DID Captain "Millers" Review 2: D-Day June 6, 1944

continued from my earlier post "It's Miller time"...

This was probably what Tom Hanks as Captain John Miller (from the film "Saving Private Ryan") had on him when the Landing Craft (also known as Higgins boat) brought him and his Rangers ashore at Dog Green section of Omaha Beach, Normandy on the morning of June 6, 1944 (D-Day).

First, a closer look at the exceptional 1/6 scale Tom Hanks as Captain John Miller headsculpt by DID - probably the BEST likeness of Tom Hanks ever produced. The resemblance is amazing. Who else could he be?

How DID managed to produce the facial stubble is beyond me! Unbelievable - it's so distinct and realistic. The standard of 1/6 head sculpts have improved by leaps and bounds.


And the World War II United States Army 2nd Ranger Battalion uniform and kit with all his gear is equally impressive! This could be as real and as accurate as it gets, in 1/6 scale that is :)

DID Captain "Millers" comes with his M1 Helmet with Captain rank markings, Wool Shirt with Captain bars and Infantry collar pins, M1941 Jacket (oops, forgot to put on the gas brassard), Ranger Vest (US Army assault vest), M1926 US Navy lifebelt (Waist Life Preserver), M5 Assault Gas Mask Bag (no gas mask), Web Belt, First Aid Pouch (version 1), First Aid Pouch (version 2), M1911A1 .45 caliber Colt semi-automatic pistol with leather Holster, Water Canteen with Carrier, M3 fighting knife with M8 scabbard, Folding E-Tool with Carrier, M1A1 Thompson .45 caliber Sub-Machine Gun, Thompson Ammo Satchel (ammunition bag for his extra Thompson magazines if he had any - too bad DID didn't provide any extra mags), Map Satchel, HBT (herringbone twill) Pants, Cloth Leggings and Leather Boots (1943 issued "fleshout" service shoes).





Close-ups of the high quality M1 Helmet, M5 Assault Gas Mask Bag and M1926 US Navy lifebelt (Waist Life Preserver)

The 2nd Ranger Battalion shoulder sleeve insignia worn proudly on the left sleeve.



Once ashore, the Rangers ditched their gas mask bag and Waist Life Preserver since they didn't need them anymore. Captain John H Miller, commanding officer of Charlie Company, 2nd Ranger Battalion, survives the initial landing and assembles a group of soldiers to slowly penetrate the German defenses, leading to a breakout from the beach.

Miller receives orders to find Ryan. He assembles six Rangers from his company, plus one man detailed from the 29th Infantry Division, who speaks fluent French and German, to accomplish this task.

EXT. Hedgerow Cart Road - Day
Miller walks point. His men follow warily. It's hot. They're exhausted. Upham looks miserable, weighed down like a pack horse with all the B.A.R. ammunition, slapping at horseflies. They talk quietly, their eyes scanning.



The M3 fighting knife in M8 scabbard is carried beside the M1911A1 .45 cal Colt semi-automatic pistol with leather Holster

A better view of the M1911A1 .45 cal Colt semi-automatic pistol in leather Holster by his right hip

The amazingly well produced 1/6 scale metal and wood M1A1 Thompson .45 cal Sub-Machine Gun with carrying strap that comes with accurately produced miniature metal buckles




The Thompson Ammo Satchel (ammunition bag for his extra Thompson magazines if he had any - none provided)

Folding E-Tool with Carrier attached to the Ranger Vest

Map Satchel

This has to be the ULTIMATE Tom Hanks as Captain John Miller 1/6 scale military figure bar none! DID has done it again and given us 1/6 collectors something to write and rave about!

NEXT up: Miller's last stand!

