Rattle wrote:
] Update: I've been asked to post my rationale.
]
] Look at the toy gun. With the handle affixed to the bottom of
] the barrel's heat shield, that's on every action figure gun so
] you have a way to attach it to the toy's hands. I'm pretty
] sure such handles are not standard issue on M16's, which that
] doesn't even fully resemble. I can't see the action release
] or the safety, which should be visible on the left side.
] Also, notice the toy's hands are behind its back, as they
] would be an obvious give away. (That could be explained by
] tied up hands, given.) The rifle is also being held by the
] stock off camera, which adds to the sketchiness. In past
] pictures they have not been paranoid enough to not show hands.
] Furthermore, in past pictures insurgents have stood behind
] the captures looking all threatening holding guns and knives,
] wearing masks. There must not have been any insurgent action
] figures available.
]
] The vest on the figure goes not fit tightly, as a GI uniform
] would. The chest appears to bulge out too far.
]
] The eyes don't look right. Neither does the skin tone.
]
] The sitting position doesn't look natural to a human as much
] as to an action figure.
]
] The way the right edge of the fabric banner is frayed seems
] too bushy for the size it would have to be.

Not sure if it's fake or not, but i don't think the figure is an action figure. If you sharpen the image and examine the boots, they have what appears to be laces. Also, the legs are bent at different angles with both feet on the ground. The body is also slightly tilted at the waist, and the shoulders and elbows are bent in natural positions. if this is an action figure, it has more joints than normal and the joints have more range than usual. Also, the figure would have to be weighted because an action figure in that position would balance with its legs dangling somewhat, or he would be propped up by the wall. If you look carefully, he is not against the wall (if he is, it would be by his shoulders, which would indicate by the rest of the positioning, that this would have to be an action figure with a spine.) The way the lighting falls around his upper torso, it does not appear to rest against the wall.

RE: AP News Photo - Captured GI (hoax)