German Soldier (Indiana Jones, 2008 Variant)
iaj006 · Indiana Jones
The Last Crusade / Raiders of the Lost Ark · 2008 (First debuted in Set 7622)
Figure ID
iaj006
Theme
Indiana Jones
Year Released
2008 (First debuted in Set 7622)
Rarity
Uncommon. While not as rare as some licensed characters, these soldiers were only produced during the original 2008-2009 Indiana Jones run and are no longer in production, making them highly sought after by military MOC builders.
Head
Yellow head with high-detail printing for the era. Features black eyebrows, white clenched teeth in an angry grimace, and a stippled 5 o-clock shadow/beard stubble. The headgear is a Flat Silver Soldier's Helmet (Stahlhelm style).
Torso
Black torso with simple printing restricted to the front. It features a Dark Brown satchel/strap printing running diagonally from the right shoulder to the left hip. The arms are black, and the hands are black.
Legs
Plain black legs without printing. The hip piece is also black. Standard 3.2mm peg connections.
Accessories
In the provided image, the figure is equipped with a Dark Brown satchel strap (printed) and appears to be holding a reddish-brown rifle (element 60849 or similar). Note: One hand has been replaced with a Light Bluish Gray hand, which is not original to this specific ID.
Color Scheme
Predominantly Black and Yellow, accented by Flat Silver for the helmet and Dark Brown for the strap printing. This high-contrast look is iconic for the 'generic' villains of the Indiana Jones theme.
Printing Details
High-quality pad printing for 2008. The stubble on the face is composed of many fine dots, which was a relatively sophisticated technique for standard figures at the time. Printing is limited to the head and front of the torso.
Variants
Several variations of the German Soldier exist: iaj005 (Grey Torso), iaj025 (Goggles on helmet), and iaj007 (Officer with medals). This specific variant (iaj006) is the most basic 'Grunt' assigned to the Black uniform sets.
Condition Notes
The image shows a replaced hand (Light Bluish Gray); the original should be Black. Common wear points include the silver paint rubbing off the top of the helmet and 'cracking' on the sides of the torso under the arms. The printing on the face appears well-preserved.
Estimated Value
Used (Complete/Original): $8 - $12 USD. New: $15 - $20 USD. As pictured (with incorrect hand): $5 - $7 USD. Prices vary based on the tightness of joints and helmet scuffing.
Price (New)
Originally available in Set 7622 'Race for the Stolen Treasure' which retailed for $29.99 USD in 2008. The set included 4 minifigures, putting the individual value at roughly $7.50 at retail.
Compatible Sets
7622 Race for the Stolen Treasure (2008).
Character Background
Represents the anonymous Wehrmacht soldiers seen during the chase sequences in 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' and 'The Last Crusade.' They serve as the primary physical obstacles for Indiana Jones during his quest for the Ark and the Grail.
Design Notes
This figure is notable for being one of the few times LEGO produced figures representing 20th-century German military forces, though they were carefully designed to be generic 'movie villains' to comply with LEGO's policy against realistic modern warfare sets.
Similar Minifigures
German Soldier (iaj005), German Guard (iaj025), and the rebooted 2023 version (iaj046) which features updated tan uniforms for the 'Raiders' sets.
Collectibility
Moderate to High. Because LEGO rarely produces military-style figures, these are evergreen favorites for 'Army Builders' who create World War II-themed dioramas, keeping demand stable.
History
Part of the inaugural 2008 wave of Indiana Jones sets launched alongside the release of 'Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.' This era marked a transition toward more detailed facial hair and apparel printing.
Interesting Facts
The helmet mold used here (30171) is a favorite among customizers. Although the Indiana Jones theme is based on the 1930s/40s, this head piece was later reused for various 'tough guy' characters in LEGO City and other themes.
Display Suggestions
Display in a desert or jungle convoy scene. Looks best when grouped with 3-5 identical soldiers alongside a vintage-style truck or motorcycle sidecar.
Modification Potential
Extremely high. The head and helmet are frequently swapped onto grey or olive-green torsos from third-party vendors like BrickArms or Citizen Brick to create more historically accurate military uniforms.
Overall Assessment
A solid, era-defining minifigure. While this specific unit has a replaced hand, the core components (stubble head and silver stahlhelm) are iconic pieces of the 2008 LEGO Indiana Jones line. Recommendation: Buy if building a collection of 2000s-era licensed themes, but ensure hands are color-matched for maximum value.