Introduction:

US Special Forces units were the first Coalition military units that went into Afghanistan after the 11 September 2001 attacks. These units operated in secret, often behind enemy lines with little direct support or supervision: calling in airstrikes, conducting reconnaissance, and when necessary engaging Taliban insurgents. During the process US Special Forces operatives kept a low profile, wearing beards and growing their hair longer to better blend in with the local population.

Evolution Miniatures recently released four figures which capture the look of US Special Forces of that time perfectly, showing them in action. US Special Forces Operators in Fight, Afghanistan 2001-2003 figures have been released individually and this review covers the second figure in the series (EM-35085).

Review:

The kit is packed in a hard cardboard box typical for Evolution Miniatures figures. The box features painted box art picture and lists the sculptor (Sergey Traviansky) and the painter (also Sergey Traviansky), and contains two zip-lock bags with 8 resin figure pieces:

- full body with legs,
- left arm,
- right arm,
- head,
- weapon and
- equipment pieces (3x).

As we come to expect from Evolution Miniatures, the resin pieces are cast perfectly and there are no air-bubbles to fill or seam lines to clean. Casting blocks are large but well placed, ensuring the fit of the pieces is not compromised after cleaning them. Due to the very intelligent design the pieces are easily aligned to fit perfectly, ensuring minimal putty work. The figure is easy to assemble; in order to ensure optimal position, dry fit the arms to the torso and hands with the weapon to the arms before opening the glue bottle.

The figure represents US Special Forces operative in Afghanistan, in a alert posture suggesting possible contact with the enemy. The figure wears Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) trousers and SPEAR/BALCS armor carrier over his T-shirt. Three M4 magazine pouches are attached to the upper front of the armor carrier and two pistol magazine pouches fixed underneath. On his back the figure wears a large hydration carrier with the extremely delicate drinking tube cast nicely in scale. Additionally, the AN/PRC-148 Multiband Inter/Intra Team Radio (MBITR) pouch and the handset are provided as separate parts in the kit. The MBITR features a long Thales antenna which should be very carefully removed from its carrier block. No radio wiring sculpted on the figure, so the MBITR can be placed wherever a modeler wishes... The MBITR pouch itself has an indentation on the back though, suggesting it should be fixed to the left side of the body armor, with the handset fixed on the left shoulder. The figure also sports two drop leg platforms; the one on the right thigh is for attaching separately cast secondary weapon in its holster, while the one on the left thigh features first aid pouch.

The figure is carrying M4A1 carbine equipped with the Special Operations Peculiar Modification (SOPMOD) kit. SOPMOD kit increases operational effectiveness of the M4A1 and is intended to allow special operations forces operators to configure their weapons based on mission-specific requirements. The weapon included in this figure set features typical SOPMOD rail attachment systems on top receiver and handguards, with Trijicon ACOG sight, AN/PEQ illuminator/laser device and fore-grip mounted. Both hands in Nomex flight gloves are cast together with the weapon, ensuring a tight grip and enabling proper alignment of the hand/weapon to arms and the body.

I really like how the sculptor posed this figure: the aggressive posture is nicely executed. As far as my references show, all the details on the uniform and equipment are accurate and perfectly delivered in scale. The "Special Forces in Afghanistan" look is additionally achieved with a beard and long hair, baseball cap turned backwards, and muscular body composition.

Conclusion:

This is the second figure in the "US SF in Afghanistan" theme and I must admit I like it even better than the first one (reviewed here). Sculpted by one of the most talented artists in 1/35 scale, this figure is full of details perfectly delivered in resin. The parts fit well and the assembly is very easy. Along with the other three figures sculpted in this theme, this figure is bound to make a great Special Forces team in Afghanistan vignette.

References:

The US Navy SEALs (Grange Books), David Jordan
Special Forces (Salamander Books), David Miller
Battle Rattle (Zennith Press), Hans Halberstadt
Special Forces in Afghanistan (Historie&Collections), Eric Micheletti
Special Forces in Iraq (Historie&Collections), Eric Micheletti
SF in Afghanistan pictures