An army girl's life in Afghanistan - The Real Deal

MC Toys did not portray Army girls in the right light (see the preview pictures HERE) so I think the following story will put things in the proper perspective and give Army girls the proper respect they deserve for putting their lives on the frontline and serving their country for the betterment of peace.

The accompanying pictures and text are taken from the UK's DailyMail (full article HERE) where Photojournalist Alison Baskerville spent six weeks in Helmand Afghanistan following Captain Anna Crossley, 31, a nurse at UCL hospital and Lieutenant Jessica French who had spent six months going into villages and small settlements to talk to women and earn their trust. The photos capture the everyday lives of the Army's women 'engagement officers' who fight in the vital battle for hearts and minds across Helmand.

click in the pics for a better view

On patrol: Lieutenant Jessica French visits an Afghan community in Helmand. As a Female Engagement officer, her jobs is to gain the support and trust of Afghan women

Show and tell: Lieutenant French speaks to a crowd of mostly women. She believes education is key to a brighter future for female Afghans

Ready for action: Captain Crossley, a nurse at UCL hospital on a six-month tour in Afghanistan, stands in full military gear against a backdrop of mountains

Making friends: Anna's language training has helped her to gain access to compounds and the residents are intrigued by her.

Captain Alice Homer is an officer with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. She has just spent six months running a small section of soldiers in Camp Bastion

Getting kitted up: Two female soliders prepare to head out on a joint patrol to engage with local Afghan families to train them in basic veterinary care. It is often the children's responsibility to look after the goats for the family

Captain Crossley heads out to join soldiers from 3 Rifles as they prepare for a patrol to help her gain entry into a local compound

All equal: The soldiers look exactly the same as one another as they go on patrol

Expectant: Captain Crossley is pictured in the Upper Gereshk Valley of Helmand. Here she kneels down as she joins a patrol to see whether she can access a local Afghan compund in the hope that she may meet women and children

Captain Crossley (pictured) said one of the highlights of her tour was 'seeing the absolute fascination of women in the compound when I removed my helmet and glasses to speak to them in their own language.'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2221475/Our-women-war-Portraits-Afghan-frontline-female-troops-winning-hearts-minds-Afghanistan.html#ixzz2ATY9EDHc
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Incoming: MC Toys 1/6 scale KSK Kommando Spezialkräfte Flecktarnmuster 12" military figure

In 1976, the Bundeswehr in Germany developed a number of prototype camouflage patterns, to be trialled as replacements for the solid olive-grey "moleskin" combat uniform. At least four distinct camouflage patterns were tested during Bundeswehr Truppenversuch 76 ("Bundeswehr Troop Trial 76"). One was called "Dots" or "Points", and one was called "Ragged Leaf" or "Saw Tooth Edge". Of the patterns tested, that which is today known as Flecktarn was selected for adoption. The word is a composite formed from the German words Fleck (spot, blot, or pattern) and Tarnung (camouflage). The Bundeswehr kept its green combat dress throughout the 1980s, however. Flecktarn was only widely introduced in 1990, after trials beginning in 1988. [source: wiki]

Magic Cube Toys seems to have kept the best for later ;p After the bad showing of the MC Toys Armed Girl series 1/6 scale Desert Flecktarn Suit for 12" female figures (previewed HERE in my earlier toy blog post), Magic Cube has now released pictures of NOT one but TWO German Camouflage outfit sets for 12-inch male figures and these include the 12-inch figure as well :)

The KSK Kommando Spezialkräfte (Special Forces Command, KSK) is an elite military unit composed of Special Operations soldiers handpicked from each of the ranks of Germany’s Bundeswehr and organized as such under the Division Spezielle Operationen (Special Operations Division, DSO). The unit has received many decorations and awards from NATO, the USA and its affiliates. Modeling itself on the British Army's Special Air Service and the US Army Special Forces, KSK operators are frequently requested for joint anti-terror operations, notably in the Balkans and Middle East.