Related posts:
- G.I. Joe "Saving Private Ryan" Tom Hanks Figure posted HERE
- DID 1/6 scale 12-inch WWII US Army 2nd Ranger Marksman "Private Daniel" (with Barry Pepper likeness as he appeared in "Saving Private Ryan") - pictures HERE
- Pictures of a bunch of 1/6 scale G.I.s on June 6, 1944: D-Day
- "Saving Private Ryan" - Dragon Captain Miller with customised Tom Hanks headsculpt and kitbashed Private First Class James Francis Ryan (Matt Damon)
- 1/6 scale Matt Damon as Private First Class James Francis Ryan of Baker Company, 1st Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division

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

It's Miller time or DiD Captain "Millers" Review 1

From one soldier (see previous post) to another...

Finally got to opening my DID WWII US Army 2nd Ranger Battalion - Normandy June 6, 1944 1/6 scale collectible figure Captain "Millers" (first previewed HERE). For the benefit of those who don't know, DID Captain "Millers" is meant to be Captain John H Miller (Tom Hanks), the leader of a US Army Ranger squad sent out to locate Private First Class James Francis Ryan (Matt Damon), a paratrooper and the last remaining male member of his family in the epic 1998 American war film set during the invasion of Normandy in World War II "Saving Private Ryan".

Box is pretty standard and inside the main tray is Captain "Millers" and some of his equipment. Most notable is the M1A1 Bangalore Torpedo Section (made of metal) with its own wooden crate.

The rest of Captain "Millers" equipment is found in two side trays located on both sides of the cover flaps - pretty standard packaging stuff by now.

Here's DID 1/6 scale 12-inch US Army 2nd Ranger Captain "Millers" taking a break before the mission starts, about to take a sip from his "Government Issue" (which is how the term "G.I." came about) canteen.


Some early shots of the DID Captain "Millers" headsculpt (Tom Hanks as Captain John H Miller from "Saving Private Ryan")


Main reason for these pictures was to show off the very well produced 1/6 scale Leather Boots which would be completed covered by the Cloth Leggings once everything is fully assembled.

These are 1/6 scale versions of the 1943 issued "fleshout" service shoes. They were made with the rough, flesh side of the leather on the outside, supposedly to give better protection against wet. To save leather, they were made without toe caps.

DID Captain "Millers" weapons include the M1A1 Thompson .45 caliber Sub-Machine Gun (made of metal and wood) with 30-round removable magazine (metal, not plastic), M1911A1 .45 caliber Colt semi-automatic pistol with sliding charger and removable magazine, and M3 fighting knife with M8 scabbard (or sheath)

Close-up of the metal M3 fighting knife with M8 scabbard. You can also make out the fine details and craftsmanship of the 1/6 scale M1911A1 .45 caliber Colt semi-automatic pistol with sliding charger and removable magazine made by DID.

The interesting thing is that the M8 scabbard comes with a strap for tying the knife to his lower leg like what paratroopers do but not what Rangers practise. What's even stranger is that in the preview pictures, DID Captain "Millers" has the handle of his combat knife sticking out from behind his left shoulder. What's up with that? That's not how the WWII US Army Ranger carries his knife.

Check out the metal buckle details of the carrying strap of DID's Captain "Millers" M1A1 Thompson .45 caliber Sub-Machine Gun - EXCEPTIONAL

Other stuff a Second World War US G.I. needs - Foldable E-Tool (Entrenching Tool), Water Canteen, M5 Assault Gas Mask Bag (water-proofed,of course), M1926 US Navy lifebelt (Waist Life Preserver)

Thompson Ammo Satchel (ammunition bag for Thompson or M3 "grease gun" magazines) and Map Satchel. Note the E-Tool with spade set in the other position.

And then there's the wooden crate for storing the M1A1 Bangalore Torpedo Section

The wooden crate even has miniature metal catches with working hinges. The three-section M1A1 Bangalore Torpedo is made of metal too. Dragon Models had produced and released these Bangalore torpedoes way back in 2004 when they released their D-Day 60th anniversary commemorative figure, a 1/6 scale 12-inch US Army 29th Infantry Division soldier "Mike Connolly" at Omaha Beach on that fateful day - June 6, 1944 (D-Day). It even came with a Diorama base. See my full review with pictures HERE.

