introduction

Untiring master sculptor Vladimir Demchenko keeps sculpting very nice figures and BRAVO-6 adding more and more unique figures to its Vietnam figure range every month.

The kit B6-35008 U.S. Mech.Infantry Sgt. , Vietnam ‘68 includes one figure in siting pose which can be used as resting on a cigarette break in jungle or can be mounted to an M113.

about the figure

Mechanized infantry are infantry equipped with armored personnel carriers (APCs), or infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) for transport and combat.

The closest thing to Vietnam's Mech Infantry was probably WW II's Half-Tracks. The Mechanized Infantry Units in Vietnam were nothing more than Mounted Infantry. They were grunts that rode into battle on their M113 APC's/ACAV's. Firing their .50 caliber machine guns and attached M-60 machine guns, then dismounting from their tracks and fighting on foot. When they were finished sweeping or fighting, M113s pick them up.

Mechanized Infantry Battalions had NO tanks in their units. Armored Cavalry Squadrons had BOTH tanks and ACAV's (APC's) in their Squadrons.

box

The figure comes well packed in standard BRAVO-6 light brown 50x80x25 mm cardboard box . The front part of the box shows a photo of the assembled and painted figure which can serve as a painting guide. On the other side of the box; e-mail address and website of the company is noted.

The parts are represented with the casting blocks. The main part-body and other parts of the figure like arms and accessories are seperately inserted in small plastic zip-lock bags to avoid unexpected damages during transfer.

parts

The figure is sculpted by Vladimir Demchenko and comes in 11 medium grey resin parts. The resin quality is very good and details are very crisp. No air bubbles, excess resin or any casting mistakes on the figure. The parts can be easily removed from the blocks with no damage as The junctions between figure parts and casting blocks are well placed. There will be no need for a cleanwork other than cleaning the seamlines on the backside of left leg.

The main part is Body with head and legs. Facial details, moustache and curly hair is well defined. Left side of the mouth is sculpted to carry a cigarette which can be easily built from stretched sprue. The figure can be built with or without helmet. He wears a M69 Flak jacket over his T-shirt with sleeves cut on shoulders. The M-1969 flak vest differs from M-1952 flak vest mainly in the addition of a 3/4 length, six ply collar with three sections of protective filling. There were 12 sections of ballistic nylon in the front and upper back, two in the lower back, and an additional two down the length of the spine. The shoulder straps of the M-1952 were gone from the design, but there were stitched interior panels. The new nomenclature was Fragmentation Protective Body Armor, M-1969. The collar was disliked because it would interfere with the M-1 steel helmet, if worn.Details of the vest are well defined. He wears his utility belt and H-type suspenders over his vest. M16 ammo pouchs are cast on the figure on both sides. He wears cargo pocket trousers and canvas/leather combined boots.

Other parts are;

Right arm : Posed to grab a M-16 rifle. It shows nice muscular details and wrist watch is a nice touch.

Left arm : Posed to put his arm on his left knee. It shows nice muscular details. Inside of the arm is carved for the easy fit to the body.

M16A1 rifle. Details of the weapon are well defined.

M-1956 one quart canteen - 2 pieces.

M7 bayonet in M8A1 scabbard

M61 Fragmentation hand grenade also known as M26A1 – 4 pieces.

M1 helmet with Mitchell pattern canvas cover and helmet band

conclusion

Another unique figure from BRAVO-6 in great details , very nice sculpt and flawless cast. It can be displayed at rest or mounted to an M113.

Very Highly Recommended