1/6 scale S.W.A.T. 12-inch Action Figures - We really need more of them to form a bigger team!

Remember when 1/6 scale Norman Stansfield called for "EVERYONE"? See my earlier post HERE of bad cop Stansfield and good cop of Gotham City Police Department Jim Gordon with a bunch of 12-inch S.W.A.T. figures. Well, here's "everyone" that were gathered for that particular toy blog post i.e. some of the 1/6 scale S.W.A.T. 12-inch figures I had assembled for the photo shoot :)

S.W.A.T. (special weapons and tactics) teams are elite tactical units found in various law enforcement agencies trained to perform high-risk operations that fall outside of the abilities of regular officers. SWAT team members' duties include: performing hostage rescues and counter-terrorism operations; serving high risk arrest and search warrants; subduing barricaded suspects; and engaging heavily-armed criminals. They are often equipped with specialized firearms including submachine guns, assault rifles, breaching shotguns, riot control agents, stun grenades, and sniper rifles. They have specialized equipment including heavy body armor, ballistic shields, entry tools, armored vehicles, advanced night vision optics, and motion detectors for covertly determining the positions of hostages or hostage takers inside enclosed structures.

If you didn't manage to get a good look at who's who that were posing for pictures because the focus was on the two main cops, here's your chance to see the nine S.W.A.T. action figures I picked for the shoot. There are more but the camera angle can only take in that much ;p Scroll down to see who they are.

October 7 – The Day the War in Afghanistan Began with U.S. Special Forces leading the way

continued from earlier post "Remembering 9/11"...

In the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks, many U.S. citizens held the view that the attacks had "changed the world forever." The Bush administration announced a war on terrorism, with the goal of bringing Osama bin Laden and al-Qaeda to justice and preventing the emergence of other terrorist networks. These goals would be accomplished by means including economic and military sanctions against states perceived as harboring terrorists and increasing global surveillance and intelligence sharing.

On October 7, 2001, the War in Afghanistan began when U.S and British forces initiated aerial bombing campaigns in Afghanistan targeting Taliban and Al-Qaeda camps, then later invaded Afghanistan with ground troops of the Special Forces. This was the second-largest operation of the U.S. Global War on Terrorism outside of the United States, and the largest directly connected to terrorism, resulting in the overthrow of Taliban rule in Afghanistan, by a U.S.-led coalition.

The War in Afghanistan began on October 7, 2001, as the armed forces of the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and the Afghan United Front (Northern Alliance) launched Operation Enduring Freedom. The primary driver of the invasion was the September 11 attacks on the United States, with the stated goal of dismantling the al-Qaeda terrorist organization and ending its use of Afghanistan as a base. The United States also said that it would remove the Taliban regime from power and create a viable democratic state. More than a decade into the war, NATO forces continue to battle a widespread Taliban insurgency, and the war has expanded into the tribal area of neighboring Pakistan. The War in Afghanistan is also the United States' longest running war.

1/6th scale World War II Allied Forces Pilots and Air Crewman 12-inch action figures gathered

G.I. Joe wasn't just named 20th Century's Top Toy (see my earlier post HERE) for no reason. G.I. Joe is the Father of all 1/6th scale 12-inch figures and subsequent action figures as well.

While toy company Mattel could barely keep up with demand for its Barbie dolls in the early 1960s, its competitor, Hasbro, realized the market had no equivalent for boys. In 1963, Hasbro began development on a military-themed line of dolls that, like Barbie, could be accessorized with different outfits and equipment. Boys wouldn't want to be seen playing with dolls, so the word "doll" was never used by Hasbro or anyone involved in the development or marketing of G.I. Joe. "Action figure" was the only acceptable term, and has since become the generic description for any poseable doll intended for boys. "America's movable fighting man" is a registered trademark of Hasbro, and was prominently displayed on every boxed figure package.

