New 1:6 “Odds-n-Ends” You Can Find in Stores NOW!

It’s tiny. It’s nicely detailed. It’s in 1:6 scale. And it’s NOT PINK. This “retro TV” may have begun as a lowly keychain, but we quickly removed that unnecessary hardware and plan on putting it in a guard shack diorama, maybe as a monitor or something for him to watch before falling asleep and being tied up by our Navy SEAL strike team. It’s PERFECT. And so is the cost—only $3.99! (Photo: Mark Otnes)

This closeup shows the TV’s scale in relation to a 12″ GIjOE. Sweet! (Photo: Mark Otnes)

Cheap. Cool. Collectible!

It’s always fun to report on new 1:6 scale “finds,” whether they’re big or small, cheap or expensive, mass-produced or custom-made “one-of-a-kinds.” Whatever they may be, if they fit into our ever-expanding “1:6 universe” of action figures, vehicles and related diorama props, we want to know about them. And we know YOU do too! Fortunately (for our wallets), today’s particular finds are all available for under $15, most for much less, and all of them are currently and conveniently available in both brick-n-mortar retail stores—and online.

We’ll begin with a Retro TV Keychain (shown in the photos above and at right). You can see that once the kechain’s hardware has been removed, it looks just like a nice little 1:6 scale b&w TV, complete with realistic light and sound effects—simply perfect for GIjOE! The company that created this item (Kikkerland) is based in Europe in the Netherlands, and during a recent trip to nearby Norway, we found it available in stores located throughout Bergen and Oslo. Ours was purchased here in the U.S. at Waterloo Records in Austin, Texas, but you can also order them online HERE. Finally, Patches of Pride (PoP) has created a new “2-minute review” video about the TV, so you can see and hear its effects before buying:

This hand-held movie camera by Kikkerland would look right at home in any 1950s-’70s 1:6 scale diorama. It’s also a great candidate for customization, including paint details, decals, etc. (Photo: Mark Otnes)

GIjOE: Signal Corps Photographer

Cameras are not often produced in 1:6 scale; hand-held movie cameras even less so. Dragon created a superb WWII movie camera for one of its high-end German “propaganda” figures, 21st Century Toys made a series of carded 35mm SLRs as an equipment pack, and Hasbro produced a wrist-strapped Hasselblad for its ’60s Mercury astronaut and a Signal Corps photographer’s equipment carded set for their ’90s Classic Collection line. Mattel has even produced a fairly nice (pink) movie camera with a tripod a few years back for Barbie. But a 1:6 scale movie camera for GIjOE? That’s been a rather rare item to track down—until now.

Keychain manufacturer Kikkerland strikes again! This time, it’s their Movie Camera Keychain, most likely patterned after the sturdy Kodak “Super-8s” of the 1950s-70s. When the keychain’s hardware has been removed, you’re left with a perfect 1:6 scale prop for GIjOE. It includes authentic sound and light effects, fits perfectly in Joe’s kung-fu and gung-ho gripped hands, and enables him to “shoot” some dangerous white tigers and pygmy gorillas on his next safari adventure. Of course this time, he’s going to be shooting them all—with FILM. We found our camera at the same Waterloo Records store in Austin for $3.99, but it’s also available online HERE. Take a look:

1:6 Scale Trash and Recycling Containers

What’s an Adventure Team to do with all of its outdated Skull Island maps and other trash? Why, throw it all out, of course. But to do so properly requires 1:6 scale trash and recycling containers, right? Right! Well, thanks to eagle-eyed Field Reporter, Andrew Garrison, there’s now hope for all of our messy Adventure Team headquarters. In a post left recently on the Trenches fan forum, Garrison announced an exciting new discovery that can help our Joes “clean up their act,” saying :

“I didn’t see this listed here—yet. I picked these up at Dollar Tree today. I’d seen them posted elsewhere and figured some Trenchers might like a heads up on these.”—Andrew Garrison

Absolutely PERFECT 1:6 scale trash and recycling containers (actually pen and pencil holders) can now be found at many Dollar Tree stores nationwide. And of course, they’re just $1 each! (Photo: Andrew Garrison)

The containers are a tad on the fragile side, so we don’t recommend dropping them on hard floors. But they’re the perfect size for Joe and their colors and graphics would look great in any 1:6 scale office, kitchen or headquarters diorama. Thanks for the “heads up,” Andrew!

You couldn’t get any more ON SCALE <snicker> than this superb 1:6 scale bassoon. Absolutely PERFECT in terms of detail, quality and size. Currently $12.50 in most musical instrument stores. (Photo: Mark Otnes)

Play it Again, Joe…

We love musical instruments that are scaled to fit GIjOE. Over the years, we’ve collected a wide variety of 1:6 scale guitars, drums, trombones, flutes, trumpets, clarinets, pianos and even a harp, for our 1:6 musicians.

This year, during the holiday shopping season, we were browsing in a musical instrument store when we came across a tiny instrument we’d never seen (in 1:6) before, a stunning, absolutely SPOT-ON 1:6 scale bassoon made of real wood and metal parts. It rang up at a pricey $12.95, but the instrument’s materials and quality made it well worth the cost, in our opinion. The bassoon’s size is perfect for Joe, and its color, keys, etc. all look correct. Although the bassoon was originally an ornament, according to the store manager:

“They’re available all year-round, because they make great gifts for birthdays, graduations, and other occasions.”

By “other occasions,” we’re not sure if he was thinking about 1:6 scale GIjOE band concerts, but that’s undoubtedly what thousands of customizers and diorama builders around the world are likely considering. Regardless, remember that despite the holidays being behind us now, your chances of still finding these little beauties in the stores are, as musicians like to say, “SOLID, Jackson!”

This closeup of the new 1:6 scale bassoon reveals incredible craftsmanship and detail. (Photo: Mark Otnes)

Miniature Huey Helicopter Hallmark Keepsake Ornament

There are many miniature versions of the Huey helicopter out there, but this particular one caught our eye over the Christmas holidays, and we thought we’d pass it on. As always, Hallmark ornaments are exceptionally well made, and this honey is no exception. It’s made of metal, except for the flexible plastic rotors and landing skids. Its paint job is superb and even includes sharp little ARMY lettering on each side of the tail boom. Put one in your GIjOE’s “war room,” office, barracks, or conference room, and it’ll look GREAT. Hey, Joe deserves some toys of his own, right?

Joe loves helicopters, and the Hallmark Keepsake Huey is one of his favorites! We found this one on sale for $15, normally $17. But you can probably find it online for even less. HOO-ah! (Photo: Mark Otnes)

Bottom Line: The search for 1:6 scale props and accessories never ends, so we’ll continue to pass on any new items that come across our desks here at The Joe Report, as well as any fresh “intel” from trusty Field Reporters such as Andrew Garrison. Good luck and Happy Hunting!