US Infantry, 1983–2001

ESCI 1:72 Scale Figure Review

US Infantry, 1983–2001, 1:72 Miniatures ESCI P-239.

ESCI U.S. Infantry wearing Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) with M.1981 Woodland Camouflage, protective vest and combat helmet of the Personnel Armor System for Ground Troops (PASGT) introduced in 1983, and All-Purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment (ALICE) introduced in 1973, which was replaced by Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment (MOLLE) in 2001.

Contents

50 Figures in 15 Poses – 24 mm equal 173 cm body Height

  • Officer/NCO with M16.A1 Assault Rifle and Binoculars (1)
  • Officer/NCO with M16.A1, signaling (1)
  • Officer/NCO with M16.A1, communicating (1)
  • RTO with M16.A1 and AN/PRC-77 Manpack Radio (1)
  • Grenadier with M16.A1 and M203 Grenade Launcher, standing (1)
  • Grenadier with M16.A1 and M203 Grenade Launcher, kneeling (3)
  • Anti-Tank Gunner with M47 Dragon ATGM, in Firing Position (3)
  • US Paratrooper with Dragon Missile Jump Pack (DMJP), advancing (3)
  • Machine Gunner with M60 LMG, standing, firing (3)
  • Machine Gunner with M60 LMG, kneeling, firing (3)
  • Infantryman with M16.A1, standing, firing (6)
  • Infantryman with M16.A1, kneeling, firing (6)
  • Infantryman with M16.A1, standing (6)
  • Infantryman with M16.A1, advancing (6)
  • Infantryman with M16.A1, running (6)

Evaluation

Excellent choice of subject, ESCI‘s Cold War US Infantry is unique in this scale.

Solid wargaming poses with minimal footprint. The miniatures fit on 12,5 × 15 mm ferromagnetic steel bases for wargames, only the base of the firing anti-tank gunner needs to be cut to fit.

US Infanterie mit PAL M47 Dragon, 1983–2001, 1:72 Figuren ESCI P-239.

Some of the poses appear to have been inspired by Paul Hannon‘s illustrations in Osprey Men-at-Arms 159 “Grenada 1983”. This would explain why the equipment carried by these figures is perfectly sculpted and is carried correctly. It may actually be the first time ever that all poses in an ESCI figure set are fully and properly equipped.

US Infanterie mit PAL M47 Dragon, 1983–2001, 1:72 Figuren ESCI P-239.

Weapons and equipment are highly detailed and particularly easy to paint. Even the four-colour camouflage pattern of the Battle Dress Uniform does not pose much of a painting challenge at this scale if desaturated colours are chosen wisely and applied with some patience.

The antenna of the AN/PRC-77 Manpack radio is too short and much too thick, it needs to be replaced by a longer bristle or 0.3 mm piano wire.

US Infanterie mit PAL M47 Dragon, 1983–2001, 1:72 Figuren ESCI P-239.

ESCI‘s model of the M16.A1 assault rifle with 30-round STANAG magazine is 4 inches longer than the original (986 mm). An annoying error that we see again and again in various ESCI figure set.

Few mould lines, but some excess plastic needs to be removed prior to painting.

Historical Employment

  • US Infantry (Army/Marines), 1983–2001

ESCI US Infantry is a must-have for wargamers, collectors, and diorama builders interested in the Cold War period.

Cold War Miniatures