Wednesday, April 14, 2010

Armoury 1/6 scale Israeli IDF Paratrooper

This Armoury 1:6 scale 12-inch Modern Israeli IDF Paratrooper was released in 2001 and came equipped with Paratrooper's helmet, OD Green Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) consisting of shirt and pants. He has on him his flak jacket with Ephod Harness Vest with two (2) Water Canteens in carriers, four (4) 35-round rifle magazines in their magazine pouches, four (4) utility / grenade pouches, bayonet in scabbard, butt pack and backpack plus brown combat jump boots. He is armed with the Galil 5.56mm SAR (Standard Assault Rifle) with folding stock.

I didn't like the original 1:6 figure Armoury provided and switched to this shorter Medicom figure instead. I felt that the original Armoury figure was too tall and had too long legs.

I decided to post pictures of this 12-inch tall military figure after coming to know a fellow blogger yesterday. DoubleTapper is a true-blue Israeli military guy, the real deal and he has even trained our local troops. Even his name hints at his profession. The term "double tap" is used to describe the technique of firing two rounds quickly and accurately to disable an opponent. The tactic is used by firearms handlers, police tactical teams, military personnel, counter-terrorist combat units and other special forces personnel.

So do drop by his blog site as he blogs from Israel on guns, self defense and whatever else he feels like blogging about :)

The IDF paratroopers have earned a hard-won reputation for strict discipline, courage, initiative, dedication to duty and the highest standards of performance. They have consistently been at the forefront of the IDF and have set behavioral and operational norms for others to emulate.

The IDF Paratrooper Brigade (Hebrew: חֲטִיבַת הַצַּנְחָנִים‎, Hativat HaTzanhanim), also known as the 35th Brigade, is a unit of paratroopers within the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), and forms a major part of the Infantry Corps. It has a history of carrying out special forces-style missions dating back to the 1950s. [source: DoubleTapper]

Serving in the brigade is voluntary and requires passing a one and a half day physical test in order to be to join the brigade.

Soldiers of the IDF Paratroopers Brigade are distinguished by their maroon beret, paratrooper jump wings, brown leather jump boots and the paratroopers tunic, which is slightly different from the regular ground forces service dress in that it has 4 pockets and is worn outside the pants.




A closer look at the 1:6 scale flak jacket with Ephod Harness Vest and its accompanying magazine and grenade / utility pouches



Here's a close-up shot of the Galil 5.56mm SAR (Standard Assault Rifle) with folding stock. The Galil’s design is optimized for operation in arid conditions and is based on the Finnish RK 62, which itself was derived from the Soviet AK-47 assault rifle. It was selected as the winner of a competition for the Israel Defense Forces that included many other rival designs (among them, the M16A1, Stoner 63, AK-47 and HK33) and was formally accepted into service in 1972, replacing the dust-sensitive FN FAL. [source: wiki]

UPDATED April 17, 2010: DoubleTapper's has contributed these comments which I think are very noteworthy - "The paratrooper is from the 1980's as the Galil rifle has not been standard issue in the IDF since then. IDF Paratroops are now issued the M4. His rifle should always be slung, either over the neck or over the right shoulder and neck and hung across the back. The IDF helmet used is the old style cover as well. The boots are the old toe capped style too. The Jacket used was never issued in the IDF as field gear. Unfortunately we never got jackets with a pocket on the sleeve. Also the IDF Paratrooper is much too old. You need a much younger head. The IDF is made up of conscripts drafted at 18 and released at 21. We have virtually no combat NCO corps so the action figure looks out of place. Alternatively you can add a Lt Col (age 32) or Col (age 40) ranks to his shoulder boards.

If you put the Bruce Willis head on you can say that it is DoubleTapper in the IDF Reserve paratroops circa 1980's :) "

You can also check out the vintage 1/6 scale Group Action Joe Israeli Paratrooper HERE

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