"Hue 1968 from Gringos40" Topic

Ged of Gringos40 tells me this is just a "teaser" of a 5th US Marine to whet our appetites for a forthcoming new range, covering The Battle of Hue 1968. We have recently seen the Mule with a recoilless rifle and this latest this does look a superb piece of modelling. Watch this space, as they say!

thanks for posting Liam
cheers

Ged
gringo40s.com
gringo40s.nlogspot.com

Looks pretty good from what I have seen … When I was an ROTC Cadet '75-'79, then when going on active duty in '79. Much of our equipment was leftover from the Vietnam War. Including C-Rats, which we were issued until about '84. And after that we started to get new gear. E.g. Kevlar Helmets, new body armor, etc.

Oh, and the MREs about that time, replaced the C-Rats. Which were being used up until then. They, the Cs, were good for about 20-25 years, as were the MREs …

Ged asked me to post this image.

He had some doubts about overalls tucked into boots or worn out over loosely in Hue. Certainly walking the mud of N Yorkshire Moors I favour the former! My jungle boots are 30 years old and still going strong, but have the later Vibram sole with less mud retention. The brass eyelets simply do not work. Water pours in, but never seems to drain out!

Yes, I liked my Jungle boots much better than the standard. I wore them anytime I was authorized. We always had them tucked in to prevent stuff crawling up your legs, etc., etc.

But I have seen pics of US Forces in Vietnam wearing them tucked or untucked. Generally in situations like in Vietnam, etc., unless you were in an actual "dress & cover" information. Guys would do what they wanted with their boots.

I still have one pair left in "marginal" condition. We were issued them when deployed to Panama, the CZ. And on the DMZ in the ROK. But in many places you could wear either. So I wore my jungle boots and fatigues anytime they were authorized.

When I got back to Ft. Benning, GA in '86 after rotating out of the ROK. We were allowed to wear them if we had them. Both boots and fatigues … So I did !

My favourites remain the Altama US Marine Hot Weather Boots.

My first pair. I made a tragic mistake. I wore them to Russia in February. (recall the title of these boots). Literally half an hour in Red Square in Minus 23C and both soles cracked right across, full depth, to the insole. I still have them for gardening and building work.

My second pair cannot be replaced I gather (from trying several times) so are better cared for. The Jungle Boots are so much lighter though, like ballet slippers in comparison (I would only imagine, I stress)

Yes, I'd wear my Jungle Boots anytime I was authorized. But not in cold weather …

This suggests something more we can look forward to;

Legion4 appreciate the support!!

regards
Ged
gringo40s.com

Glad to help !

and the latest plan is an M48A3 as below. Now that will be quite a size to fit in with 28mm figures

Nice !!!!

Remember that Mule with the recoilless rifle?

TMP link

Here it is painted up;

It seems he has now got his M16. I like his boots…nicely done.

For some reason I always think of Marines in Hue as in a totally different rig to the rest of the whole conflict. Details like sleeves never rolled up for some reason, plus the flak jacket….or is that just the recollection of one who was only 15 at the time? (God it was so long ago now, much nearer to WWII than the present day)

Since posting could not resist Googling every image I could find of Marines in Hue. A few with sleeves rolled up….very few. Huge contrast with the rest of the Vietnam War. Was it particularly chilly in Hue for Tet? Somehow I doubt that……

Nice ! The sleeves down probably had to do more to with the broken brick walls, glass, etc. Not the weather.

Yes! That makes sense……I had an idea it had something to do with FIBUA……It has just always struck me that, whilst there were exceptions, it was the one time we saw them with sleeved down.

Here is a black chap from 1/5th Marines Ged tells me. I lost my bet. I was sure he would have had the M60 to lug around

and to add to the range this I am assured is a MuTT 151 A2. (It is a jeep to me and those seats look distinctly uncomfortable)

My Grand Cherokee Jeep came with seat warming and nice soft leather upholstery…on balance….. I think I preferred that.

Nice ! And yes, both the Jeep[all versions !] and HMMWV seats were not built for comfort.

I'd roll my field jacket up and sit on it if we going to be on the road for a while …

And now another pic.

The thing at the back might be a radio aerial (but I think it is a hang over from WWII. Those Werewolves would string a wire across the road and "off with your head". This is for gents reversing in VEETNAAM.) I do wonder what the locals called it in their own language. Upmarket UK it has always been Vi..et..Nawwwm. Irish is Vietnaaaaam. But Ulster, (the Occupied Six Counties, as my Mom insisted) is Vietnom. All I know is that the steering wheel is the wrong side and gear shift with your right hand is weird. Your right hand is for deciding where you are going with that wheel thing. That is what matters after all.

I think that is a snorkel for the exhaust. Like in the front coming out from of the engine compartment. Linking to the motor. The USMC, etc., had snorkels rigged for wading/beach landings. That is not an aerial. If you look at these photos you can see the snorkels on some. And an aerial mount on others. You can see the difference. link

In the ROK, we had a piece of angle iron with a notch near the top. Welded to the front of the Jeep bumper. In the middle just to stop you getting your head cut off. From piano, etc. wire. That was back in '84-'85.

But yes, Yanks have the wheel on the right side … And drive on the "right" side of the road.

Having served with and knowing many Vietnam Vets. In the US, it's generally pronounced "Vietnaam" or just 'nam …

Or other things hat I can post for fear of getting in trouble here …

legion 4 as ever your input is fascinating!
the Mutt had multiple uses I hope to cover these..
bound to be a few unusual ones!!

regards
Ged
gringo40s.com

Always glad to help if I can ! When I started ROTC Cadet training '75-'79 then went on active duty '79-'90. We had the M151 until about '88 when it was replaced by the HMMWV.

