Welcome
To My Corbin Black Paratrooper Kitbash Page Two.
This is my second figure that I am making for my machine
gun crew. The headsculpt for this figure is the DML Lou one, and I got this in a
trade and I am very happy that I have it. I also did a repaint of it, carefully
painting around the eyes and lips. It is exactly what I was after, as I wanted
an older head for the loader for this crew. As I am getting a bit bored with
some of the heads that have no lines or features in the face. The uniform and
parts are all from the Corbin figure, with some additional parts. Such as the
shovel, a short bayonet added to the belt and a spare Thompson magazine holder
used. Note: The same concerns I have noted
above, apply to this figure as well.
The .30 calibre Machine Gunner
The Figure's Equipment
The pictures above show from the left, the front view of
the figure with the belt equipment, pistol and pouches added. The centre picture
shows the rear view of the figure, and the one on the right is a close up of the
shovel I used as I wanted something different for this figure. The pictures
below show the Thompson magazine holder that I used, because I did like the look
of it on the belt. I sewed a strap from some spare webbing onto it, so that it
can be worn as a separate pouch. The metal Thompson clips were placed in it, and
it drapes nicely due to the weight. The centre picture below shows the knife and
scabbard as supplied with the figure, the detail on this is amazing. It also
shows how detailed the boots are which also come with the figure, and I think
that the thin material is great and perfectly in scale. The final picture below shows
a close up of the front of the figure, with both the magazine holder and the
despatch bag fitted to the figure. Note: Be careful doing
up the clip for the leg scabbard, as the material is thin vinyl material and is
easily torn if pulled too hard, or it is forced onto the pip to do it up.
Before Fitting The Parachute
With this figure, I again used a spare DML Mae West vest
because of the problem as mentioned above. And because the figure has nothing
worn over the jacket, the vest is loose on the side connection. So I may have to
take the rear waist strap apart, and shorten it then sew the strap connection
back on to tighten up the whole vest.
The Figure's Weapon
Update: Since taking the picture below left, I had some great help from Terry ('The
Bhoy'), and this consisted of him showing me a picture of how the Thompson
was worn on a US paratrooper prior to the drop. So as a result I have changed
the position of the gun on my Loader figure. This is seen on the picture below
middle, although it now looks a lot better with the weapon in this position, I
had a heck of a job getting the belly strap done up. As I had a tiny piece of
material to use to thread through the buckle, but with a little bit of
re-arranging of the kit on the figure I got it secured. The only problem now is,
I have to do the same to my Loader figure as well.
These are the finished figures and base.
Parachute Usage and Fitting Update
I have just received the following information by e-mail from Joshua about the
WW2 US T-5 and T-7 parachute and harness, and because I feel that it is so
informative. I have posted it here on this page to hopefully help my fellow
modellers. Plus, I would like to thank Joshua for taking the time to share this
detailed information with me.
I have studied the T-5/T-7 parachute for years and just thought I would give you
a little information. The belly band isn't there to support weight. It's purpose
was for keeping the reserve from flapping around, and also worked great to
secure equipment. Its attaching seams will not hold very much weight-its sewn
with the regular parachute pack thread, about 8 lb. tensile strength. The two
reserve hooks/d-rings are plenty strong. They were rated at 5000 pounds. (the
original ones were the reg. harness hooks, rated at 2500, but by D-day just
about all were the 5000 type).
The hooks will go 8420 pounds to the maximum bend. That's when the hooks would
bend far enough for them to come off the ring. The rings have a much high
bending strength. That means it can safely take an opening shock of 10,000 lbs,
or approx 40 opening g's (at about 40 g's your probably dead). Even in the worst
conditions - the reserve opening at 250 feet, 300 lb weight, 1.5 second
inflation time, and at terminal velocity the opening shock would only be about
2400 lbs. Normal opening shock would be in the vicinity of 1300 lbs for the
reserve, and that's probably a slightly high number. Some troopers on combat
jumps cut off the belly band to be able to shed the harness faster.
Also, when the reserve opens, it doesn't suspend the jumper at that much of an
angle. Though he isn't suspended vertically like when the main is open, he is
still close to vertical, though it isn't very comfortable. This is especially
true when there is a heavy load of combat equipment; it pulls the jumper
slightly more vertical with all the weight at the bottom. Hope this helps.
Note: Realize though that the opening shock forces have so many variables, so
the numbers are not extremely accurate.
Many thanks to both USMCPrice and
Joshua for the detailed help and information
