DamToys 1/12 Pocket Elite Series U.S. Army 25th Infantry Division Sergeant Action Figure

Platoon is a 1986 American anti-war film written and directed by Oliver Stone, starring Tom Berenger, Willem Dafoe, Charlie Sheen, Keith David, Kevin Dillon, John C. McGinley, Forest Whitaker, and Johnny Depp. The film, based on Stone's experience from the war, follows a U.S. Army volunteer (Sheen) fighting in the war while his two sergeants (Berenger and Dafoe) argue over the leadership of the platoon. Willem Dafoe stars as the hardened and cynical Staff Sergeant Robert "Bob" Barnes.

DamToys 1/12 Pocket Elite Series Army 25th Infantry Division Sergeant features: 1/12 Head sculpt, Dam 1/12 Action Body (Type 2), 1/12 Action Body Hands X8, M1 Helmet（Mitchell Pattern Helmet Cover), 1st Pattern OG 107 Coat (Sleeve Cut), 1st Pattern OG 107 Coat, 2nd Pattern OG 107 Pants, 3rd Pattern Jungle Boots, M1956 Belt, M1956 H Suspenders, M1956 Ammo Pouch With M26 Grenade X2, M1956 Canteens Pouch X2, M1956 E-tool With Cover, Jungle First Aid Kit Pouch, Pistol Holster, ARVN Rucksack, Rope, M7 Bayonet, Ka-bar Knife, FlashLight, M3 Bandolier With M16 Mag, M7A2 Riot CS Grenade, Incen TH Grenade, M1911A1 Pistol (2 Forms), Model 653 M16A1 Carbine, M16 Mag X2

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ACE 1/6th scale Operation “Nevada Eagle” 1968-1969 101st Airborne Division Sergeant Popeye

Operation NEVADA EAGLE (17 May 1968 to 28 Feb 69) was the largest single campaign ever fought by the 101st Airborne Division. This operation was designed to clear and secure the lowlands of Thua Thien province in Northern I Corps and to deny all NVA and VC forces operating in the area the ability to capture the ripening rice crop growing in the rich coastal plain north and south of Hue.

ACE 1/6th scale Operation “Nevada Eagle” 1968-1969 101st Airborne Division Sergeant Popeye 12-inch figure features: 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), M68 flak jacket, Patches (101st Airborne Division, name tab & US Army tab), OD green tee, Trouser belt, Olive green towel, US spike protective jungle boots 3rd pattern DMS spike sole, M1956 suspenders, M1967 individual equipment belt, M1956 compass pouches x 2, M1956 20 rd ammo pouches x 2, Pistol magazines pouch, Jungle first aid pouch, 1 quart canteens x 2, M1956 1 quart canteen covers x 2, M17 gas mask bag, MX-991/U flashlight, M3 Bandolier, M16 A1 rifle w/ three prong flash hider, 20rd magazines x 15 + 1pcs, Rifle sling, M1911A1 pistol, Western style gun holster, M18 smoke grenade red, M18 smoke grenade violet, M67 grenades x 2, USGI carabineer, GI watch, Dog tags, Insect repellent, Toilet paper, Toothbrush

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Dam Toys 1/12th scale Pocket Elite Series Vietnam War Army 25th Infantry Division Private

Pre-order DAMTOYS PES004 1/12 POCKET ELITE SERIS ARMY 25th Infantry Division Private Figure at KGHobby (link HERE)

Platoon is a 1986 American anti-war film written and directed by Oliver Stone, starring Tom Berenger, Willem Dafoe, and Charlie Sheen. It is the first film of a trilogy of Vietnam War films directed by Stone, followed by Born on the Fourth of July (1989) and Heaven & Earth (1993). Stone wrote the screenplay based upon his experiences as a U.S. infantryman in Vietnam, to counter the vision of the war portrayed in John Wayne's The Green Berets. Platoon was the first Hollywood film to be written and directed by a veteran of the Vietnam War.