Because of the success of Hasbro's G.I. Joe line, there began a new breed of buyers who bought the toys not to play with them but to collect and pose them and these 12-inch figures became 1/6th scale collectibles. Fueled by the demand for collectibles, companies began manufacturing and releasing 1/6th scale outfits and figures for the collector market, no longer targeting boys but grown men who were keen and eager for more detailed uniforms and accessories.

Some of the cast of Saving Private Ryan in 1:6th scale - 12-inch Miller, Jackson, Caparzo & Ryan

I had to do it :) After getting the Dragon Models Limited (DML) 1/6th scale Private First Class "Cappy" - World War II US Army Ranger (2nd Battalion, France 1944) 12-inch military action figure (see earlier post), I wanted a group shot of the 1/6th scale cast from "Saving Private Ryan" that I have in my 12-inch figure collection. Not all of them are here but enough to make an impression for me :)

Let's see who I have in 1/6th scale so far (from left to right): Vin Diesel as Private First Class Adrian Caparzo, Barry Pepper as marksman Private Daniel Jackson, Tom Hanks as Captain John H. Miller and Matt Damon as paratrooper Private First Class James Francis Ryan

Just some 1/6th scale 12-inch fighting Marines from the United States Marine Corps (USMC)

The United States Marine Corps (USMC) is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States. The Marine Corps has served in every American armed conflict and attained prominence in the 20th century when its theories and practices of amphibious warfare proved prescient and ultimately formed the cornerstone of the Pacific campaign of World War II. By the mid-20th century, the Marine Corps had become the dominant theorist and practitioner of amphibious warfare. Its ability to rapidly respond on short notice to expeditionary crises gives it a strong role in the implementation and execution of American foreign policy.

As of 2010 the United States Marine Corps included just under 203,000 active duty Marines and just under 40,000 reserve Marines. The Marine Corps is larger than the armed forces of many significant military powers, being larger than the active duty Israel Defense Forces and the active duty British Army. [source: wiki]

The Marine Corps has the most stable and most recognizable uniforms in the American military; the Blue Dress dates back to the early 19th century and the service uniform to the early 20th century. Marines have three main uniforms: Dress, Service, and Utility. The Utility Uniform, currently the Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform, is a camouflage uniform intended for wear in the field or for dirty work in garrison, though it has now been standardized for regular duty. It is rendered in a distinctive MARPAT pixelated camouflage (sometimes referred to as digitals or digies) that breaks up the wearer's shape, and serves to distinguish Marine uniforms from those of other services.

Random 1/6 scale WWII 12-inch Military Figures (Germans and Italian)

Besides Germans in the desert (see my previous post), these are some of the 1/6 scale WWII German 12-inch military figures I have in my collection and they were all produced by various manufacturers, from Dragon Models Limited (DML) to BBI (Blue Box International) Elite Force to Hot Toys and DiD (Dragon in Dream). It's always nice to see and compare the various standards and note the improvements that have been made in the production of 1/6 figures.

The first 1/6 scale WWII German 12-inch military figure I chose to feature is most appropriate as it is one of those that started the 1/6 resurgence and renewed interest in 12-inch figures after the exit of G.I. Joe 12-inch figures in 1976 and Action Man in 1984. Hasbro tried to relaunch their G.I. Joe 12-inch figures in the early 1990s through their Hall of Fame figures but it was these 1/6 military figures released by Dragon Models Limited in 1999 that really re-ignited keen interest in 12-inch figures.

Wiking Division Panzer Officer (Obersturmfuhrer) "Fritz" 

This 1999 released DML World War II Wiking Division Panzer Officer (Obersturmfuhrer) "Fritz" (pictured above) came with Black field jacket with SS runes & rank (right & left collars), SS eagle on left sleeve, Wiking cuff title & Tank Battle badge, field grey shirt with black tie, black trousers, ankle boots, M1943 2-button field cap with 'Totenkopf' badge in front & SS eagle emblem worn on the left side, leather belt with hard shell leather holster for the P-38 pistol, mapcase, 'Dienstglas' binoculars, Headphones & throat microphone.

