Thanks guys.
I have to say I'm pretty pleased with the way this model turned out. But at the same time I know it would be nowhere near what it is unless it was for the reference pictures provided by a 5th SFG friend.
As for 1st person view.
Early 1st person render, before I fixed some texture issues.
Current ingame shot at full resolution, optimised to 80% with ImageReady
The model still doesn't have any of VBS1's hardware T&L turned on though so lighting ought to improve somewhat with that.