Platoon won the Academy Award for Best Picture of 1986; it also won Best Director for Oliver Stone, as well as Best Sound Mixing and Best Film Editing.

In 1967, U.S. Army volunteer Chris Taylor (Charlie Sheen) arrives in South Vietnam and is assigned to an infantry platoon of the 25th Infantry Division near the Cambodian border. The platoon is officially led by the young and inexperienced Lieutenant Wolfe (Mark Moses), but in reality the soldiers defer to two of his older and more experienced subordinates: the hardened and cynical Staff Sergeant Robert "Bob" Barnes (Tom Berenger), and the more idealistic Sergeant Elias (Willem Dafoe).

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Ace Toys 1/6th scale US (Mobile Strike Force Command) MIKE Force “Baron” 12-inch figure

The Mobile Strike Force Command, or MIKE Force, was a key component of United States Army Special Forces in the Vietnam War. They served with indigenous soldiers selected and trained through the largely minority Civilian Irregular Defense Group (CIDG) and were led by American SF and Australian Army Training Team Personnel AATTV. MIKE Force was a force multiplier, operating what is today called a Foreign Internal Defense mission.

MIKE Force was active under MACV, Army Special Forces, from 1964 to 1970 and under ARVN until 1974. MIKE Force waged special warfare against the Viet Minh, NLF (Viet Cong), and PAVN (North Vietnamese Army) liberation forces in various detachments, volunteering in support of MIKE Force missions. MIKE Force's mission was to act as a country-wide quick reaction force for securing, reinforcing, and recapturing CIDG A Camps, as well as to conduct special reconnaissance patrols. Search and rescue and search and destroy missions were also assigned. The conventional unit alternative to Special Forces detachments like MIKE was Tiger Force, which was primarily tasked with counter-guerrilla warfare against enemies from behind their lines that emphasized body-count rather than force multiplication.

ace new product (#13032) MIKE Force “Baron” 12-inch figure features: Head sculpt, Man Mk I body, Painted bare hands, Beret, Advisor's type sparse pattern - ADS (Golden Tiger) boonie hat (short brim), Advisor's type sparse pattern - ADS (Golden Tiger) combat jacket, Advisor's type sparse pattern - ADS (Golden Tiger) combat trouser, MIKE force scarf, OD green tee, GI trouser belt, Patches (MIKE force & name tab), US spike protective jungle boots 3rd pattern DMS spike sole, Suspenders for BAR belt, M1937 BAR belt, M1956 compass pouches x 2, M1942 carlisle bandage pouch x 2, Jungle first aid pouch, 1 quart canteens x 2, M1956 1 quart canteen covers (modified) x 2, M1961 combat field pack "butt pack", CIDG rucksack, M16 A1 rifle “three prong flash hider vision”, Rifle sling, 20-rd magazines x 12 + 1 pc, Ka-bar combat knife w/ sheath, White phosphorus smoke grenade, M18 smoke grenade violet, INCEN TH grenade, M26 grenades x 2, MX-991/U flashlight, USGI carabineer, GI watch, Dog Tags

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Dam Toys History Series 1/6th scale Vietnam War U.S. Marine (Tet Offensive, 1968) 12" figure

The Tet Offensive was one of the largest military campaigns of the Vietnam War, launched on January 30, 1968, by forces of the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese People's Army of Vietnam against the forces of the South Vietnamese Army of the Republic of Vietnam, the United States Armed Forces, and their allies. It was a campaign of surprise attacks against military and civilian command and control centers throughout South Vietnam. The name of the offensive comes from the Tết holiday, the Vietnamese New Year, when the first major attacks took place.

