WWII US Marine Scout Sniper Team - Iwo Jima 1945

As we observe 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 battalions 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 appearance. 

Researching other figures for this anniversary release, I stumbled on images of a Scout Sniper platoon belonging to the 24th Marines on Iwo Jima. While most Marines on Iwo Jima were wearing the standard dungarees, augmented by combinations of cold weather gear, these Marines uniquely wore the frogskin camouflage uniforms. These uniforms had largely been phased out after 1943 due to poor performance in the field, and were rarely seen with the 'beach' side worn besides the battle for Tarawa. Interestingly, these uniforms were specially requisitioned for the Scout Sniper platoon, must to their protest with the knowledge of how poor the camouflage preformed outside of a dense jungle. This fear was sadly proven correct, as the platoon suffered 80% casualties on Iwo Jima, attempting to pug a gap in the line between other units, and quickly being targeted due to how stark they stood out from terrain. 

Joining my previous pair of scout snipers based on Okinawa, I've recreated a new team for Iwo Jima based on limited images from the 24th Marines. While images universally show these men wearing the P1942 camouflage uniforms, glimpses of any field gear are few and far between. As scouts, many of these Marines likely learned to live and fight from their pockets, but I wanted to capture what a sniper-spotter team may look like on a mission at the front. As these men were pulled from various infantry elements from the 24th, I've created the most probable combination of equipment.

The sniper is loaded out with the standard rifle cartridge belt for the M1903 Springfield he would be fighting with, along with the suspenders to hold it up, and a late war jungle first aid kit and cross flap canteen carrier on his back. His face print is uniquely based on one of the snipers from this platoon, boasting a stark scar on his face. 

His spotter is equipped with a pistol belt and universal magazine pouch, to feed either an M1 Carbine or pistol protecting the team. He also carries a map case, and binoculars to assist with their mission of locating lost units, or taking out enemy positions. His face again, is taken from one of the original platoon members, pictured with a burly mustache and pipe. 

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
• Custom printed minifigure head with M1 Helmet chinstraps
• Custom printed minifigure head with pipe and mustache
• P1942 frogskin utility jacket (tan)
• P1942 frogskin utility trousers (tan) 
• Marine contract pistol belt
• Marine contract M1 Carbine magazine pouch
• Marine contract Map Case with shoulder strap
• M17 binoculars case (belt mounted)
• M1910 first aid pouch
• Marine contract P2 canteen carrier
• Marine contract M1923 cartridge belt
• P1941 pack suspenders
• Jungle first aid pouch
• Marine contract P3 cross-flap canteen carrier
• Navy N1 "Boondocker" field shoes  
• Inside leg frogskin printing 
• Holographically sealed packaging (original and collectors edition) 
• Hand stamped WWII inspired packaging (base model) 

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