Unless someone know a betters source for campaign hats, this looks like a great resource for finally doing some Drill Sergeant figures I've wanted to do.

I see a set or two of the figures finding it's way on to my stash shelf. Either w.w.1 or even the Philippines resurrection would work. Possably even just prior to the outbreak of w.w.2. U.S.M.C. uniforms didn't change too much till the outbreak of war, so a little modifing could place them on Wake island or even Guams outpost. The rest of the German stuff, have two utility draws of German equipment and the Saloon doesn't do anything for me personaly.

Not to criticize, but the woolen uniforms, especially the "high collar" Service Coats, would be kind of "out of place" on Guam or Wake Island, as these were HOT & HUMID Tropical Islands. Same goes for the Philippines, Hawaii, and at Midway Island. US Marines were issued light cotton Khaki Twill uniforms for Tropical Service, and the woolen Service Coats and Breeches would have made the Marines pretty darn miserable in the heat and humidity... As for the Typ 320 (W142) Saloon, a lot of us have been waiting for this one, but nevertheless, I'm saying this respecting your personal opinion, of course. (Off topic) Since I'm a BIG US/Allied fan, I personally see no need for so many Tiger Is, but that's just me...

The Army went to open collar service tunics in 1928 and the lower tunic pockets were changed to internally hung with straight flaps. Breast pockets had straight flaps as well.

I don't understand ICM on their WW1 range. Whilst the figures look quite nicely done I've not seen one box yet that's made me think "I've got to get those" as they're all in very boring poses just ambling along or advancing slowly so all the figures look the same. Noone running, firing, bending, kneeling,throwing or prone. Just walking. They've cornered the market effectively with their WW1 range and output, especially with the weapons sets, but you couldn't even build a trench scene of normal daily admin let alone an assault or trench raid..because they're all walking.

Remember that during wars, Armies all over the world spend a lot more time in exercising "HURRY UP AND WAIT maneuvering" than they do in actual fighting. As far as an "Action/Fighting" scene is concerned, check out the new MASTERBOX "Trench Scene" (I forget the actual name of this exciting new set) that has been announced on this very site. I think you'll be very pleased with this one.

The Army went to open collar service tunics in 1928 and the lower tunic pockets were changed to internally hung with straight flaps. Breast pockets had straight flaps as well.[/quote] Conversely, certain US Army National Guard Units STILL wore old WWI-style uniforms well into 1942, before receiving their "new" 1938-1941-style US Army attire, and before being called up for Regular US Army service...

Was hoping the Americans were going to be in fighting poses......hopefully the next US kit will be a set of trench fighters.

I picked up this set after looking at it at my LHS last Thursday-- its actually very nice, with one sprue of the nicely defined weapon set included. The neat part about these figures is it looks like they can be modified into different walking poses fairly easily. I think Masterbox has announced a US set in combat poses for 2016, but this ICM set is nice in that it includes the full 1917 marching order packs w/entrenching tools. These would be very appropriate for late 1918 (September-November) with the included steel helmets, as US forces were operating out of the trenches in a more mobile fashion in many locations (St. Mihiel, Belleau Wood & Chateau Theirry) than was experienced earlier in the war. There are some great photos in Osprey's St. Mihiel book showing troops wearing this gear and standing around some FT17 tanks during the assault. It would have been nice to have some of the figures wearing overcoats though. VR, Russ