Though initial attacks stunned both the US and South Vietnamese armies, causing them to temporarily lose control of several cities, they quickly regrouped, beat back the attacks, and inflicted heavy casualties on North Vietnamese forces. In the 1987 British-American war film "Full Metal Jacket" directed and produced by Stanley Kubrick, the storyline follows a platoon of U.S. Marines through their training and the experiences of two of the platoon's Marines in the Tet Offensive during the Vietnam War. Adam Baldwin stars as "Animal Mother", an M60 machine gunner. The M60 later served in the Vietnam War as a squad automatic weapon with many U.S. units. Every soldier in the rifle squad would carry an additional 200 linked rounds of ammunition for the M60, a spare barrel, or both. During the Vietnam War, the M60 received the nickname "The Pig" due to its bulky size.

Dam Toys No.78038 History Series 1/6th scale Vietnam War U.S. Marine (Tet Offensive, 1968) 12-inch figure Parts list: Head sculpt, Dam 3.0 Action Body (With Muscle Arm), Hands For Holding Weapon X5, M1 Helmet, Mitchell Pattern Helmet Cover, T-Shirt, 2Nd Pattern OG 107 Pants, Trouser Belt, USMC M1955 Flack Vest, 3Rd Pattern Jungle Boots, M1956 Belt, USMC Jungle First Aid Kit Pouch, M1911A1 Pistol, M1911A1 .45 Mag X2, M1911A1 .45 Mag Pouch, M1916 Leather Pistol Holster, USMC Ka-Bar Knife, Leather Sheath, 1 Quart Canteen X3, M1944 Canteens Pouch X2, M17A1 Gas Mask, Gas Mask Bag, ARVN Rucksack, Nylon Poncho, M18 Smoke Grenade X2, INCHN TH Grenade, M26 Grenade X3, Carabineer, Watch, Insect Repellent, Toothbrush, Weapons Oil, Cigarette Pack X2, Smoking Cigarette, M60 Machine Gun, M60 7.62mm Linked Ammo (Metal), M60 7.62Mm Linked Ammo Belt X3, M60 Cloth, Ammo Bandoleer With Ammo

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ace new product: 1/6th scale LRRPs - Long-Range Reconnaissance Patrol “Cobra” figure

A long-range reconnaissance patrol, or LRRP (pronounced "lurp"), is a small, heavily-armed reconnaissance team that patrols deep in enemy-held territory. The concept of scouts date back to the origins of warfare itself. However, in modern times these specialized units evolved from examples such as Rogers' Rangers in colonial British America, the Lovat Scouts in World War One, the Long Range Desert Group and the Special Air Service in the Western Desert Campaign and North West Europe, similar units such as Force 136 in East Asia, and the special light infantry units in the Finnish Army during the Second World War.

In December 1965, the 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, formed a LRRP platoon, and by April 1966, the 1st Infantry Division, 25th Infantry Division and each of the four Battalions of the 173rd Airborne Brigade formed LRRP units as well. On 8 July 1966, General William Westmoreland authorized the formation of a (LRRP) unit in each infantry brigade or division in Vietnam. By 1967 formal LRRP companies were organized, most having three platoons, each with five six-man teams equipped with VHF/FM AN/PRC-25 radios. LRRP training was notoriously rigorous and team leaders were often graduates of the U.S. Army's 5th Special Forces Recondo School in Nha Trang, Vietnam.

ace new product: 1/6th scale LRRPs - Long-Range Reconnaissance Patrol “Cobra” Product Details: Head sculpt, Man Mk I body, Painted bare hands, Tiger stripe (Tadpole Sparse pattern) Beret, ERDL lime combat jacket, ERDL lime combat pants, Green scarf, OD green tee, GI Trouser belt, US Spike Protective Jungle Boots 3rd pattern DMS Spike Sole, M1956 Suspenders, M1967 individual equipment belt, M1956 20rd ammo pouch x 2, M1956 compass pouch x 2, 1 quart canteen x 2, M1956 1 quart canteen cover x 2, M1961 Combat Field Pack "Butt Pack", VS-17 Signal Marker, Jungle first aid pouch, Radio with H-138/U handset, Antenna pouch, Spare battery for PRC25, P68 rucksack frame, M79 Bandolier, 3 round plastic spacers x 2, Rope, M16 A1 rifle “three prong flash hider vision” with XM148 Grenade Launcher, 20-round magazine x 15 + 1 pc, 40mm grenade x 6, Ka-bar combat knife with sheath, XM-58 CS pocket grenade, M18 smoke grenade violet, INCEN TH grenade, GAS CN-DM grenade, M26 grenades x 2, M127 A1 signal flares x 2, Serum albumin, USGI carabineer, Dog Tags

