SoldierStory 1/6th scale Iraq Special Operations Forces “ISOF” SAW GUNNER 12" action figure

SoldierStory SS107 1/6th scale Iraq Special Operations Forces “ISOF” - SAW GUNNER action figure features: HEAD SCULPT - Modern ISOF life-like head sculpt | HEADGEAR - Ghost balaclava, I.S.O.F. exclusive baseball cap, Sand/black Arab shemagh head scarf | BODY - S2.5 body, Bare weapon hand (1 Pair), Bare feet (1 Pair) | UNIFORM - ISOF camo combat shirt, ISOF black T-shirt, ISOF camo combat pants, Tactical softshell jacket (skull print back), Inner vest, Merrell hiking boots (sewing / new color)

TAC GEAR: Paraclete RAV tactical armor vest, Paraclete RAV tactical armor shoulder pad (1 Pair), Paraclete RAV tactical armor zip-up molle back panel, Paraclete groin protector molle panel, Paraclete large utility pouch, Paraclete small utility pouch, Paraclete medic molle pouch, Paraclete radio molle pouch, Paraclete grenade molle pouch x 3, Paraclete drop leg dump pouch, Paraclete SAW ammo pouch x 2, Medium utility pouch, SAPI armor plate x 2, 5.56 FASTMAG x 4, EI M4 double magazine pouch, EI admin panel, 9mm double magazine pouch x 2, TCI MAST antenna relocation kit, Shot shell holder (8 shells) x 1, Cable tie x 2, EMT Scissors (red), Carabiner (black lock) x 2, Carabiner, Combat Application Tourniquet (C-A-T), Tourniquet rubber band, Light stick (orange) x 3, IR Light stick x 3, Light stick (yellow / short) x 2, Multi-tool, M67 Hand grenade x 3, Iraq training smoke grenade, M18 smoke grenade, Combat knee pad (1 pair), Combat elbow pad (1 pair), Tactical belt, Gerber LMF survival knife, Gerber LMF survival knife sheath, I.S.O.F. issue safety lanyard, GI M249 SAW ammo box pouch

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Preview Soldier Story 1/6th scale Iraqi Special Operations Forces “ISOF” 12-inch military figure

Iraqi Special Operations Forces (ISOF) are one of Iraq’s premier fighting units. ISOF have been closely mentored by US special operations forces (SOF) from their inception following the 2003 invasion of Iraq. This relationship was substantially reduced when the United States withdrew forces from Iraq in December 2011, but has been re-established in response to ongoing joint operations targeting the so-called Islamic State. As of October 2016, the US SOF personnel advising ISOF have been elements from Bravo company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group. ISOF have featured prominently in recent news, spearheading the push into Mosul. - Source: ARES Hoplite (link HERE)

Soldier Story SS105 1/6th scale Iraqi Special Operations Forces “ISOF” 12-inch military figure features: HEADGEAR - MICH 2000 Helmet (/w skull painted at the back) | ACH Helmet side rail (1 pair) | ACH 4-point chin straps | NVD mounting brackets | PVS14 NVG arm | PVS14 NVG | MS2000 strobe light | Surefire helmet light | Skull face mask | White/black Arab shemagh head scarf | Modern ISOF life-like head sculpt | S2.5 BODY, Bare Hand (1 Pair), Bare Feet (1 Pair)

This figure is supposed to represent an actual native Iraqi Special Forces Operator and not a US "advisor" or operator. Loadout is quite accurate

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Incoming: Very Hot 1/6 scale U.S. Army EOD Uniform Set for 12-inch figures - Hurt Locker?

Before Jeremy Renner became world famous as Clint Barton / Hawkeye in "The Avengers", he came into his own as Sergeant First Class William James in "The Hurt Locker", a 2008 American war film about a three-man Explosive Ordnance Disposal (bomb disposal) team during the Iraq War. The film was directed by Kathryn Bigelow and the screenplay was written by Mark Boal, a freelance writer who was embedded as a journalist in 2004 with an U.S. Army EOD team in Iraq.

