1980's NZ Infantry Conversions

Over the last few nights in my free time I have been converting figures into New Zealand Infantry mid 1980's era for a upcoming campaign with Al. Above two ESCI/Italeri US Special Forces Vietnam figures with head and head ware conversions. NZ Army kit in this period was a nice mix of 1960's US and UK equipment with a real odd uniform blend of Kiwi, Aussie, and UK clothing. This is a work in progress and the DPM will look more British when finished. M16A1's and the M203 were used along with the L1A1 SLR up until 1988 when the IW Steyr replaced both rifles in Regular Force Units and the Territorials got the surplus M16's. 20 round magazines were the norm, while you usually had to buy your own 30 round magazine if you wanted one.

The M1 helmet still serves nowadays along with the US Fritz helmet, while the Jungle Hat (J Hat) is the most popular head wear in the field.
PRC 77 was the standard field radio (Prick is the key word), while the Starlight scope was sometimes used by the Battalion Recon Platoon. M1 helmet added and a cut down J hat to the other fella. NZ J hats are not as large and 'floppy' as US or even Aussie ones. Boots were a real mix (and still are), with DMS, and screw on sole calf length being most common, with D rings and round eyelets being different types. US Jungle boots and even British rubber and canvas Jungle boots could be seen in the field as well.

ESCI/Italeri on left with head swap and Matchbox NATO Para with Beret replaced with Matchbox M1 Helmet (from the WW2 US set). The Matchbox figures are 1/76 so using a 1/72 US helmet would have made the figure look like a Cadet! Again these are not finished paint wise.

When both types of rifle were in use in the same Section, the Section Commander and the 2IC or scout usually had the M16's.

Final figure for the night is another Matchbox NATO Para. Again with Matchbox US helmet conversion. The GPMG was the standard Section MG until 1987 - ish when they were replaced with the C9 Light Support Weapon (Charlie-9 LSW). They did make a comeback to some extent after experience in East Timor in the late 1990's.

Company size Unit there at least. The mix of kit for Kiwi's can make for simple conversions, SLR, Brens (Both .303 and 7.62) M16's, Sterlings, and GPMG's can all be used.