, Brian sent another to explain how he made the hats.
This is how I formed the coolie hat for the Viet-Cong. I used a metal washer, pressed into conical shape (not easy on something this small) then glued it to the head, after this I built up the rest using epoxy putty (Mili-putt’ but green stuff would do) then I made grooves with an exacto.
Brian also explains how he got their black uniforms:
It is actually quite hard to paint black, I mean I would not just paint something black as it would look terrible. For these the base color is grey then washed over with a black wash. I think you can just make out in
some of the photos.
We can not wait until we see Brian’s next project.
WOW!
Great job! They really ought to make 54mm enemies for the Timmee GI’s.
Here you go, Greg. This kid is commonly available from the dump divers and can easily be converted into a Viet Cong sapper! http://www.ebay.com/itm/Marx-BOY-DIVING-FROM-DOLLHOUSE-ACCESSORY-SET-1427-Pool-Figures-/291523547646?hash=item43e02851fe:g:fNkAAOSwu4BVs8Ks
You know, the first thing that came to mind was converting him into a surrendering Jap soldier. They used to strip them down to their underwear because so many were only surrendering to take a GI or 2 down with them. Loads of pics out there to see this.
Awesome job. Great choice to get the figures from?
Where the weapons come from!?
Erwin, the figures are Steve Weston Mexican peasants.
The weapons are from a company called “Brick arms” They make weapons for “Lego” mini figures (my kids put me onto these) They make all kinds of small arms from ww2 up to sci fi. They are cheaper to buy over there in the U.S. than here in the U.K. (Like most things in our hobby unfortunately).
Thank You Brian, incredible I saw the owner of Brick Arms at Toy show before ,could not realize those were them, great awesome idea. Will definitely look in to them now. Thank you x heads up .Yes I hears of prices to from buyers and collectors, I guess is importing fees and shipping fees issues that are higher than here-US what make value go up. Sad but true
Excuse my typo error, It was Vietminh not Vietminh. Just out of interest did you know that thousands of Japanese soldiers fought against the French for the Vietminh after the ww2. Some were still there into the early 1970’s, so would of fought U.S. Forces also.
Scroll down on this ebay sale for a compilation/artist’s rendering of NVA troops from the “American War”: http://www.ebay.com/itm/First-Legion-VN010-NVA-Infantry-Officer-with-AK47/151898191226?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20131003132420%26meid%3Dec48fb2035584edcbae081607e45f6a5%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D151898372337
Vietminh not Vietminn (predictive txt)
awesome Job Brian !
These are wonderful figures;
and, no, I am not offended. I made peace with my past as a combat infantryman in Vietnam.
The pressing of the washer can be done with a flaring tool, if you know someone in refrigeration or auto mechanics.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-2-Pc-Tubing-Pipe-Flaring-Dies-Tools-Kit-3-16-5-8-Flare-Tubing-Air-Brake-Line-/321347367498?hash=item4ad1cbb24a:g:9~IAAMXQt~hSLlWF&item=321347367498&vxp=mtr
I found a source of conical washers, too: http://www.ebay.com/itm/200-ea-275-IDx-688-OD-Split-Conical-Washers-CHROME-/230667453255?hash=item35b4da0347:m:mzGZfPCAxDeuWU21ovWT8Fg
‘
Copper flare rings, ready-made to modify, would work well but are a bit costlier … http://www.ebay.com/itm/Gaskets-Copper-Flare-Rings-3-8-Improves-the-Seal-/151743520156?hash=item23549e5d9c:m:mkeGje7lj58nBF_WjWtJLBg
Paul,
I used one of our small pneumatic presses at work (I am a mechanical/electrical engineer) I meant it would be difficult for someone without this type of tool. The copper washers look good though. I was interested to hear you served. Thanks for your comments.