Sergeant First Class William James (Jeremy Renner), a battle-tested veteran, arrives as a new team leader of a U.S. Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit during the Iraq War, replacing Staff Sergeant Matthew Thompson (Guy Pearce), who was killed by a radio-controlled 155mm improvised explosive device (IED) in Baghdad. James' maverick methods and attitude lead Sanborn and Eldridge to consider him reckless, and tensions mount. When they are assigned to destroy some explosives in a remote desert area, James returns to the detonation site to pick up his gloves. Sanborn openly contemplates killing James by "accidentally" triggering the explosion, making Eldridge very uncomfortable, but he does nothing.

This upcoming Very Hot release of the 1/6 scale U.S. Army EOD Uniform Set for 12-inch figures Features: ACU Shirt, ACU Pants, Tan Belt, MICH Helmet (woodland camouflage), Interceptor Body Armor (woodland), Gloved Hands, Tactical / Combat Boots, Beretta Pistol with Drop Down Pistol Holster, Water Bladder Pack (ACU), Dust Goggles, Radio with Pouch, Grenade Pouches x 2 (woodland), Double M4 Magazine Pouch x 2 (woodland), Smoke Grenades x 2, Hand Grenades x 2, Water Bottles x 2, Pliers / Wire Cutters x 4, Carabiner, Wrenches x 2, Screwdriver, Hand Saw (actually a snap-off blade knife), Patch Assortment, GP (General Purpose) Pouch (woodland), Leg Subload (woodland), IED, M4 Carbine with Tac Light, ACOG Sight, Laser Pointer, Foregrip, PMags x 4. NOTE: 1/6 scale head sculpt and 12-inch Action Figure body is Not Included (used in pictures for display only)

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Preview Soldier Story 1991 Operation Desert Saber 1/6 USMC "Jarhead" 12" Military Figure

Jarhead is a 2005 biographical drama war film based on U.S. Marine Anthony Swofford's 2003 memoir of the same name, directed by Sam Mendes, starring Jake Gyllenhaal as Swofford with co-stars Jamie Foxx, Peter Sarsgaard, and Chris Cooper. The title comes from the slang term used to refer to U.S. Marines (sometimes by Marines themselves).

Jamie Foxx plays SSgt Sykes. Staff Sergeant Sykes is a Marine lifer. He is Swoff and Troy's training SNCO during Scout Sniper training at Camp Pendleton. If you've been wanting to add a 1990s Gulf War Era 12-inch military figure to your collection, now's the time :) First there was the DAM Toys 1/6 USMC in Persian Gulf War (Desert Storm 1991) 12-inch "Jarhead" Figure (pictures HERE) and now this.

From Soldier Story will come this 1/6 scale USMC 1st Battalion 2nd Marine Division grunt from Operation Desert Saber, Kuwait 1991. The Gulf War (2 August 1990 – 28 February 1991), codenamed Operation Desert Storm (17 January 1991 – 28 February 1991) was a war waged by a UN-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.

Incoming: DAM 1/6 USMC in Persian Gulf War (Desert Storm 1991) 12-inch "Jarhead" Figure

"Jarhead" is a 2005 biographical drama war film based on former United States Marine Anthony Swofford's best-selling 2003 book about his pre-Desert Storm experiences in Saudi Arabia and about his experiences fighting in Kuwait. It was directed by Sam Mendes, starring Jake Gyllenhaal as Swofford with co-stars Jamie Foxx, Peter Sarsgaard, and Chris Cooper. The title comes from the slang term used to refer to U.S. Marines (sometimes by Marines themselves).

Anthony "Swoff" Swofford enlists in the Marines in the late 1980s. He malingers during boot camp, but makes it through as a sniper, paired with the usually-reliable Troy. The Gulf War breaks out, and his unit goes to Saudi Arabia for Desert Shield. After 175 days of boredom, adrenaline, heat, worry about his girlfriend finding someone else, losing it and nearly killing a mate, demotion, latrine cleaning, faulty gas masks, and desert football, Desert Storm begins. In less than five days, it's over, but not before Swoff sees burned bodies, flaming oil derricks, an oil-drenched horse, and maybe a chance at killing. Where does all the testosterone go?

