I was thinking of using these two guys together in a dio.. something like the first one pointing at some movement he saw and the other one turning and aiming to fire.. and both coming out of Academy's M1115. My question is.. do the two figures go together? The first one is labeled as 10th mountain division, while the second one is just labeled as Machine Gunner. Just wondering if there would be any glaring errors in the uniforms with the M1115 if I use them together.





Thanks in advance
Hisham

As far as I can see both figures are wearing ACU and similar equipment, so I would say: go for it! BTW, Minisoldiers figures are great and I think you would be very pleased with their quality.

Mario

Thank you, Mario... they do look really nice!

Hisham

The machine gunner figure seems to be in an earlier uniform than the other. I believe that the armor the figure is wearing was introduced in 2003.

I was wondering the compatibility of these figures and also the Nato in Miniature figures. As far as I can tell, there are two primary vests worn, the interceptor and the IOTV. It is difficult to distinguish the exact vests worn by the figures because they have equipment attached to them and often their arms and weapons block them from view. I believe the interceptor is only available in woodland and coyote brown while the IOTV is available in ACU. Perhaps someone with first hand knowledge of the vests can explain.

I don't know the differences between the equipment of these two figures, but as you told us, the body armor isn't clearly visible so I think you can use them together.

Interceptor OTV was at first issued only in woodland (US Army) and coyote brown (US Marines), but after a while it became available in ACU as well. I can't be sure what kind of body armor the figures wear from these pics... Anyway, I think Improved OTV (IOTV) was fielded in 2007/2008 so I presume there was a time both vests were used by US Military. Perhaps Gino or 18Bravo can shed more light on these...

As for the uniform, I believe uniforms on both figures are in the same ACU cut. However as far as I can see the 10th mountain figure is missing the calf pockets which is an ACU feature.

Mario

Mario is right on the time line for the vests. The Interceptor Body Armor System (IBAS - eye bass - as we called them) were also available in 3-color DCU pattern as well. In '07, as the IOTV was being issued, you could still see woodland and DCU IBAS alongside ACU IOTV as well.

Gino,

I am still having a hard time seeing the difference. Do Alpine's modern tank crew figures wear the IBAS and their Stryker crewmen figures wear the IOTV?

Thanks,
Dave

I think you have the figures sorted. The main difference is how the vests closes. The IBAS opens/closes down the front like a standard vest, only the flap is offset to the right to accomodate the ceramic plate, as oppoesd to cenetered on the front. The IOTV opens/closes at the sides and slips over the head with a solid front.

Here are the real things.

IBAS:


IOTV:


To add confusion to the mix, ACU IBAS are still issued for training purposes as well. The IOTV is reserved for troops deployoying into harms way.

The next question may be why the IOTV? The reasons are a couple. 1st there was an issue with soldiers and vehicles ending uo in canals/waterways with their gear on and not being able to remove it quickly and drowning. The IOTV answered this with a quick-release pull ring on the chest, when pulled, the vest falls apart and off the wearer. Second, the IOTV has integrated side plate carriers that sit better than the add-on side plate carriers of the IBAS. They are generally a better piece of gear.

Thank you Gino. That explains it!

thanks Gino for the useful and clear info. this is an issue for many trying to put together scenes with various figures. cheers, bd.

The 10th Mountain figure is wearing the IOTV, you can see the quick release toggle just below his knock (yank it and the vest falls apart-to aid with accessing wounds in an emergency).

As far as I know the only companies to release figures in the IOTV are HobbyFan, Nato in Miniatures, and now this Minisoldiers figure.

One thing that hasn't been mentioned either is that ACU OTV is slightly different from the woodland OTV in that it has an increased amount of PALS webbing. Therefor i'm not sure if its possible to just paint the woodland OTV in ACU.

This is Legends US K9 with Handler. he is wearing the IOTV with a "Combat Shirt" underneath.





This is what the combat shirt looks like:

I think I have seen both in ACU. Here's a picture from another website, but I'll have to check my references again:



At one point the OTV forward flap received more PALS loops and AFAIK all these were only issued in ACU pattern:



Mario

OK.. now I'm lost. Way too many acronyms

Hisham

Ah yes Pete, totally forgot about the Legends figure, add that to the list.

Mario-Didnt release they did the ACU OTV with the earlier PALS configuration. I'd be interested to see if it went into combat. I've never seen the LIMBS thigh guards in use either.

Hisham-yes its confusing

OTV-Outer Tactical Vest (this is basically the vest into one inserts the SAPI plates and soft Kevlar lining)

PALS-Pouch Attachment Ladder System (the webbing on the front of the vest)

SAPI-Small Arms Protective Insert (the ceramic armour plates inserted into the vest)

E-SAPI-Enhanced Small Arms Protective Insert (fitted in the IOTV)

You might also come across DAP-Deltoid & Auxiliary Protecter (Protective soft armour for the shoulder and under arm area)

And to answer Daves question: Both Alpine sets are wearing the OTV vest. The OIF tank crew figures wear the woodland IBA OTV, while the Stryker Brigade figures wear the ACU OTV (with the increased PALS config)

So.. what's the final verdict regarding my initial question.. can I use them together?

Hisham

I am inclined to say they are close enough to use together, but I can't tell for sure. The first figure is wearing an IOTV (pull ring on chest), but needs the lower calf pockets added. The second figure I can't tell. Do you have a pic showing his chest?

This is the only other pic I have of it



Hisham

He's wearing an OTV.

I'm afraid I have no idea though whether its correct to depict a soldier in an OTV and another in an IOTV in the same setting.

The relaxed modeller in me is saying however, who cares, just go with it. It sounds like a nice little vignette idea Hisham.

I definitely agree with the "relaxed modeller" in you.. I just try to make sure I don't make any "glaring" mistakes... I already ordered the two figures

Hisham

You can use both figures on the same dio .Both vests were in use in late 2007 and 2008. Take "Restrepo" as a reference.Most soldiers there wear IBA but there are a few in IOTV.

Correct, though any Army Soldiers deploying past 08 would have recieved an IOTV, to further confuse the issue, if you went to Afghanistan in late 09 to the present you were also issued a plate carrier. We got some of the first ones to be issued. Now they are on the Gen 2 IOTV and Plate Carrier. I've got a Multi Cam Gen 2 IOTV laying around here somewhere as a matter of fact.

The other thing with body armor, at least with the IOTV, you can remove parts of it. It's a system, so the groin protector (we called it the nut slapper) is removable, as are the front and rear neck protectors. Most of us removed our neck protectors. If this isn't making sense let me know and I'll post some pictures with my IOTV showing what I mean.

Yup, the same was/is true for the IBAS (OTV) as well.