ODA Build Part II

When we left off a few weeks ago, the ODA had a single member and the weapons were primed. Two additional Operators have been procured from Legend Productions and are shown here as sub assemblies in a first draft of the vignette.

My source for in-field Multicam can be seen below. Note that I cannot take credit for this image as it had been posted on Facebook.

The points to notice when looking at this fantastic combat photo is the grime on the fatigues; the Multicam is hidden under a layer of Afghan dust. This is a detail that, with the aid of some pigments can really bring the vignette to life. When undercoating the miniatures I considered the composition of Multicam: the base colour-which I took to be a burnt umber/NATO brown. The medium islands, wich were a light olive green, a pale tan and a medium green (a touch above US gunship green). These islands are not traditionally formed or shall we say "volcanic." By this I mean that they seem to be bled together forming a jiggsaw puzzle like pattern. The upper layer is made up of "snakes" or "worms" of black and white. I suggest applying the camo in the order I introduced the colours as this will allow you to form the pattern with greater accuracy and ease. More to come on this build and others! Hical, James

Operational Detatchment Alpha Build

The Operational Detachment Alpha Vignette I am working on consists of three 1/35th scale resin figures from Legend Productions Korea and a selection of aftermarket weapons from TANK and LiveResin. The three Special Forces operators are simply standing in a casual manner examining a weapons cache, prisoners or taking a much needed rest after a tough day in the field. They all will be wearing US MULTICAM and will be carrying typical Special Operations weapons including SCAR-Ls and an M4.

Pictured is the first figure cleaned and assembled; the Legend figures are cast resin so they carry all of the usual mold waste and casting blocks which need to be removed prior to assembly. One point in their favor is that the blocks are well placed at the base of the feet and on the triceps of the arms. I would advise caution when removing some of the flash from the inner legs as some lines run above or along intended trouser seams. The weapons were also resin and also came with blocks to remove, the LiveResin SCARs have a particularly useful block on the base plate of the polymer magazines which I used as a clamping point while painting. One of the coolest things about the LiveResin weapons is that the attachments (vertical fore grips, lights, lasers, sights) are all intended to be mounted on their respective rail lines which are molded in high relief. This small but satisfying detail makes these weapons unreal! Hical, James