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ace new product: Battle of Hamburger Hill 1969 - 1/6th scale 101st Airborne Division 12-inch figure

The Battle of Hamburger Hill was a battle of the Vietnam War that was fought by the United States and South Vietnam against North Vietnamese forces from May 10–20, 1969 (main part of Operation Apache Snow). Although the heavily fortified Hill 937 was of little strategic value, U.S. command ordered its capture by a frontal assault, only to abandon it soon thereafter. The action caused a controversy both in the American military and public.

The battle was primarily an infantry engagement, with the U.S. Airborne troops moving up the steeply-sloped hill against well entrenched troops. Attacks were repeatedly repelled by the North Vietnamese People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) defenses. Bad weather also hindered operations. Nevertheless, the Airborne troops took the hill through direct assault, causing extensive casualties to the NVA forces.

U.S. losses during the ten-day battle totalled 72 KIA and 372 WIA. To take the position, the 101st Airborne Division eventually committed five infantry battalions and ten batteries of artillery. In addition, the U.S. Air Force flew 272 missions and expended more than 500 tons of ordnance. U.S. estimates of the losses incurred by the 7th and 8th Battalions of the 29th NVA Regiment included 630 dead (discovered on and around the battlefield); including many found in makeshift mortuaries within the tunnel complex. Yet no one could count the NVA running off the mountain, those killed by artillery and air strikes, the wounded and dead carried into Laos or the dead buried in collapsed bunkers and tunnels.

ace new product: Battle of Hamburger Hill 1969 - 1/6th scale 101st Airborne Division 12-inch figure Product Details: 100% hand-made realistic weathering, 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), Pullover wet weather parka, M68 flak jacket, Patches (101st Airborne Division, name tab & US Army tab), OD green tee, Trouser belt, Olive green towel, US Spike Protective Jungle Boots 3rd pattern DMS Spike Sole, M1956 suspenders, M1967 individual equipment belt, M1956 20 rd ammo pouches x 2, M1956 compass pouches x 2, Jungle first aid pouch, 1 quart canteens x 2, M1956 1 quart canteen covers x 2, M17 gas mask bag, M18A1 Claymore Mine Bag, M1951 entrenching tool, M1956 entrenching tool cover, Tarpaulin, MX-991/U flashlight, M3 Bandolier, M16 A1 rifle w/ three prong flash hider, 20-rd magazines x 15 + 1pcs, Rifle sling, M3 Bayonet w/ sheath, M18 smoke grenade red, M18 smoke grenade violet, GAS CN-DM grenade, AN-M8 smoke grenade, M67 grenades x 2, USGI carabineer, GI watch, Dog Tags, Insect Repellent, Toilet paper

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Ace new product: 1/6th scale Operation Cliff Dweller IV 1970 - 25th Infantry Division soldier

MISSION: The primary concept of Operation Cliff Dweller IV was to sweep the northeastern slope of Nui Ba Den, killing and/or capturing as many enemy as possible to include supplies and materials which could be used by the enemy.

On 4 January 1970, Operation Cliff Dweller IV commenced. The concept of the operation was to have two infantry companies sweep down the northeastern slope of the mountain and set up blocking positions a short distance from the bottom. A third infantry company would sweep the base of the mountain from southeast to northwest, link up with the other two companies and all three would sweep through the rock slide area (XT279603) to the base of the mountain.