DID 1/6 scale 12-inch WWII US Army 2nd Ranger Captain "Millers" with his Wool Shirt, HBT (herringbone twill) Pants and M41 Jacket

Miniature Captain bars and Infantry collar pins made of metal on his 1/6 scale Wool Shirt

Over his shirt and pants he wears his M1941 Jacket

And over the jacket Captain "Millers" wears the Ranger Vest. These were the US assault vest, similar to the British "battle jerkin" upon which it was modeled. Although rarely worn by troops other than the Rangers, the US assault vest was issued to men of the 29th Infantry Division for the Normandy landings.

I wanted to show the details of the back of the Ranger Vest before it becomes obscured from view by the E-Tool when Captain "Millers" is fully kitted out.

Next post: DID Captain "Millers" gets ready for the Normandy landing on "Omaha" beach.

Related posts:
- G.I. Joe "Saving Private Ryan" Tom Hanks Figure posted HERE
- DID 1/6 scale 12-inch WWII US Army 2nd Ranger Marksman "Private Daniel" (with Barry Pepper likeness as he appeared in "Saving Private Ryan") - pictures HERE
- Pictures of a bunch of 1/6 scale G.I.s on June 6, 1944: D-Day
- "Saving Private Ryan" - Dragon Captain Miller with customised Tom Hanks headsculpt and kitbashed Private First Class James Francis Ryan (Matt Damon)
- 1/6 scale Matt Damon as Private First Class James Francis Ryan of Baker Company, 1st Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division

Sideshow Exclusive Edition G.I. Joe Duke Pictures

Sideshow Collectibles has released new pictures of their 1/6 scale 12-inch G.I. Joe Duke with a new head sculpt.

Rank: First Sergeant
Code Name: DUKE

Leadership, personified...

The embodiment of the American Soldier, Conrad Hauser's leadership and ability to perform his duties of First Sergeant to the unit known as GI Joe is the stuff of legends. Time and again he has lead his fellow 'Joe's into the fray against the organization known as COBRA, and time and again he has emerged victorious.

Duke is well versed in modern combat, as well as all weapons and tactics of the modern battlefield. His understanding of combat and strategy, as well as proper leadership, commands great respect from his GI Joe comrades. Wading into the battle with the battle cry of "Yo Joe!", Duke is the tip of the spear against the threat of COBRA, and will not stop until the fight is won.













The Duke 12 inch Figure features: Fully articulated Pro male body Version 1.2 with 30+ points of articulation, Duke portrait, Ballistic Helmet, Goggles, Undershirt, Shirt, Combat Pants, Knee Pads, Boots, Detailed belt, Shoulder Bag, Utility belt with rifle magazine and utility pouches, Handgun holster, Water bottle, Dog tags, Medal, XMLR-3A Laser Rifle, Robinson Arms XCR Rifle* with Magpul CTR stock, Magpul Dark Earth P-Mag Rifle Magazines, 40mm Grenade Launcher, 40mm Grenades x 6, .45 cal Pistol, Pistol magazines x 2, Fragmentation Grenades x 3, Yellow smoke grenade x 1, Red smoke grenade x 1, Three sets of interchangeable hands, Interchangeable shoulder and nametape patches, 12-inch display base with G.I. Joe logo

*XCR Rifle is a trademark of Robinson Armament Co.

Sideshow Exclusive: Binoculars

Check out my earlier post for the BEFORE pictures of Sideshow GI Joe 12-inch Duke collectible figure

Related posts:
Review of Hasbro "G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra" Channing Tatum as Conrad "Duke" Hauser 1/6 scale figure
Pictures of Hasbro G.I. Joe Conrad "Duke" Hauser in Soldier Story EOD outfit
Pictures of Hasbro 12-inch G.I. Joe 1:6 Conrad "Duke" Hauser in MultiCam