SEAL Team 6: The Ones Resonsible For Osama Bin Laden's Demise

Osama bin Laden, the terror mastermind was killed by Navy SEALs in an intense firefight. The military team that killed Osama Bin Laden (see my earlier post "Osama Bin Laden is DEAD! Good Riddance") is an elite special forces group unofficially called Navy SEAL Team 6. U.S. officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, say units from SEAL Team Six dropped into bin Laden's high-walled compound in Pakistan early Monday morning, sliding down ropes in the pre-dawn dark.

U.S. counter-terrorism officials considered bombing the place - A drone strike on the compound was considered but ruled out because of the danger of killing large numbers of Pakistani civilians.

Instead, President Obama signed an order on Friday for a team of SEALs to chopper onto the compound under the cover of darkness. According to officials who declined to be identified by name, bin Laden was shot in the head during a firefight, and his body was identified to near 100 percent certainty through DNA testing. Photo analysis by the CIA, confirmation by a woman believed to be one of bin Laden's wives, who was also at the compound, and matching physical features added confirmation, they said.

BBI Elite Force 1:6 US Army Apache Pilot 12-inch Figure

This is the BBI Elite Force Aviator series 1:6 scale 12-inch U.S. Army Apache Helicopter Pilot "Marshall" action figure. The Apache AH-64 is the United States Army’s primary attack helicopter. Its principal mission being the destruction of high-value targets using the Hellfire missile. The Apache also employs a 30mm M230 chain gun and Hydra rockets to further enhance its firepower. This twin-engine, four bladed helicopter has all weather capability and is equipped with Target Acquisition Designation sight (TADS) and a Pilot Night Vision Sensor (PNVS) allowing its two man crew to participate in both day and night operations. The Apache is both designed and well equipped to fight and survive during day, night and adverse weather.

BBI "Elite Force: Terminate" Sniper Assassin "Lucifer"

When I first got this Blue Box Toys (BBI) "Elite Force: Terminate" Sniper Assassin "Lucifer" figure, it was to kitbash a 1/6 scale "Léon" the Professional (see my post HERE and HERE), especially with the unique vest "Lucifer" came with.  But since getting the Heroic "Perfection Killer" figure (pictures posted HERE and HERE) which is more screen-accurate and much closer to Jean Reno as Léon in the movie (also known as The Professional and Léon: The Professional), I decided to revert "Lucifer" back to his original form. I'd taken "Lucifer" and made him an SAS operative in the Falklands war - blog entry posted HERE.

This is more or less how the original BBI sniper assassin "Lucifer" looks like, with Polo Shirt, Trousers, Waist coat with belt & buckle, pistol pouch, Trench coat, Boots, Sunglasses, Knife with sheath, 22 caliber Ruger Mk-3 pistol with two magazines, Flashbang grenades, Flame grenades, Sniper Rifle case, AR-7 Sniper Rifle with Butt plate cover.

BBi Elite Force French Foreign Legionnaire 'Corporal Léon Javert'

Yet another French Foreign Legion military figure (see my previous posts); this is the 1:6 scale BBi Elite Force French Foreign Legionnaire 'Corporal Léon Javert' with Jean-Claude Van Damme likeness

The French Foreign Legion (French: Légion étrangère) is today known as an elite military unit whose training focuses not only on traditional military skills but also on its strong esprit de corps. The Legion is equipped and armed as a rapid deployment force of about 8,200 men. The colors of the legion are Red for Sacrifice and Green for Hope.

1/6 warriors in Iraq, 2003

Here are some 1/6 scale 12-inch USMC military figures released at the time when the war in Iraq just began. Most were released by Dragon Models, some by BBI Elite Force and two by Hot Toys. None of them are in the military market today as other 1/6 manufacturers have taken over the reigns. No one could have seen it coming then when the two big boys then (Dragon and BBI) were going at it tooth and nail.

