Painting Scale Model US Vietnam War Figures… Made Easy!

In this video, we'll paint up this great 1/35 scale resin US Vietnam War GI figure from Bravo 6 🪖
In recognition of Black History Month, we'll take a special look at how to practice your skills painting black & brown skin tones ⚫🟤🖌️🎨
More than 300,000 African Americans served in the US Armed Forces during the Vietnam War & made up between 25% to 31% of total ground combat troops throughout the conflict (despite only accounting for 12% of the US population).
If you'd like to paint up your own US GI, you can check out all the supplies used in today's video with the links below 👇
Figures
Bravo 6 Vietnam War Figures: www.milminwh.com/bravo_6_vn_&_...
Paints 🎨
Black Primer: amzn.to/3som3p6
Chocolate Brown: amzn.to/3I4XLoV
Dark Rust: amzn.to/3gUFGOD
Flat Black for Figures: tinyurl.com/44a7pbap
Gloss Varnish: amzn.to/3sCLW4H
Green Grey: tinyurl.com/ycknp2wk
Medium Brown: amzn.to/3I47s9L
Khaki: amzn.to/3pdM2gG
Luftwaffe Camo Green: tinyurl.com/598sr9b6
Matte Varnish: tinyurl.com/5n84ejem
Red Leather: amzn.to/33LLkzc
Tamiya Thinner: amzn.to/3ACS9zy
Tan Earth: amzn.to/3FvyUtn
US Olive Drab: amzn.to/3Fse51y
Vallejo Thinner: amzn.to/3G4YOmX
White Aluminum: amzn.to/3yLD6ST
Gear 🖌️
Air Brush: amzn.to/3wpyhO2
Air Compressor / Air Brush Combo: amzn.to/3BQXdiJ
Tamiya Masking Tape: amzn.to/3CWB8Al
Paint Brushes: amzn.to/2Yx1Gti
Respirator: amzn.to/3qhQfRz
Cutting Mat: amzn.to/3jnKZKH
HobbyPads: hobbypads.com
**As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases (at no extra cost to you)!

[@longlance67]

Awesome tutorial Hank, the entire time I was watching it All Along The Watchtower was playing in my head 🤣

[@SpruesNBrews]

Niiice 🤘🎸 thanks man!

[@jeffball9657]

Can't beat a bit of hendrix. Watch it listening to 'fortunate son' credence clearwater revival.

[@waynecoulter6761]

The one thing I'd add is a dust coat of red brown. Vietnam was known for it's red dust/mud. Maybe a little dry brushed lightly up top, and a little thicker below the waist... especially below the knees and the boots. Leather boots take a beating in the field and the black would wear through to the lighter colored leather underneath with a coating of dust or mud around the boots and lower pant legs depending on the time of year. During the dry months, dust would be appropriate and during the monsoons, a muddier look would be needed. Awesome work... Hoping these tutotials help my figure painting!!!

[@chugwaterjack4458]

I agree. All my boots had the black only until the first encounter with mud, water, and whatever.

[@droberts1664]

Great video. And thank you for honoring our heros in the military, especially our Vietnam vets. I had 3 uncles that fought there. I remember watching the news back when i was a kid hoping to see my uncles. I finally got to see em when they came home. So thanks again

[@markforster6457]

I saw an uncle come home and I had a cousin that didn't make it. As a child, in airports, I couldn't understand why returning soldiers were being verbally abused. Disgusting!

[@seegurke93]

OMG bro, I really want to become as good as you are.... I have hundreds of model kits here and I am so happy to finally have the time to start some after years of just collecting :) Thank you 1000 times for the great tutorials!

[@SpruesNBrews]

Thank you so much! I really appreciate it!

[@ChristopherErringtonPhoto]

Another great video. I especially like your no nonsense approach to painting. 👍🏻👍🏻

[@SpruesNBrews]

Thank you - I'm glad to hear it! 🍻

[@davidfedorko8148]

Great job, you make the figures come to life ! You make it look easy yo do

[@SpruesNBrews]

Thank you very much!

[@SG-738]

Great video Hank! Just getting the modeling bug and you have been a real help with the process. Nice to see some work with the Vietnam era, as it is some interesting material as well.

[@SpruesNBrews]

I'm really glad to hear it - thanks for watching!

[@rickjohnston4633]

Hello and how are you. Just want to thank you for making my model building so much easier. I've been building for over 40 years, and your painting tips have just upped my model figures. I enjoy your tips and watching your projects. Look forward to more. Thank you. Rick

[@michaeldean1289]

Thanks Hank for sharing another great video tutorial ❤😊

[@SpruesNBrews]

Thanks for watching!

