Soldier Story USMC Francis Hummel - 2012 BBICN JCSH (Shanghai) Exhibition Exclusive

In the 1996 action film "The Rock" which primarily takes place on Alcatraz Island and in the San Francisco Bay Area, Ed Harris was disenchanted USMC Force Recon Brigadier General Francis X. (Frank) Hummel, who led a group of rogue Force Recon Marines in seizing a stockpile of deadly VX gas–armed rockets from a heavily guarded military bunker. They then seize control of Alcatraz during a guided tour and take 81 tourists hostage in the prison cells. Hummel threatens to launch the stolen rockets against the population of San Francisco unless the government pays ransom and reparations to the families of Recon Marines who died on illegal, clandestine missions under his command and whose deaths were not honored.

This is the Soldier Story 1/6th scale USMC Francis Hummel - 2012 BBICN JCSH (Shanghai) Exhibition Exclusive 12-inch military Figure. It is of a USMC Rifleman (I had just posted about the Very Hot USMC Rifleman uniform set in the previous post) in digital Woodlands MARPAT (MARine PATtern) camouflage uniform with similar gear as the Very Hot version, including the M16A4 rifle and the M72 LAW. But unlike VeryHot's version, this Soldier Story 1/6th scale USMC is a top notch figure and the M72 LAW is one-of-a-kind with much improved features (scroll down to see the step-by-step "arming" process). Too bad it's an exhibition exclusive which means limited quantities.

In the movie, Ed Harris as USMC Brigadier General Francis X. (Frank) Hummel wore the urban camouflage uniform and digital camouflage patterns were not even in use then. So this Soldier Story and BBICN exclusive figure looks nothing like the character in "The Rock". All they share is the same name. What's worse? I don't see any Ed Harris likeness in the head sculpt either. Instead I see more of Peter Weller, best known for his role as the title character in the first two RoboCop films.

As a basic USMC (United States Marine Corps) Rifleman figure, this one beats all the rest hands down but as a Francis Hummel wannabe, it is a letdown :( Get it if you want to own a 1/6th scale US Marine Rifleman 12-inch figure but certainly NOT as a Ed Harris / Francis Hummel figure. The head sculpt doesn't even look like the guy.

Obviously price will be a factor as well, seeing as how this will be an exhibition exclusive so unless you can get one first hand which will cost slightly more being an exclusive, otherwise you might have to pay much more for it in the secondary market.

Considering that you might be able to get two VeryHot uniform sets for one Soldier Story figure, it all boils down to what you want to get out of your pocket.

I am also not sure if I want my Marine to be smiling all the time though. That's the problem with facial expressions. I don't think I would like my figure to have a smiley face when displayed. Soldiering might be fun (if not, why do they do it?) but I doubt that they wear the smile on their faces all the time.

Scroll down to see the awesome detailing that can be expected of Soldier Story's 1/6th scale military gear. They are ultra detailed and ultra realistic which makes the 1/6th collecting hobby really fun and satisfying. Everything that is out there in the real world (1:1 scale) can be replicated in miniature scale (1:6 scale). Simply amazing :)

Even the way the pouches are attached to the vest via the strips and loops are just like the real thing

And everything is right where they should be

Check out the ultra detailed 1/6th scale M16A4, the fourth generation of the M16 series and now the standard issue for front-line U.S. Marine Corps

Now check out the Soldier Story 1/6th scale M72 LAW (Light Anti-Tank Weapon, also referred to as the Light Anti-Armor Weapon or LAW as well as LAWS Light Anti-Armor Weapons System), a portable one-shot 66 mm unguided anti-tank weapon.

This has to be the most detailed 1/6th scale M72 LAW ever made :) Scroll down to see the 6-step arming process for this miniature marvel that is the 1:6 M72 LAW. You almost carry out the entire process of arming the rocket launcher and getting it ready for firing as if it's the real deal. Stage 6 even shows the rocket exiting the launcher tube ;p NICE

First and second steps: remove the safety pin and caps / covers of the launcher

Setting up and arming the rocket launcher for firing

M72 LAW set up and ready for firing

FIRE! rocket launched!

And here's the Soldier Story USMC Francis Hummel - 2012 BBICN JCSH (Shanghai) Exhibition Exclusive 12-inch military figure with his gear and weapons all laid out.