Adventure Team Fan Creates His Own Toys Using 3-D Printing Technology; Produces 1/18th Scale Mobile Support Vehicle & “Mummy’s Tomb” ATV

David Pruitt’s groundbreaking custom 1:18 scale Mobile Support Vehicle is the first of its type produced by a GIjOE fan using 3-D printing technology. The one-of-a-kind (so far) MSV features a detachable forward cab, removable clear windshield, rolling wheels, hollow trailer, raising rear hatch, retractable control panel, maps and chairs—just like its 1:6 scale predecessor. Outstanding! (Photo: David Pruitt)

GIjOE fan, collector and customizer, David Pruitt, a pioneer in the use of 3-D printing, poses with some of his recent creations. (Photo: David Pruitt)

“Who needs Hasbro?”

Prior to 2013, such brash talk would have seemed almost sacrilegious coming out of the mouth of a devoted GIjOE fan. But not any longer. As of this month, David Pruitt, a self-professed, longtime fan of the Adventure Team, can back up those challenging words with a hard, physical reality—he makes his OWN custom toys! According to Pruitt:

“After growing up with Adventure Team as a kid, I was blown away with the GIjOE Collector’s Club releases of the 3 3/4 Adventurers. Naturally, I had to have some retro vehicles to go with those extremely cool figures, so I decided to build my own!”

Pruitt, a professional design engineer from Jonesboro, Arkansas, has been making headlines all over the internet since revealing his creation of superb 1:18 scale replicas of vintage GIjOE vehicles. Of course, talented individuals around the world have been making their own toys for years, all by hand, without the aid of a Hasbro or Mattel (See: Kampfgruppe Von Abt). So what makes David’s achievements so unique? Let’s take a closer look…

Pruitt’s 1:18 scale 6×6 ATV works perfectly with his diminutive Adventure Team. (Photo: David Pruitt)

Using measurements taken from his 1:6 scale MSV, Pruitt produced this early CAD rendering (viewable from all angles) and scaled it down to 1:18 scale, providing the data required by the 3-D printer. (Artwork: David Pruitt)

“Simply AMAZING!”

What makes Pruitt’s custom creations so absolutely extraordinary is not that they were made, but how they were made. By combining his knowledge of 3-D CAD software and the capabilities of 3-D printing (3DP), David has shown fans, collectors and other customizers around the world, that professional-level toy production is now within reach of the “average Joe.” Prices of 3-D printers continue to fall, and 3-D printing services will soon become commonplace at quick-print shops such as Kinkos. This is BIG, folks. Hold on to your pith helmets!

Pruitt’s CAD drawing of the ATV’s main body is ready for production by a 3-D printer. (Art: David Pruitt)

How Does 3-D Printing Work?

Simply put, 3-dimensional objects can now be produced in a variety of materials (including metals and plastics) based upon the specifications set forth in a 3-D CAD drawing created on a computer. Such technology has been in use by major toy companies and manufacturers for years, primarily to create prototypes of their own products. But recently, “desktop” 3-D printers have come down in price to such a point that home users are beginning to get interested—VERY interested. Pruitt further explains the process this way:

“Today’s 3-D printer moves in x and y directions and prints layer over layer to build up the z part (height). The spooled ABS material feeds into the printing tip similar to a hot-melt glue gun. All in all, it’s a much less technical way of creating a 3-D part than the older, more labor-intensive methods.”

The various parts of Pruitt’s 1:18 scale MSV were “printed” in gray plastic. Here they are prior to the finishing steps of sanding, painting and final assembly. (Photo: David Pruitt)

After “printing,” new parts (like this ATV body) can be sanded, primed and painted any color. Hmm…Maybe yellow. What do you guys think? (Photo: David Pruitt)

Why “3DP” is Great News for Joeheads

Imagine being able to design and produce your own spare parts and accessories— on demand—out of solid plastic—without ever touching a sheet of styrene, a jar of resin or a putty knife. Imagine being able to simply hit “PRINT” on your computer’s keyboard and a much-desired part “magically” appears. Such an exciting concept has long been a fantasy for many.

And why not? Who wouldn’t want to replace a missing Crash Crew Truck handrail, broken Sea Sled spear gun or other rare vintage part? We clearly can’t rely on Hasbro. There’s simply not enough profit in it for them to bother.