Magic Cube Toys or MC Toys (ITEM No. MCM-011W) 1/6 scale KSK - Flecktarnmuster 12-inch military action figure set will come with Real Like Head sculpt (football fans might like this particular head sculpt), 12-inch Action Figure Body, G-36 Assault Rifle, Magazine X 5, Flecktarn Chest Rig, Flecktarn Smock, Flecktarn Pants, T-shirt, Beanie, Skull Pattern Scarf, Combat Boot

In Germany, the Flecktarn camouflage pattern is used by all Bundeswehr service branches, the Heer (army), the Luftwaffe (air force), some Marine (navy) units and even the Sanitätsdienst (medical service). It is also used by snipers of the Österreichisches Bundesheer (Federal Army of Austria) and Belgian Air Force ground personnel and airborne infantry. France tested Flecktarn for use, but rejected it; the Dutch army also tested and rejected it, allegedly because it was "too aggressive". Flecktarn was seen as controversial because of its (vague) resemblance to the Waffen-SS "peas" and "oak leaves" patterns, which also used dots in various colours.

Flecktarn is the basis for Bundeswehr Wüstentarn (desert camouflage), Danish T/78 camouflage and Danish M/84 camouflage, including a desert variation of the Danish pattern.

Magic Cube Toys or MC Toys (Item No. MCM-011D) KSK - desert flecktarn 12-inch figure will come with 1/6 scale Real Like Head sculpt, 12-inch Action BodyG-36 Assault Rifle, Magazine X 5, Flecktarn Chest Rig, Flecktarn Smock, Flecktarn Pants, T-shirt, Beanie, Skull Pattern Scarf, Combat Boots

The MC Toys Flecktarn set 12-inch military action figure comes with a 1/6 scale head sculpt meant to resemble Michael Ballack, retired German professional footballer. He is among the top goal scorers in the history of his international team. Ballack has worn the number 13 shirt for every team he has played for except for Kaiserslautern. He was selected by Pelé as one of FIFA's 100 Greatest Living Players, and as the UEFA Club Midfielder of the Year in 2002.

Michael Ballack was never in the military but he has certainly done his duties and his country proud as a footballer for Germany so it's nice to have a 12-inch figure with Michael Ballack's likeness.

MC Toys may have disappointed with the Armed Girl series 1/6 scale Desert Flecktarn Suit for 12" female figures but has more than made up for it with these two offerings. Great sets and great options for us collectors :)

I had posted earlier of another famous German wearing the Flecktarn camouflage set released by Armoury some time back. See the pictures in my 2008 post Operation Enduring Freedom 10 - "Schumacher" HERE :)

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Preview Hot Toys VGM16 Biohazard 4 HD: 1/6th scale Ada Wong 12" Female Collectible Figure

Hot Toys is proud to present the 1/6th scale Ada Wong Collectible Figure from the Biohazard 4 HD video game series. The real-like collectible is fully poseable, specially crafted based on the image of Ada Wong in the video game, highlighting the newly developed head sculpt, highly detailed costume, weapons and accessories.

Hot Toys - VGM16 (VideoGame Masterpiece Series) - Biohazard 4 HD: 1/6th scale Ada Wong Collectible Figure Specification: The 1/6th scale Ada Wong Collectible Figure specially features: Authentic and detailed fully realized likeness of Ada Wong in the video game Biohazard 4 HD. She stands approximately 29 cm tall, has the TrueType body with over 20 points of articulations, Real-like hair sculpture. Seven (7) pieces of inter-changeable palms including One (1) pair of relaxed palms, One (1) pair of palms for gun shooting, One (1) left palm for gun holding, One (1) right palm for dagger holding, One (1) left palm for trunk holding, Each piece of head sculpt is specially hand-painted

