univerrsalexports
New Hunter
Any help at all on the patches on his uniform, or anything at all with this uniform would be amazing!
Thanks!!!!
Thanks!!!!
Tropic Thunder - Downey Jr.s costume
- Thread starter univerrsalexports
- Start date
DarkeSword2020
Active Hunter
THAT"S robert Downey JR.?
He looks black! Without...trying to be racist..it doesn't look like him at all...Did he gain weight too?
He looks black! Without...trying to be racist..it doesn't look like him at all...Did he gain weight too?
Bubba Fett
Well-Known Hunter
That's the joke.
xero
Hunter
To explain, with things discussed in the Tropic Thunder trailer, unless you yourself are joking...
Downey Jr. plays an actor named Kirk Lazarus, who has won arms-full of Academy Awards (Emmys) for his previous work... and who has been pulled on to film this Vietnam war movie. As a challenge, he accepts the role of Staff Sergeant Lincoln O'Sirus (I believe? Been a few weeks), who happens to be African American. So Kirk undergoes a "controversial skin pigmentation procedure" in order to accurately portray the staff sergeant.
To quote him in the movie... "I know who I am! I'm the dude... playin' the dude... disguised as another dude!" -- taken straight from the trailer.
And yes, Downey Jr. does an incredible job in this role. I would suggest you see it!
As far as the costume, I... dunno. Not a military buff myself, sorry.
Gilmortar
Well-Known Hunter
Yes, he does look black. Its the age old makeup technique known as "black face" and HAS been a controversial topic in stage theater and movies for a long time.
As for the patches.
Name tapes are standard OD Green with the Last Name and US ARMY
Rank are E5-Sergeant rank...standard OD GREEN
That is an Airborne Tab above the US ARMY tape, OD Green.
As for the unit patch, it isnt the 1st Cav...thats alot bigger with and yellow with a diagonal stripe from left to right with ole Godfather in the Corner...
that one is different...im tryin to find it though....
As for the patches.
Name tapes are standard OD Green with the Last Name and US ARMY
Rank are E5-Sergeant rank...standard OD GREEN
That is an Airborne Tab above the US ARMY tape, OD Green.
As for the unit patch, it isnt the 1st Cav...thats alot bigger with and yellow with a diagonal stripe from left to right with ole Godfather in the Corner...
that one is different...im tryin to find it though....
The 1st Cavalry patch is actually on the other arm, not shown in the pictures above. I'm positive its there in the movie, as the entire squad in the movie wears them. I've been trying to find the patch that's pictured above, but haven't been able to find it.
Gilmortar
Well-Known Hunter
Ohh ok...yeah didnt see the other side at all...
I looked for hours yesterday online at all the Army unit patches, and even through the Vietnam eras and then the Vietnam Company patches...and I STILL couldnt find one that resembled that...it very well could be custom...
I looked for hours yesterday online at all the Army unit patches, and even through the Vietnam eras and then the Vietnam Company patches...and I STILL couldnt find one that resembled that...it very well could be custom...
univerrsalexports
New Hunter
thanks for the help.
Ya I cant seem to find the patch he has on his left shoulder, though i do remember the 1st calv. one in the movie (at least on everyone else)
Ya I cant seem to find the patch he has on his left shoulder, though i do remember the 1st calv. one in the movie (at least on everyone else)
DarkeSword2020
Active Hunter
Thanks for answering the question guys!
Yeah it was an honest question, I didn't realize it was him, and I just had the shock and awe effect I suppose
- Fitz
Yeah it was an honest question, I didn't realize it was him, and I just had the shock and awe effect I suppose
- Fitz
wanta be jango
Jr Hunter
hi
it maybe spec ops patch
it maybe spec ops patch
wanta be jango
Jr Hunter
the shotgun looks like a remington 870 sawed off stock. the canteen holded looks like ww2
shortimer52
Well-Known Hunter
Looks like he has the OD green canteen covers and a OD green canvas butt pack. OD green canvas butt pack, I had one back in the day.
Should be able to get them off ebay, along with the OD web belt. But it's the web belt with the metal locks, not like the new ones the U.S. uses. I remember the Iraq army used the old metal locks on their web belts.
It dose look like like a 870 Express shot gun with a combat grip, or I should say it looks like the one I have at home.
And the jump wings are Jump Mater Wings, not just Jump Wings.
Thats what I can tell from just the two pics.
Should be able to get them off ebay, along with the OD web belt. But it's the web belt with the metal locks, not like the new ones the U.S. uses. I remember the Iraq army used the old metal locks on their web belts.
It dose look like like a 870 Express shot gun with a combat grip, or I should say it looks like the one I have at home.
And the jump wings are Jump Mater Wings, not just Jump Wings.
Thats what I can tell from just the two pics.
Last edited by a moderator:
Boba Swede
Active Hunter
The patch on the arm kinda looks like a skull in profile with lightning coming out of the eye sockets.. and the skull appears to have wings on it as well..
Custom perhaps?
Custom perhaps?
TD1536
Active Hunter
I just spent the last year putting together some Vietnam era outfits - all mostly vintage stuff, I even built up a real M-16A1 (colt 603) rifle to "make" the impression solid. I could do Vietnam re-enacting or do living history events if I wanted to.
