1:35 ARVN Soldier & Overloaded Motorcycle Set (1960s - 1970s)

ARVN soldier and overloaded motorcycle, 1:35, Gecko Models

A plastic set of a figure of a South Vietnamese soldier and an overloaded civilian motorcycle in 1:35 scale from the time of the Vietnam War, from the Hong Kong brand Gecko Models. It is not a kit of a vehicle or an aircraft but an accessory set for a diorama: it brings a checkpoint, a road or a city scene of the 1960s and 1970s to life.

The real subject

ARVN is the abbreviation of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam, that is of the South Vietnamese soldiers. Their checkpoints were among the most common images of the rear areas of the time: a patrol stood on the road and civilians rode past on small motorcycles loaded beyond any reasonable limit. It is precisely this contrast between the uniform and everyday life that is the subject of the set, and in a diorama it works better than equipment on its own.

Building and painting tips

Paint the figure while it is still on the sprue and cut it off only afterwards: that keeps a comfortable grip. Acrylic paints and glazing in layers suit plastic figures, and the face is brought out by a darker wash in the corners of the eyes and a dry brush on the brow ridges. Make the load on the motorcycle from various materials so that it does not look like a single casting: sacks, string and pieces of foil. Let the chrome and the paint on the motorcycle show through the dust in places, so that the machine looks used rather than neglected.

Who the set is for

• builders of dioramas from the Vietnam War
• figure painters looking for civilian scenes, not just soldiers
• modelers of equipment in 1:35 scale who want to complete a scene with people
• anyone interested in the South Vietnamese army and its rear areas

The set is supplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue, paints and accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.