After adding some yellow paint, the MSV is starting to look VERY familiar. (Photo: David Pruitt)

What Else Should We Know?

The only real “hang-ups” with 3DP are cost and time. Regardless of  what you’re planning to do with them, these machines can be both expensive and slow. According to Pruitt:

“3-D printers range in cost from thousands of dollars to as little as $500 (HERE). As an example, all of the parts for my MSV were printed at one time and took about 17 hours to complete. Materials-wise, 17 cubic inches of ABS spooled extrusion material were used, at a total cost of around $70. The costs and time required depend entirely on what you’re making.”

Almost done! This closeup of Pruitt’s new 3DP ATV shows it is only lacking some crane rope, a hook and the two little steering pegs. Outstanding work! (Photo: David Pruitt)

New 3-D printing technology reminds many of an early version of the famous “replicator” devices shown on episodes of Star Trek. Both use a process called “additive manufacturing” (AM) to create 3-dimensional objects, seemingly from thin air! (Photo: Paramount)

“This All Seems…Strangely Familiar.”

It should! Remember the “replicators” from TV’s Star Trek? The computerized, almost magical devices that seemed like they could make almost anything out of thin air? Today’s 3-D printing is very similar. Here’s how Wikipedia describes the Star Trek replicator:

“A replicator works by rearranging subatomic particles, which are abundant everywhere in the universe, to form molecules and arrange those molecules to form the object. For example, to create a pork chop, the replicator would first form atoms of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, etc., then arrange them into amino acids, proteins, and cells, and assemble the particles into the form of a pork chop.”

Although it’s unlikely GIjOE fans will be creating pork chops with 3-D printers anytime soon, it’s a sure bet they’ll be following in the footsteps of 3DP pioneers such as Pruitt and making their own spare parts, accessories and vehicles.

Closeup side view of Pruitt’s MSV. The figures fit perfectly! (Photo: David Pruitt)

Pruitt’s utilized 3DP to create a prototype of Target’s new all-plastic shopping cart. The same CAD drawings could easily be printed at 1:6 or 1:18 scale. How about a Target store diorama? Maybe a mock-up of a new “Joe Aisle?” (Photo: Target)

More 3DP Intel from David Pruitt

We asked Pruitt to elaborate on his experiences with 3DP. No surprisingly, he uses the versatile technology in his professional life as well. Here’s what he had to say:

“I’m an engineer by trade and my big claim to fame career-wise was co-designing and developing a new all-plastic shopping cart for Target back in 2005-6. After making the parts with a 3-D printer, we glued it all together to make the frame, basket, handle, etc.

Then, we built large plexiglass boxes and hung the assembled parts inside the boxes with wire. Next, we filled the boxes with a clear liquid silicone. After the silicone had set, we took the box sides off and cut everything into two pieces.

Finally, we removed the original cart parts and put the two silicone mold halves back together so as to cast solid urethane parts. Wa-la! A full-scale shopping cart prototype. You can build just about anything you want if you can afford the materials!”

With each added detail, Pruitt’s amazing 1:18 scale MSV nears completion. (Photo: David Pruitt)

Yes, the tires roll. Yes, the bubble is clear plastic. YES, THIS TOY IS TERRIFIC! (Photo: David Pruitt)

When asked if he had any future plans for producing his own line of vehicles or products, Pruitt optimistically replied:

“I’m working on getting my own printer and thinking about building and painting and selling these. I still have a few steps to go. The coolest aspect of 3-D printing is that you can design and make anything you can think of. Watch out Hasbro! Now we can make ANY toy we want!”

This closeup of the rear section of the MSV reveals a wealth of added details including decals, maps and a retractable control panel. WOW! (Photo: David Pruitt)

David later added a rooftop storage rack, spare tires and equipment crate! (Photo: David Pruitt)

“Hey, You. No Cutting in Line!“

Potential customers for Pruitt’s amazing creations have already begun queuing up on various online forums. One such eager fan, “GIJOEY,” wrote in on the Hisstank website to say:

“I know this comment is going to sound over the top, but I just cried happy tears to see a toy that I owned in the past come to life again in the scale that I now love. Thank you, David, for making a middle-aged man get excited like he was 10 years old again. I cannot wait to see you do more pieces from this era. You are a true artist!”

