Echelon Fine Details

1/35 U.S. Army & Marine Corps Patches, Insignia, and Ranks

Sheet Number: 353001

Reviewed by  Howie Belkin, IPMS# 16

MSRP: $14.50 Water slide decals of 'subdued' insignia and ranks worn by US troops from Vietnam to present day, each sheet is 2-1/4" x 4-3/4" in resealable polybag, for 1/35 scale figures. Echelon Fine Details 'The Marks of a Soldier' series of 1/35 decals produced by Kriegsketten in Singapore (printed by Microscale) are limited run decals you need to complete your U.S. Army or Marine figures as they would have appeared with subdued insignia in Vietnam thru to today. Subdued simply means that instead of colorful insignia, only black and the color of the uniform are used (black over green or sand). There are no directions so use your figures boxart, actual photos or any of the many books available as a guide. I don't know if it's changed since Vietnam, but we wore our current unit's insignia high up on our left sleeve; if you had been in combat with another unit prior to this assignment you could wear that division's insignia high up on your right sleeve. 'Sewn on' enlisted men's rank (private thru sergeant, including 'specialists') appeared halfway up between the division and the elbow; 'pinned on' were on the ends of collars while some officers ranks were worn on shoulder epaulets. There is a difference between Army and Marine ranks and Echelon has provided for them. Included the first time ever to my knowledge, are the horizontal tabs that appeared on the fatigue shirt/blouse/tunic. The one above the left pocket was imprinted with the service (ie U.S. ARMY); the service person's last name appeared over the right pocket. Some additional blank color tabs are included along with extra sets of alphabet should you want to give your troops different names than those provided. It will take great eyesight and a steady hand, but it can be done! Subdued and full color U.S. flag patches are also included, seen worn high on the right shoulder in photos of troops in Iraq. Extra insignia like the USMC Anchor/Globe are provided, as well as some for helmets (you're familiar with the 101st Airborne heart-club insignia from Band of Brothers). Never before seen decals of National Guard unit insignias top it off. Two other similar sets exist for $12.50 each, covering units not included on this sheet. Each was originally a limited run of 500 screen printed sheets so you better get them while you can! Each decal is separate with minimal carrier film - these are not solid sheets of decal film where you have to cut out each individual insignia. The registration is dead on and they appear to be opaque. These are just some of the many armor decals Echelon/Kriegsketten has. They also have WWII Sherman, M3 Lee/Grants, Crusaders, KV-1, Char B1, plenty of German, Vietnam M-48s and Guntrucks, Centurions, T-55s, T-72s, Abrams, M2 Bradleys, Leclercs 'and more!' I highly recommend them in spite of their high price and hope one day soon manufacturers will start to include decals with their figure sets. Very few modelers are talented enough to hand paint these insignia, and most often you'll see figures without name, rank, or ahem, unit. When you do, it gives them that extra edge that really catches attention. I haven't had luck with dry decals though I believe Archer Decals and Verlinden have uniform insignias. I still have an ancient IPMS-USA decal with U.S. insignia. Until the manufacturers jump on this simple way to stand out from their competitors, there's Echelon! You'll find them in better hobby shops. I first saw Echelon decals in Baseline Hobbies in West Babylon, NY, or check the company website . Thanks to Echelon for the review sample. References The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Military Insignia of the 20th Century by Guido Rosignoli Modern Combat Uniforms by Mark Lloyd Modern Military Uniforms by Chris McNab The War in Iraq - A Photo History by Larry Schwartz Primary Insignias include: 1st Infantry Division, 2nd ID, 3rd ID, 4th ID, 24th ID, 82nd Airborne Division, 101st Airborne Div., 5th Special Forces Group Airborne, 3rd Army, 10th Mountain Division, 1st Cavalry, 1st Armored Division, South Dakota National Guard, 220th Military Police Brigade, US Army Military Assistant Command and Elements Central Command.

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