Here's some links where you can get just about everything.
http://www.mooremilitaria.com/
Get your fatigues here, they are accurate reproductions.
http://www.vtarmynavy.com/vintage-vietnam-fatigue-shirt-olive-drab.htm
This web site will better explain all the period equipment in detail, so you have a better idea what to look for.
http://david.brubakers.us/Vietnam/index.html
Some of the more expensive parts are going to be vintage helmets. They typically go for $75 and up. Flack jackets tend to also get up over $100, but I've not seen Tropic Thunder to know if they're wearing them. Most everything else is fairly reasonable, but do your research above, then prowl ebay for some good buys.
That's me on the right at DragonCon this year. It's a fun outfit to wear and the butt pack is great for holding beer.
Here's some links where you can get just about everything.
http://www.mooremilitaria.com/
Get your fatigues here, they are accurate reproductions.
http://www.vtarmynavy.com/vintage-vietnam-fatigue-shirt-olive-drab.htm
This web site will better explain all the period equipment in detail, so you have a better idea what to look for.
http://david.brubakers.us/Vietnam/index.html
Some of the more expensive parts are going to be vintage helmets. They typically go for $75 and up. Flack jackets tend to also get up over $100, but I've not seen Tropic Thunder to know if they're wearing them. Most everything else is fairly reasonable, but do your research above, then prowl ebay for some good buys.
That's me on the right at DragonCon this year. It's a fun outfit to wear and the butt pack is great for holding beer.
Here are some details on the outfit. I'm also assembling this for a halloween/accurate nam set.
I was able to DL about 30 production stills from this site for accuracy reference:
http://www.allmoviephoto.com/photo/2008_Tropic_Thunder_photo.html
Anyways, starting with the Uniform:
BDUs - 3rd Pattern Ripstop Jungle Fatigues OD
Patches:
Right Shoulder - US ARMY 1st Cavalry Subdued
Left Shoulder - Flying skull with lightning, prob custom, here's what i drew for mine
Patches Above US ARMY tape:
Master Parachutist, Subdued
The one above that, im really not sure about, but it looks like a Army Aviator Badge, Subdued, of some sort.
The shotgun used in the film is an Ithaca Model 37 with a sawed off stock, making a pistol grip
(some still shots show him with a Winchester Model 12, not used in the movie) Both are pump action.
Collar pins - Sergent , black anodized, (3 bars)
Name tape, standard OD green, black embroidery
Dog tags - Vietnam Dog Tags (1967-1969)
African styled necklace. Red, green and black, 4 beads each color.
Watch: Movie shows a wide leather watch band, stills show a Gold watch with elastic metal band, turned inwards.
Shotgun shells: Probably Federal, Paper shells (12ga.), red/dark red. I'm going to be using winchester AA Red 12ga. shells myself.
He's wearing a 50+ shell bandolier (Dark brown leather)
Otherwise the Belt, Buttpack, .45 holster, Canteen, Boots, Grenades, undershirt and helmet are pretty standard.
Other than the Aviator patch, I'm fairly confident that I've correctly Identified the outfit.
Hope this helps.
Please let me know if you find out anything else!
Cheers!
Chris
I was able to DL about 30 production stills from this site for accuracy reference:
http://www.allmoviephoto.com/photo/2008_Tropic_Thunder_photo.html
Anyways, starting with the Uniform:
BDUs - 3rd Pattern Ripstop Jungle Fatigues OD
Patches:
Right Shoulder - US ARMY 1st Cavalry Subdued
Left Shoulder - Flying skull with lightning, prob custom, here's what i drew for mine
Patches Above US ARMY tape:
Master Parachutist, Subdued
The one above that, im really not sure about, but it looks like a Army Aviator Badge, Subdued, of some sort.
The shotgun used in the film is an Ithaca Model 37 with a sawed off stock, making a pistol grip
(some still shots show him with a Winchester Model 12, not used in the movie) Both are pump action.
Collar pins - Sergent , black anodized, (3 bars)
Name tape, standard OD green, black embroidery
Dog tags - Vietnam Dog Tags (1967-1969)
African styled necklace. Red, green and black, 4 beads each color.
Watch: Movie shows a wide leather watch band, stills show a Gold watch with elastic metal band, turned inwards.
Shotgun shells: Probably Federal, Paper shells (12ga.), red/dark red. I'm going to be using winchester AA Red 12ga. shells myself.
He's wearing a 50+ shell bandolier (Dark brown leather)
Otherwise the Belt, Buttpack, .45 holster, Canteen, Boots, Grenades, undershirt and helmet are pretty standard.
Other than the Aviator patch, I'm fairly confident that I've correctly Identified the outfit.
Hope this helps.
Please let me know if you find out anything else!
Cheers!
Chris
Last edited by a moderator:
Predatormv
Well-Known Hunter
My girlfriend is planning on building a female version of this costume. And yes she is white and doing the blackface bit like RDJ did.
Ronin677
Well-Known Hunter
Started collecting my own Vietnam issue uniform as well. My latest score is the m56 webbing (not shown on the pic). The part i am least looking forward to buying is the back pack (apparently these go for about $250)
btw the uniform just didn't look right in my back yard (all praise photoshop
)
btw the uniform just didn't look right in my back yard (all praise photoshop
)
