introduction

BRAVO-6 keeps adding new Marines to Tet ’68 series to give the modelers a chance to create more realistic Vietnam scenes. The new kit B6-35037 USMC (9) BAITIN’ THE HOOK includes two Marine figures ; one firing on the ground and the other checking the enemy fire or maybe trying to locate the position of a sniper for his comrade. Like many of his sculpts, Vladimir Demchenko used a Vietnam War reference photo for inspiration.

box

The kit comes well packed in standard BRAVO-6 light brown cardboard box . The front cover of the box shows a photo of the assembled and painted figures which can serve as a basic painting guide. The parts are represented with the casting blocks. Body parts are seperately inserted in small plastic zip-lock bags to avoid unexpected damages during transfer and small parts like arms, personal gear and rifles are secured in different plastic bags.

parts

The figures are sculpted by Vladimir Demchenko and comes in medium grey resin parts. The resin quality is very good and details are crisp. There were no air bubbles, excess resin or any casting mistakes on the review sample. There will be no need for an extra cleanwork other than removing the slightly visible seamlines on the arms. The junctions between figure parts and casting blocks were well placed and the parts can be easily removed from the blocks without any damage.

MARINE #1
The figure is made up of 3 body parts. Posed to raise his rifle with his helmet on the top to check enemy fire, the main part is Body with head and legs. Facial details and marine style haircut with the very short length on the sides and back are well defined. He wears a tropical jungle uniform , cargo pocket trousers and combat boots. Over his uniform, he has the typical garment of Marines - M1955 Flak jacket . Cloth folds of the vest and uniform ,loaded pockets, details of the vest like zip front closure, integral cartridge belt holder for attaching equipment and rifle guard over the right shoulder are well defined. The
first aid kit pouch on the back is also cast on the figure.

Left arm : Posed to put his hand on the ground to balance his body, it shows nice cloth folds.

Right arm : Posed to raise his rifle grabbing the stock under the carrying handle.

M16A1 rifle : Right hand is cast on this part and weapon details are well defined.

MARINE #2
Posed to fire his rifle laying on the ground, the figure is made up of 3 body parts; Body with head and legs and two arms as seperate parts. Facial details are well defined and top of the head is carved for the easy fit of helmet. He wears standard Marine uniform and M1955 Flak jacket. Three M16 ammo pouches - two on the left and one on the right , first aid kit pouch on the back are cast on the figure. Details of the uniform and personal gear are well represented.

Arms : Posed to fire his rifle, they show nice cloth folds and buttons on the sleeves are well defined.

M16A1 rifle : Hands are cast on the rifle and weapon details are well defined.

Other parts are;

M1956 one quart canteen - 2 pieces

KA-BAR knife in brown leather scabbard

M7 bayonet in M8A1 scabbard

M1 steel helmet with Mitchell pattern canvas cover - 2 pieces

reference

The following books and websites can be useful when painting this figure.

Osprey Publishing – Warrior 023 – Marine Corps in Vietnam by Charles D. Melson & Ramiro Bujeiro

Osprey Publishing – Campaign 004 – Tet Offensive 1968 Turning Point in by James R. Arnold

David Brubaker’s Vietnam Uniforms and Equipment website

conclusion

Another very nice pair to display behind a wall. Usual great sculpt and high-quality cast. This kit can be used together with B6-35026, B6-35028 and B6-35029.

Very Highly Recommended