A Tell of Two ACU Uniform Sets

Fig 1, DiD and TS Uniform Sets

The good news is that companies are now starting to release one-sixth scale uniform and figure sets supporting the U. S. Army new combat uniform or ACU.  As far as I can tell, Dragon in Dreams (DiD) was the first to release a carded uniform set with Toy Soldier and Workshop (TS) quickly following.  Later this month or early next month you can also expect to see a new figure from Blue Box Toys or BBi sporting a box figure with the ACU uniform.  The boxed set is named Lucas, 10^th Mountain Division.  However, that is another story. 

The focus of my review is to provide input and compare the ACU carded or packaged uniforms set released by DiD and TS.  Boy oh boy, first let me tell you that no matter which set you choose you just cannot go wrong.  The focus and application of your kit bash will determine which set is right for you.  The MSRP for the TS version is $11.99 and for the DiD version is $14.99.

Background

After years of study—and the field deployment of thousands of prototype uniforms in Operation Enduring Freedom—the U.S. Army recently unveiled a new uniform, dubbed the Army Combat Uniform, or ACU.  On the Army's 229th birthday, senior leadership introduced the Army Combat Uniform during a Pentagon cake-cutting ceremony.  It has become standard-issue for all deployed troops in the fall of 2005. You can count on one hand the number of major uniform upgrades undertaken by the Army in the last century (the first BDUs can out in 1982), so this sweeping sartorial redesign begs further analysis. What does the ACU tell us about the state of soldiering?  The current colors on the ACU are green-woodland, grey-urban environments and sand brown-desert. The pattern is not a 100 percent solution in every environment, but a good solution across the board.

The new uniform is far removed from the idea of ceremonial military dress or leather-booted authoritarianism that once dominated military dress; rather than constricting and constraining, it gives and breathes and is somewhat shapeless and untucked. There were 20 changes made to the uniform, to include removing the color black and adapting the digital print from the Marine Corps uniform to meet the needs of the Army.  Actually it was the Army Research Laboratory that designed the Marine uniform and official the major color used in the 1:6 scale ACU is a green-woodland.

The polished, spit-shined black boots have been replaced by suede, no-polish-required tan desert boots; unlike uniforms of before, it need not be dry-cleaned (which saves soldiers not just money, but time). The design energy applied to the ACU went mostly into making a uniform that would be invisible to foes but visible to comrades. Even a ceremonial detail like the traditional U.S. flag emblem has been khaki-ized into muted tan-and-blacks on some uniforms; no longer a symbol intended to be recognizable across the battlefield, it's an infrared feedback element visible only to those equipped to see it.

Product: General

The DID uniform set is made from 100% cotton and includes: ACU blouse and trousers, ACU patrol cap, Belleville Suede combat boots.  The coat features: Mandarin collar; Velcro backed rank, US Army and name tape mounts, Velcro-aced shoulder pockets that allow for the wearing of unit patches, skill tabs, and recognition devices; 3 slot pen pocket on the sleeve; Velcro sleeve cuff closures; and Velcro sleeve pockets for elbow pad inserts. The pants feature: forward tilted cargo pocket, bellowed calf storage pocket on both legs, and Velcro trouser pockets for kneepad inserts. The uniform is sculpted to fit almost any 1:6 scale figure available today (BBi G3 or Toy Soldier first generation) without looking to massive on figures developed by DML or the BBi G1 bodies still available.

The TS uniform set is made from 100% cotton and includes: ACU blouse and trousers, ACU patrol cap, Cotton T-shirt, ACU Specialty Defense System (SDS) M4 Triple Magazine Shingle pouches, ACU MOLLE Mag pouches, and insignia and unit patches. The coat features: Mandarin collar; Velcro backed rank, US Army and name tape mounts, Velcro-aced shoulder pockets that allow for the wearing of unit patches, skill tabs, and recognition devices; 3 slot pen pocket on the sleeve; Velcro sleeve cuff closures; Velcro sleeve pockets for elbow pad inserts; and integrated blouse bellows for increased upper body mobility. The pants feature: forward tilted cargo pocket with drawstring closure, drawstring waistband, bellowed calf storage pocket on both legs and Velcro trouser pockets for knee pad inserts.  Here again, the uniform is sculpted to fit almost any 1:6 scale figure available today (BBi G3 or Toy Soldier first generation) without looking to massive on figures developed by DML or the BBi G1 bodies still available.

Both companies have gone through excruciating detail in the designing and production of their basic product.  Both companies have provided value added items to each of their packages.  Additionally, both companies have also complied with strong quality control measures.  So what is the major difference between these two uniform sets?  Well, boots versus patches and pouches! 

According to DiD’s website (http://www.onlinedid.com/), the company will be providing a host of ACU type accessories to kit bash your figures.  Everything from SPEAR Ranger Racks, hydration systems, Interceptor body armor to ammo pouches and rank insignias will be available through DiD.  TS also have plans in the works for providing more ACU type items.  Please note that TS currently have the US Army's Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH) available in 1:6 scale (Review coming soon).  The release of the ACH by TS is not a reissue of the Modular Integrated Communication Helmet (MICH) TS-2000 but the updated designed (TS website [or close to it]: http://lazycat.jp/doll/index.htm).

Fig 2, DiD ACU Accessories

Product: Specific

The primary components of both sets are the uniform blouse (shirt), trousers, and patrol cap.  So, first let me say that each vendor has done an outstanding job in the recreation of these articles.  Depending on how much of a stickler you are on details and what you are willing to trade off in the creation of your kit bash are the determining factors in which package you should buy. 

