Toy Soldier LC-2 Gear Set

Recently released is the Toy Soldier & Workshop LC-2 Gear Set (All-Purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment (ALICE)).  This package provides a highly detail cloth 1/6^th scale replica of the LC-2 web gear that has been the mainstay of our military (Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marines) for some thirty years.  I thought it was worth reviewing since this is the type of packaged set that will enhance and/or upgrade a collector’s figures by replacing its rubber/vinyl counterpart.  Although LC-2 gear is now being phased out by the Modular Lightweight Load Carrying Equipment or MOLLE system you will still see bit and pieces of LC-2 gear popping up here and there on our military personnel for some time to come.  What is more important is that 1/6 scale hobbyist now have a complete equipment set available to model and properly duplicate figures from 1974 to the present.

The Toy Soldier LC2 Gear Set comes with two (2) LC-2 M16/M4 Ammo Pouches, two (2) LC-2 One Quart Canteens with Carriers, two (2) 1^st Aid and/or Compass Pouches, one (1) London Bridge Trading (LBT) Universal (handheld) Radio Pouch (radio not included), one (1) SDU-5/E Strobe Light Pouch (Strobe Light not included), one (1) LC-2 M1972 Combat Pack (Buttpack), one (1) LC-2 “Y” Suspenders, one (1) AN/PVS-7B Night Vision Goggles (NVG) Storage Bag with carrying strap (NVG not included), and one (1) Individual Equipment Belt (pistol belt).  MSRP is $19.99.

A Little Background

The All-Purpose Lightweight Individual Carrying Equipment (ALICE) was introduced in 1974 is made up of components for two types of load: the "fighting load" (web gear) and the "existence load" (Backpack).  The ALICE system was designed for use in all environments, whether hot, temperate, cold-wet or even cold-dry arctic conditions.  The fighting load is the minimum needed by a combat soldier who has to be able to move quickly and with agility.   The fighting load includes pistol belt, ammo pouches, canteens and carrier, fist aid/compass pouches, buttpack and “Y” suspenders.  These items are anchored to the Individual Equipment Belt, successor to the Utility Belt of the two World Wars. The Individual Equipment Belt “Y” Suspenders attach to the belt with snap hooks and shift the load to the shoulders. The suspenders allow many other attachment points for additional gear.  The Existence Load components carry all the equipment, food, and other essentials to maintain a soldier in the field until Resupply is possible.  This is essentially the ALICE pack, which comes in Medium and Large sizes.

Product Info: General

To my knowledge, there are currently only three vendors who market cloth (non rubber) 1/6^th scale LC-2 gear in America.  These are Dragon Models Limited (DML), Hot Toys (HT), and Toys Soldier & Workshop (TS).  Dragon was the first company to release a cloth version of LC-2 gear in their US Forward Deployment Set 1 (71152) and US Forward Deployment Set 2 (71153).  The difference in these two DML sets being weather you wanted the PASGT Body Armor (Woodland Camouflage) or you wanted the three-color desert camouflage shell that goes over the PASGT Body Armor.  The other notable difference in the DML sets from the TS LC-2 set is that the Individual Equipment Belt (pistol belt) is not included in either of the DML sets.  If you wanted the Individual Equipment Belt you had to buy either the DML US Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) Desert Set 1 (71050) or the US Battle Dress Uniform (BDU) Woodland Set 2 (71051) packages.  HT’s LC-2 gear is still only available through acquiring one of their box figure sets or through a loose parts shop.

Once again what TS has managed to do is give the customer a complete package of specific items needed to model a figure.  No requirement to purchase several different sets to outfit one complete figure, no mixing and matching required, and no compromising needed.  Selection of material, quality of workmanship, and the assortment of complementing components are exceptional.  If you are attuned to TS’s product line, you have seen bit and pieces of this set in other carded equipment and/or uniform set releases this year and last by TS.  Most notably their D-Boy Sniper uniform carded set.  You will also find that things were done smartly that will allow you to configure equipment items on the belt easily.  TS have consistently provided a quality product at a reasonable cost to collectors and the release of the LC-2 Gear set is another example of their commitment to this hobby. 

