Special forces part1

I've wrote before that I tried to build a Vietnam collection many many years, Platoon 20 figures were my choice back then. They captured my image of Vietnam so vividly! So imagine my horror just to find out I couldn't paint 20mm figures to save my life! Vietnam was shelved in my mind and fell off my radar for what I believed was eternity! 

Fast forward almost 4 decades, when I came across the start of a range of USMC in 28mm from Empress mimiatures. Now it took a while for me to finally bite the bullet, but after visiting Partizan at Newark acouple of years back I saw the figures in the flesh so to speak. That was it I was hooked, now move forwards and despite other projects grabbing some of my hobby time I can honestly say I'm blown away by the progress the range is making. So when the Special forces figures were released I couldn't help my self! I ordered myself a few choice bits from Empress Miniatures on Monday of last week and they arrived Friday dinnertime! I will be honest I've been super excited about the new additions, and luckily for me the wait was only four days, still too long but hey the wait is half the fun! So I keep getting told. 

     Seal team 1

      

Special forces have always appealed to me, the fact that these guys wore LEVI blue jeans, carried in some cases unorthodox weapons and took the fight to places the enemy didn't expect to find it. The chance of diverting off the uniform path is always welcome as far as I'm concerned. Tigerstripe camo, ERDL it all just adds to the attraction. 

 I really can't say how perfect the image of NAM is captured with these guys! Between Paul Hicks sculpting and Empress miniatures this is perfection in miniature in my humble opinion. I'm no expert and wouldn't class my self as an expert in any period or era but I'm well smiten with the entire range. 

Left to right 

First guy up radio operator ERDL and Blue jeans (popping smoke)

Next up stoner dude! Plus law and shotgun, tigerstripe beret

Lastly Hush puppy guy! Ak47 in tigerstripe trousers

Left to right

M60 with heli ammo box, almost a mini gun 

Classic tigerstripe camo, pistol ready tape wrapped around the M16 for cam effect

Leader of men, Blue jeans and what I think is a cut down bloopgun or shotgun in his belt 

Now I've probably got something wrong but its all good enough for me and my humble little collection. 

I reckon I set a new record with these guys from delivery Friday to on the tabletop on Sunday! I will be honest once I started painting I found it very difficult to stop! May I add I have a very understanding wife! Thankfully she understands a big kid and his toys and the excitement a parcel brings to him. 

Well thats about it for now, there are more to come as time permits and a second squad of new additions from Empress Miniatures. 

So thanks for looking feel free to comment or just enjoy the eye candy 

Cheers for now Russ