I am contemplating a diorama set in Iraq around 2003 or later, and I was wondering if it would appropriate to depict a US Army M1A1 AIM with US Marines, or if I would have to use an M1A2 SEP with them?

I'm not too familiar with how the ground forces work, or if this idea is even feasible. Any insight is welcome.

Thanks in advance!
Jeremy

Yes and no, maybe...

Army and Marines don't usually mix on the battlefield. They usually have separate sectors that they operate in. It could be possible in areas where their two sectors come together though.

Also, there are times when Army units have been attached to the Marines to provide extra support. This took place in Falujah in '04. Elements of 1 CAV were sent down to support the Marines, but 1 CAV had M1A2 SEPs.

Just out of curiosity, why not do a Marine M1A1 HC/AIM with Marines around it?

Or...

An Army M1A1 AIM with Army Soldiers around it?

Gino is the one to ask about such things.

The DML M1A1 AIM is a superb kit and can be modified to USMC configuration without a lot of trouble if you can:

find the smoke grenade launchers and electronics;
purchase Echelon's USMC decals.

Here is my take on the vehicle: Bad Mofo in Iraq.

Gino: Ok, that is pretty much what I was expecting to hear.

I don't know what a M1A1 HC/AIM is, but I wouldn't be opposed to building one off of the Dragon M1A1 AIM if that's what you are suggesting?

I like the Army M1A1, but right now the figures I am going to be using are USMC, the set by MB.

I am very green when it comes to model building. I don't mind some mild AFV conversions, but I want to try to stick to oob figures for the time being so I can focus on painting them.

I would certainly like to hear more of your thoughts regarding any of this.

Bill: That's a very nice build you have there, I'm taking a guess that it's the M1A1 HC/AIM that Gino is talking about?

Did you source the additional parts from another kit? Or did you find AM substitutes?

I should be able to get the Echelon decals if I go that route.

I think you're asking which tank is appropriate for Marines use - only the M1A1, not the M1A2 SEP.

Jim

As Jim says, the Marines only use the M1A1. The Army uses the M1A1, M1A2, and M1A2 SEP.

As to your figures, the Master Box set can be used for either Army or Marines. There is nothing on the figures that specifically identify them as Marines. If you are talking about the Iraq #1 figures, they have a lot of issues. Here is a thread that talks about them.

Jim: Not exactly, but that is very close to what I am asking. Thanks for the info and duly noted

Gino: Alright then, so I could technically go Army or Marines with this setup then.

If I choose to go Marines, would I be building the same Abrams that Bill did?

And thanks for the link about the figures. I'm getting lost in a lot of the technical names, but I'll research it more and see if I can figure out what's really going on. I'm not aware of any other figures that would fit the bill in my diorama plan, but if you know of anything I'm certainly open to suggestions.

To the 1st question, yes.

If I were you, I'd not get the MB set. The best OIF I USMC plastic figures are DML 3027 Modern USMC. They have an excellent mold quality (best in plastic) and accurate for 2003 time period. Some online hobbyshops still carry them or you can occassionally find them on ebay.
(Image from Stevenshobby.com for discussion purposes only)

Good luck!

I'll second what Petition2God says. I wouldn't use the MB figures. The Dragon US Marines are great figures. Again though, they could also be built as Army troopers. The only Marine-specific item in the set is the M240MG. The Army uses M240s w/hand guards (M240B), while the Marines use M240Gs w/out handguards. That would be an easy conversion though.

I paired the standing/walking figs w/a Marine Abrams in this dio:



I also uses a couple of the standing ones as Army Solders in this dio w/a Bradley:

Great info guys. I will go with the Dragon M1A1 AIM and convert it if I choose to go with a USMC dio.

It's a shame that MB did what they did, as they could have had a big winner with the Iraq 1 set... I will look for the Dragon 3027 Modern USMC to use instead. They don't portray the action that the MB figures do, but it sounds like they are far more accurate and they are still in motion which is what I need.

I think I'm good to go then, but feel free to speak up if anyone has any more opinions/suggestions, etc.

Thanks again guys!