Now from 1/6 manufacturer DAM comes this 1/6th scale USMC in the Persian gulf war (Operation Desert Storm 1991) 12-inch figure with real like head sculpt resembling Jake Gyllenhaal as Swofford with 12-inch action body, OD green t-shirt, Desert camouflage BDU (battle dress uniform) shirt and trousers, BDU belt, Desert camouflage jungle hat, PASGT helmet, Desert camouflage PASGT cover, PASGT flak jacket with Desert camouflage PASGT flak jacket cover, NBC suit, Panama outsole all-leather combat boots.

Incoming from VeryHot: 1/6 scale Correspondent Outfit

A war correspondent is a journalist who covers stories firsthand from a war zone. In the 19th century they were also called Special Correspondents. [ source: wiki ]

War correspondents deliberately go to the most conflict-ridden parts of the world. Once there they attempt to get close enough to the action to provide written accounts, photos, or film footage. Thus, being a war correspondent is often considered the most dangerous form of journalism. On the other hand, war coverage is also one of the most successful branches of journalism. Newspaper sales increase greatly in wartime and television news ratings go up. News organizations have sometimes been accused of warmongering because of the advantages they gather from conflict.

Very Hot 1:6 Sniper in Jungle PREVIEW

Hot on the heels of Zy Toys is Very Hot, trying to play catch up. This is their next release, which is also a sniper (Zy Toys sniper previewed in the previous post) but Very Hot is calling it "Sniper in Jungle" which actually isn't correct at all!

This figure is much more accurate as a USMC Sniper in Iraq circa 2003. In fact, Very Hot practically copied Hot Toys design and released it as their own.

Dragon EOD "William" in full bomb suit REVIEW III

A bomb suit or Blast Suit is a heavy suit of personal armor designed to withstand the force released from a bomb. It is also sometimes referred to as a Demon suit due to the number of people who are killed in the suit. In contrast to ballistic armors, which primarily focus on protecting the torso and head, a bomb suit must protect all parts of the body equally, since a bomb's force always impacts the entire body.

This is the Dragon Models (DML) 1/6 scale 12-inch US Army EOD Squad Leader - Operation Iraqi Freedom - "William" (Sergeant First Class) boxed set with William fully suited up in his bomb suit - a SRS-5 (Search and Reconnaissance Suit Model 5) which is considered the light suit version. Scroll down for pictures of this EOD bomb suit with alternate black helmet version.

Suiting up Dragon EOD "William" with the SRS-5 REVIEW II

continued from an earlier post...

Having seen the contents of the Dragon Models (DML) 1/6 scale 12-inch US Army EOD Squad Leader - Operation Iraqi Freedom - "William" (Sergeant First Class) boxed set, here's a post of the Dragon Sergeant First Class William (Jeremy Renner?) putting on the SRS-5 EOD bomb suit.  

EOD operators gear up in the Search and Reconnaissance Suit Model 5 (SRS-5) to conduct render-safe action. The SRS-5 provides maximum protection against bomb threats, and there are a total of three protective layers to the suit: a Body Cooling System lowers the temperature of the innermost layer, known as the cooling suit; a Biological-Chemical Barrier Suit protects them from contamination; and the outer-most layer protects against blasts and fragmentation in the event of an explosion.

Dragon did not include a step-by-step instructions on how to put on the SRS-5 bomb disposal outfit so I thought I'll document the process to the best of my ability :)

Dragon EOD Squad Leader Sergeant First Class "William" REVIEW 1

This is the recently released Dragon Models (DML) 1/6 scale 12-inch US Army EOD Squad Leader - Operation Iraqi Freedom - "William" (Sergeant First Class). "William" depicts a US Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal Squad Leader during Operation Iraqi Freedom. After the success of the Academy Award-winning 2009 American war film "The Hurt Locker", about a three-man United States Army Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) team during the Iraq War, Dragon was quick to jump on the bandwagon and hope to catch the wave of popularity and demand for figures related to the film.

The box cover shows the figure clad in a bomb suit. The back of the box shows the same figure also wearing the newer ACU (Army Combat Uniform), with older style Interceptor body armor in woodland camouflage and helmet with woodland cover.

