Looking to add some figures to a small dio with an Amtrak from Saipan campaign, and can't decide between DML Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima sets. Other suggestions welcome, too.

Don't forget Masterbox, they have Marines as well. The Guadalcanal Marines need different weapons (the 03 Springfield and Reising aka 'Rusting' gun were by and large replaced in general use and the camo cover for the helmets; the Iwo Jima set depicts the later war utilities IIRC; it does however have a shotgun and bazooka as well as the backpack flamethower. So, it's kind of a toss up, although it's not uncommon to see veterans wearing older gear and boots with the new stuff because they were closer to the depots where the gear was issued from.

So the Iwo Marines would be good to go for Saipan?

Hey Bill

I'm just in the stages of picking out figures for a pacific LVT dio... you should check out the Warriors sets, they have several Pacific marine sets. I'm no expert on camo, weapons or kit, but they sure look good from the box art. Maybe there's someone out there that can comment on them for us. I'd be curious if they would be applicable for Iwo Jima, or Tarawa.

Good luck on your search. Cheers!

Dragon also makes the Tarawa Marine set. You could work a mix and match of all three sets.

I was going to suggest the same. I get the impression that these were all designed to be used together, in a large Pacific USMC beach landing dio - and I have seen a few dio's using these in just that manner As the Battle of Saipan was late war I believe the Warriors figures to be well suited - however I say this based on only a quick look and without thoroughly researching the topic (PTO ain't my bag )

Sadly Squadron doesn't allow linking to their pics, so here are the links:

Hit the Beach
WA35469 Hit the Beach - (2 Resin US Marines, one wounded & one calling out)
WA35463 Hit the Beach (2 Resin USMC's Disembarking LVT)
WA35477 Hit the Beach - Part 5, 2 Resin U.S.M.C. Casualties
WA35480 Hit the Beach - Part 6, 2 Resin USMC Figures, Man Down
WA35517 Hit The Beach - Part 7, USMC Radio Operators

Abandon Tank
WA35624 Abandon Tank' Part 1. 2 USMC figures, kneeling and wounded.
WA35631 Abandon Tank' Part 2

Other Warriors USMC sets which might work
WA35433 USMC LVT-(A)1 Crew
WA35493 USMC Flamethrower Operator
WA35541 WWII USMC Tank Crew (1 Half Figure & 2 Busts - Resin)
WA35545 USMC Stretcher Bearer Team
WA35556 USMC Heavy Weapons Team WWII Set #1
WA35557 USMC Heavy Weapons Team WWII Set #2
WA35591 WWII USMC Photographer & Marine Subject

HTH

Rudi

p.s. I'd say the DML Iwo set would probably be a better fit to Saipan than the G.Canal set.