Mars United States Special Forces Figure Set

 Mars United States Special Forces Figure Set (Green Berets)is the next one up from Mars. Kent Sprecher has sent a photo of the eight poses.

Mars United States Special Forces Figure Set

The set has 8 different Figures.

  1. Soldier standing with automatic rifle at waist.
  2. Helmet soldier at ready
  3. Green Beret in floppy hat walking with rifle at side
  4. Soldier with sniper rifle?
  5. Green Beret advancing with M16
  6. Another Green Beret with heavy automatic weapon at waist
  7. Helmet soldier  ready with bandolier
  8. Green beret  left hand signalling to stop.

These figures will be available from Kent and others.  Let you know your thoughts.  I do not like some the noses on the figures.

 

 

 

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45 Responses to Mars United States Special Forces Figure Set

  1. erwin says:

    I like then ,simple done ,action better poses than last done. I can see Rambo there too!!
    best…

  2. Bobby G. Moore says:

    I wonder if this picture is of the prototypes because the sculpting looks a little crude. Some nice poses. Could have used a few knelling poses. The third guy from the left looks like he has a detonation device for claymore mines in his left hand. The fifth guy from the right looks kinda like good old R. Lee Emery.
    BOBBYGMOORE

    • Roman Guest97 says:

      Indeed, I see Rambo too )) a pity most are “naked”. They should have been equipped like Arnold in Commando movie )))

  3. Christian Aldo says:

    I HAVE A COMPLAINT!

    Where in the heck are the kneeling, prone, grenade, running, sneaking and standing sharp-shooting poses??!!
    This sculpture needs a little lecture on toy soldiering.
    This artist to me, obviously does not play with, or collect toy soldiers!
    I’m glad they made them but it could have been an awesome set with just a little imagination.

  4. Tom Black says:

    I know they didn’t wear them on patrol or combat much but I would have liked to have 1 or 2 poses wearing the classic green beret. Also the sculpting looks crude in some of the poses. For about $25.00 per box there should no mold lines and blockage like these.

  5. Christian Aldo says:

    A little IMAGINATION goes a long way.
    I would rather have 6 great poses than 8 uninspired ones.

    • Roman Guest97 says:

      Greatest way would be to enlarge some of ESCI 1/72 scale poses for Vietnam. Most of them are really great!

      • Denver Forester says:

        The Pegasus 1/72 Vietnam Marines would be great at 1/32.

      • erwin says:

        Yes you right.
        ESCI has one of best 1.32 sculptures done figures,ITALERI had enlarged several of their sets already in the Napoleonic line .
        many years after ESCI try with few WW2/modern and two Napoleonic sets in the 80s,but then stop
        But ITALERI so far like ever body who venture in the 1.32 ,stop soon and stay in HO if ever.
        IMEX,HAT,WATERLOO,ITALERI,EMHART REVELL…..had done same
        So far sound like 1.32 is not a good profit wile HO still is.
        So those making 1.32 has to invest in new mold, more material and cost and that is a big though if they are doing good with HO already and seen others venture in 1.32 fail before
        We will have to wait and pray they do more but I’m skeptical about.
        My thoughts..
        Best..

        • Phil Wentz says:

          I cannot understand why someone hasn’t upscaled the ESCI figures. I’ve recently painted up several of them along with some of the Pegasus Marines and the detail on the ESCI figures is far superior. While the Pegasus figures have great poses and a good variety of weapons, the features are lacking (especially the helmets, which are clearly too small).

          • Erwin says:

            Waterloo modelsband Italeri did some of the WW2 and Napoleon i ESCI HO in 1/32 sets.they are same pose.
            Artist is same sculpting.
            1:32 not enough profit , they stop producing

  6. Wayne W says:

    I’m not so bummed about the lack of berets necessarily as none of us beret-wearing troops (back in the day when berets actually meant something and they didn’t give them to everyone) were allowed to wear them in a field environment -even in peacetime; the old rule on Ft Bragg was no berets “west of Gruber Road” – i.e.; the field. Combat even more strict. Boonie hats were usually the go-to where the pot wasn’t practical.

    I’m more concerned about the poses – kind of static to me – even if you wanted to get away from the “standard” array of poses I would think there’d be more than just standing pointing weapons without apparent purpose. JMO.

    • Greg Liska says:

      Wow! There was a blast from the past! Gruber Rd., huh? Who were you with? I bet you, like all of us, bought at least something from Jim’s Pawn Shop on Yadkin Rd.
      I had seem pics of guys posing in Berets w/ their ‘indig’ trainees. I think the pics were more rear echelon than they were made out to be. I’d also seen some local made berets done in various material, like a variant of the old US WWII camo pattern.

