Monday, May 31, 2021

Seals at Takur Ghar

A few days ago I wrapped up these six figures. They are meant to represent the Navy Seals at Takur Ghar.

These figures started out as early war US Special forces 2001/2002 (USS02 codes). I gave them all head swaps using heads from Delta Force figures (Mogadishu). The helmets then had their holes filled in and some gear added to them with green stuff and some plastic sprue. Each got a green stuff hood, new front ammo pockets (four not three as originally sculpted) and some more back straps. I also sculpted a holster for each (some with a small pistol handle) and extended their pants a bit. One figure got new hands to hold a swapped in SR-25.

Next up is a small batch of Australian SAS in Afghanistan.

RH Models USS02-* with head and weapon swap; USS02M4GL* with head swap
RH Models USS02-* with head swap; USS02-* with head swap
RH Models USS02M60 with head swap; USS02M4GL* with head swap

I didn't have too many pictures to go off of. My main source of inspiration was one image of a Seal at Takur Ghar from Osprey's book about the battle in their RAID series. Based on information in that book I found specific pictures online of the equipment said to be used.

Navy Seal at Takur Ghar.
John Chapman's holster from Takur Ghar as displayed at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force.

2001/2002 Al Qaeda

Weeks ago I finished this batch of Al Qaeda/Taliban for a couple of scenarios regarding Takur Ghar. I'm sure they'll have other uses, but the 2001/2002 time frame was my goal.

So that more figures would have chi com ammo rigs I modified Rolf's PLO figures with some green stuff giving them shalwar kameez (long tunics). I also added some beards, extended a few shirts to make jackets, made a few scarf endings and a prayer cap. I was particularly pleased with the beards. When I get back to working on Chechen fighters I'm definitely adding some of these.

In the future I hope to create some more Takur Ghar fighters with cold weather gear. For that fight in the mountains they seem to wear knit caps and western style winter jackets. I need a few more of guys dressed like that.

RH Models 055COM; AQSQU; PLORPG; MUJ14
RH Models PLOAK; PLOCOM; MUJGRENK/T; MUJ14* with head swap
RH Models MUJ14* with head swap; EER2W; MULT*AK with head swap; MUJLMGT
RH Models PLOPKM; MUJ14K; MUJ14; MUJ14K
RH Models PLOAK; PLOAK; MUJ14; AQSQU
RH Models PLOAK; MUJ14* with head swap; EER2W; AQSQU
RH Models MUJ14A; PLORPK; MUJ14* with head swap; BALAK
RH Models MULT*AK with head swap; AQSQU; AQSNI
RH Models AQPKM; MUJRPG
RH Models AQ26; WEA26

Strangely picutes of Al Qaeda/Taliban during the early period of the war were difficult to come by, even dead ones. Below are some of the few I found.

Al Qaeda in Afghanistan (May 26th, 1998).
Al Qaeda 055 elite force celebrating capture of Bagram Air Base (August 1st, 1999).
Al Qaeda 055 elite force celebrating capture of Bagram Air Base (August 1st, 1999).
Taliban POWs in jail complex in Shebargan, Afghanistan (December, 2001).
Foreign Al Qaeda POWs in Agam Valley near Tora Bora (December 17th, 2001).
Osama Bin Laden guards in Tora Bora before 9-11.