Custom LEGO American Sniper: Chris Kyle

“I’ve lived the literal meaning of the ‘land of the free’ and ‘home of the brave.’ It’s not corny for me. I feel it in my heart. I feel it in my chest. Even at a ball game, when someone talks during the anthem or doesn’t take off his hat, it pisses me off. I’m not one to be quiet about it, either.” - Chris Kyle

 

Over the summer of 2012, my English class assigned us to read some sort of nonfiction book, whether it be a autobiography, biography, whatever - anything nonfiction. We were given a list of recommended books, and the only one that caught my attention was an autobiography called American Sniper written by Navy SEAL Chris Kyle. I did a bit of research on the book and ended up purchasing it from Target. After I started to read it, I could not put it down. I ended up finishing the 380 page book in like 3 days, which was quick for me. I really enjoyed reading about Chris's lifestyle while he was a SEAL and I became attached to the story and Kyle became one of my personal heroes/role models.

 

Flash forward to February 2nd, 2013. I woke up, grabbed my phone, and began to browse the front page of reddit. Upon this, I just discovered the tragic news of Chris Kyle and another man being shot down at a gun range by a Marine who supposedly experienced a flashback from his PTSD. I was heartbroken that day.

 

A little over a year and a half later brings us to about September 2014. I had heard news of a possible American Sniper movie, but in October, the first trailer was released for it which got me very excited. Once the second trailer came out, I became extremely excited for the movie. That bring us to today. The movie is now out, and I am on my way to the theater as soon as I upload this photo.

 

So here he is, the Devil of Ramadi, Chris Kyle!

 

For this figure, I was mostly basing him off of Bradley Cooper's portrayal, but a little of Chris himself was included too, mostly in the head.

 

Chris has a standard desert camouflage pattern painted over most of him in a dark tan and brown scheme. His legs have boots painted on, as well as TinyTactical CP Knee Pads and Cargo Pockets glued on. He has a brown belt with silver buckle.

 

His vest was a blank TinyTactical RRV Tactical (molle front panel) vest, which I then glued on 3 AR mag pouches and a radio. With those, I glued on a TEA Push-To-Talk system and a tiny IR LED. On the back, I glued on a frag pouch and a hydration pack with the hose running to the front of the vest. On the molle panel, I painted on part of The Punisher's skull, which Chris's Navy SEAL team adopted as their own.

Both arms have the camouflage pattern painted on as well as shoulder pockets glues on, but the left arm has the Marc Lee remembrance patch painted on as well as a TT G-Shock watch.

 

His head was the same head I used for my Daryl Dixon, but I painted over the eyebrows and beard with brown paint. His hat is a standard LEGO cap painted dark tan and has a patch painted on.

 

I made two weapons for Chris.

-The first is a TinyTactial M4A1 with various accessories glued on (ESDR Optic, Laser Sight, Foregrip w/ laser, suppressor) then painted tan and washed with a brown. I was modeling this after the AR Cooper has in the trailer and poster, but I later realized he uses a MK18, not M4A1 :P

-The second is a mashup of a M24 and TAC338, two snipers used in the film. No third party vendor sells either of those models, so I made my own version using a BrickArms M21, TT M4A1 Mag, BA Bipod, BA HCSR Scope, and a suppressor from something else. I then painted it tan and washed it with brown, then painted the Dark tan pad on the stock and painted the front and back of the scope black. I also had to sculpt on a bolt.

 

Tell me what you all think!

YouTube video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFVI175mJwA

 

Rest in Peace,Chris Kyle

1974-2013

Done