      • Wayne W says:

        Greg, I was at Bragg eight interesting years. I was a 13B by MOS but even though I never managed to change MOSes I found myself working out of MOS about as much as I worked in it. I snagged a jump slot in Corp Arty in 80, then it changed to 18th Fa Bde (we traded patches from the Flaming Dragon to the Flying D-), then went to the Division and 1/320th before we reflagged in 86 to 2/319th; my last assignment was a SD to Corps G-3. Definitely remember Jim’s and the time when Ranger Joe’s was a REAL surplus store (that had more gear than CIF!)

        • Wayne W says:

          I went back in 2014 and discovered the old T-Shirt and trophy shop on Yadking Road where most of the units used to get our PT shirts done and going away plaques made was gone – but the Hobbit was still there.

          If Jim’s is the same place I remember there’s still a shop there, but I can’t remember what its name is now.

        • Greg Liska says:

          We were kicking around there at the same time. I first went there for the SF Q Course for the then new 18E MOS, went on to 10th SGG(A), but was always coming back to the JFK Center for various schools. Later (1993) as an O, I went back to the Q, much later (1995) to the schools associated with CA and what was then the 96th CA Bn. Hey, remember when General Jackson’s surplus got closed down for getting caught with stolen military items? I think that was 1987. Can’t remember for sure. When I went back in 1999, the store had re-opened! I hope not the same management! I retired in ’04 and had to go to Bragg that year, also. That was my last trip to a place that still has a feeling of ‘home’ to it for me. Benning feels a lot like that for me too, so being here on this job isn’t so bad.

          • Greg Liska says:

            Yes! The Hobbit! I picked up a lot of Esci and Airfix stuff there and they had their own paint primer that was great. Man, the memories!

          • Wayne W says:

            Greg, I just saw your replies, sorry it’s taken so long to get back with you. Small world, isn’t it?

            I kind of remember Gen. Jackson’s getting busted. I was going through my Medical Review Board in early 87 and left the Army in 87 but stayed in the area another year finishing up my degree. The pawn shops and surplus stores were notorious back then.

            When I first reported to Bragg in 80 after my stint in college it took me several months to get my full issue of TA-50 from CIF (TA-50 is field gear and CIF the Central Issue Facility for folks reading this). I could go down Bragg Blvd to Ranger Joe’s or Gen Jackson’s (on Yadkin) and get anything I wanted. They were better stocked than the quartermaster!

            Guys were pawning their gear to make it from payday to payday. Finally the Ft Bragg CSM got with the local authorities to get reports of any soldier pawning military gear downtown.

            In 1984 we had a battery commander in my battalion get busted for selling military equipment on Bragg Blvd. Gen. Jackson was still there the last time I went back in 2014.

            I’m only 100 miles from Benning. My youngest son is there now serving as XO in a Basic Training company. It was fun going up there for his graduations and to pin his wings on him (gave him my Blood Wings and managed to give him Blood Wings, too – gotta do it right, you know, even though it’s a no-no these days).

            Love the new Infantry museum – if you’re in the area you need to check it out if you haven’t already.

            To the rest of you – didn’t mean to hijack the thread.

  7. Brian Johnson says:

    Tell the Sniper to get off the phone and SHOOT!!Hopefully final set will be in a different colour as well.

  8. ed borris says:

    Not exactly fighting men, you’d figure out of 8 guys at least one would be firing from the shoulder. Not exactly sure what # 7 is doing or # 8 either.

  9. Don Perkins says:

    I can see the problem with some of the noses. They look like large “Roman” noses — only bigger.

    And I agree with Bobby G. and Christian Aldo — you would expect a couple of kneeling poses.

    But still, a welcome addition.

  10. erwin says:

    OK.
    My personal opinion.
    It is more pro than against.
    First the set is a welcome addition and definitely better than have none.
    These figures as I stressed before are Toy soldiers as same or close to AIP with simple non deep detail and action poses.AIP modern war sets have weapon in same detail pretty much and using generic face heads.
    About nose ,in my observation as far I can see from photo that could get distorted because magnifier on screen are more of African style type in some .Roman or Aquiline are long but much fine and hook style .
    Poses-Are in action.Most have finger clearly in the trigger .At jungle close action many choose the spray fire with automatic than try aim and shoot .Special troopers are train in the firing non aim position too more than regular soldiers.M60 could be fire from hip as well grenade launcher.
    Many of AIRFIX ,Matchbox poses are firing wile advantage or charging.
    Kneeling poses-Is true they have could done one least,but I see it funny when ACTION CASTING did their set with most non standing that many not even mention(why not standing firing!?)
    So I guess is a matter of perception,I bet others could add to the pose need.
    So is not A BIG issue for me at all.
    Berets-Yes non one has it; but again .
    How many use then in field at action !? How many did not!?At documentary you can see entire unit with out it ,same in many photos and of course also there others with it in another images.
    For me ,not a big issue either.
    I like the set ,ill get them .Is like not many or none choices out there .
    If TSSD will do another set ,it may take very long if ever.
    Action Casting?-Hard to say.
    If not like ,deffinetey do not buy it as you may feel bad …
    My personal observation..
    My thoughts.
    best

  11. Christian Aldo says:

    Erwin, are you paid to defend this product?
    Critical thoughts hopefully make it to the manufacturers ear for future products.
    I welcome the set, but I give it an uninspired 6.5/10.

