SSgt. Barnes

During the early to mid-1980s movies and TV series about the Vietnam War were hugely popular. 

One of the most memorable movies was Platoon.

Actor Tom Berenger played the homicidal and cruel SSgt. Barnes whom unmercifully killed the enemy (including women and children) and who led his platoon with an iron fist.

Sideshow Collectibles obtained the rights to create three figures from the film, SSgt. Barnes being one of them.

At the time the Platoon figures were being produced Sideshow also delved into the fully-articulated, 12-inch military and historical figure market.  It produced some of the finest figures of the industry.  

With Platoon Sideshow not only produced licensed figures but military figures as well. They are some of the best produced.

The SSgt. Barnes figure is fully-articulated in all of its joints including the neck and torso and has its hands that are set in grip positions for holding weapons and equipment with no slippage.

All the figure’s clothing, equipment and weapons are fashioned after the Vietnam War era.

SSgt. Barnes wears a standard issue green military outfit for the field.

He is clothed in a heavy, green jacket consisting of a large tuned-down collar, two vest pockets with flaps, two waist pockets with flaps and reinforced cuffs with heavy stitching that open.

Over the coat he wears an equipment belt with shoulder straps with buckles and an equipment belt with a heavy clip buckle loops and rivets.  Hanging onto the belt is two ammo pouches with heavy snap-shut lids.  The belt and pouches are green.

The figure wears loose-fitting trousers with two large pockets with the legs cinched at he bottoms.  The trousers end at the top of the figure’s tall-laced boots.  The boots appear to be canvas with heavy leather soles and toes.  Take a moment to look at the detail on the boots from the stitching to the laces-amazing!

Included with the figure is a standard issue helmet with camo cloth covering, and M-16 Rifle with clip and shoulder strap, three hand grenades, a knife with scabbard and strap and ring attachment, a mine, detonation cord, a firing trigger, a small pouch and a larger pouch for carrying the various detonation equipment.

The M-16 is the most impressive of the weapons.  It’s heavy stock and grip, firing chamber and upper metal handle perfectly match its larger namesake.  It also has strap clips and a trigger guard and clip.

There is also a small knife with a black vertical grip.

The figure easily holds the weapons and equipment with no slippage or chance of dropping them.

The figure is freestanding and requires no base or support wire.

Color application on the figure and weapons duplicate military standard colors with clean even lines and no slopovers.  Molding is crisp and sharp with no rough edges or flashing.  

Barnes scarred face is depicted with his sweaty hair poking out of the bandana on his head.

His eyes look almost maniacal, his mouth is drawn down and his features set in stone.  This is not a man you want to mess with.

Romans 8:15 - For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.