U.S. Paratroops of “Easy Company”, 1944–1945
IMEX 1:72 Scale Miniatures Review
IMEX 1:72 scale US Paratroops of E Company, 2nd Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division, “The Screaming Eagles”, are depicted in the M1943 uniform (M1943 field jacket and rigger-modified M1943 paratrooper field trousers with thigh pockets), but wearing the original laced jump boots made by the J. F. Corcoran Shoe Company, among others, rather than the M1943 combat service boots.
Contents
43 Figures in 14 Poses – 24 mm equal 173 cm Height
- US Paratroop RTO, kneeling (1)
- Separate right Arm with Motorola SCR-536 “Handie Talkie” (1)
- US Paratrooper, standing, firing (1)
- Separate right Arm with M1 Bazooka (1)
- US Paratrooper with Colt M1911 Pistol, kneeling, firing (2)
- US Paratrooper with BAR, prone, firing (5)
- Separate Head (5)
- US Paratrooper, landed (3)
- Separate Base with collapsed Parachute (3)
- US Paratrooper, landed, firing (4)
- Separate right Arm with M1 Thompson SMG (4)
- Separate Base with collapsed Parachute (4)
- US Paratrooper with M1 Thompson SMG, standing, firing (4)
- US Paratrooper with M3 “Grease Gun” SMG, advancing, firing (4)
- US Paratrooper with M1 Garand, walking (2)
- US Paratrooper with M1 Garand, advancing (3)
- US Paratrooper with M1 Garand, running (4)
- US Paratrooper with M1 Garand, standing, firing (5)
- US Paratrooper, throwing Hand Grenade (3)
- US Paratrooper, falling (2)
Evaluation
Good choice of subject, IMEX WW2 US Paratroops of “Easy Company” offer interesting poses that can be combined with similar 1:72 scale figures from other manufacturers. The two paratroopers collapsed parachute are suitable as drop zone markers for wargames.
The walking, running, and firing riflemen carry a Colt M1911 pistol as their sidearm, making these poses suitable representations of Lt. Dick Winters who carried an M1 Garand rifle he acquired in Normandy.
US paratroopers typically used the BAR without a bipod or carrying handle in order to save weight. Therefore, the prone BAR gunner would need to be modified accordingly, if he is to be deployed as a US paratrooper.
The Bazooka gunner is firing his weapon on the move, which is sure to throw off his aim. The paratroopers armed with submachine guns can be used as non-commissioned officers. Unfortunately, the M1 Carbine, a weapon popular among officers and senior NCOs, is not included in this set.
The kneeling paratrooper with Colt M1911 Pistol appears to be an NCO or a member of a machine gun team, mortar team, or other crew-served weapon, fighting at close quarters with his sidearm. Unfortunately, the soldier is carrying too much equipment on his back, making him ill-suited for operating an anti-tank gun.
The plastic used for these miniatures is fairly hard. The material accepts paint and may be super-glued satisfactorily, but rifle barrels, and other small parts are prone to breakage. Apart from the BAR gunner‘s head and the radiotelephone operator‘s right arm, the separate arms and bases need to be glued or welded to stay in place securely.
Noticeable mould lines need to be removed prior to painting. The Rai-Ro ZEP-70 wax carving instrument is perfect for this kind of work.
Good value for money: in 2013, Hobby Lobby offered IMEX 1:72 scale WW2 US Paratroops of “Easy Company” bundled with WW2 German Troops (IMEX 528) under the Billy V lable for only 9.99 USD.
Historical Employment
- US Paratroops, 1944-1953
- French Infantry, 1944–1962
IMEX 1:72 scale US Paratroops are well-suited for dioramas and wargames; they complement older figure sets by adding new, attractive poses.