[@mikec2810]

Another great video Hank! I really enjoy your painting sessions!

[@SpruesNBrews]

Thank you very much!

[@chrisandchriscollectingcar8778]

Great job. Thank you for sharing. Will be referring to this video many times as I get started with my own modelling hobby. Really appreciate the work you put in. Hope I will be half as good as you when all is said and done.

[@SpruesNBrews]

I'm glad to hear it was helpful - thanks for watching!

[@markforster6457]

Thank you! You make it look easy. Having a Vallejo paint set replaces the old way of mixing 6 shades of each color. I'm going to head to the dollar store to pick up some of those bags of soldiers and then come home and practice. My childhood friends and I could spend all day with those soldiers and an old garden bed. I always wanted to fire bottle rockets horizontally, to simulate exploding grenades.

[@wombat_models]

Lovely work Hank. I've got a number of Vietnam era armour projects in the stash and the thought of painting the figures has always been rather daunting but this video has given me a bit of impetus to drag out a kit and give it a whirl.

[@SpruesNBrews]

Give it a go!! It was a fun way to mix things up a bit 🪖👍

[@Mr_Craftician]

SO GOOD!

[@SpruesNBrews]

Thanks very much! 👍

[@Mr_Craftician]

@@SpruesNBrews I am a professional modeler myself, but I am venturing into scale modeling for the first time as a transition in my hobby. I am following your channel closely because, despite my success with dioramas, this will be a new chapter. You're tutorials have been incredibly insightful and you've helped to light a fire and appreciation for military and battle history... And I say that as a former Marine in Persian Gulf war veteran.

[@edhorst7212]

Excellent tutorial on painting figure(s) Hank..

[@SpruesNBrews]

Thank you very much! 👍

[@johnzaferes2257]

Great job Hank thank you!

[@SpruesNBrews]

Thank you very much!!

[@felippejonsson6078]

Amazing!

[@SpruesNBrews]

Thank you!!

[@brianpmessier4977]

This has to be the top three tutorials on painting I have EVER seen!

[@SpruesNBrews]

Wow! Thank you very much - I really appreciate it! 👍

[@montyenright]

I'm working (have been) a Pibber for the 'brown water Navy' in the Nam. Two of the figures are A-A and had no idea how to proceed on their skin color. This was a GOD send... Thanks. I'll have a brew for you...

[@SpruesNBrews]

Cheers! Glad to hear it helped - sounds like a great project 👍

[@jeffball9657]

Excellent stuff, as usual. 😃👌👍

[@SpruesNBrews]

Thank you very much! I appreciate it!

[@ianpettman7482]

Another great video. On your advice I bought my first ever tank model. The Easy Eight Sherman by Tamiya. I'm looking forward to making it and weathering it. Thanks for the advice.

[@SpruesNBrews]

Oh that's great! I think you'll enjoy it - it's a real nice kit. Happy building! 👍

[@lappin6482]

awesome work hank 🤘

[@SpruesNBrews]

Thank you very much!!

[@jgonzalez101]

Nice job!

[@SpruesNBrews]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@thegoodearth7]

I watch Plasma, and I watch Nightshift and others. You actually convince me that I can do the work and add new skills. Again, your channel is superb!

[@SpruesNBrews]

Oh I'm really glad to hear it - thank you! That's some great company.

[@paulsawyer2326]

awesome job! Looks like a lot of patience in this project for being so small.

[@SpruesNBrews]

It's definitely a small space to focus on! 😅

[@paulwilson2895]

Nice detailing and painting African American figures; a rare occurrence. I like your idea of starting with a black base coat for dark skin; then building in skin shades. I hope to do a Vietnamese ARVN tanker (on an M41 tank) and am hoping to see how southeast asian figures are painted

[@karljones9357]

Excellent video again. I passed out watching your video you never told us to breathe again. 😊 Have you ever seen The Boys in Company C. Old film but it’s got the feeling right.

[@samuelbennett1717]

Great result! I'll be borrowing your skin tone recipe. I have to confess my OCD gets a little triggered by you detail brush tips being hooked, its a tribute to your skill that you get such great results regardless!

[@SpruesNBrews]

Haha thank you - I know, my brushes have seen better days 😅🖌

[@St-lb8yy]

Very useful video, thanks. Any chance of some modern forces figures?? The US digital would be challenging paint!!

[@1138Fallen]

Hold your breath, yep that's definitely me, half of the time I'm painting I'm holding my breath.

