Toy Soldier Collector Magazine

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Gun-Ho Collectibles - Vietnam War

Review taken from 'Casting Around'

A new company to release castings for the Vietnam War era hails from Australia. A few years ago Gun-Ho Collectibles made two sets of plastic figures depicting the Viet Cong and Australian Infantry which have proved popular with wargamers wanting figures from this conflict as no one else had made 54mm figures of VC and Australians. When I contacted Wayne Stubbings, owner of Gun-Ho, to obtain some of these plastic figures he said that due to popular demand he is now making them metal castings also. As I intended them for painting and inclusion in my collection, I ordered a set of each.

I was most impressed with the standard of the sculpting and the accuracy of the equipment on the Australian Infantry figures. I served in the Australian Army during this period so from personal experience I cannot fault the weapons, webbing or uniform of these Diggers.’ Their uniform of jungle green shirt and trousers is topped with the cloth bush hat or ‘giggle hat’ and many of these figures are also equipped with a neck scarf that was used to mop up the sweat of the jungle, as well as using it as a towel. Four are equipped with the SLR 7.62mm rifles, two scouts with the M16 rifle, one with a 40mm grenade launcher under his M16, and the gunner holding his M60 GPMG and draped in belts of ammunition. The poses are of a section of the Royal Australian Regiment, watching and waiting for ‘Charlie’, with the officer directing, with hand signals, the direction to proceed.

The second set is of four Viet Cong and four North Vietnamese Regulars and like the Aussies, the detailing of the weapons and equipment is first class. The Viet Cong are equipped with AK-47s and Type 56 Rifles, and I just love the detailed Vietnamese Jungle ‘Boots’ which were made from old rubber tyres, and tied with strapping around the ankles. Their clothing is just everyday wear. The North Vietnamese are equipped with similar weapons, but with additional fire power of an RPG-7 Anti Tank Launcher, and are wearing uniforms and helmets, one with camouflage foliage. Again the eye for detail is reflected in canvas magazine pouches for AK-47 curved magazines, and the boots worn by theses troops; canvas with rubber soles, and another pair of Vietnamese Jungle ‘Boots’.

Following his success with theses two sets, Wayne has now embarked on his third set, US Infantry and like the other sets, they are accurately sculpted with fine detailing shown in the M16 rifles that seven of the troops hold, one carries the M60 GPMG and has an African American face and right down to the different types of hand grenades clipped to the belts. There are five back packs included that can be fitted to various soldiers, two having weapons attached (M72 Light Anti Tank Weapon and a M79 40mm Grenade Launcher) and two without weapons, as well as a radio back pack for the operator.

All were a pleasure to paint, with very little cleaning or filing, and produce great finished miniatures for this particular conflict.

Date Published Wed, 01/30/2008 - 15:26
Author: John O'Brien

Contact
Gun-Ho Collectibles
PO Box 58
Campbells Creek
Victoria 3451
Australia

www.gun-hocollectibles.com

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