Product Info: Specifics

The LC-2 Individual Equipment Belt

Lets take a close look at each of the items in the set.  The first item I will start with is the Individual Equipment Belt or pistol belt.  The pistol belt gets very high marks and is a standout item.  From close up or far away the belt looks real.  TS uses a thick nylon material as the base for the belt.  They then added metal eyelets evenly spaced throughout the belt that can be used for attaching equipment items.  The length of the belt is sufficient enough to provide amble room for use with an outer garment.  Belt adjustments are made by moving the excess belt material through the buckle loops and then securing it with the elastic retaining bands provided.  The belt buckle is of similar quality and design to that use by 21C, DML or BBi’s.  The last time I purchased a belt of this design and quality it cost me $7.99.  Therefore, I give this item two thumbs up!

Note the Individual Equipment Belt (Pistol Belt) with the Metal Eyelets.

The LC-2 “Y” Harness or Suspenders:

With the “Y” harness or suspenders you have the option of attaching them to the pistol belt, ammo pouches and/or buttpack with the use of the metal clips provided.  Matter-of-fact, the “Y” suspenders attaching clips look a lot like those used by DML.  These are the only metal parts on the “Y” suspenders.  All other buckles are plastic. The padding of the suspenders is adequate and nicely detailed and bends more naturally around the figure’s shoulders then the DML version.  There are also elastic retention loops for storing the excess material of the strap away.  The “Y” suspenders are certainly of similar quality to that of DML’s version.  However, I favor DML’s version because the suspender straps are a bit wider and the material is thicker.  Additionally, all adjustment buckles on the DML version are metal thus reducing the chance of damage during adjustments.  This point does not diminish the quality of TS product but just a personal note.

LC-2 M16/M4 Ammo Pouches

The TS M16/M4 ammo pouches are functional and well detailed.  The pouches attached to the pistol belt with the use of plastic slide fastener "keepers" or  clips that looks like its one-to-one counterpart but function in an entirely different manner.  Unlike the DML version, the keepers are not a solid molded piece of plastic but are designed to open and close with a simple catch mechanism.  This system allows you to easily customize the LC-2 suspenders and belt without always removing each item or dismantling the belt to gain access to a given area.  Seen below, the keepers open and close by gently moving the catch up and out.

TS Equipment Clips or Keepers

Each M16/M4 pouch opens and will hold three (3) magazines from any of the various 1/6^th scale vendors.  There are also a stow pocket on each side of the pouch to accommodate grenades.  However, I found that one must be selective as to which type and from which vendor grenades are chosen.  DML’s M61 and M67 fragmentation grenades will not fit in the grenade pockets.  However, 21C versions of these grenades will fit in the pockets.  M18 Smoke grenades from any vendor will not fit in the pockets nor will a L-head shape flashlight.

LC-2 1^st Aid or Compass Pouch

The two (2) accompanying 1^st Aid or compass pouches are functional and nicely detailed.  The extra 1^st Aid/Compass Pouch is a nice addition.  Each 1^st Aid or compass pouch has a simulated button.  The pouches are secured close with the use of Velcro.   Each 1^st Aid or Compass pouch is attached to the pistol belt using the TS keepers or clips describe above.  This makes it very easy to attaché the 1^st Aid or compass pouch to the “Y” suspenders if desired and unlike the DML keeper clips you do not have to modify the it to support this function. 

Front view with special Attention to LC-2 Ammo, Strobe Light, and 1sit Aid/Compass pouches

LC-2 Canteen and Carrier

There are two (2) one (1) quart canteens with carriers that come with this set.  The canteen and cap are a solid molded piece of rubber.  Thus the canteen cap cannot be removed from the bottle.  This is purely a show item.  However, one nice detail addition is that each canteen is fitted with an NBC cap.  Even though most soldiers will tell you that that is the first item to break on the canteen.  It is nice to see that TS incorporated it.  Like the 1^st Aid/Compass pouch, the canteen carrier closer is secured through the use of Velcro. The buttons seen on the out side of the carrier are dummies.  The canteens are removed by simply lifting the flaps on the associated carrier.  The size of the canteen and carrier is very proportional and true to 1/6^th scale.  Another item that is purely for show is the small stow pocket on the canteen carrier used for water purification tablets. Although the flap can be lifted (opened) you only find its Velcro corresponding member.   The importing thing however, is that the detail is there.