We all liked our M151s. But they just got too old and the HMMWV had some real advantages. Besides it being brand new !

Yes, I too find your input fascinating. Ged just messaged me how great it is to have a vet on side. I thought about it for several seconds, cos this side of the Atlantic a vet spays your dog, then realised….the penny dropped!

These wading exhausts are just fine, but the occupants would still get their nice jungle boots soaked. Yuk

Again glad to help ! I take my dog to the vet too !

I sunk my Jeep during the winter in the ROK in' 85. The stream didn't look that deep !? But we didn't have the snorkel rigs. None of our Jeeps did. It was Cold !! And Yeah we got pretty wet and cold.

One of my M35 2&1/2 ton Cgo Trks in my little convoy behind me. Hooked up a tow cable from front winch it mounted. Pulled in out easy enough. My driver had to dive to hook it up. So when it was all over. I sent to a MASH type unit a little ways up the road. Let him stay there a for couple of days. He was well taken care of.

Our Maint. crew got it running within 24hrs. We towed it behind the M35 until then.

But the Bn XO sunk his in the same place a few days later. I never liked him anyway.

and Ged tells me his next project in this range is…..well he is developing the Recoilless rifle idea let us say. I suspect most will be able to name this beast…and tell us how to load it without getting shot at.

Some very expert comment on it and the M42 Duster here

That is the M50 Ontos. The Army designed it, but didn't like it, so the USMC picked it up. Load it under cover then take the shot(s). Even if that means you roll out of cover briefly, fire … then roll back into cover.

The M42 Duster was an Army ADA AFV. With twin 40mm AA guns. Based on the M41 chassis. The Army had some M42s attached to the USMC at Khe Sahn . The threat of NVAF attacks were very small. But the M42's twin 40s made a great weapon against massed infantry attacks. Like the NVA and VC had a predilection for … link

legion 4…great input thanks
any operational Ontos out there?

regards
Ged
gringo40s.com

I think the USMC had sent the last M50s from Gitmo … in the '80s. link I don't think anyone else used them.

I saw one [it's small!] on display at the Naval Amph Base, Little Creek, Norfolk, VA. While crossing training at USN/USMC Amph Warfare School. In 1982. When I was in the Army's 101 ABN/Air Asslt Div. My Bn sent a Rifle Co. and Sct Plt. It Was fun !

Progressing with the tank by all accounts

The good old M48 !

its a fabulous looking Beast legion.4.

Regards
Ged
gringo40s.com

Now this is my idea of "the best yet". I cannot imagine how he was cast, possibly he is multipart, but that hand on the helmet pose is just so realistic.

The whole thing has a sense of movement…and remember he is a 28mm figure. (Makes me want to try something like this in Napoleonics)

thanks Deadhead glad you like him!

regards
Ged
gringo40s.com

Nice !

cheers Legion 4!!

regards
Ged
gringo40s.com

Here is the black Marine seen in close-up above;

!

and some more;

M72 LAW !

thanks Deadhead!
indeed Legion 4 good spot!!

cheers
Ged
gringo40s.com

Few more pics from Ged. I like the early tread on the soles of the jungle boots! Nice detail.

Very nice !

indeed Legion 4 good spot!!

As an ROTC cadet I was the primary instructor for the LAW !

thanks Legion 4
on my "to fire list!!
easy to use?

cheers
Ged
gringo40s.com

Oh yes very easy ! But we were taught to look at the data stenciled on the tube before putting it into firing mode. If it didn't say "M72A with Coupler". You may not want to fire it.

The first version of the M72, had the annoying problem of the warhead falling off the rocket when fired. So the later version had the Coupler added to fix that.

legion 4 fascinating….

cheers
Ged
gringo40s.com

Begs the question how you guys survived in VN. I was used to using kit that said "this side points towards the wound" for compression and coagulation. We had all this, but never used it. It was so "cool" for impressing the student nurses.
(WE never saw any combat)

I spent six months in an English front line ER…Central London 1977, UCH and did not see one single GSW in that time. In 40 years since I have pulled a few knives out of necks (OK, you do not do that but you know what I mean). Not one single GSW. Not one. I have never treated a gunshot wound…OK there was that…ok forget that. Self inflicted.

God bless our UK rules about anyone not dressed in olive green carrying an M16…OK AR15 or whatever. I did see loads of such in Michigan, Ann Arbor in 1983…blew my mind. Drunk guys with military grade weapons, hunting critters with such but blowing each other away……

When I was an ROTC Cadet '75-'79, then when going on active duty in '79. Much of our equipment was leftover from the Vietnam War.

I graduated high school in '75. So I missed that show. But most of our instructors, senior NCOs and Officers had a number of tours in Vietnam. So we learned from the best !

They were some tough hombres! And sometimes just plain mean. They taught us a lot … and I think that is where I picked up the "grunt attitude" I had and still have.

On the ROK DMZ, in '85 we did medevac at least one GSW. To the head. I was a CPT by then and of course took charge. He lived thanks to our PA/Doc who was in Vietnam. And had more metals on his dress uniform than almost anyone in the Bn. Doc saved this troopers life. I just called in the Medevac birds. And had the LT's and NCOs set up the PZ.
We were trained and expected to our "jobs", complete the mission. In this case to get this kid out alive.

I have my own AR-15. For home defense … or a zombie outbreak, alien invasion, etc. Obviously I know how to use it. That and my Colt .45 …

Ged tells me this is "Big Ernie" Clifford Cheatham. Marine Colonel and the name seemed familiar, so I went back to Bowden's Hue 68 and read up all about him once more. Big lad by all accounts, used to play what the King's lost colonies call "football", which tends to select for the larger physique. I look forward to more photos of this figure. Could be quite a collector's piece.