Japanese Paratroopers

The Japanese had both Army and Navy Paratroopers in World War Two.  The ones above are Japanese Army Paratroopers.

These are Japanese Navy Paratropers.

The Japanese did use paratroopers in combat in the Pacific during World War Two.

Japanese Navy Paratroopers took part in the battles on the Dutch East Indies in 1942 with two operations one with over 800 men and the other one was just over 600 men.

The Army Paratroopers also participated in operations in the Dutch East Indies and later in December 1944 in the Philippines.  Like many paratroopers they suffered from high casualties and lack of numbers and transport.  They staying operational in the Philippines until the end of the war in small numbers.
 

Vietnam Troops

These figures are well done and flash free.

I think the choice of the flame thrower is a bit much for what is essentially two squads.

But it could be used by any of the four American or South Vietnamese sets.

I like these figures.

Shown here with a Tim Mee figure.

With a 60mm ring hand figure.  These figures fit okay with the larger figures.
 

Vietnam US Army

Mars Vietnam War US Army Infantry in 54mm size.  Soldier with M60 machine gun.

M16 rifle.  There were several problems with the initial fielding of the M16 but none were due to the basic design.  After a time the problems were resolved and the rifle serves to this day with US and over 100 other countries.

The US had very good radio communication and could nearly always contact artillery or close air support.

Flame thrower, useful for fighting bunkers.

Charging with the M14.

All good poses.
 

Vietnam US Army Infantry

Vietnam War US Army Infantry  This man has an M16 and a LAW.

Mars 54mm troops.

Each pose you get in the set.

M14 was used by US troops for most of the war even after the M16 was fielded.

This guy looks like a real person.  He is certainly enjoying that American cigarette.
 

Mars Infantry

These make good troops on the battlefield.

No real flash, figures stand up well.

I intend to take the 8 pointed cap guy and give him to my Marines.

And three of the Marines will come to the Special Forces group.

Extra ammo for the machine gun was always important but wearing it could cause it to get dirty and foul the weapons.  Hit the deck, when you are in a muddy rice paddy will not help this ammunition feed well.

This guy just looks sneaky.
 

Mars Green Berets

Good troops, nice variety of weapons.  This one looks like a common outfit for US Army troops in Vietnam, could be Green Berets could be standard Infantry.

Special Forces with night vision scope on his rifle and a noise suppressor.

This guy also has a radio and looks very similar to a figure in the Esci US Army Vietnam War figures.

This figure is wearing the US Marine Corps 8 pointed hat.

This would only be used by Marines rather than by US Army Special Forces.  So this figure belongs in the USMC set, just as three of the figures from that set belong in the Special Forces set.  Two excellent sets and my plan is to swap out these figures to their own "proper" sets.
 

Special Forces From Mars

Mars US Special Operations Forces (GREEN BERETS) Vietnam War.

54mm figures in plastic.

It is interesting that a set labelled Green Berets has no figure wearing a beret.

It does has a couple people who are rather Rambo in their attire, such as this one with the head scarf.  Machine gun ammo is usually carried in pouches rather than Mexican bandit style.  Ammo exposed can become damaged and fail to function.

The previous figure and this figure are plausible rather than common in real life.  Still both are good figures, well posed and with useful weapons.

M2 carbine with banana magazine.

This looks like a short barrel M16 variant which was carried by Special Forces.

This figure looks more like a standard infantryman rather than anything specific to Special Forces.
 

ARVN From Mars

More Mars ARVN troops in 54mm.  This one with a .30 caliber machine gun advancing.

At first I thought this guy broke the tip off his rifle.

And then I realized it is a grenade launcher, ironically he is throwing a grenade.

Officer directing the troops.

Pretty good set, look authentic, no flash, nice variety of weapons.

The troops in action.
 For more information about the Army of the Republic of Vietnam visit their museum.  I have been there in person a couple times, the staff is very nice and the displays are good and rotate frequently.

http://www.museumrvn.com/

Mars Marines

54mm size Mars US Marines for Vietnam.  Good sneaking around pose.

Odd thing about the set is that I don't think they are all Marines.  This guy seems to have the Colt Commando which I don't think was used by Marines in Vietnam.  He also is wearing a boonie hat which is more typically US Army attire and finally he is not wearing body armor, which most Marines did wear in combat.  I think this guy is a US Army Special Forces soldier.

You can see the bulky body armor in this guy, and the helmet, clearly a Marine.  Nice firing pose for the blooper.  He has a pistol for his Colt .45 pistol too, nice touch.

Marine with M14 rifle in the standing firing pose.  The elbow up was common in those days.  The rifle barrel had a bit of flash and still needs a bit more trimming.

Another figure that I think is US Army.  This time he is armed with the M3 Grease Gun.  It has the conical flash suppressor common in Vietnam, and he is not wearing body armor.  I think he is another US Army Special Forces soldier instead of a Marine.

Oddly this kneeling machine gunner is firing left handed.  And where is his ammo?  A good sculpt let down by using the left side to fire.

Another Marine, this one with his body army and M16 at the ready.

This Marine has an M14 and is advancing, good pose.