CTS Marine Conversions... (1 Viewer)

[binder001]

I have been working with the recently CTS WW2 US infantry. I have used a bunch to convert to US Marines for one of my customers. Here are some photos of the figures in their primer coat.

The first photos are the 81mm mortar crews

Gary B.

 

[binder001]

Here a Marine watches carefully as a wounded Japanese soldier surrenders

 

[binder001]

Here is the assault group ready to take on a pillbox

 

[binder001]

Another assault team, the demolition man carries a gasoline can with TNT charges taped to it. Bulky to toss but effective against caves. A BAR covers him.

 

[binder001]

Here's the CTS bazooka man converted to a Marine, with a customized loader.

 

[binder001]

Finally, more fire support. These are closer to the original figures, but still have quite a few changes when you look closer.

 

[Denver]

Gary
Really Terrifficc Figures, Again.
More Marines Are Always Welcome.
Thanks For Posting Your Pictures.

 

[Stryker II]

Here is the assault group ready to take on a pillbox

AWESOME FIGURES!!! I like this grouping!!!!.............Stryker

 

[gk5717]

Gary B is doing these for me, he does just terrific work.
Because of his work, Gary Dutkos and Scott Schleh conversions, plastic has once again become my favorite collectible.
Gary

 

[Jay]

Fantastic!!!

 

[binder001]

Thanks for the kind words everybody. The new CTS GIs are a bit "rough" in their castings, but they can use parts from the old Airfix US Infantry set, a few Marx parts, and some bits from the Conte GIs and TSSD Marines. Gary K lets me indulge some creativity and I don't have to worry about displaying them - that's HIS problem

Gary B.

 

[wds0855]

Those look great. What makes them a Marine vs a US Army figure?

Walt

 

[binder001]

Those look great. What makes them a Marine vs a US Army figure?Walt

Well in toy soldier terms it is harder to tell. I have gone over several books on USMC uniforms and have examined photos to look for differences. Some of the recognition features include; helmets with cloth camo covers. During and after about the Tarawa action the USMC had reversible cloth camo covers on their helmets. The Army used some nets but except for some extemporized white covers the Army did not use cloth helmet covers. The USMC utilities did not have the big thigh pockets, so I removed those from most of my "Marines" pants USMC "782 gear" was very similar to Army web gear, but the packs were different and I try to capture some of that on my figures. A Marine utility shirt had only one breast pocket, but that is had to see on these figures, so I don't get too shook about removing the extra pocket. Marines went ashore with the leggings over their shoes. During the campaign many would leave off the leggings, or leave their trouser legs outside the leggings. In the ETO it was custom to leave the helmet chin straps fastened across the rear of the helmet (the story was that the helmet would catch the blast of a nearby shell and break your neck if it was fastened tightly), the Marines seem to often just leave the straps dangling.

Anyway, these are some of the small differences that I use to differentiate a Marine from a soldier. My primary customer prefers the figures to be in one color. If I was painting the figure completely, there would obviously be color differences also.

Hope this answers your question.

 

[modwalls]

Gary, I always enjoy your work, I like the way you see figures, A1 stuff, every pose was well thought out and executed. Convert On Oh yea, thanks for that explanation very informative.