Bottom Line: Clearly a leader in the use of 3-D printing by GIjOE collectors, David has proven that fans no longer have to rely on the whims and unpredictable corporate decisions of Hasbro or any other toy company. As “Cobra Blue” so eloquently summed it up over on Hisstank:

“David Pruitt is a pioneer. I predicted in another forum that this was where we were headed with technology, and that sooner or later, this was how we were going to get updated or better versions of RAH vehicles in the future. Someone on this forum said ‘it is still a VERY long way from replacing the volume injection molding.’ Well, if ‘very long way’ means four months, then I guess that prediction is true. I read an article on MakerBot that they have a desktop 3-D Printer which will SCAN an object and then print it. This is exciting!”

Pruitt’s MSV is finished and ready for its first mission. Note the last-minute addition of a bank of 4 roof-mounted flood-lights. This Adventure Team is ready for ANYTHING. Go, JOE! (Photo: David Pruitt)

Fans & Collectors Celebrate “The Sweeter Side” of G.I. Joe Fandom With Custom Cakes & Treats

GIjOE fan, collector and dealer, Irving Santiago, was recently surprised on his birthday with this outstanding GIjOE hovercraft cake. The colors and details are right on, and everything you see is edible, down to the missiles, guns and logos. (Photo: Irving Santiago)

ep·i·cu·re·an  [ep-i-kyoo-ree-uhn]
adj. 1. fond of or adapted to luxurious tastes or habits, especially in eating and drinking.

“Cholesterol and Blood Sugar Levels be Damned! I’m having a second piece!”

This photo of Irving Santiago (center) and his two sons gives you a better idea of the massive size of his hovercraft birthday cake. (Photo: Irving Santiago)

In ever-growing numbers, typically health-conscious GIjOE fans have begun rebelling against normal dietary restrictions and succumbing instead to the increased consumption of “oh-so-sugary” custom cakes, cookies and baked treats; all under the guise of celebrating and/or commemorating the world’s greatest action figure—GIjOE!

How did this “usurption of gastronomical good sense” get a grip on GIjOE fans? The exact origins and connections remain unclear, but expert analysts believe the typical fare consumed at an average GIjOE club meeting (i.e. pizza, hamburgers, etc.) has begun to be seen as “insufficient” for the evolving epicurean tastes, palates and waistlines of discerning fans. According to one such “rich food rebel” we spoke with recently:

“Well, you know how it is. GIjOEs are all about having fun. When fans get together for a GIjOE club meeting or related event we just feel like celebrating! A lot of us can’t eat sweet treats at home without getting the ‘skunk eye’ from the our old ‘ball-n-chain,’ so we thought it would be a good idea if we ‘topped off’ our meetings with something special. Something like a cake or other sweet dessert.”

How about a GIjOE tank cake? This looks like the creation of a very talented Mom who wanted to surprise her “little man” on his birthday. (Lucky kid!)
(Photo: cakepicturegallery)

Sounds good to us! Of course, GIjOE cakes and other treats aren’t limited to just collector’s club members. Hundreds, if not thousands, of such delicacies have been created and consumed over the years by hungry fans of all ages in the form of birthday cakes, cupcakes or cookies. A quick search on the internet revealed dozens of examples in a variety of shapes, “eras” and themes. Our favorites are the ambitious ones that go beyond traditional round or rectangular shapes and endeavoured to make 3-dimensional cakes based upon GIjOE characters and vehicles (see tank cake at right).