    • admin says:

      Erwin is not paid to defend their product. He is pointing out his thoughts. I will get them along the line just no rush to get them.

  12. Mike Blake says:

    Wow, what a lot of grouches – everyone is entitled to their opinions of course, but I for one am just so pleased to get the set at all. 12 months ago, no Vietnam figures, now we even have a set of these guys! Good on you MARS.

    Looking forward to getting hold of a set and seeing what I can do with them in the way of conversions already.

  13. Tom Black says:

    The set is not a total loss. I do like #3,5,6 and 8. #1 is so odd if you cut the base off he wcould ride a horse! The sniper, I can’t make out that thing on the chest (a large scope?) and why is he on the phone and not aiming his rifle? Also the snipers forehead looks like it is cut off. #2 – is that a flak jacket he has one or what? #7 is feeding a belt of ammo I guess but it’s up high and no one is shooting an M60 from the shoulder. Also #7 has no detail on his flak jacket.
    I also thought they would include a variety of special forces weapons such as the silenced version of the “Grease Gun”, the Madsen M50 or the Stoner range that was used by the Navy Seals.
    Wayne W. is correct about the Boonie hats but there are photos of Green Beret officers leading native troops on patrol wearing the Beret. I think there should have been at least one with a Beret seeing it is advertised as a GreenBeret set.

  14. erwin says:

    In my opinion….
    These makers will do not care about what we say or sugest.Mars so far had done what they like and every set come same way or else they want not what some had ask or suggest. I doubt they will do another Green beret and most probably do other more US Viet Nam set and that is all moving to other .
    Most makers don’t care about blogs ,forums or else. Few makers some times look at and get generally idea and comments .However most time the mind is set and just take some suggestion or observation. Cost and fast profit is the main purpose in the maker-producer-It is a business first on.
    Mars is been selling their HO line for long and doing well, even their HO sets are less quality and detail than other brands. I bet many HO buyers had complained in blogs, but seems it had not affect their sales ,production and continued well even expanded to 1.32 scale now.
    So I take then as very welcome in an area/war era not covered before, specially here in US because the so many taboos and hope not stop soon like happen to HAT,ITALERI,IMEX and Emhart that after venturing in the 1.32 seems fail as apparently their much more market and profit for HO than else.
    Many of HO Mars sets are copies crude of ESCI,Matchbox,Airfix and Revell.
    If look at HO MARS -US WW2 infantry you will find same Matchbox poses in most of set, the US modern infantry are copies of ESCI poses and so on…
    What they doing is bringing up select poses from their smaller sets and making some new also for large scale. What method they use I do not know exactly!?
    But probably is computer 3D designed and upscale matrix for the master ,then sent to mold. That may be the reason in so fast and non so detail less dynamic poses like happen to TSSD Vietnamese versus TSSD US poses where you can see the differences.
    I had not seen last two sets yet in hand.
    My thoughts..
    best…

  15. Wayne W says:

    I don’t see anything wrong with kicking around comments; no harm, no foul among friends. I don’t think any of the observations have been too derogatory – I might revise my comments from too many “static” poses to a bit more variety.

    Standing is not usually a favorite pose in a fire fight. I think the overall consensus is that these aren’t necessarily BAD figures, but if we are going to pay the prices being asked for these figures a better quality is expected. At least that’s what I get out of reading them over again.

    The market will speak.

  16. r smith says:

    The guns are as a bit heavy as the shnazolas,,plastics in general are becoming a bit pricey

  17. ed borris says:

    I guess they are welcome additions, they are just not the poses I prefer. To each his own I suppose.

  18. Gary Binder says:

    Figure #1 is carrying an M16 with the underslung grenade launcher, either an M203 or the earlier prototype that was used in the RVN
    Figure # 4 appears to have an early “starlight scope” on an M16. The early image intensifiers were fairly large compared to night vision gear of today. Either the sculptor really screwed up the barrel of the M16 or he is supposed to have a suppressor (poorly done ether way)
    #5 isn’t anybody’s Green Beret – look at that six-sided utility cap, he’s a gyrene (with a passing resemblance to R.Lee Ermey)
    #6 – the “heavy automatic weapon” is a poor sculpt of the M60 7.62mm machine gun
    #7 – the “bandoleer” is a belt of 7.62mm linked ammo slung over the shoulder – maybe he’s the assistant gunner for #6???

