At Advance The Colors '98, I picked up a few packs of F. A.A.'s 20mm Vietnam figures from The Colour Sergeant, as I had the chance to game in Brian O'Leary's prison camp scenario and was feeling a bit "in- country." I have always had an affection with Vietnam. Until I happened across F.A.A.'s fine of figures, I wasn't that impressed with what was available, and hadn't been motivated to game the period. There are other manufacturers who have a wider variety of figures, but F.A.A.'s figures, to me, are the best for their animation and "chunkiness." There are 22 packs in this line, mostly U.S. figures. There are only seven Viet Cong packs, but the figures offer a wide variety of poses. I will be reviewing moreof this line in a future issue.

With this in mind, I was looking forward to picking up some more packs at this year's ATC, but alas, The Colour Sergeant informed me that while he can still obtain them, directly from the UK, he was no longer carrying the line. Therefore, I have placed an order for four packs of Viet Cong with Brookhurst Hobbies on-line, and received my figures four days later. lwas most impressed with Brookhurst's service You can contact Brookhurst at 12188 Brookhurst St., Garden Grove, CA 92840. Phone (714) 636-3580, or visit their web site: http://www.brookhursthobbies.com

I will describe the three packs I picked up last year and the four that Brookhurst sent me:

NAM 4 - ARP "Pigs," two M60 teams. There are four figures in this pack, two M60 (i.e., "Pig") gunners, and two riflemen figures carrying M16s. Ofthe M60 gunners, one is posed on one knee, M60 in hand, wearing a helmet, while the other gunner is advancing, wearing a bandana. The two riflemen are both carrying extra belts of ammo around the neck (as are the two gunners) and are both wearing helmets. One is advancing, and the other is on one knee. The detail on all the figures is good, and all are wearing the usual garb, including packs, belts, canteens, knives, etc. Price: $4.40.

NAM 5 -- Kit Carson Scouts, two scouts & LLDB officer. The three figures is this pack are Vietnamese, and therefore are a bit smaller (less heft) than the American figures in this line, as they should be. The two scouts (one standing, one squatting) are both carrying M16s and wearing boonie hats, along with the usual accessories and ammo belts draped around their necks. By the way, if you didn't know, Kit Carson scouts were ex-Viet Cong who were used for scouting purposes after they quit the "revolution." The LLDB officer is a nice figure. He is standing, wearing a beret, and pointing off to theside. He is carrying an M16 pointed at the ground ("never been fired, only dropped once"), and also has the usual web gear. Price $3.40.

NAM 14 - LRRP team. Although the product listing states there are four figures in this pack, mine came with five. They great figures! One is posed on one knee, aiming or firing his M16 and wearing a bandana. Another figure is carrying an M79 grenade launcher and wearing a boonie hat, posed one one knee, with his hand palm up facing away from him, as it signaling to the rest to stop. Another figure is carrying a radio, and is on one knee obviously making radio contact with higher-up. He is armed with an M16 and wearing a boonie hat. The last two figures are both advancing with M16s, one a bit more cautiously than the other, and are both sporting boonie hats. All come with packs, etc. Price: $4.40.

NAM 6 - VC P1 HQ. There are four figures in this command pack and the detail is very good. One figure is advancing wearing a floppy hat, raising his Russian pistol towards the sky. Another figure is also advancing, carrying a French SMG (a MAT 49), pointing forward. The third figure is running, bareheaded, carrying what appears to be a Moisin Nagant rifle. The last figure is kneeling on one knee, also bareheaded, and appears to be carrying a Russian SMG. Price: $4.40.

NAM 8 - VC Infantry with Rifles. Are you tired of seeing all the VC armed with AK47s? The five figures in this pack are carrying a variety of ritles, some French, some Russian, some with bayonets attached. All are wearing floppy hats. Two figures are firing (one standing, one kneeling), two are advancing, and the last is kneeling, holding some sort of squad support weapon. This pack would be useful especially in the early phases of the war, where the Viet Cong was not so well equipped. Price: $4.40.

NAM 11 - VC B40 Team, moving and firing. There are four figures in this pack, two soldiers carrying a B40 (RPG clone) and the other two carrying additional rounds. One team is advancing, the B40 soldier bareheaded while his Number 2 is wearing a floppy hat. The other team is in firing mode, the B40 soldier wearing the classic Vietnam helmet, while his Number 2 is reaching into his pack for another round. Price: $4.40.

NAM 12 - VC 12.7AAMG crew, firing. This is one cool pack! Therearefour figures serving this IDSHK MG, one gunner (bareheaded), two ammo bearers (one with floppy hat, the other with helmet), and one crew leader (floppy hat) directing the weapon. The MG itself needs a bit of assembling, as it is cast in four pieces, and comes with it's own stand. Impressive pack! Price: $5.40.

In all cases, the figures are very animated and detailed, and are a joy to paint. All of the VC packs have a variety of ammo pouches, packs, etc., and are wearing Ho Chi Minh sandals. Prices vary depending on the amount of figures in a pack, and range from $3.40 to $5.40. As you can probably tell, I do like F.A.A.'s offerings in 1his period. If you are interested in the Vietnam era, and want to see a few figures, order a pack from Brookhurst -- you won't be disappointed.