Uniformed Graffiti (2 Viewers)

[mestell]

Received VN181 this afternoon. I luv the graffiti on this Marine. Mad Magazine's mascot Alfred E. Newman "What Me Worry" as well as the Helmet acronym I. H. T. F. P. (I Hate This F. . . Ing Place).
Mike

 

[Horus]

Excellent close up Mike of another of Andy's, Don McCullin, Battle for Hué pose figures.

 

[King & Country]

Happy to hear you picked up on our ‘graffiti’…
Many years ago I used to do a lot of freelance design work and illustrations for an American publication based in Hong Kong called ‘Off Duty’ which was aimed at U.S. Armed Forces personnel based in the Asia Pacific area. The editor of this monthly magazine was an older American friend and expatriate, Jim Shaw who had came to Asia in the Army during the Korean War and stayed on afterwards, marrying a Japanese lady. Jim became a journalist and ended up in Vietnam in the 60’s editing among other things a little humour magazine for GIs called ‘Grunt’ much of it written and drawn by the GIs themselves….
That’s where I first heard about the term ‘Grunt’ and the initials ‘I.H.T.F.P.’ and their meaning!
Just a wee but of background info…
Andy.

 

[Horus]

 

[mestell]

Happy to hear you picked up on our ‘graffiti’…
Many years ago I used to do a lot of freelance design work and illustrations for an American publication based in Hong Kong called ‘Off Duty’ which was aimed at U.S. Armed Forces personnel based in the Asia Pacific area. The editor of this monthly magazine was an older American friend and expatriate, Jim Shaw who had came to Asia in the Army during the Korean War and stayed on afterwards, marrying a Japanese lady. Jim became a journalist and ended up in Vietnam in the 60’s editing among other things a little humour magazine for GIs called ‘Grunt’ much of it written and drawn by the GIs themselves….
That’s where I first heard about the term ‘Grunt’ and the initials ‘I.H.T.F.P.’ and their meaning!
Just a wee but of background info…
Andy.

Thank you very much Andy. I absolutely love this set. Back in the days of my youth I thoroughly enjoyed Mad Magazine. On top of that, having been a USMC Grunt M-60 Machinegunner (MOS 0331), I knew too well what the acronym stood for . With that said I knew this was a must have set for me. I'm really enjoying your Vietnam series.
Semper Fi . . .
Mike

 

[mestell]

Excellent close up Mike of another of Andy's, Don McCullin, Battle for Hué pose figures.

Thanks Steve and thanks for the original Don McCullin photo that this figure set is based on. I have the McCullin figure on my want list and in time I will be adding him to my collection.
Mike

 

[Horus]

Thanks Steve and thanks for the original Don McCullin photo that this figure set is based on. I have the McCullin figure on my want list and in time I will be adding him to my collection.
Mike

You're welcome Mike, Andy has done several figures inspired by the Don McCullin Hué photos and others, while with 1/5 Mostly with Delta Company, I gather from what I've read over time from various articles.
Check back on my Vietnam photos, I reposted on the Bored tonight thread over the past few weeks.

 

[Horus]

 

[mestell]

You're welcome Mike, Andy has done several figures inspired by the Don McCullin Hué photos and others, while with 1/5 Mostly with Delta Company, I gather from what I've read over time from various articles.
Check back on my Vietnam photos, I reposted on the Bored tonight thread over the past few weeks.

Thanks again Steve. I was aware that VN128, "Wounded" was based on a Don McCullin photo. Another great looking set.
Mike

 

[King & Country]

Thanks again Steve. I was aware that VN128, "Wounded" was based on a Don McCullin photo. Another great looking set.
Mike

Thankyou Mike and Steve for your responses…
As you stated I also am a huge fan of British photographer Don McCullin’s work.
Back in the1960s I discovered his work in the pages of the London Sunday Times colour supplement magazine. His stunning war photography took him to the civil war in Biafra… various wars in the Middle East…Northern Ireland and of course… Vietnam!
His work has an immediacy that only comes from being ‘up close and personal’ with the troops in the frontline.

I read that during the Falklands War in 1982 he requested to accompany the British Forces going ‘down south’ to recapture the islands.
Much to his disgust his request was refused because a very senior bloody civil servant was concerned that Don’s style of combat photography might upset some of the more timid members of the general public!!!

Instead they sent a female ‘War Artist’ authorised by the Imperial War Museum in London.
God’s strewth you couldn’t make this up!
Andy.

 

[mestell]

Some more Helmet graffiti on VN128
Mike

 

[villagehorse]

Andy such a privilege to be able to implant into this hobby any moments in history that appeal and are worthy to replicate. Easy to see why you love your job. Looking forward to 2026 to see what you have in store for us. Keep on keeling on and never say never. . Robin.

 

[Horus]

Thanks again Steve. I was aware that VN128, "Wounded" was based on a Don McCullin photo. Another great looking set.
Mike

Mike, I look forward to you adding some more photos to this thread as your Vietnam collection grows