[@jamesnance6837]

dang hank!!.., you beat me to it, I've had the same ideabut on a two part scale dont want to give too much just know it would have mixed scales. nice job bro..

[@SpruesNBrews]

Thank you very much!

[@jasonsabourin2275]

The Bravo 6. Detailing might be the best I've ever seen!..... And, Oh Yeah YOUR detailing was nice too, only kidding, very nice work, Per Usual.☝️

[@SpruesNBrews]

haha thank you very much!

[@markbusuttil1015]

Hi great video well done 👍 , can you please tell me the Valleyo olive drab that you used for the jacket is model colour or model air ,thanks

[@krishurd3185]

This is excellent! Can’t wait to try this method! What brush are you using in this?

[@SpruesNBrews]

Thank you! And I'm not sure actually - it was a gift from a while back... sorry!

[@stadt5048]

Can you do vietnam war tank crews next? I’d love to see how you do it

[@memyself3895]

After a long absence from the hobby - thank you, modern eye surgery - I come back and everything is primed in black and/or xenithal highlights. My question, sir, is... why do the best painters go with black? I get that if you miss a bit with your base color layer, the black primer coat supplies the shadow. As to xenithal, I get that if you use contrast paints or glazes, it makes sense but if you are using opaque paints doesn't that base coat negate the highlights? Really enjoy the chill vibe you bring to the hobby. For many of us, we do this for fun, not to stress over every little detail.

[@Armor_Rob]

Great video. But I gotta ask... where can I get a that ball cap?

[@kinomike268]

Sehr schon (Nice) wie du es zeigst! Sehe dir sehr gerne zu .... bekommt man gleich lust loszumalen ;-)

[@SpruesNBrews]

Thank you - I'm glad to hear it! 🍻

[@FacuninoWar1]

Great work! Can be the uniform in the Hue City battle are more dark? Or the flak vest

[@SpruesNBrews]

Thanks - and sure you could! I was working with the colors I had, but any variations on that would get the job done for sure 👍

[@grahambate3384]

Gr8 vid mate. Here in Australia people use the word varnish for anything clear. Wot type of paint is it, cheers Graham

[@bougeac]

Hank, great work! Do you thin all your paints for the main figure work? Subscribed!

[@SpruesNBrews]

Thank you! It's always a good idea to thin a little bit with some tap water 👍

[@Pickledog2005]

Love the video, what do you do when you buy to much paint onto the pallet? Also I saw on night shifts channel he used blue to paint the moustache, might want to give it a try

[@SpruesNBrews]

Thanks! And not much you can do when you overpour, unfortunately. Happens to the best of us! And that's interesting... I'll have to check out his video on that! Thanks 👍

[@mikemodels928]

Just realized i have a bigbox with 50 vietnam marines in 1/72. Very nice tutorial.

[@SpruesNBrews]

Oh cool! That sounds great 👍

[@davidmusk1753]

Hi Hank, Great tutorial, can you help me with a suggested color to paint WW2 British webbing? Thanks Dave M

[@upatoimodelwerks14]

Hank, at about 8:50 you used some very microscopic pencils for the helmet camo. What are they are where can I get some? Great tutorial!

[@DocLaw172]

What is that mat you use to put the drops of pain on?

[@tylayton6897]

Great Vid. Not enough Vietnam Era stuff out there.

[@SpruesNBrews]

Thanks - and agreed!

[@ProfessorBalzac]

Does anyone have a recommendation for more tan/Hispanic tones? Other tutorials on WH minis seem like they'd be a bit cartoony on Alpine figures.

[@decoeric]

Great video. And super nice sweater. Where did you get it?

[@SpruesNBrews]

Haha thanks - and I don't recall, I've had it forever

[@paintingpanzers]

Awesome tutorial! You've absolutely nailed this. I stumbled across your channel and I'm loving it! Vietnam is such a cool era to paint and your choice of music was spot on lol. I only paint smaller stuff myself so I appreciate all the effort you must put in for this bigger stuff, if you get a moment I'd love for you to check out some of my work. Anyway, I've subscribed and look forward to watching more of your videos :D

[@SpruesNBrews]

Thanks for watching!!

[@keithTCU]

Great tutorial and I am using this as a guide. . .the only issue I have is with the boots. . . I looked online at bunches of photos of US troops in Vietnam and their boots looked like a gray/greenish look to them. . .not the black. . . but that is just me.

