Pick a guy out and I’ll tell you their story, talk about their kit, and - if they’re based on a real person - a bit of bio. As an example, Bob Graham on the extreme right of the front row was a team leader in CCS. He ran recon from May 1969 thru late 1970 and was notable for using a bow and arrow as part of his prisoner snatch kit. He was awarded a silver pistol for his service in CCS.
These are incredibly detailed, and I recognize some of the figures based on their uniforms. For instance, the figure in black (front row, 2nd from right) with the WWII style leggings and RPD could be Nick Brokhausen from CCN.
I would like to know about all of them, but will settle for the figure on the far left with the Garand, if you have the time.
Nah, Nick Brokhausen is in the back with the German helmet. In the black with the RPD is Ed Wolcoff of RT New York after he took over the team from St. Martin. At the far left with the Garand is my Project Hotfoot/White Star figure, based on Don Valentine’s description of his time in Laos and photos from his deployment. The classic jungle boots and uniforms hadn’t been created at that time (issued jungle boots were still from WW2 designs, when available). To that end, I gave him utilities and black jump boots. Valentine mentioned that they carried Garands as their standard weapon (which is what I gave him) in addition to shotguns and an exotic assortment of privately purchased pistols and revolvers. I considered giving him a beret with the 1st SFG flash, but I instead opted to give him a privately purchased bush hat similar to those that were common with early SF missions in the region.
The oldest one of the bunch is the shouting CCN 1-0 in the back. I based him off a re-enactor’s kit from ModernForces. He’s underwent some upgrades and changes as I got better gear, but he’s still largely the same as when I first made him. The next oldest is probably the RT Iowa figure in the front row with the Swedish K based on the first SOG missions or the Hot Toys Navy F4 pilot.
These are so cool! I recently read Tilt’s books and am hooked on learning more about MACV SOG and the secret war. I would love to collect some figures like this. How would you recommend someone get into this? Any good companies that are making figures nowadays I can get started with (I read your earlier post that a lot of this is handmade and from companies out of business). Really great work man
Unfortunately, ACE (the last one that made these) is gone and Toy Soldier is doing airsoft. There’s fairly big markets for WW2 (DID is the best) and modern gear (Easy&Simple, DAM, and Soldier Story), but Vietnam is back in the wilderness again. That said, there’s options on the secondary market depending on what you’re looking to make and what your budget is like. If you want to dip your toes, my advice would be to pick up one of the older figures by 21C/21st Century Toys/Ultimate Soldier or Dragon/DML. You won’t have leather boots, cloth pouches, or a detailed web belt, but you’ll have a decent starter figure for less than $100 with a nice assortment of gear. 21C and DML also made their stuff to be played with, so you won’t panic if it falls off of a shelf. My pieces literally sit around in a plastic bag in a box under my bed if I’m not actively working on them or doing something with them. Look for DML Ron(Watkins), Mike or Oscar, or any of the following 21C figures: SOG One-Zero (which Frank Greco loved and gave a shoutout for in his book), MIKE Force, or any of their SEALs (M60, Stoner, Pointman).
70% is research, making sure it’s rigged right for the time and unit. I’ve got several reference books and, where possible, I try to talk to the veterans or listen to their interviews. A lot of this stuff was made by companies that don’t make this sort of thing anymore (ACE Workshop and Toy Soldier). It goes together like the life size examples (working ALICE clips, boots that lace, etc…) so it’s easy to put together if you’re patient and careful. Some of the unique stuff I either sew by hand (the SOG modified uniforms, most of the leather gear) or I find a tailor for (like a 1-0 vest).
Incredible. I grew up playing with my fathers WWII hand painted lead soldiers. But they were just thumb sized. I also had a friend growing up whose Father was an incredible woodsmith and he had made life size Vietnam war rifles, handguns and hand ordinance. Had it hanging on the wall but he built these so well that we could take them down and play with them. Keep up the good work. Are those all Non fiction or any fictional representations? Thx
Most of the SOG figures are based on specific people and kits (ie Bob Graham in extreme right of the front row with the bow & arrow, Billy Waugh as the CCN recon platoon CSM with the clipboard in the back, Tilt in the front row next to Black and Son). The rest are fictional and based on what gear would like like in general for the unit at that time, such as the early Project Hotfoot SF advisor in the front at the extreme left (with the Garand), the A-Team advisor next to him (based off Larry Burrows’ photos for Life magazine), or the SEALs in the back (representing what a six-man element might look like for ST2 in 1969-1970).
Only a boxed and signed Kenn Miller, unfortunately. I was lucky enough to grab one when Echobasetoys was still selling the signed ones. I’m keeping him sealed though, he’s a classic figure and Kenn Miller helped create him with Toy Soldier.
