Dear figure friends.
My first venture into big figures is a conversion of Verlindens U.S Grunt Vietnam 200m bust.Ive decided to attempt to create a member of the Australian S.A.S regiment in Vietnam.These guys were very Feared by the Vietcong and N.V.A who called them MA Rang or the ghosts of the jungle!.I have a real passion for the S.A.S particularly Australian.So many different uniforms,webbing combos,weapons etc.My bust has a grenade pouch on either side of his webbing to hold either 40mm rounds for the m16/203 grenade launcher or the xm.148 launcher mounted on either the AR.15,m16,SLR.The Australians adapted the Slr by converting to fire fully auto and cut the barrel down and forestock to produce a beast of a weapon called THE BITCH.Ive used Duro/Magic sculp epoxies mixed 50/50 as i like the flexibility of this mix.Hope ive done the S.A.S justice so far.
Richard.

Hi Nap.
Thanks for dropping by.As for refernces im using the Osprey Anzacs in Vietnam,The Vietnam airborne also by Osprey.Plus some refernces sent to me a few years ago by a New zealand gent Mike Dunsmuir who did a 120mm conversion in Military modelling which was superb.
All the best from Richard.

Very cool mate.

Allen

Thanks Allen.
Lots to do on the bust but small stages hopefully will get the look im after.
Richard

Great Subject matter - the Aussie SAS are a little under represented in the figure world. Looking forward to seeing the finished item.

And yes good use of a Verlinden bust.

Great work Richard.

Just to clarify, to the best of my knowledge, there was only one BITCH, and it was carried by one of our troop in 3 Squadron in 1969. Whether it was passed onto 1 Squadron when they relieved us in early 1970, I am not sure. All other SLR's had the flash hider removed and the sear adjusted by the armourer to fire automatic - there were no other modifications. The flash hider was removed to limit the chance of entangling the barrel in vines.

The bust you are portraying, with the M79 grenade holders on the yoke webbing, would be about 1970 or 1971, it was not an issue item but made up specially by the person wearing it. In fact we all put together our own personal load carrying equipment by purchasing or having items specially made at our own expense - the US pouches were unsatisfactory. So there was no standard webbing, but a mixture of US (usually the belt and yoke), British 37 pattern and 44 Pattern, Australian (a new pack was issued in 1968 or 1969), specially commissioned pieces, and the odd Vietnamese issue pack.

I don't recall anyone in 3 Squadron wearing the grenade holders shown on your bust. IIRC the XM148 was issued to us during 1969 as a trial weapon which, as you correctly state, was bolted to the barrel of the M16 and the SLR. We carried the grenades in a basic pouch. Not everyone carried the XM148 or the M203, there were only two per patrol, thus your bust would be a particular person rather than a generic SAS Trooper, and about 1971.

Looking forward to seeing the finished model.

Best wishes
Chris

Chris

Firstly I know you may say you were only foing your job but accept thanks from someone who appreviates what you did and haf to go through in your service, I wish I could shake your hand.

Secondly fantastic info on kit etc. for Aussie SAS...much under represented in the figure world. The Aussie SAS are as fascinating as the Brit counterparts. Will have to get reference images of the BITCH and an SLR wuth grenafe launcher.

I like it, what sort of headdress is he getting? Best of luck with the rest.
Scotty.

There's simply no substitute to getting first hand information from someone who has "been there and done that". thanks Chris.

Richard, as I said in my PM to you, and as Chris has confirmed, the SASR in Vietnam customised and modified their kit and weapons to their own individual needs and purposes so there isn't a right or wrong way to show this bust. The Combination of US, British , Australian issued gear along with locally produced gear made the SASR in Vietnam highly "irregular" in more ways than one. What can't be denied was their absolute mastery of jungle warfare and counter insurgency fighting.

Hi Tony.
Nice to hear from you.I feel very honoured that Chrisr got in touch.Humbled and inspired to try and do a good job of my bust to honour these guys.Utmost respect to the Phantoms of the jungle big time!!!
Kind regards to all of you from Richard.

S.A.S.R Vietnam 200mm bust update
Hi Guys.
At long last i have made a bit more progress with my conversion of a Verlinden 200mm u.s vietnam bust.Decided id do more of a fuller length bust.I took the lower half of the 200mm verlinden u.s airborne vietnam figure,Grafted the lower half waist to my bust and am fairing it in with my usual Duro/magic sculp mix.For a long time i couldnt make up my mind what he was going to have on his head.As you can see ive made a touch of hair and sweat scarf around his napper.Hoping eventually he will have a rucksack on his back either an arvn version or British 1944 type jungle pack.Then the real pain is weaponry!!.
Because he has the grenade sleeve over his webbing im drawn to either the slr/Bitch or m16.203 or the m16 with xm148 launcher!!.Hmm me thinks that scratchbuilding these babies will prove a tad tricky Gungadin!!.Oh well fun in the future!!.Im pleased how hes going and am enjoying delving into putty pushing!!!.Thanks for looking.
Richard View attachment 206856 View attachment 206856 View attachment 206857

Hi Richard

Personally I'd choose the M203 version.

Great work so far. I'm keen to see more. Attached is one of the illustrations that I thought might help you.

Hi Richard,
Nice work so far mate, a great subject to portray.
If you need a 1/9 SLR I have one available here..... Reedees Miniatures I do not have a m16 but I do have a 1/9 M4 which could work as a basis to convert if needed.
Cheers
Steve

Thanks Tony and Steve for your comments.Will be ordering an slr or two from you Steve when i get back home by the sea.Might scratchbuild the bitch and 203 launcher.
Thanks for looking in from Richard.

Richard,
he's looking good.Any in progress shots of the top of the head?
Since he's Aussie SAS wouldn't his main weapon be a bomerang
Much better than a SLR or M16.


Chris.(from over the ditch)