This stylized, comparitively simple cake design features a miniature “Snake Eyes” and “Storm Shadow” preparing to do battle. Absolutely Superb! (Photo: quaintcake.com)

The baker of this “Cobra Cake” did an outstanding job rendering the Cobra logo. YUM!
(Photo: Kristy’s Kreations)

If cakes aren’t your thing, how about a GIGANTIC chocolate-chip cookie? With camoflage frosting? Just remember to keep it a “classified top secret” until your 10th birthday party—like Joey!
(Photo: gourmetgoodiesbykate)

If your club members are “all thumbs” when it comes to baking, this “General Hawk” cake pan should help speed things up. (Photo: ebay)

Clearly the work of a professional, this outstanding GIjOE cake features perfectly cut stars and logo. And the green color has that perfect RAH feel. (Photo: cakecentral)

Ho-Ho-How about a Humvee full of Christmas presents? How cool is THIS? (Photo: frostedcelebrations)

Anyone can make a “Joe Cake” with just a little imagination and some good ol’ fashioned “Joe Spirit.” On this homemade birthday cake, Joe has just taken down a bad guy and restrains with a rubber band. We love how GIjOE’s name is so much larger than poor little “Max.” Hilarious! (Photo: iheartcakes)

Another great example of a “club cake,” this one was for the Central Illinois GIjOE Collector’s Club. It was baked and then decorated by a local grocery store (Meijer), using some kind of high-tech, “edible image’ frosting. Don’t worry. It was GREAT! (Photo: Mark Otnes)

Bottom Line: Whatever the occasion, whether it be a GIjOE club meeting, birthday party or just for fun, there’s no better way to “top off” the event’s festivities, than with a GIjOE-themed dessert. With that in mind, we’ve saved the very BEST GIjOE cake for last. It was created by our good friends in the Long Island Division of the GIjOE Collector’s Club. Click HERE or on the video link below and prepare to be BLOWN AWAY. Enjoy!

Custom ’69 “Eagle Eye” Adventurer Creates Stir

“Eagle Eye” GIjOEs featured adjustable eyes with the ability to look side-to-side. (Photo: irol04)

Don’t be so stunned, Joe. You look GREAT! When your owner removes that flocking-glue residue around your mouth and touches up the paint on your hairline, you’ll be perfect! (Photo: irol04) Click to enlarge.

A Great “What if?” Experiment

How cool looking is this guy? In an intriguing auction spotted recently on ebay, some creative Joehead (was it YOU?) had customized a ’69 Adventurer by swapping out its original head for a flocked ’76 “Eagle-Eye” (EE) noggin. Then, he shaved off its hair (yes, the beard too!) and converted it back to a painted-hair (PH) redhead!

The final unique custom figure sold for $47 and judging by its photos, the newly transformed hero seems somewhat startled by his freshly shorn appearance. Some fans even see such “radical surgery” as sacrilege, but we DIG ‘im! We think the results reveal a whole new “face” that Hasbro could easily recreate and then exploit in a new line of EE-PH figures. In the listing, seller “irol04″ described “Red” thusly:

“Here’s a ’69 Adventurer body with the pat pending numbers stamped on his rear. The body looks nice with a possible factory flaw at the neck post. He looks to have had his head replaced with an Eagle Eye, with some revisions.”

First-generation bodies and EE heads were never together originally, making this custom an instant standout. (Photo: irol04)

The description is factual, yes, but far from complete. As you may recall, Eagle-Eye (EE) GIjOEs made their first appearance in 1976, sporting all-new “life-like bodies” and exciting all-new EE headsculpts with flocked hair (some with beards, some without).

A simple glance at this custom figure reveals it has an older first-generation body, proving its EE head is not original and has been changed. The so-called “flaw at the neck post” mentioned in the listing is actually one version of the sniper or “sharpshooter position” neck-piece.

Owners controlled the “Eagle Eyes” of their GIjOEs with a little slide-switch in the back of the head. Once covered with flocking, the head’s hair helped hide the switch from view. This custom PH head eliminates the hair and makes the switch more visible. (Photo: irol04)

But WHO put this interesting 1:6 hero together this way? And WHY? It would be nice to know the reasons behind these customizations. If you’re this figure’s creator, please leave a comment behind. Regardless, the results speak for themselves. This figure ROCKS!

Bottom Line: If you’ve ever wondered what a bearded fuzzhead with eagle-eyes would look like if you shaved off his hair and painted his noggin, well here you go! And despite this particular Joe’s trepidation about his appearance, we think he looks pretty great indeed. Hello, Hasbro? Here’s yet ANOTHER idea for a line of 50th Anniversary figures!

Special thanks go out to “Eagle-Eyed” Field Reporter, Tony Stroud, for first spotting this unique figure and bringing it to our attention. Thanks, Tony!