SDU-5/E Strobe Light Pouch

Providing the SDU-5/E Strobe light pouch is a real nice touch.  A cloth strobe light pouch is a rear commodity item in the 1/6^th market.  DML has only just released a strobe light pouch.  However, this item can only be found in the DML’s COL Kenneth Bowra (70392), which was a show exclusive from the Dragon Convention in July 2005.  Hot Toys has a version but just like DML this item can only be found on their boxed figure sets.  The Strobe light pouch looks darn good.  The SDU-5/E pouch is design to attach to the “Y” suspenders through its shoulder straps.  There is no attaching clips or “keeper” with this item.  Therefore unless you modify this item, it will not fit on the pistol belt.  The strobe light pouch is of sufficient size to fit any of the SDU-5/E devices marketed by BBi, DML, or Hot Toys.

LC-2 Combat Pack, M1969 (Buttpack)

The Buttpack is sweet.  It is almost a perfect replication of its 1-to-1 counterpart. Were TS wavered is in not providing the waterproof flap inside the pouch just under the main closer flap.  However, what TS did give us was the fine external detail that evens includes a individual identification label on the backside of the Buttpack.  The Buttpack attaches to the pistol belt through the TS LC-2 clips or keepers.  Additionally there are attachment rings on each side of the Buttpack for connecting the “Y” suspenders. Securing the opening of the main flap on the Buttpack is made through the adjustment of the retention straps and corresponding buckles.  All buckles and fasteners are plastic, so handle with care.

Rear view of LC-2 with special attention to the Buttpack, LBT Radio pouch, and Canteen with carrier.

London Bridge Trading (LBT) Universal Radio Pouch

Included in this set is the LBT universal Radio Pouch.  This pouch is designed to accommodate a variety of one-sixth scale military handheld radios by any of the popular vendors, which include the SABER, MX300, and AN/PRC-148.  Attachment of the radio pouch to the web gear is made though a detachable Velcro closer belt loop/strap on the back of the pouch.  The pouch is a perfect replica of its one-to-one counterpart.  Therefore you will find an Elastic retention system to keep the radio secure with a fully adjustable radio strap system using a Velcro securing mechanism.

AN/PVS-7B Night Vision Goggles (NVG) Storage Bag

In the field (training or combat), the cloth NVG bag holds all night vision equipment. Spare batteries, 3X, IR beacons, chemlites (Chem.-sticks), and other items are kept together with NVG in one place. The NVG Bag’ can be worn on the LC-2 pistol belt or using the accompanying shoulder strap so that the ALICE pack can be left behind if required.  Until now, the only way to acquire a AN/PVS-7 Storage bag was to buy DML’s Heather (DR# 70276) (2003) 1st Infantry Division, Headquarters and Headquarters Company Engineer Brigade Army Force, Turkey .  However, the DML version is not as detail as Toy Soldier’s.  Like all the items within this package set, the NVG storage bag mimics its 1-to-1 counterpart exactly.  You are provided with both the shoulder-carrying strap and clips for attaching the NVG bag to the pistol belt of the web gear.  Detail is abound in this item.  The pouch itself is padded and utilizes a Velcro closer system.  All buckles, snaps, clips, and rings are plastic.  So, be careful when handling them. The big surprise is inside the bag.  TS went so far as to include the various stow pockets and compartments one would find on the inside for securing accessories, extra batteries, etc.  Now, if you can find a 1/6^th Scale AN/PVS-7 (DML makes one) to put in the bag you are good to go.  If not, the bag looks very good as is.

AN/PVS-7B Night Vision Goggles (NVG) Storage Bag

Conclusion

Basically folks, there is nothing close to this set as a complete package.  That makes having at lease one of Toy Soldiers LC-2 Gear sets a must. For those of you who choose to purchase this set I am sure you will be very happy with your choice.  It is really nice to have a complete package available for configuring a figure.  However, Johnny-come-lately beware.  TS only makes a limited number of any given packaged uniform or equipment set.  Once these items are gone, chances are slim for another release (or at lease in current format).

Enjoy

T. R.