It's Miller time or DiD Captain "Millers" Review 1

From one soldier (see previous post) to another...

Finally got to opening my DID WWII US Army 2nd Ranger Battalion - Normandy June 6, 1944 1/6 scale collectible figure Captain "Millers" (first previewed HERE). For the benefit of those who don't know, DID Captain "Millers" is meant to be Captain John H Miller (Tom Hanks), the leader of a US Army Ranger squad sent out to locate Private First Class James Francis Ryan (Matt Damon), a paratrooper and the last remaining male member of his family in the epic 1998 American war film set during the invasion of Normandy in World War II "Saving Private Ryan".

Box is pretty standard and inside the main tray is Captain "Millers" and some of his equipment. Most notable is the M1A1 Bangalore Torpedo Section (made of metal) with its own wooden crate.

The rest of Captain "Millers" equipment is found in two side trays located on both sides of the cover flaps - pretty standard packaging stuff by now.

Here's DID 1/6 scale 12-inch US Army 2nd Ranger Captain "Millers" taking a break before the mission starts, about to take a sip from his "Government Issue" (which is how the term "G.I." came about) canteen.


Some early shots of the DID Captain "Millers" headsculpt (Tom Hanks as Captain John H Miller from "Saving Private Ryan")


Main reason for these pictures was to show off the very well produced 1/6 scale Leather Boots which would be completed covered by the Cloth Leggings once everything is fully assembled.

These are 1/6 scale versions of the 1943 issued "fleshout" service shoes. They were made with the rough, flesh side of the leather on the outside, supposedly to give better protection against wet. To save leather, they were made without toe caps.

DID Captain "Millers" weapons include the M1A1 Thompson .45 caliber Sub-Machine Gun (made of metal and wood) with 30-round removable magazine (metal, not plastic), M1911A1 .45 caliber Colt semi-automatic pistol with sliding charger and removable magazine, and M3 fighting knife with M8 scabbard (or sheath)

Close-up of the metal M3 fighting knife with M8 scabbard. You can also make out the fine details and craftsmanship of the 1/6 scale M1911A1 .45 caliber Colt semi-automatic pistol with sliding charger and removable magazine made by DID.

The interesting thing is that the M8 scabbard comes with a strap for tying the knife to his lower leg like what paratroopers do but not what Rangers practise. What's even stranger is that in the preview pictures, DID Captain "Millers" has the handle of his combat knife sticking out from behind his left shoulder. What's up with that? That's not how the WWII US Army Ranger carries his knife.

Check out the metal buckle details of the carrying strap of DID's Captain "Millers" M1A1 Thompson .45 caliber Sub-Machine Gun - EXCEPTIONAL

Other stuff a Second World War US G.I. needs - Foldable E-Tool (Entrenching Tool), Water Canteen, M5 Assault Gas Mask Bag (water-proofed,of course), M1926 US Navy lifebelt (Waist Life Preserver)

Thompson Ammo Satchel (ammunition bag for Thompson or M3 "grease gun" magazines) and Map Satchel. Note the E-Tool with spade set in the other position.

And then there's the wooden crate for storing the M1A1 Bangalore Torpedo Section

The wooden crate even has miniature metal catches with working hinges. The three-section M1A1 Bangalore Torpedo is made of metal too. Dragon Models had produced and released these Bangalore torpedoes way back in 2004 when they released their D-Day 60th anniversary commemorative figure, a 1/6 scale 12-inch US Army 29th Infantry Division soldier "Mike Connolly" at Omaha Beach on that fateful day - June 6, 1944 (D-Day). It even came with a Diorama base. See my full review with pictures HERE.

DID 1/6 scale 12-inch WWII US Army 2nd Ranger Captain "Millers" with his Wool Shirt, HBT (herringbone twill) Pants and M41 Jacket

Miniature Captain bars and Infantry collar pins made of metal on his 1/6 scale Wool Shirt

Over his shirt and pants he wears his M1941 Jacket

And over the jacket Captain "Millers" wears the Ranger Vest. These were the US assault vest, similar to the British "battle jerkin" upon which it was modeled. Although rarely worn by troops other than the Rangers, the US assault vest was issued to men of the 29th Infantry Division for the Normandy landings.

I wanted to show the details of the back of the Ranger Vest before it becomes obscured from view by the E-Tool when Captain "Millers" is fully kitted out.

Next post: DID Captain "Millers" gets ready for the Normandy landing on "Omaha" beach.

Related posts:
- G.I. Joe "Saving Private Ryan" Tom Hanks Figure posted HERE
- DID 1/6 scale 12-inch WWII US Army 2nd Ranger Marksman "Private Daniel" (with Barry Pepper likeness as he appeared in "Saving Private Ryan") - pictures HERE
- Pictures of a bunch of 1/6 scale G.I.s on June 6, 1944: D-Day
- "Saving Private Ryan" - Dragon Captain Miller with customised Tom Hanks headsculpt and kitbashed Private First Class James Francis Ryan (Matt Damon)
- 1/6 scale Matt Damon as Private First Class James Francis Ryan of Baker Company, 1st Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division