Goldenrod LSO Prototype Uniform Purchased From Official “Hasbro Seconds Store” in 1960s

This closeup of the unproduced Hasbro prototype “goldenrod” LSO suit, reveals it came with red striping only. This early sample was rejected in favor of a more elaborate tan suit with day-glo orange and pink striping, more closely matching actual jumpsuits worn by LSO crewmen during the Korean War and early ’60s. (Photo: Mark Otnes)

Ever been to a “Day-Old Bread Store?”

They’re small, “no-frills” bread stores that sell off unsold loaves of “day-old” bread, damaged pastries and any other “defective” baked-goods considered unsellable at full retail (box of broken bear claws, anyone?). Bakeries typically operate one or more of these shops in poorer neighborhoods of nearby cities and towns, offering such “day-old” baked goods at steeply discounted prices. (I’ve tried them out. It’s actually a great deal. Taste-wise, you can’t tell the difference!)

In a similar manner, during the 1960s and ’70s, long before there was a GIjOE Collector’s Club Store or an online “buy-direct” HasbroToyShop website, fans of “America’s Movable Fighting Man” could go into a small store in Pawtucket, RI, that sold authentic factory “seconds,” direct to the public. The store was a convenient and practical outlet for a growing toy company trying to recoup some of its pre-production and prototyping expenses (i.e.”up-front” costs typically incurred when designing and testing new toys). What it couldn’t sell out of its seconds store would sadly, simply end up in a landfill somewhere. In a recent interview with The Joe Report, longtime GIjOE dealer, George Gray, provided additional insight into this little-known chapter of GIjOE history…

GIjOE Collector and Dealer, George Gray, a high school teacher from Dover, TN, holds up his authentic Hasbro goldenrod prototype LSO suit at JoeCon 2013. (Photo: Mark Otnes)

“About 12 to 15 years ago, I bought a large lot of miscellaneous vintage stuff off ebay. Right away, I could tell there was something different about the items. They were all authentic Hasbro all right, but they didn’t look ‘correct’ in many ways.

I asked the seller for more information, and she turned out to be an old lady from Rhode Island. Apparently, back in the 1960s, she would go into what she called a Hasbro ‘seconds’ store in Pawtucket and pick up ‘seconds’ and discounted Hasbro toys.

Originally, I had a lot more uniforms, boots and things, but I’ve sold or traded most of it away over the years. I wish I had kept it all together, because it would have been interesting for fans if I had photographed and recorded all of the so-called defects and differences between the ‘rejects’ and final production pieces.”

This closeup of the back of the unusual LSO suit reveals the perfect fit and finish of an intricately formed , factory-produced garment. Clearly, this is the REAL DEAL! (Photo: Mark Otnes)

Intrigued by his find, George decided to seek the counsel and second opinion of a renowned GIjOE expert, Dan McKee from Southern California. McKee studied Gray’s prototype LSO suit quite extensively, comparing its materials and construction with his own vintage pieces. Ultimately, McKee concurred with the ebay seller’s assertion that it was indeed a vintage GIjOE jumpsuit and that it had undeniably been manufactured by Hasbro. When asked whether he felt it was a real “prototype” test uniform, McKee emphatically declared:

“Absolutely, it’s real!”

But That’s Not All…

The “clincher” in this story really occurred with the revelation of one more piece of corroborating information. According to the old woman in Rhode Island, all of the Hasbro “seconds” in the store were marked in a specific way so as to indicate that they were NEVER to be sold at retail. The “mark,” she said, was a “scarlet slash” made though the GIjOE logo with a permanent (red) laundry pen. Wha…?

A closeup of the tag in the LSO jumpsuit reveals a faded red marker “slash” through the logo, confirming it as a vintage Hasbro “second,” most likely a rejected color-test prototype. (Photo: Mark Otnes)

A closeup of an actual 1:1 scale LSO uniform reveals that neither version by Hasbro was 100% correct. (Photo: Charles Bury)

Fascinated by her revelation, Gray quickly tugged at the collar tag of the old jumpsuit and discovered to his delight, that sure enough, it DID bear such a red mark! Combined with all the other indicators, there seems to be little doubt that this piece is an authentic Hasbro product, most likely produced as a color-test prototype. Once rejected, it was apparently marked and tossed into the company’s outgoing “seconds” bin to be sold from their store as such. Thankfully, Gray’s research and identification have rescued it from obscurity and provided fans with yet another intriguing glimpse into GIjOE’s history.