Right in front is the Hot Toys released USMC sniper from the 23rd Marine Regiment with Dominic Purcell head sculpt.This was one of the last military figures Hot Toys would release before they went "Hollywood" i.e. full throttle into movie licensed merchandise.

BBI Elite Force US Army Green Beret Sniper "Prowler"

Yet another sniper. This one is the BBI Elite Force 1/6 scale 12-inch US Army Special Forces Green Beret Sniper "Prowler", released in 2002.

The box description of the Green Berets: The United States Army Special Forces was formed in 1952 and was commanded by the now legendary Colonel Aaron Banks. In the early days these units wore the trademark “Green Beret” but it was not until 1961 that it was officially approved by President John F. Kennedy. Today the Green Berets are a breed apart. A highly skilled, mature, and superbly trained soldier. Green Berets are unquestionably among the world’s unconventional warfare experts. They are teachers first, and fighters of uncommon physical caliber.

"Prowler" came with Green Kevlar helmet, green beret, OD vest (T-shirt), woodlands camouflage Battle Dress Uniform, body armor, Eagle chest rig/harness with three extra magazines, Sabre radio with headset, boom microphone and PTT (Push To Talk) switch with cord, Special Ops knife and sheath, two M18 Smoke grenades, belt with Beretta M92F/M9 pistol in drop-down holster, two extra pistol magazines, canteen with holder, ammunition pouch, Camelbak Hydration System, map, enhanced M14 DMR (Designated Marksman Rifle) with AN/PEQ-2 laser aiming device, Leupold sniper’s scope and boots.








Close-up of BBI Elite Force "Prowler" US Army Green Beret Sniper head sculpt

BBI Eagle Chest Rig/Harness with three extra magazines (You can view Dragon's 1/6 version of the same chest rig in the previous post)

Green Kevlar helmet, Sabre radio with headset, boom microphone and PTT (Push To Talk) switch with cord

Special Ops knife and sheath

1/6 ammunition pouch and water bottle in carrier plus map in pants side cargo pocket

Camelbak Hydration System (spelled "Gombuck" to get around copyright issues)

Beretta M92F/M9 pistol in drop-down holster. These were early days yet as holsters have improved much since

The 1/6 scale enhanced M14 DMR (Designated Marksman Rifle) with AN/PEQ-2 laser aiming device and Leupold sniper’s scope is exceptional and very well produced with all the fine details

Close-up of the very detailed 1/6 scale Leupold sniper’s scope



Previously posted: 1/6 scale 12" United States Marine Corps (USMC) Sniper code-named "Snake", released by BBI Elite Force in 2001.

A recent newspaper article on snipers in the waters off Somalia - "3 shots, 3 kills" HERE

1/6 George Clooney as Major Archie Gates in "Three Kings"

Besides American actor Jake Gyllenhaal who played US Marine Corps Scout Sniper Anthony Swofford in the 2005 film "Jarhead" on the Gulf War of 1991 (see my post HERE), George Clooney also acted in a Gulf War film in 1999 called "Three Kings", along with Mark Wahlberg, Ice Cube and Spike Jonze.

In "Three Kings", four US soldiers attempt to steal seized Kuwaiti gold bullion from the Iraqi bunkers but get involved with a badly outgunned and desperate group of Iraqi Shia rebels who have risen against Saddam's regime but were abandoned by the Coalition. The film deals with the aftermath of George H W Bush's appeal to Iraqis to rise up against the tyranny, and the ensuing massacre as Saddam's loyalists put down the popular rebellion, killing many thousands of civilians.