At 0800 hours on 4 January the first of eight CH-47 sorties landed. Full report can be read HERE

Ace 1/6th scale Operation Cliff Dweller IV 1970 - 25th Infantry Division 12-inch soldier features: 100% hand-made realistic weathering, 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 (25th Infantry Division, name tab & US Army tab), OD green tee, Trouser belt, Olive green towel, US jungle boots DMS spike protective panama sole, M1956 suspenders, M1967 individual equipment belt, M1956 20 rd ammo pouches x 2, M1956 compass pouches x 2, Jungle first aid pouch, 1 quart canteen x 2, M1956 1 quart canteen cover x 2, 2 quart canteen, 2 quart canteen cover 2nd pattern, M17 gas mask bag, M1951 entrenching tool, M1956 entrenching tool cover, P68 lightweight rucksack, P68 rucksack frame, Tarpaulin, MX-991/U flashlight, M3 Bandolier, M16 A1 rifle with three prong flash hider, 20-rd magazines x 15 + 1, Rifle sling, M3 Bayonet w/ sheath, M1942 machete w/ sheath, M18 smoke grenade yellow, M18 smoke grenade green, M18 smoke grenade violet, INCEN TH grenade, M67 grenades x 2, USGI carabineer, GI watch, Dog Tags, Cigarettes, Matches, Rifle Bore Cleaner, Plastic Spoon, Playing cards (ACE) x 2

Is that Justin Bieber under the helmet? Just imagine him in the jungles of Vietnam...

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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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November 2015 haul: Hot Toys Avengers: AOU Thor, BTTF Marty McFly, Diamond 4 & Vietnam

My haul at the start of the month of November 2015 :)

I cannot believe the year is coming to a close already. One more month and then we embrace the year 2016! It has certainly been a blessed year with lots of things to enjoy. For a 1:6 scale collector and action figure reviewer like me, the passion is still going strong after all these years. How many years? I've been collecting since 1994 so this year makes it 21 years of toy / figure collecting; and I still get a kick / rush whenever I open the box to check out the figure inside. Until that fire is extinguished or goes away, I guess I'll still be collecting as long as I can and blogging about all these wonderful toys / action figures on my toy blog which I started in July 2007. I know an 83-year-old man who is still just as passionate about 12-inch figures so I know I am in good company haha

So what did I get this time? They are DAM Toys 1/6th scale Gangsters Kingdom: Diamond 4 "Milevsky" 12-inch action figure, Hot Toys MMS257 "Back to the Future" 1/6th scale Marty McFly 12-inch Collectible Figure, Hot Toys MMS306 Avengers: Age of Ultron 1/6th scale Chris Hemsworth as Thor Collectible Figure, Ace Operation Delaware 1968: 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) Vietnam War 12-inch military figure.

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Preview ace new product: Operation Delaware 1968 – 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) - superb!

Operation Delaware was a joint military operation launched during the Vietnam War. It began on Friday, April 19, 1968, with troops from the United States and the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) moving into the A Shau Valley. The A Shau Valley was a vital corridor for moving vast amounts of supplies coming from the Ho Chi Minh Trail and was used by the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) as a staging area for numerous attacks in northern I Corps.

The 1st Cavalry Division is one of the most decorated combat divisions of the United States Army, as well as the other four branches of the U.S. military. It was formed in 1921 and served during World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf War, with the Stabilization Force in Bosnia-Herzegovina, in the Iraq War, and in the War in Afghanistan (2001–present).

By the time the 1st Cavalry Division fought in the Vietnam War, it was no longer a conventional infantry unit. The division had become an air assault division as the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), commonly referred to as the 1st Air Cavalry Division. The use of helicopters on such large scale as troop carriers, cargo lift ships, medevacs, and as aerial rocket artillery, was never before implemented, but by doing so it freed the infantry from the tyranny of terrain to attack the enemy at the time and place of their choosing.

This is ace new upcoming offering: Operation Delaware 1968 – 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) 12-inch military figure and it is superb! Everything on this figure is outstanding and the photos that ace has posted makes the figure look so real. I haven't been getting Vietnam era military figures for a while but this might be my next purchase. ace Operation Delaware 1968 – 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) 12-inch military figure really blows the mind!

