Incoming: DAM 1/6 Grenadier 75th Ranger, Operation Gothic Serpent SOMALIA 1993

Once called VTS which stood for Virtual ToyS, the company that started producing these 1:6 scale Black Hawk Down 12-inch military figures has changed its name to DAM (Don't Ask Me - haha just kidding) and has released these preview pictures of their next figure in line. The next DAM figure to be released will be a 1/6 scale Grenadier from the 75th Ranger Regiment of TASK FORCE RANGER during Operation Gothic Serpent which occurred in SOMALIA, 1993. I am liking this figure a lot :) you have to scroll down to see why.

These 1:6 scale 12-inch military figures might have been based on the real Rangers who were stationed in Somalia from August to October 1993 when Operation Gothic Serpent took place but the head sculpts are based on the actors who played the Rangers in the film "BLACK HAWK DOWN", released in 2001 and directed by Ridley Scott. The first figure previewed earlier was Chalk Leader (pictures HERE), based on actor Josh Hartnett whose role as SSG Matt Eversmann was based on Staff Sergeant Matt Eversmann, US Army Ranger, leader of Chalk 4.

This 1/6 scale 75th Ranger Regiment Grenadier from Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion is based on actor Ewan McGregor's role as SPC John "Grimesey" Grimes, a combat hungry desk clerk, role based on John Stebbins. Ewan McGregor is perhaps best known for his roles as heroin addict Mark Renton in the drama Trainspotting (1996), young Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi in the Star Wars prequel trilogy (1999–2005), and poet Christian in the musical film Moulin Rouge! (2001).

This DAM 1/6 Grenadier 75th Ranger, Operation Gothic Serpent SOMALIA 1993 12-inch military figure will come with real-like head sculpt and 12-inch male body, OD (Olive Drab) GI (General Issue) T-shirt, 3-color desert camouflage battle dress uniform (DCU), US flag patch, Ranger Body Armor RBA (Woodland camouflage), PASGT (Personnel Armor System for Ground Troops) helmet with 6-color desert camouflage cloth cover and identify band, Sun, Wind, and Dust Goggles (SWDG), Nomex Flight Gloves, Military watch, GI Rappelling Gloves, ALTA knee pads and Altama desert boots.

Ranger Grenadier SPC Grimes has on him the ALICE (All Purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment) system comprising belt and Y-webbing / suspender, M16 ammunition pouch x 2, compass / first aid case, canteen and canteen cover, buttpack and M79 grenadier vest.

He is armed with the M16A2 Assault rifle with M203 Grenade launcher, 40mm M676 Coverage smoke grenade X 4, 40mm M443I High Explosive grenade X 20, M26A1 Fragmentationgrenade X 3, M16 magazine X 6 and M9 Bayonet in scabbard.

Black Hawk Down is a 2001 American war-drama film depicting the Battle of Mogadishu, a raid integral to the United States' effort to capture Somali warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid. It is based on the book of the same name by Mark Bowden, which chronicles the events of the battle. The film is co-produced and directed by Ridley Scott, director of Gladiator. The film stars a largely ensemble cast, starring Josh Hartnett, Ewan McGregor, Tom Sizemore, Jason Isaacs, Eric Bana, William Fichtner and Sam Shepard. The film won Academy Awards for Best Film Editing and Best Sound at the 74th Academy Awards.

The Battle of Mogadishu (also referred to as Black Hawk Down in popular culture) or for Somalis: the Day of the Rangers (Somali: Maalintii Rangers) was part of Operation Gothic Serpent and was fought on October 3 and 4, 1993, in Mogadishu, Somalia, between forces of the United States supported by UNOSOM II and Somali militia fighters loyal to the self-proclaimed president-to-be Mohamed Farrah Aidid who had support from armed civilian fighters.

Task Force Ranger—which consisted of an assault force made up of US Army Delta Force, Ranger teams, an air element provided by the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, four Navy SEAL operators from SEAL Team Six and members of the Air Force Pararescue / Air Force Combat Controllers under the command of Major General William F. Garrison executed an operation that involved traveling from their compound on the outskirts of the city to the center with the aim of capturing the leaders of the Habr Gidr clan, headed by warlord Mohamed Farrah Aidid.

During the operation, two U.S. Black Hawk helicopters were shot down by RPGs and three others were damaged. Some of the wounded survivors were able to evacuate back to the compound, but others remained near the crash sites and were isolated. An urban battle ensued throughout the night.

According to the movie, 19 US Special Operations soldiers were killed, with over 2,000 Somalis dead. Delta Snipers Gary Gordon and Randy Shughart were the first soldiers to be posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor since the Vietnam War. At the time, the battle was the bloodiest involving US troops since the Vietnam war and remained so until the Second Battle of Fallujah in 2004.