    Overall, not bad but the weaponry sure is crudely done (I’m a bit of a gun nut so I notice the firearms). I agree they could have done more imaginative poses, but a lot of toy soldier guys don’t seem to like prone figures.
    #8 is interesting – the early boonie hat rolled into the shape like a cowboy hat. Often seen in photos of ARVNs and US advisers in the early 60’s. Remember the original mission of the Green Berets was to organize, train and advise the ARVN, and they did go out on combat missions with their units, so this guy would fit right in with an ARVN patrol.
    Another point, a strong percentage of the infantry troops in a Viet Nam scene should have African or Hispanic features. This is rarely captured in models or toys.

  19. Greg Liska says:

    If they are SF guys, they are not Infantry. Different animal, for sure. At the time they were not a specific branch officially, but you went to a long load of schools to get the ‘S’ Skill Identifier. Now it’s all Career Management Field 18, so they have their own MOS, like 18E – SF Communication Sergeant, 18A – SF Officer Branch, etc. The ‘gyrene’ hatted guy could be a Navy Fast Boater or UDT. He’s part of SOF, but not Special Forces, which is an Army branch by definition (what others call ‘Green Berets’, but we are not felt hats).

  20. Erwin says:

    Intersting data all above.
    But….
    If we looking at these figures as to be accurare exact correct I think it would be no good.
    They are simple made figures “toy” soldiers
    Close enough. Not replicas.
    For more accuracy in plastic I think what u can get are kits and even w mistakes too.
    My thoughts….

  21. Gary Binder says:

    Greg, you are right. I forgot that the Navy guys wore the same type utility cover as the USMC.

    Erwin, yes, they are “just toy soldiers” but it costs very little more to do a good job on them instead of cranking out simple blobs. So, our pointing out perceived problems is not at all wrong.

    • Erwin says:

      Gary.
      I understand u points and data
      But maker would not care for it.
      Same way AIP did not care x their low accuracy and detail even so that had produce/sold more sets than any other in this hobby cleary indicating that any blog critique do not affect maker future release .
      That was all.
      My throughs
      Best:-):-)

  22. Wayne W says:

    No harm in kicking info and opinions around for those who do care anyway. One of the most valued sites on the net for info on the hobby (aside from this one), IMHO, is Plastic Soldier Review; a project undertaken by one guy to showcase and review every figure he could find in 1/72 plastic.

    He started out on his own, doing his own historical research and taking pics of figures from his own collection, but as word got out I understand at least some manufacturers began sending him copies of their new releases so he could review them. I do believe his site has done much to improve overall quality in that scale and I don’t know many serious collectors of 1/72 plastic who aren’t aware of the site and use it frequently. I know when it goes down temporarily you hear about it on the forums.

    Now, you can take or leave his ratings – they are, after all, one man’s opinions – but the pics of the figures and his comparison of size (within scale) of each new offering has saved many a collector a chunk of money on sets we might have bought sight unseen. We don’t necessarily have just one “Go-To” site in 1/32 scale but rather several where collectors share our knowledge of soldiers past, present, future – comment on each set’s historical accuracy and quality (both of sculpting and of plastic) – and even more important, see pics of new sets.

    It is up to each of us to decide how much importance we place on opinions of others – some of us served and have first-hand knowledge of the subject matter, others have done their homework and might be just as knowledgeable or even more from study – but ultimately, it is up to each of us to decide how we are going to spend our dollars or whatever unit of currency we deal in.

    That is where I think a manufacturer would do well to pay heed to what is said on these forums. I’ve heard it said more than once it would be great if there was something like PSR for 1/32 scale plastic.

  23. ed borris says:

    I know of at least one manufacturer that likes to get his new figures posted on forums to hear what people think of them. I’m sure others care what others think too, whether or not they heed the comments is another story. In at least instance a manufacturer even took my suggestion to heart and altered the figures. Other makers may do the same with their confidants and we wouldn’t know.

    • admin says:

      I have run into the opposite where makers have gotten touchy so I stop doing reviews. I prefer just list the items and let other’s comment.

      • Wayne W says:

        It can be touchy; folks argue back and forth about PSR’s comments, but all agree, including the moderator of the site, that the reviews are opinion only – to each his own. But the pictures and size comparisons are invaluable. One picture indeed is worth a thousand words (and sometimes in this hobbie – bucks, too).

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