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Pre-order Ace 1/6 scale MACV SOG “ Lucky six” 12" Vietnam era military figure - James Bond?

SOG was named in honor of a covert US Special Ops unit that fought in Vietnam. That unit was known as Military Assistance Command, Vietnam - Studies and Observations Group (MACV-SOG). Its existence once denied by the US Government, it wasn't until long after the war that the SOG story could even be told.

Separate from "conventional," unconventional operations of the 5th Special Forces Group were the clandestine operations of Military Assistance Command Vietnam/Studies and Observations Group (MACV/SOG). The Studies and Observation Group (SOG) was a cover name to disguise SOG's real function, and the name "Special Operations Group," as it was sometimes called, described its real mission more accurately. Activated in January of 1964, SOG was a joint services unit composed of members from all four branches of the armed forces, including Navy SEALs, Marine Recons, Air Force Special Operations pilots of the 90th Special Operations Wing, but predominantly Army Special Forces.

MACV/SOG's missions included: cross border operations into Cambodia, Laos and North Vietnam to carry out intelligence gathering or raiding missions on the enemy's 'home ground'; gathering intelligence about POWs and carrying out rescue missions when possible; rescuing downed aircrews in enemy territory ("Bright Light" missions); training, inserting, and controlling agents in North Vietnam to gather intelligence or form resistance groups; carrying out 'black' Psy Ops such as operating fake broadcasting stations inside North Vietnam; kidnapping or assassinating key enemy personnel; retrieving sensitive document so equipment lost in enemy territory or in enemy hands; and inserting rigged mortar rounds or other booby-trapped ordnance in enemy arms caches (OPERATION ELDEST SON).

Hot Toys "Platoon" 1/6 scale Chris Taylor 12-inch Collectible Figure review (poor man's version)

This is the Hot Toys "Platoon" 1/6 scale Charlie Sheen as Chris Taylor head sculpt and body wearing the Sideshow Collectibles 1/6 scale Private Chris Taylor outfit and gear. I didn't want to pay for a whole new boxed figure when I already have the Sideshow version so I ended up just picking up the 1/6 scale head sculpt instead. The only thing that says Hot Toys is the head and 12-inch body.

"Platoon" is a 1986 American war film written and directed by Oliver Stone and stars Tom Berenger, Willem Dafoe and Charlie Sheen. It is the first of Stone's Vietnam War trilogy, followed by 1989's "Born on the Fourth of July" and 1993's "Heaven & Earth".

After his tour of duty in Vietnam ended in 1968, Oliver Stone wrote a screenplay called Break: a semi-autobiographical account detailing his experiences with his parents and his time in Vietnam. Stone's return from active duty in Vietnam resulted in a "big change" in how he viewed life and the war, and the unproduced screenplay Break was the result, and it eventually provided the basis for Platoon.

21st Century 1st Air Cavalry Division Tunnel Rat (released 2002) - Another five dollars buy :)

This was another recent purchase I made for SGD5 (that's 5 Singapore dollars). See my previous post to see what else I had bought for only 5 dollars :) This was the 21st Century Toys Ultimate Soldier 1/6 scale 1st Air Cavalry Division "Tunnel Rat" (Vietnam) 12-inch figure boxed set that was released way back in 2002 before DiD and Soldier Story came on the scene. Although the quality and details are not like what it is today, it was good for its day and still worth getting even now (for 5 dollars, I can't complain right?)

I like the molded mask which is one-of-a-kind. It is a 1969 Riot Control Gas Mask issued to troops in Vietnam. The Vietnam Gas mask was issued as a ONE TIME USE gas mask but the mask had the capabilities of being used more than once due to the high quality and high grade products used in making these masks. I had actually bought the basic nude 12-inch figure body with molded mask from China Square Central and kitbashed my own 1:6 version of a Vietnam Tunnel Rat earlier (see my post HERE)

21st Century Toys 12-inch Ultimate Soldier figures were popular back in the late 90s because there just wasn't any other 1:6 offerings then but as the collectors' market grew, more and more 1/6 companies got on board and offered better quality stuff than what 21st Century Toys were producing and so demand dwindled and soon supply slowed until 21st Century Toys stopped producing 1/6 scale figures altogether.