This has to be the BEST 1/6 scale Asian female head sculpt ever done. It is not easy to make female head sculpts due to the softness of the female face, unlike male head sculpts which have more distinct and hard features. Most of the female head sculpts that have been released don't look realistic enough except for the few that have been released by Hot Toys. Some companies even release head sculpts that look too cartoony and anime-like OR worse, they actually look like trannies :( so I am very pleased to see how this is looking. Scroll down to see more pictures of this lovely female figure

Costume: One (1) scarf, One (1) red qipao with patterns, One (1) pair of high heels

Weapons: One punisher (pistol) with holster and straps on thigh

One sub-machine gun

One (1) shotgun

One crossbow

One dagger

One (1) wire gun with hooks (including opened and closed mode)

Accessories: One (1) pair of sunglasses, One (1) cell phone with holder, One (1) trunk with detachable accessories, Figure stand with Ada Wong nameplate and video game logo

Artists: Head Sculpted by Lee So Young, Head Painted by JC. Hong, Head Art Directed by Kojun. Costume Advised by Hai Lim
**Prototype shown, final product may be slightly different
**Product details could be subjected to change without further notice

Release date: Q2, 2013

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Incoming: DAM Toys 1/6 U.S. Navy SEAL Recon Team Marksman (Nigeria 2003) 12-inch figure

This will be the next (third) TOTS ("Tears of the Sun") 12-inch military figure to be released by DAM Toys. "Tears of the Sun" is a 2003 American war film depicting a United States Navy SEAL team rescue mission amidst a civil war in Nigeria. LT A.K. Waters (Bruce Willis) commands the team sent to rescue U.S. citizen Dr. Lena Fiore Kendricks (Monica Bellucci) from the civil war en route to her jungle hospital.

Willis produced Tears of the Sun through Cheyenne Enterprises, his production company, and took the title from an early sub–title for "Live Free or Die Hard", the fourth film in the Die Hard series; he filmed the sequel on condition he could use its sub-title for his SEALs war film.

Chad Smith acted as STG2 Jason "Flea" Mabry, the Designated Marksman for the SEAL Recon Team. DAM has already released Johnny Messner as GMC Kelly Lake: Lead Scout / Rifleman and will also be releasing Paul Francis as HM2 Danny "Doc" Kelley: Corpsman / Rifleman (SFC Vega, Christian P).

DAM 1/6 scale U.S. Navy SEAL Recon team Marksman (DAM93013) will come with 1/6 scale real like head sculpt, jungle boonie hat with camouflage set, 12-inch action figure body, black t-shirt, SOF Woodland camo battle dress uniform (BDU), BDU belt, LBV-88 vest, LC2 S belt, Acadia boots, Nomex gloves (black)

He will also have 3-day backpack, enhanced butt pack (Woodland camo), LC2 ammo pouch x 2, double pistol magazine pouch, AN/PRC-148 radio and pouch, LASH I headset

He will be armed with the SOPMOD M4 carbine with camouflage painting, AR15 cheek piece, M4 carrying handle / sight, AR15 carry handle scope mount, ACOG TA01 scope, KAC QD flash hider, KAC QD suppressor, KAC grip, sling adaptor, rifle sling, RIS rail panel x 2, M4 5.56 magazine x 6, Mk24 mod 0 pistol, 9mm pistol magazine x 3, drop-down pistol holster, M67 frag grenade x 2, M18 smoke grenade, Carabiner

Here's a picture of the actor Chad Smith as STG2 Jason "Flea" Mabry, the Designated Marksman for the SEAL Recon Team in "Tears of the Sun"

Does the 1/6 scale head sculpt by DAM Toys resemble the actor? You'll have to decide for yourself.

The SOPMOD M4 carbine with camouflage painting and all the accessories is sweet :)

With this third TOTS figure being released, it looks like DAM Toys may go on and complete the whole SEAL team in 1/6 scale but then again, things are never certain in this world but so far so good. Keep them coming DAM Toys

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