This is a BBI Elite Force head sculpt and body wearing Dragon outfit and gear of 2002. Kitbashed 1/6 George Clooney as US Army Special Ops MAJOR Archie Gates during Operation Desert Storm, Kuwait, February 1991 is wearing Olive Drab (OD) green T-shirt, dog tags, six-colour Desert camouflage Battle Dress Uniform (DBDU), PASGT Body Armor, ALICE (All-purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment) Y-harness with ammo pouches, M67 fragmentation grenades, water canteens, M9 pistol in holster, LC-2 first aid kit, gas mask case, Kevlar helmet with six-colour desert camouflage cover, goggles, M4 carbine, wrist watch and combat boots.

The six-colour Desert Battle Dress Uniform (DBDU), with a base pattern of light tan overlaid with broad swathes of pale olive green, two-tone wide bands of brown, clusters of black-on-white spots scattered over it resulted in it being nicknamed the "chocolate chip" pattern, was worn during this conflict.











Clooney also played a smooth talking, irreverent US Army Special Forces Officer Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Devoe in the 1997 action film, The Peacemaker alongside Nicole Kidman.

BBI Elite Force 1/6 USMC Sniper "Snake"

Another "Snake" but this one has got nothing to do with "Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater" Naked Snake which I'd posted earlier. This is a 1/6 scale 12" United States Marine Corps (USMC) Sniper code-named "Snake", released by BBI Elite Force in 2001. This USMC Sniper "Snake" came complete with a ghillie suit with "strips" (in this instance, fabric strings) which you had to attach yourself piece by piece to the netting on his suit to complete the look. But you must admit, the final outcome is quite satisfying. "Snake" also came with a sniper scarf and t-shirt, camouflaged M40A1 sniper rifle with working bolt, sling and 6 individual bullets, Beretta M9 pistol with removable magazine, web belt with OD holster, SDU-5/E strobe light (in front left pocket), AN/PCR 119 Radio with Handset, Die-cast M16A3 assault rifle with removable clip, MK III Navy knife with sheath, hydration pack, digital watch, and Sniper Spotting scope with stand.









A ghillie suit, or yowie suit, is a type of camouflage clothing designed to resemble heavy foliage. Typically, it is a net or cloth garment covered in loose strips of cloth or twine, sometimes even made to look like leaves and twigs. Snipers wear a ghillie suit to blend into their surroundings when they feel it is important for them to camouflage and hide themselves from enemies or their targets.

Snake's hydration pack hidden under his ghillie suit

MK III Navy knife in sheath

Die-cast M16A3 assault rifle with removable clip - back-up weapon for closer encounters


"Snake's" sidearm: Beretta M9 pistol with removable magazine, holstered until he needs to use it


The M40 is a bolt-action sniper rifle used by the United States Marine Corps. It has had four variants — the M40, the M40A1 the M40A3 and the M40A5. The M40 was introduced in 1966. The changeover to the A1 model was completed in the 1970s, the A3 in the 2000s and the A5 in 2009.

Each M40 is built from a Remington 700 bolt-action rifle, and is extensively modified by USMC 2112 (Armorers) at Marine Corps Base Quantico, using components from a number of suppliers. New M40A3s are being built, and A1s are upgraded to A3s as they rotate into the armory for service and repair. [ source: wiki ]

Accessories as mentioned: Sniper Spotting scope with stand, AN/PCR 119 Radio with Handset, digital watch and 6 "bullets" (these has since been improved to real "full metal jackets")

Close-up of the sniper spotting scope

And AN/PCR 119 Radio with Handset

In addition to marksmanship, military snipers are also trained in camouflage, field craft, infiltration, reconnaissance and observation techniques.

Tom Berenger played US Marine Sniper Thomas Beckett in the film "Sniper (1993)" whose job was to seek out rebels and remove them using his sniper skills. One of the scenes I remembered from the movie was when he crawled inch by inch to take up a shooting position in his ghillie suit whilst surrounded by Panamanian rebels. It really showed how the ghillie suit worked in that situation.

A recent newspaper article on snipers in the waters off Somalia - "3 shots, 3 kills" HERE