CooModel U.S. Military M14 Sniper Rifle PREVIEW

The M14 rifle (formally the United States Rifle, 7.62 mm, M14) is an American selective fire automatic rifle firing 7.62x51mm NATO (.308 Winchester) ammunition. It was the standard issue U.S. rifle from 1959 to 1970. [source: wiki]

The M14 was used for U.S. Army and Marine Corps basic and advanced individual training, and was the standard issue infantry rifle in CONUS (Contiguous United States), Europe, and South Korea. The M14 remained the primary infantry weapon in Vietnam until it was replaced by the M16 in 1966–1967.

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This is the CooModel 1/6 scaled highly detailed U.S. military M14 sniper rifle. This isn't the real thing but a 1:6 scale ABS model comprising 36 pieces, completely detachable into component parts with Dual-mode combination: Vietnam era long barrel version or Modern era short barrel version.

Kitbash 1:6 scale Vietnam Tunnel Rat 12-inch figure

During the Vietnam War, the Americans discovered the vast tunnel complexes the Viet Cong had built underground. Steadily increasing pressure from American ground and air power had literally pushed the Reds underground, and they had carved out a subterranean Viet Nam that was every bit as complex as the surface one.

At first, American troops simply destroyed the Red tunnel complexes. Then it became evident that intelligence, food, even weapons could be retrieved from them. Thus four-man teams called "the Tunnel Rats" were formed.

Hot Toys "Platoon" Sergeant Barnes Figure PREVIEW

Hot Toys is proud to present the 1/6th scale Sergeant Barnes Collectible Figure from the Platoon movie. The highly detailed Sergeant Barnes collectible is specially crafted based on the image of Tom Berenger in the movie, highlighting the newly sculpted head, military costume, gear and weapons.

COO Model 1/6 M79 Grenade Launcher REVIEW

The M79 grenade launcher is a single-shot, shoulder-fired, break-action grenade launcher which fires a 40x46mm grenade. Because of its distinctive report, it earned the nicknames of "Thumper", "Thump-Gun", "Bloop Tube" and "Blooper" among American soldiers; Australian units referred to it as the "Wombat Gun". The M79 can fire a wide variety of 40 mm rounds, including explosive, anti-personnel, smoke, buckshot, flechette, and illumination. While largely replaced by the M203, the M79 has remained in service in many units worldwide in niche roles. [source: wiki]

This is the 1/6 scale M79 grenade launcher released by COO Model and it is rather detailed. The Set includes M79 Grenade Launcher with Sling, M79 Grenade Rounds (x10) and the Grenade Bandoleer

Hot Toys Platoon: 1/6 Chris Taylor Collectible Figure PREVIEW

Hot Toys is proud to present their MMS135 (Movie Masterpiece Series) 1/6th scale Chris Taylor Collectible Figure from the 1986 Vietnam War movie "Platoon". The highly detailed Chris Taylor collectible is specially crafted based on the image of Charlie Sheen in the movie, highlighting the newly sculpted head, military costume, gear and weapons.

The 'Nam

Continued from the previous post...

And then there was "The 'Nam", a war comic book series detailing the U.S. War in Vietnam from the perspective of active-duty soldiers involved in the conflict. It was written by Doug Murray, initially illustrated by Michael Golden, edited by Larry Hama and published by Marvel Comics for seven years beginning in 1986, which was originally intended to roughly parallel the analogous events of the period of major American military involvement in Vietnam from 1966 to 1972. [source: wiki]

The comic is structured as the narrative of a fictional soldier, Private First Class Edward Marks (but sometimes following other characters), as he experiences real events that occurred during the conflict. Each issue of the comic occurs one month after the previous issue, detailing events that occurred approximately 20 years prior to the publication date.