Soldier Story 1/6 US MACV-SOG Review I

From the mean streets of the urban concrete jungle (see previous post) to the dense jungles of Vietnam, Loas and Cambodia comes Soldier Story's MACV-SOG 12-inch figure. MACV-SOG, which stands for "Military Assistance Command Vietnam - Studies & Observation Group", was a highly classified, multi-service United States special operations unit which conducted covert unconventional warfare operations prior to and during the Vietnam War. The unit conducted strategic reconnaissance missions in Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam), the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam), Laos, and Cambodia; carried out the capture of enemy prisoners, rescued downed pilots, and conducted rescue operations to retrieve allied prisoners of war throughout Southeast Asia; and conducted clandestine agent team activities. [source: wiki]

Soldier Story MACV-SOG figure striking a relaxed pose on base, wearing vest and Tigerstripe pattern camouflage slacks/pants

Soldier Story 12" full action figure comes with William Dafoe likeness (Willem Dafoe was nominated for the "Best Actor in a Supporting Role" as Sgt. Elias K Grodin in the 1986 movie "Platoon") and over 35 moving joints base body

Willem/Elias comes with real canvas Bata boots (very nice details)

Willem/Elias in full Tigerstripe camouflage pattern BDUs (Battle Dress Uniform). Developed for close-range use in dense jungle during jungle warfare by the South Vietnamese Armed Forces/US Forces. It derives its name from its resemblance to a tiger's stripes. It features narrow stripes that look like brush-strokes of green and brown, and broader brush-strokes of black printed over a lighter shade of olive or khaki.

Soldier Story MACV-SOG battle gear laid out for inspection

The beautifully produced 1/6 M1911A1 .45 pistol and leather holster - beats Hot Toys' version (recently seen in the hands of Dutch - link here) hands down. Comes with sliding breech, movable hammer and three magazines. Click on the picture to get a better view :)

1/6 Ka-Bar knife and sheath. The Ka-Bar (trademarked as KA-BAR) was originally a fighting and utility knife issued to American Marines. Millions were made during World War II by Ka-Bar and it is still being used today.

Tigerstripe boonie hat, M1961 combat field pack (also known as butt pack), M1961 suspenders, M1961 canteens & covers with M1961 M16 -30rd and M1961 M16-20rd pouches

Comes with 1/6 scale ALICE clips - how's that for realistic? You have to put these through the pouches and attach them to the web belt, just like the real thing. Also comes with a MACV-SOG insignia patch

Tigerstripes were actually more of a practical choice for special forces. It was the camouflage that worked in the jungles of the 'Nam. Wearing of indiginous clothing, black pajamas or tigerstripes could aid in concealing a westerner's identity from a distance.

The US black stenciling appeared on equipment used by EVERYBODY, including the enemy so they didn't bother to conceal it. If the operators were captured, the US would never confirm their identities and the SOG bunch knew they would be disavowed if captured and that the government would assert these men were operating outside the purview of American military command or sanction.

One of the many nice figures from Soldier Story. They are certainly producing some great 1/6 military stuff.

Up next: More Soldier Story MACV-SOG but with Type 56 assault rifle

Another GREAT Soldier Story figure - CIA Special Activities Division (SAD) Night Ops (link here)