[@c123bthunderpig]

Awesome job, stock on our M79 ' s was a little darker, and red dirt at Khe Sanh would be tough to have spit shined boots like that, uniforms we almost red orange. But hey the old saying about the sixties was " If you can remember the sixties you really weren't there" :-) Race relations were close until MLK was shot then huge fight broke out in mess haul when news arrived, pretty much letting off steam, because the only color at that time was green.. To say the least I don't build any models except the one I flew from Vietnam era.

[@SpruesNBrews]

I was going to say, sounds like you know your stuff. Thanks for your service 👍

[@alexvermeulen1031]

Do you have 1/72 or 1/35 Vietnam war modelkit tips?

[@SpruesNBrews]

I don't have any published at the moment other than this one, unfortunately!

[@davidm6256]

I have a question, can you direct me to the paint brushes you use! Thanks

[@SpruesNBrews]

Sure - I've got a video on "Best Supplies for Beginners" where I talk all about the brushes I use if you'd like to check it out 👍

[@sreggird60]

Am attending my VFW post meeting tomorrow. Will show the Vietnam Vets this video.

[@SpruesNBrews]

I hope they appreciate it! Please thank them for their service for me 🇺🇲

[@Handyman695]

Do you get your hobby supplies online or do you store purchase them. Unfortunately the hobby shops near me leave a lot to be desired so the vast majority of my hobby supplies come from online purchases

[@aessio85]

🔝

[@DeanFromTexas]

Great video as always. I wonder if you have ever done a video, comparing the various sizes of 1/35 scale figures. I recently purchased a set of WW2 figures, and was shocked at how small they were, when compared to Tamiya's newer figures, which I personally believe is the 'Gold Standard' when referring to figures which are true to scale. These figures were not only closer to 1/48, than 1/35, which is irritating enough - but the gear, weapons, helmets, etc, were also very small. Yes, I know that all people aren't the same height, (Obviously) my wife is 6' - taller than I am... but these figures looked more like a 14 year old next to an adult, when compared to a recent Tamiya set. It was very frustrating. Your thoughts?

[@SpruesNBrews]

I'd love to do a video on that, it's definitely a common issue - great idea! 👍

[@nirmalbabu7799]

I love your tutorial... but kindly zoom the camera to the model for best result on how hard and detailed is your presentation... especially the face detail...🙂 please

[@terryjeisman7550]

Just a small point water canteens were green plastic not aluminium!

[@memyself3895]

How do the Bravo 6 kits compare in quality to the Tamiya kits in plastic? When we factor in shipping cost outside the U.S., the resin kits are much more expensive. I'm always ready to pay for a quality product, especially if the subjects are less well covered by the big manufacturers, but would be good to hear from someone with hands-on experience of both.

[@kevinjones7171]

Bravo kits are vastly superior to Tamiya figures

[@memyself3895]

@@kevinjones7171 Good to hear, thank you.

[@jasonsabourin2275]

Yes, Great detail by BRAVO 6, but what's up with the "Dirty Sanchez" moustache? Oh well.

[@SpruesNBrews]

What's wrong with a nice big mustache? It's sculpted right on there! 😅

[@cjdavis2684]

This was pretty cool, really enjoyed watching it right now I'm building a 1/32 scale lcvp which came with three sailor figures and I'm trying to figure out how to paint them up so they look right. Any suggestions?

[@SpruesNBrews]

I've got a whole bunch of figure videos over on the channel - hopefully they can be helpful!!

[@DarksouIjah]

Did you become a history buff bc you were into modeling or did you get into modeling bc you were into history?

[@SpruesNBrews]

Probably the second option!

[@wullieg7269]

help! best way too free BRAVO6 from the mass it comes with

[@kelly8431]

Like your channel. Let’s leave the virtue signaling out, my white uncle was killed in Vietnam. Painting black skin is important, but just teach it without showing us how woke you are

[@SpruesNBrews]

I'm sorry to hear about your Uncle, that's a terrible thing & I appreciate his service and sacrifice. Recognizing the struggles of one group does not detract from the others - it just makes us all stronger. If that bothers you, I'm sorry to hear it.

[@andrewwash8005]

Will you stop calling him a "Soldier," Marines are Marines. I know most civilians can't figure that out. I guess the concept is too complex. Also "GI" is Army. What the hell is wrong with you. And Marines maintained grooming standards even in the field. At least mine did. No 60s staches.

[@SpruesNBrews]

Ohhhh my. You know, it's possible to provide some information & try to be helpful to a stranger without asking somebody "what the hell is wrong with you" & insulting their intelligence. Just a thought.

[@Comrade741]

More like "how to paint monke"

[@SpruesNBrews]

Completely unacceptable & not funny.

[@TheHighlander242]

Hey Great video! I’ve reached out to you on instagram as well.