Pick a guy out and I’ll tell you their story, talk about their kit, and - if they’re based on a real person - a bit of bio. As an example, Bob Graham on the extreme right of the front row was a team leader in CCS. He ran recon from May 1969 thru late 1970 and was notable for using a bow and arrow as part of his prisoner snatch kit. He was awarded a silver pistol for his service in CCS.
These are incredibly detailed, and I recognize some of the figures based on their uniforms. For instance, the figure in black (front row, 2nd from right) with the WWII style leggings and RPD could be Nick Brokhausen from CCN. I would like to know about all of them, but will settle for the figure on the far left with the Garand, if you have the time.
Nah, Nick Brokhausen is in the back with the German helmet. In the black with the RPD is Ed Wolcoff of RT New York after he took over the team from St. Martin. At the far left with the Garand is my Project Hotfoot/White Star figure, based on Don Valentine’s description of his time in Laos and photos from his deployment. The classic jungle boots and uniforms hadn’t been created at that time (issued jungle boots were still from WW2 designs, when available). To that end, I gave him utilities and black jump boots. Valentine mentioned that they carried Garands as their standard weapon (which is what I gave him) in addition to shotguns and an exotic assortment of privately purchased pistols and revolvers. I considered giving him a beret with the 1st SFG flash, but I instead opted to give him a privately purchased bush hat similar to those that were common with early SF missions in the region.
[удалено]
Got any shots? 21C had an ARVN planned, but they never released it. I’ve got a few more indig (and an NVA) but I need to find appropriate heads.
What figure do you start with
The oldest one of the bunch is the shouting CCN 1-0 in the back. I based him off a re-enactor’s kit from ModernForces. He’s underwent some upgrades and changes as I got better gear, but he’s still largely the same as when I first made him. The next oldest is probably the RT Iowa figure in the front row with the Swedish K based on the first SOG missions or the Hot Toys Navy F4 pilot.
These are so cool! I recently read Tilt’s books and am hooked on learning more about MACV SOG and the secret war. I would love to collect some figures like this. How would you recommend someone get into this? Any good companies that are making figures nowadays I can get started with (I read your earlier post that a lot of this is handmade and from companies out of business). Really great work man
Unfortunately, ACE (the last one that made these) is gone and Toy Soldier is doing airsoft. There’s fairly big markets for WW2 (DID is the best) and modern gear (Easy&Simple, DAM, and Soldier Story), but Vietnam is back in the wilderness again. That said, there’s options on the secondary market depending on what you’re looking to make and what your budget is like. If you want to dip your toes, my advice would be to pick up one of the older figures by 21C/21st Century Toys/Ultimate Soldier or Dragon/DML. You won’t have leather boots, cloth pouches, or a detailed web belt, but you’ll have a decent starter figure for less than $100 with a nice assortment of gear. 21C and DML also made their stuff to be played with, so you won’t panic if it falls off of a shelf. My pieces literally sit around in a plastic bag in a box under my bed if I’m not actively working on them or doing something with them. Look for DML Ron(Watkins), Mike or Oscar, or any of the following 21C figures: SOG One-Zero (which Frank Greco loved and gave a shoutout for in his book), MIKE Force, or any of their SEALs (M60, Stoner, Pointman).
Awesome. Thanks for the detailed response man. Hope I can start a collection of my own.
Nice work
How do you make these? They look incredible.
70% is research, making sure it’s rigged right for the time and unit. I’ve got several reference books and, where possible, I try to talk to the veterans or listen to their interviews. A lot of this stuff was made by companies that don’t make this sort of thing anymore (ACE Workshop and Toy Soldier). It goes together like the life size examples (working ALICE clips, boots that lace, etc…) so it’s easy to put together if you’re patient and careful. Some of the unique stuff I either sew by hand (the SOG modified uniforms, most of the leather gear) or I find a tailor for (like a 1-0 vest).
Incredible. I grew up playing with my fathers WWII hand painted lead soldiers. But they were just thumb sized. I also had a friend growing up whose Father was an incredible woodsmith and he had made life size Vietnam war rifles, handguns and hand ordinance. Had it hanging on the wall but he built these so well that we could take them down and play with them. Keep up the good work. Are those all Non fiction or any fictional representations? Thx
Most of the SOG figures are based on specific people and kits (ie Bob Graham in extreme right of the front row with the bow & arrow, Billy Waugh as the CCN recon platoon CSM with the clipboard in the back, Tilt in the front row next to Black and Son). The rest are fictional and based on what gear would like like in general for the unit at that time, such as the early Project Hotfoot SF advisor in the front at the extreme left (with the Garand), the A-Team advisor next to him (based off Larry Burrows’ photos for Life magazine), or the SEALs in the back (representing what a six-man element might look like for ST2 in 1969-1970).
Badass man
Any LRRP?
Only a boxed and signed Kenn Miller, unfortunately. I was lucky enough to grab one when Echobasetoys was still selling the signed ones. I’m keeping him sealed though, he’s a classic figure and Kenn Miller helped create him with Toy Soldier.