Uniform Blouse:

There are three major difference between the ACU blouse of DiD and TS; these are uniform color, the integrated bellow for increased upper body mobility, and the use of elastic versus ribbon on the sleeve pocket flap tab supporting the Integrated Friend or Foe Identification Square on both left and right shoulder pocket flaps.  You will find that the DID is brighter in color, has no integrated bellow and uses elastic the sleeve pocket flap tab.  The TS version duller in color, has an integrated bellow and uses ribbon material for the sleeve pocket flap tab.  All other details of each ACU blouse are identical.

Fig 3, DID ACU Uniform Blouse

Fig 4, TS ACU Uniform Blouse

Uniform Trousers:

When comparing the ACU trousers between the two vendors, there are seven differences.  These are uniform color, buttons on the trousers opening flap, buttons on the rear trousers pockets, a waistband drawstring, a drawstring (simulated) on the trouser cargo pocket, Velcro securing tapes on the trouser cargo pockets, and functioning rear trouser pockets.  The DiD version has a brighter uniform color, buttons on the trousers opening flap (simulated, regular 1:8 snaps used), buttons on the rear trousers pockets (simulated), functioning rear trouser pockets, Velcro securing tapes on the trouser cargo pockets, no waistband drawstring, and no drawstring (simulated) on the trouser cargo pocket.  You may also find that the belt loops on the DiD trousers are small and will only support properly a belt (Webbing) of 3/8 (0.375) of an inch. 

Fig 5, DiD ACU Uniform Trousers

The TS version has a duller uniform color, no buttons on the trousers opening flap (Velcro is used), no buttons on the rear trousers pockets, no functioning rear trouser pockets, no Velcro securing tapes on the trouser cargo pockets, a waistband drawstring, and a drawstring (simulated) on the trouser cargo pocket.  Since the TS ACUs come with a uniform belt, the size of the belt loops is not an issue.  All other details of each ACU trousers are identical.

Fig 6, TS ACU Uniform Trousers

Uniform Patrol Cap:

The ACU patrol cap by each of the vendors is a work of art.  As far as I can tell there are three major differences between the DiD and TS versions. For the DiD version, the color is brighter, as with the 1 to 1 version DiD uses double material for the cap, the cap bill is larger, and the size of the cap is roomier.  The additional room in the patrol cap is a welcome feature when outfitting the cap to a figure with big hair.  For the TS version, the color is duller, TS used single material for the cap, the cap bill is a bit smaller (and will take a little work to mode into position), and the size of the cap is smaller. Both versions come with Velcro patch for a nametape. However, if you are a stickler as to how far the bill comes over the figure’s eyes you may prefer the TS version of the patrol cap. 

Fig 7, DiD ACU Patrol Cap

Fig 8, TS ACU Patrol Cap

Uniform Color:

I like to make a note here about uniform color.  In the real 1-to-1 world there are always color differences between lots of uniforms.  The color differences happen for a variety of reasons.  The reasons are not the issue here but for collectors and hobbyist to realize that such differences exist.  Additionally, as any soldier will tell you, when cleaning uniforms they will fade at different rates because of the die used in the uniform. The ACU uniforms provided by DiD and TS are so close in look and feel that you can mix and match uniforms with no problem.  You may even find the using the difference in the color of the DiD and TS uniforms providing a more true to life uniform realism to your kit bash.  If you find the DiD uniform to be to bright for you just give it a wash in your local washing machine.  Bleaching is not necessary.

Bonus Items:

Without a doubt, the DID Belleville desert boots are a big plus.  These boots are just outstanding in everyway.  The detail is fantastic and rivals that in quality to those boots produced by Newline Miniature.  The selection of materials used is great, the boots are easy to get on and off, the material used for the boot laces ties securely without slippage, there is ample room in the boot to fit a variety of 1:6 scale figures available today, the boots has a harden toe cap, and the soles of the boot are detailed and molded correctly.  One of the other point I have noticed about the DiD Belleville boots are that they are easily molded to have a worn look.  Now considering that the Belleville boots are part of the package, the $14.99 price tag on the DiD uniform set is a wonderful deal.  I have seen the DiD Belleville boots on sell at various eStores and auction houses for as much as $11.99. 

I would take great care in loosening and securing the laces to the figure.  Strong arming the laces during adjusting the fit will cause the lace holder rings to come off the boot.  Please use needle-nose tweezers to carefully pull the lace in the direction required between each lace holder ring.  Since no boots came with the TS carded set there is no point of comparison and until TS releases a comparable product I shall reserve comment.

Fig 9, DiD ACU Belleville Boots

The bonus items that accompany the TS carded set are many.  To start with you get an ACU uniform belt, one (1 ea.) T-shirt, two (2 ea.) ACU MOLLE M4 magazine pouches, and two (2 ea.) ACU SDS M4 Triple Magazine pouch shingle.  The ammo pouches set is a nice addition and can be used with a variety of armor vest or chest harnesses.  Another nice bonus in the TS uniform set is the Patch subset.  With the patch subset you get rank insignia from E-1 (Private) to O-7 (Brigadier General [one star]) and Unit Divisional insignia for the 1^st Infantry Division, 3^rd Infantry Division, 82^nd Airborne Division, and the 101^st Air Assault Division.  Additionally the patch subset includes a US Army service tape and two nametapes with the name “MARATON” printed on it.  All patches and tapes in the subset have a compatible Velcro backing to adhere to Velcro strips on the ACU uniform. By the way, there are enough patches in the TS patch subset to use on the DiD ACU set with the exception of the name and service tapes.  Since no patches came with the DiD carded uniform set there is no point of comparison and until DiD releases a comparable product I shall reserve comment.

Fig 10, TS ACU Bonus Subset

 Fig 12: DiD ACUs (Right) & TS ACUs (Left)

Provided below is a comparison chart to assist in notating the differences between the two carded uniform sets.

Sick, Lame, Lazy, and Airborne Crazy;

TR