WWII US Marine Rifleman - Iwo Jima 1945

As we approach the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Iwo Jima, I'm focusing on the first portrayal I'm aware of in custom Lego of Marines as they appeared during this pivotal engagement. As the war in the Pacific came to a conclusion, with the old breed of Marines and disbanded Raider and Paramarine battlaions mixing in with new units of draftees, huge variances in equipment increased. Further amplified by the desolate landscape, and relatively colder temperatures on Iwo Jima, just about every variety of equipment and uniform from WWII make an appearence. 

This figure is based off the widely circulated image of Platoon Sergeant Rinaldo Martini, taking aim on Iwo Jima. Martini was already awarded a Silver Star for actions prior to this photo, singlehandedly charging a Japanese emplacement weilding a Browning machine gun from the hip, and would be wounded, losing his arm, shortly after this photo was taken. 

I've recreated the original image as closely as possible, to represent how many Marine riflemen appeared during the battle. Martini is wearing the standard army issued M1941 field jacket, issued out to the Marines for the new colder climate on Iwo Jima, as well as wool shirt underneath. He does still however, retain the signature Marine dungaree trousers, uniquely bloused over the top of his leggings. Equipment wise, he's laden down with a full combat pack with shovel, rolled up poncho, and interestingly, a rifle cleaning kit in place of the usual bayonet meant to be stored there. Most notable in the orignal photo, I've also recreated the WWI vintage trench knife stowed behind his canteen. Specific to this figure is the helmet cover with his name stamped, a common practice late in WWII, which helped identify the photo, as well as a unqiue aiming minifigure face to complete the character. 

Original Proof Copy - 1 of 1, first complete minifigure out of the printer. Signature by Landon Reimer, serial numbered, and sealed plastic collectors slab with Brick Warp artwork. 

Collectors Edition - Signed by Landon Reimer, serial numbered, and sealed plastic collectors slab with Brick Warp artwork.

Base Model - Complete figure in hand-stamped numbered case inspired by WWII era packaging. Unsealed. This packaging again, is hand-stamped and is not intended to look perfect. 

• Custom printed BrickArms M1 Steel Pot helmet with tan frogskin camo (Martini name stamp variant)
• Custom printed aiming minifigure head with M1 helmet chinstraps
• M1941 army field jacket
• Marine contract wool undershirt
• P1941 dungaree trousers (bloused)
• Marine contract M1923 cartridge belt 
• P1941 haversack
• Marine contract shovel cover with shovel
• Rifle cleaning kit 
• Frogskin poncho (rolled up)
• Jungle first aid kit x2
• Army M1942 first aid kit
• Marine P2 canteen 
• M1917 trench knife
• Mk II hand grenade
• Navy N1 "Boondocker" field shoes  
• Inside leg Marine Leggings printing 
• Holographically sealed packaging (original and collectors edition) 
• Hand stamped WWII inspired packaging (base model) 

LEGAL INFO: This is not a LEGO® Product. LEGO and the LEGO minifigure are trademarks of the LEGO Group, which does not sponsor, authorize, or endorse this product. The LEGO Group is not liable for any loss, injury or damage arising from the use or misuse of this product.