Somewhere in Saigon

 Since I had sold all of my Vietnam dioramas, I needed a new one for the display case. As I was formulating the layout with the soldiers working on the detailed engine in the front, Master Box released a new figure set. "Somewhere in Saigon"  which gave me the opportunity to expand the setting for the diorama. Then the dilemma... what to call it. I had two names narrowed down and as Don suggested, why not use both.

 

The build started with the old Tamiya M113 ACAV kit. This provided the basic details and interior I needed.  The engine compartment was sparse and I wanted the hood open. I studied what seemed to be a chaotic stream of pics, where there weren't two engines alike. I selected the details which I could fabricate by adding hoses and wiring, This was enough to allow opening of the compartment. I used two figures from the kit and some hand tools from an Italeri kit.

Then, there was the interior. I needed to add such details as the grab straps on the ceiling, radio, ammo cans and other stowage. This was a combo of misc resin and plastic items from my collection. I also assembled several of the paper carton prints. The drivers compartment was lacking in cable conduits and wiring. 

Doing this helped develop the rest of the story of trading goods for services. Food, cigarettes and cash for.... well, you get the picture. 

Now for the details on the roof of the vehicle. Needed a lot of stowage, misc. gear and weapons. I added wire antennae, straps etc along with making ammo belts for the 30 cal guns.

 

Overall, this was a fun build. The wall segment was a plaster piece from an old Verlinden building. Not sure where I got the resin side walk brick. The street was just plaster over a styrofoam sheet. The couch was a 1/24 scale scrap car back seat covered with tissue. 

Vince B.  4-11-21