CUSTOMIZING MARINES: TIPS
I guess I'll keep a running tally here:
HT adjustments to clothing/armor:
- Hicks and Hudson knife on left side of armor, not on right side, knife handle and case should be black.
- Gerber knife replacement on Vas and Drake; left leg holster.
- Hudson: Louis to Louise.
- Drake SG: "My B-itch " on gun "Grrrrrrrr" on handle.
- Hicks Armor also has additional markings, "Born Again" on his left shoulder pad.
- Hudson Helmet: a calendar with markings, "Brain Dead" written on right side and an 8 Ball painted on the camo in back left.
- The number of grenade loops is incorrect on the toys. There are five loops and the marines had four.
- Boots are the wrong pattern. I think the toys come with Panama pattern soles when they should be Vibram pattern soles.
- Vasquez's sidesarm is incorrect. It should be a SW M39, not a HK VP70.
- Hicks and Apone's groin armor are the same as Hudson's and should be corrected. The sardine key needs to be removed and the holes left behind filled in. Apone's torso armor should have the lock and clasp removed and the holes left behind filled in.
- Pulse Rifle LED counter should be red, not green.
- I don't think Drake had a sidearm holster.
- Drake had a string of bones/feathers/whatever dangling off the muzzle of his Smart Gun in some shots.
- Hudson's helmet cover only had one seam down the middle, Vietnam era style.
- Hicks helmet needs a strap - use the helmet strap from Hudson for Hicks.
- mic arms on helmets should be silver not black.
- Vasquez had the Spanish word LOCO hand lettered on the back center of her BDU shirt in black marker. (Harris collection has good pics of it).
- The mics themselves are black, not OD green like the toys, and the tips are flat, not rounded. The end of the mic (inside the casing) is silver. There is also a length of black wire running from the cylinder on the other end of the mic arm that's attached inside the helmet. In the movie I believe it was connected to the comm packs taped under the armoured neck pieces, but it's visible in some of the closups of Hudson's helmet during the combat drop.
- Hudson had a length of black para cord and what looks like a section of black chain on it that was attached to the sheath of his combat knife. He wore it looped around his neck and it can be clearly seen in many scenes, including the one where he enters the mess hall before the knife game with Bishop.
Extra bits needed if you're really obsessive:
- Drake tan sleeveless t-shirt with iron-on (available from member)
- Vasquez green wife-beater
- Cheong arm sleeves for Vasquez 'buff' look
- additonal patches available from Chris at EVA
- Vas chest holster; sidearm was a Smith & Wesson M39 not a Vp-70
Re-Painting advice and/or materials to use:
- Hudson and Hicks run darker in their BDU dirtyness, Vasquez runs bleached out.
- to fade BDU's: mix up a very very watered down off white wash and soak them in it for a minute or so.... wring it out and let it dry. Or use the Rit Whitewash.
Anything Pjam or Dave can add or contribute to this evergrowing list will help everyone customize their marines. I mention these two because we all know they are the most obsessive "Aliens" detail guys here and have pretty much done everything that is listed above to their Aliens marine figures so they have first-hand experience. There are of course many other experts here, so if I didn't mention you don't be insulted.
NOTE: This LIST is a quick-look compilation of everyone's tips and advice. For a more detailed explanation of any info posted here, please post a question to the usual suspects or PM them directly.
