US Infantry in Vietnam
Orion 1:72 Scale Figure Review
Orion 1:72 scale US Infantry, wearing the M1956 load-carrying equipment (LCE), first issued in the early 1960s, which remained in use well into the 1980s. The M1967 Modernized Load-Carrying Equipment (MLCE) was similar in design, but made of more durable and lighter nylon. Unfortunately, the sculptor got the iconic M1956 small arms ammunition cases all wrong, ruining the overall impression of these US infantrymen. In addition, the rifles, machine guns, grenade launchers, and light anti-tank weapons in this set are hopelessly oversized.
Contents
42 Figures in 13 Poses – 23 mm equal 166 cm Height
- Officer with M14 Rifle, wearing Stetson Hat (1)
- Radiotelephone Operator with M16 Rifle (1)
- Grenadier with M79 Grenade Launcher, standing, loading (4)
- Machine Gunner with M60 Machine Gun, kneeling, firing (4)
- Assistant Machine Gunner with belted Ammunition, kneeling (4)
- Rifleman with M72 LAW, kneeling, firing (1)
- Rifleman with M16 and M72 LAW, standing (4)
- Rifleman with M16 and M72 LAW, advancing (4)
- Rifleman with M16, throwing M26 „Lemon Grenade“ (4)
- Rifleman with M16, running (4)
- Rifleman with M16, standing, firing (4)
- Rifleman with M16, kneeling, firing (4)
- Rifleman with M16, kneeling, reloading (4)
Evaluation
Excellent choice of subject, US Infantry in M1956 load-carrying equipment is unique in this scale. Apart from the three poses equipped with machetes, these figures may well be used to represent US Army infantry in other theaters of operations.
Uniforms, weapons and equipment are well defined and paint up nicely. The miniatures seem to be wearing “Tropical Combat Uniform”, which may be distinguished from the “OG-107 Utility Uniform” by additional cargo pockets on the coat and trousers. Hidden buttons and the lack of shoulder straps point to “3rd Pattern Jungle Fatiques”, introduced in 1967, and made available in olive green (OG-107).
Realistic wargame poses, but with limited conversion potential due to the amount of equipment being carried. Head swaps will be feasible, however, and they may be employed to convert US infantrymen into Southeast Asian or Latin American soldiers or rebels.
Compatible with ESCI, Hasegawa, Italeri, and Revell.
Noticeable flash and mould lines need to be removed prior to painting.
The M1956 small arms ammunition cases worn by these miniatures are sculpted incorrectly, they are much too short to be accurate. This mistake needs to be fixed by applying modelling putty and making the pouches longer, more retangular rather than almost square.
The M16 rifles in this set are huge, ranging vom 16.5 to 19 mm (1188 to 1368), when an actual M16A1 should be 13.7 mm long in this scale, the equivalent of 986 mm. Orion made the M60 machine gun 19 mm long (1368 mm), when it should be 15.35 mm (1105 mm).
Serious damage to the back of the officer‘s flak jacket, one of his small arms ammunition cases, and his canteen, needs to be repaired with modelling putty.
The grenadier and the assistant machine gunner poses have all lost the handle of their intrenching tool in the casting process. The damage may be fixed by inserting a piece of 0.6 mm pianowire into the M-1956 Intrenching Tool Carrier.
Seven of the 13 poses have been given overly long bases which will not fit the generous 12.5 × 15 mm ferromagnetic steel bases we routinely use for 1:72 scale foot troops. While four of these poses may have their bases trimmed to fit, we will have to make larger metal bases for the assistant gunner, loading rifleman, and the rifleman throwing an M26 „Lemon Grenade“.
There are enough riflemen, machine gunners, and assistant machine gunners in this set to raise the platoon HQ, three rifle squads, and parts of the weapons squad of a US Army infantry platoon of the period, but the set falls short 2 grenadiers with M79 grenade launcher, and 2 anti-tank gun teams with M67 recoilless rifle.
Historic Employment
- US Infantry in Tropical Combat Uniform, 1960s–1980s
- Other Infantry using M1956 load-carrying equipment (LCE)
- Army of the Khmer Republic
- Army of the Republic of Korea
- Army of the Kingdom of Laos
- Army of the Kingdom of Thailand
- Army of the Republic of Vietnam
- Contras and other Latin American Organisations
Despite its shortcomings, Orion 1:72 scale US Infantry in Vietnam is a unique and very welcome addition to the growing range of Cold War troops.