Generation Kill

Generation Kill is a 2008 HBO television miniseries (now out on DVD) based on the book of the same name by Evan Wright about his experience as an embedded reporter with the 1st Reconnaissance Battalion‎ of the United States Marine Corps during the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The majority of the characters were drawn from the Second Platoon of the First Reconnaissance Battalion's Bravo Company. Lee Tergesen played embedded reporter Evan Wright. Wright was assigned to the lead vehicle of Bravo Company, which he shared with Sergeant Brad 'Iceman' Colbert, played by Alexander Skarsgård, Corporal Josh Ray Person, played by James Ransone and Lance Corporal Harold James Trombley, played by Billy Lush.

Goodbye Iraq, Hello USA

More than seven years after the US-led invasion toppled Saddam Hussein in Iraq, US combat troops are finally leaving for home.

August 19, 2010: A line of heavily armored American military vehicles, their headlights twinkling in the predawn desert, lumbered past the barbed wire and metal gates marking the border between Iraq and Kuwait early Thursday and rolled into history.

For the troops of the 4th Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, it was a moment of relief fraught with symbolism but lightened by the whoops and cheers of soldiers one step closer to going home. Seven years and five months after the US-led invasion, the last American combat brigade was leaving Iraq, well ahead of President Barack Obama's August 31 deadline for ending US combat operations there.

When 18-year-old Spc. Luke Dill first rolled into Iraq as part of the US invasion, his Humvee was so vulnerable to bombs that the troops lined its floor with flak jackets.

Now 25 and a staff sergeant after two tours of duty, he rode out of Iraq this week in a Stryker, an eight-wheeled behemoth encrusted with armor and add-ons to ward off grenades and other projectiles.

"It's something I'm going to be proud of for the rest of my life — the fact that I came in on the initial push and now I'm leaving with the last of the combat units," he said.

Scatterings of troops still await departure, and some 50,000 will stay another year in what is designated as a noncombat role. They will carry weapons to defend themselves and accompany Iraqi troops on missions (but only if asked). Special forces will continue to help Iraqis hunt for terrorists. [source: jpost]

Pre-order Toymaster War Journalist (Version 2.0)

Remember the sneak peeks I posted about the Toymaster 1:6 Reporter (v 2.0)?

No? Not to worry :) You can now pre-order the new Toymaster 1:6 scale War Journalist (Version 2.0). This set includes a figure who bears some resemblance to Matt Damon (lots of customizing possibilities there - for one: think "Green Zone", the 2010 action thriller war film starring Matt Damon as Chief Warrant Officer Roy Miller on the hunt for WMDs (Weapons of Mass Destruction) in Iraq, March 2003)

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.

Wild Work: 1st Infantry Division in ACU Preview

The 1st Infantry Division of the United States Army (nicknamed The Big Red One after its shoulder patch and The Fighting First) is the oldest division in the United States Army. It has seen continuous service since its organization in 1917.

It was one of the two divisions that stormed Omaha Beach on D-Day, with some of the division's units suffering 30 percent casualties in the first hour of the assault, and secured Formigny and Caumont in the beachhead by the end of the day.

The 1st Infantry Division was also pretty much in the thick of the action in Afghanistan and Iraq. So it's nice that Wild Work has decided to release this US Army 1st Infantry Division modern ACU outfit and gear in 1/6 scale. Lots of goodies to be had.





It features the new IOTV body armor (in high demand since the Hot Toys Airmen was the only instance this body armor was released) and ACU gear

US using Bible-inscribed rifle sights

It was reported in The Straits Times over the last two days that United States troops in Iraq and Afghanistan are using high-powered rifle sights inscribed with coded Bible verses. The religious nature of the inscriptions would appear to violate US military rules that specifically prohibit the proselytising of any religion in Iraq or Afghanistan. The rules were devised in order to quell criticism that the US was on a religious “crusade” in its war against Al-Qaeda, ABC News said.

The sights are made by Trijicon, a Michigan-based company that has a US$660 million multi-year contract to provide hundreds of thousands of units to the US military.

One of the inscriptions, “2COR4:6”, appearing in the same type font and size as the model number, is an apparent reference to 2 Corinthians 4:6 from the New Testament, which reads: “For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.”

