Gecko Models has become one of the main vendors for the more unusual items that modellers look for to use in dioramas, during the Vietnam War period. This latest release is in this theme and offers the modeller 3 female Vietnamese street vendors in the form of an old female in an area specific blouse design and loose trousers, with the usual woven sandals. The 2 younger females are wearing the clothing most often seen in film and news reels of the off white blouse and black trousers. One is wearing the sandals, the other is wearing trainers - I do not know how common trainers were during this period. Both are wearing the woven grass hats. The 4th figure in the set is an off-duty GI wearing the usual green fatigues expected of the period.
The street vendors have been equipped with 3 styles of woven grass bags/carriers, shallow wooden boxes and bamboo carrying sticks. The detail on these is very pleasing, as a dark inner colour followed by a lighter outer colour and a darker wash will make these items pop. The goods provided for sale are:
Lemons
Apples
Pears
Red Apples
Red Onions
Tomatoes
Aubergines
Cucumbers
Oranges
Potatoes
Bell Peppers
Carrots
Bananas
Hami Melon
Water Melon
I do not know how common these food items were is Vietnam during the war, but I am sure that there are members on here who probably fought in that particular conflict who will know. The one thing that really surprises me with this set, is where is the rice? As if there is one staple product that we know that Vietnam produced it was the rice in the paddy fields. But with that aside, I am very happy with what is offered even if I would have liked to have seen some rice. Painting of the product is shown utilising Mission Models paints and it is the weathering the modeller imparts that will be the making of the product .