US 101st Airborne Infantry Squad (Four Figures) WWII – Custom Printed Brick Block Figure

This custom building block set features a highly detailed, historically accurate four-man squad of the US 101st Airborne Division (“Screaming Eagles”) deployed during the D-Day landings of World War II. Each figure is uniquely customized to represent a specific combat role within an airborne infantry platoon, featuring the iconic M1942 paratrooper uniform and specialized web gear.

1. US 101st Airborne Thompson NCO (Top Left)

Character Identification

This custom building block figure represents a Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) of the 101st Airborne Division, distinguished by his specialized Thompson submachine gun ammo pouches and Native American style facial war paint.

Detailed Character Description

(Utilizing precise 360-degree UV printing, this figure captures the heavily equipped appearance of an American paratrooper squad leader jumping into Normandy.) The figure wears an olive-drab M1 steel helmet. His face features intricate red and white tactical war paint and battle stubble. He is outfitted in the tan M1942 Paratrooper Jump Jacket, complete with a printed camouflage parachute silk scarf and the 101st Airborne Division patch on his left shoulder. His chest webbing features a five-cell Thompson submachine gun magazine pouch and an M1911 leather pistol holster secured on the hip. His lower half consists of M1942 paratrooper trousers with large cargo pockets and dark canvas knee reinforcements. The legs terminate in brown leather Corcoran jump boots, heavily covered in printed mud around the soles.

Historical Background

During the night drops of Operation Overlord (D-Day), squad leaders and NCOs were frequently issued the heavy-hitting Thompson submachine gun for devastating close-quarters firepower. The striking red and white facial war paint pays homage to the legendary “Filthy Thirteen”, a specialized demolition section of the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment who applied invasion striping paint to their faces to intimidate German defenders and boost unit morale.

2. US 101st Airborne Rifleman (Top Right)

Character Identification

This custom building block figure represents a standard Rifleman of the 101st Airborne Division, identifiable by his M1 Garand cartridge belt, angled chest bandolier, M18 smoke grenade, and matching “Filthy Thirteen” war paint.

Detailed Character Description

(Showcasing highly detailed UV printing, this figure highlights the heavy ammunition loadout required by a frontline airborne rifleman.) Crowned with an olive-drab M1 steel helmet, his face is printed with intense red and white tactical war paint. He is dressed in the M1942 Paratrooper Jump Jacket with the 101st Airborne Division patch. His torso features a standard M1923 cartridge belt loaded with M1 Garand en-bloc clips, supplemented by an extra cotton bandolier slung diagonally across his chest. An M18 smoke grenade is printed clipped to his right suspender. His matching M1942 trousers feature cargo pockets and dark canvas knee reinforcements. The uniform is completed with detailed brown leather Corcoran jump boots caked in mud.

Historical Background

Paratroopers jumping into Normandy had to carry all their fighting load on their bodies, often jumping with well over 100 pounds of gear. The standard airborne rifleman carried the reliable M1 Garand, necessitating the heavy ammunition web gear and extra bandoliers printed on this figure to sustain them during the isolated firefights of the first days of the invasion.

3. US 101st Airborne Military Policeman (Bottom Left)

Character Identification

This custom building block figure represents a Military Policeman (MP) serving in the 101st Airborne Division, instantly identifiable by the prominent black and white “MP” brassard on his left sleeve.

Detailed Character Description

(This figure meticulously captures the specialized role of an airborne MP with crisp, accurate uniform details.) The figure wears an M1 steel helmet with the printed leather chin cup strap securely fastened—a specific modification used to keep helmets on during the shock of a parachute jump. His face features a resolute, dirt-smudged expression. He wears the classic tan M1942 Paratrooper Jump Jacket with a camouflage parachute silk scarf and the 101st Airborne Division patch situated just above the defining black “MP” armband. His lower half features M1942 trousers with canvas knee reinforcements and heavily detailed, muddy Corcoran jump boots.

Historical Background

Airborne MPs were elite combat paratroopers who jumped alongside the standard infantry. Once on the ground, their critical duties included securing drop zones, guarding captured prisoners of war, protecting divisional command posts, and directing vital convoy traffic at chaotic crossroads throughout the European theater.

4. US 101st Airborne BAR Gunner (Bottom Right)

Character Identification

This custom building block figure represents a Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) Gunner of the 101st Airborne Division, recognizable by his heavy rectangular ammunition pouches and gas mask bag.

Detailed Character Description

(Utilizing precision printing, this figure captures the overburdened field gear of a paratrooper squad automatic weapon gunner.) He wears an M1 steel helmet with the paratrooper leather chin cup strap engaged. His face features a serious expression with subtle dirt smudges. Outfitted in the tan M1942 Paratrooper Jump Jacket with the 101st Airborne Division patch, his chest webbing is heavily specialized. It features massive BAR magazine pouches designed to hold heavy 20-round magazines, alongside a slung canvas gas mask or utility bag. His M1942 trousers include side cargo pockets and dark canvas knee reinforcements, finishing with muddy brown leather Corcoran jump boots.

Historical Background

Within a paratrooper squad, the BAR Gunner was the most critical element for establishing fire superiority. Jumping out of a C-47 transport plane with a 16-pound automatic rifle and the massive, bulky ammunition pouches depicted on this figure was physically exhausting and highly dangerous. Paratroopers carrying this heavy gear were relied upon heavily during the intense, close-range combat of the Normandy hedgerows.