A Trijicon spokesman confirmed it adds the coded verses to the sights sold to the US military, adding that there was nothing wrong or illegal in doing so, ABC said. But Michael Weinstein, a lawyer and member of the Military Religious Freedom Foundation, said the use of the inscribed sights is a violation of federal law.

“It violates the Constitution; it violates a number of federal laws,” he told ABC. “It allows... insurrectionists and jihadists to claim they’re being shot by Jesus rifles.”

The US Army and Marine Corps both said their services were unaware of the biblical markings, ABC said. Weinstein said the inscriptions validated claims of “those who are calling this a crusade”.

“It’s literally pushing fundamentalist Christianity at the point of a gun against the people that we’re fighting. We’re emboldening an enemy,” he said.

Full text of the articles can be found below. Click on them to get a better read

Kitbash 1/6 USMC Jarhead

"Jarhead" is the slang term used to refer to Marines (sometimes by Marines themselves). Another term is "Leatherneck". The term "Leatherneck" was derived from a leather stock once worn around the neck by both American and British Marines in the early 19th Century. Its use among enlisted men supposedly improved their military bearing and appearance by forcing the chin high. The dress blue uniform still bears that stock collar today.

Another nickname is "Teufel Hunden" meaning Devil Dogs in German. The title was assigned by German soldiers to U.S. Marines who fought in the Belleau Wood in 1918. The Marines fought with such ferocity that they were likened to "Dogs from Hell." Although unverified by the Germans, the reports were made by American media at the time.

Having looked at the 1/6 ACU (Army Combat Uniform) in an earlier post, now here's a post on a kitbash 1/6 US Marine wearing the Marine Corps Combat Utility Uniform (MCCUU), the current battledress uniform of the United States Marine Corps. It is also worn by US Navy Corpsmen and US Navy Chaplain Corps members assigned to Marine Corps units.

The MCCUU, and its distinctive camouflage pattern MARPAT (MARine PATtern) are exclusive to the Marine Corps and is available in two color schemes, woodland and desert. The Woodland and Desert digital patterns are used by the Marine Corps, replacing the U.S. Woodland pattern and the U.S. Three Color Desert pattern.










Comparing this kitbash USMC MARPAT with the one by BBI - Corporal Tony Bishop from the USMC Expeditionary Unit (more pictures HERE)


Kitback 1/6 U.S. Marine with Hot Toys USMC M249 SAW Gunner (full review HERE)

The Marine motto "Semper Fidelis" means "Always Faithful" in Latin, often appearing as "Semper Fi"

1/6 ACU Comparisons

I received a very encouraging email today from someone in the USA who'll be shipping out to Afghanistan soon:
"WOW... simply amazing!!!! Your collection of Iraq and Afghanistan 1/6 scale figures blew my mind... as a Iraq vet and on my way to Afghanistan I gotta say thanks for your support of the boys and the attention to detail. Even though you are collecting figures of us it means something to me that people care enough about us to spend as much as you have to remember us. I'm guessing its many thousands of $ collection! Plus I can see you research the war and care what happens... endless hours spent on that I'd guess. I think I'll look into getting some of them for my younger cousins and sisters to remember me and the boys while I'm overseas. I had no clue they had figures like the ones I saw on your blog. If you have links to the best sites for purchasing these figures (Iraq and Afghanistan) could you please send them to me!! Congratulation on the beautiful collection. Hoaoh!!!"

And here's a look at some of the 1/6 ACUs in the market, worn by the brave fighting men and women of the United States Army waging war for liberty and freedom in Afghanistan and Iraq, along with the allied nations, in a bid to eradicate terrorism from the world. I want to wish them all the very best and pray that they return home safely to their loved ones!!

DiD 1/6 ACU (Army Combat Uniform) (see earlier post) and BBI 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) trooper "Lucas" - more pictures HERE

DiD 1/6 ACU with Expertoys Ranger Recon in ACU (full review HERE)

DiD 1/6 ACU with Hot Toys US Army 75th Ranger Regiment with SCAR-L (posted HERE)





For purchase of 1/6 figures, here's a link: The Falcon's Hangar. Just so you know, the prices listed are in Singapore dollars and not US so some conversion is required but they have tons of stuff available :> Just let Roy know I sent you.