ACE Workshop 1/6th scale 1st Cavalry Division RTO "Radioman" figure, OperationDelaware1968

The major field radio of the Vietnam War was the AN/PRC-25. "AN" meant it was a piece of military electronics, not a truck or a weapon or a can of SPAM. "PRC" meant it was a portable radio, "-25" meant it was the 25th one the military had standardized. It was inevitably referred to as a "Prick Twenty-Five" by GIs, or "Prick" for short. The PRC-25 was about the size and weight of a case of soda. With its battery "can" included, call it a case of soda sitting on top of a six-pack. (It actually weighed slightly more than that, 23.5 pounds) There was a handle on each side at the top to carry it. The radio consisted of two parts, both in metal boxes, called "cans." The upper can held the radio itself, the lower can held its battery pack. Metal buckles held the two together. The radio was tough and would easily survive a 50 foot fall from a helicopter onto a metal-planked runway. You could throw the whole thing in the water for an hour, completely submerged, then pull it out and expect it to work.

The RTO (Radio / Telephone Operator) was usually carefully chosen. He had to be someone with experience, who wouldn't get rattled under fire. He had to be able to read maps, too. If something happened to the officer, the RTO would effectively command the unit, calling in fires, getting in medevacs, etc. It was also a dangerous job, since the radio antenna said to the enemy "Shoot ME first!" But an experienced RTO became like a "private secretary" to the officer, anticipating what might be wanted and preparing it in advance. At night, he and the officer, the platoon sergeant, and platoon medic slept close together, alternating radio watch, the "Twenty-Five" within reach of all. RTOs within a unit got to know each other too, and formed a kind of bond, since they did all the communications. There was a "status" to being the RTO. (source: Tour of Duty info)

Ace Workshop has released the BEST Vietnam War military figures to date and that was the Operation Delaware 1968 – 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) 12-inch military figure which was superb! You can check out the preview pictures HERE. It's so good it got me hooked even though I have moved away from collecting military figures to focus on movie-related figures - see my November 2015 haul posted on my toy blog HERE. And now Ace is teasing me with this RTO "Radioman" figure from the Vietnam War era as well. The AN/PRC-25 has a lot of significance to me because I had used it while serving my National Service and am all too familiar with the rather heavy portable radio pack and can understand why the GIs call it the "PRiCk". Radios have become much smaller and less cumbersome since.

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ACE Workshop Vietnam War Operation Delaware 1968 1/6th scale 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) RTO "Radioman" 12-inch figure will come with Head sculpt, Man Mk I body, Painted bare hands, M1 helmet, Mitchell pattern helmet cover, OG 107 jacket (2nd pattern), OG 107 pants (2nd pattern), Patches (1st Cavalry Division 'Airmobile' insignia, name tab & US Army tab), OD green tee, Trouser belt, Olive green towel, US jungle boots, M1967 individual equipment belt, M1967 20-round ammo pouches x 2, M1967 compass pouches x 2, 1 quart canteens x 2, M1967 1 quart canteen covers x 2, M1967 Buttpack, M1967 tri folding E-tools cover, Tarpaulin, PRC-25 Radio with H-138/U handset, Frame ST-138 Radio carrying harness, Antenna pouch, Spare battery for PRC25, MX-991/U Flashlight, Radio, M3 Bandolier, M16 A1 rifle with three prong flash hider, 20-rd magazines x 15 + 1, Rifle sling, M3 Bayonet with sheath, M18 smoke grenade Yellow, M18 smoke grenade Red, M18 smoke grenade Green, GAS CN-DM grenade, M67 grenades x 2, USGI carabineer, GI watch, Montagnard Luck Bracelet, Dog Tags, Necklace with peace symbol sign, Spoon, Insect Repellent, Cigarettes, Toilet paper

I'm getting a Josh Harnett vibe from the ACE Workshop 1st Cavalry Division RTO "Radioman" 1/6th scale head sculpt. Hartnett had starring roles in the epic war film Pearl Harbor and Black Hawk Down.

Related posts:
Dragon Models Limited (DML) 1/6th scale Vietnam War RTO Smith with AN/PRC-25 radio from "We Were Soldiers (2002)" posted on my toy blog HERE
BBI Elite Force 1/6th scale USMC Sniper "Snake" 12-inch figure with AN/PCR 119 Radio and Handset posted HERE
Dragon Models Limited (DML) 1/6th scale WWII USMC Private Ben Yahzee 12-inch figure (Navajo Code Talker) with SCR-300 radio from "Windtalkers (2002)" posted HERE
Hasbro 1/6th scale G.I. Joe USMC Navajo Code Talker 12-inch figure pictures can be seen HERE