Greetings,

Having just seen "Flags of our Fathers" and vaguely remembering a few short "real" film clips, I noticed that the Marines appear to have been issued M1941 jackets. This has never, as far as I know, been included in any of the admittedly small number of Marine figures out there.

The reason I bring it up is that it could present an opportunity to use generic G.I. figures with a minimum of alteration - some web gear, helmet covers, etc.

So, does anyone have a definitive answer to the Marines being issued those jackets?

Regards,
Barry

Hi,

Yes, the Marines were issued those jackets, IIRC these were seen in some late-war campaigns where the climate was colder - they were definitely seen at Iwo Jima.

The main problem you would have when attempting to adapt ETO troops is that the web gear is different in some respects; some items were USMC specific. The suspenders would be specially in need of modifying, these being visibly different. Note the leggings were differnt too, the USMC pattern having less eyelets if I remember well.

HTH,

Dani

They also had different canteens, and different pattern uniforms. Add onto that they also used the M1941 gear system rather than continue using the Army's M1928 haversacks (which are completely impractical and uncomfterable.). Granted, Marines would use Army gear when they had to, but it wasn't common. Also, keep in ind that by the time that Marines would have wanted to have been issued field jackets, the M1941 filed jacket had been made obsolete by the M1943, and would appear alot more often.

Considering the lack of options, I would say you could use Army figures, but they would have to be substantially modified.