Bottom Line: Our sincerest thanks to all of the generous contributors to this article, including: George Gray, Dan McKee, Charles Bury, Nick Bowyer and that “little old lady from Pawtucket,” Go, JOE!

Final production version of the LSO set. (Photo: Nick Bowyer)

Increasingly Realistic 1:6 Scale Custom Figures and Dioramas “Fool the Eye” at Joelanta 2013

Caleb Brown (15), sets up his latest diorama masterpiece at Joelanta 2013: a 1:6 scale gas station and country store—being invaded by ZOMBIES! (Photo: Mark Otnes)

This 1:6 scale custom figure of “Rick Grimes” from the “Walking Dead” was another amazing figure at the show. (Photo: Mark Otnes)

“I couldn’t believe my eyes!”

At this year’s Joelanta, grown men were shaking their heads in disbelief. Wives were heard giggling, amused by all the “silliness” set up around them. Children would run in, stop short, and just stare in awe at it all. Were these all toys? Some sort of artwork? Or possibly exhibits for some future museum? Intriguingly, the answer to all three questions, is a resounding, “YES.”

We’re referring (of course) to the amazing 1:6 scale creations that were entered in the “Custom Action Figures, Vehicles and Dioramas” competition at Joelanta 2013. This year’s competition was stiff. The entries? Superb. And the crowds? They were WOWED.

Return of the “Whiz Kid”

This year’s standout exhibit was (again) created by diorama “Whiz Kid,” Caleb Brown (see our previous article HERE). The modest 15-year old’s outstanding 1:6 scale “Country Store Zombies” diorama, complete with a hand-shaped metal roof, intricate hand-painted graphics and a fully detailed interior was the clear winner of the 2013 competition (although it was not officially entered due to size limitations).

Brown’s diorama was set up to depict a gas station/country store that was under assault by killer zombies, each giving (and getting) their own share of gory retribution as they attacked a variety of humorous “locals.” His most interesting custom figure in the scene is a zombie that was being graphically decapitated with a chainsaw (see photo below). Truly superb work! We asked Caleb about how he creates his miniature masterpieces. Here’s what he told us:

“After I get home from school and homework’s done, I’ll start working on some piece of a new diorama or maybe a custom figure. I don’t have a ‘studio’ or any special work area. I just go out on our front porch. I don’t watch much TV or have a lot of other extra-curricular activities. I just enjoy making this kind of stuff. I guess you could say I’m an artsy kind of cat!”

This closeup reveals detail of Caleb Brown’s “Decapitated Joe Zombie” custom figure. Absolutely AMAZING. (Photo: Mark Otnes)

As we predicted, Brown’s notoriety within the 1:6 scale community continues to grow. His custom buildings, figures and dioramas are all becoming more popular with fans, and offers to purchase his work have been increasing as well. And it’s easy to see why. Caleb’s superbly crafted pieces are more than “backgrounds” for action figures. They’re actually more akin to works of “folk art” than they are to mere hobby fodder. And as works of art, their inherent monetary value and importance will undoubtedly continue to rise over time. In fact, fellow 1:6 fan and collector, Buddy Finethy, has already purchased Caleb’s general store diorama (for quite a tidy sum!) and hopes to add it to the growing lode of customs being accumulated for the upcoming Cody Lane Memorial Toy and Diorama Museum; a fitting place, in our opinion, to display such fine work. Congratulations, Caleb!

Additional images of Caleb Brown’s “Country Store” Diorama:

This closeup of Caleb Brown’s diorama reveals a “local” who seems quite unconcerned about the invading zombies, knowing full well that his .44 magnum packs enough firepower to blow their heads “clean off!” Besides, he just fried up some eggs for breakfast! (Photo: Mark Otnes)

Caleb details and paints all the surfaces and graphics of his dioramas by hand, increasing their level of artistry and elevating his work above similar dioramas utilizing computer-generated signs and print-outs. Note all the “weathering” detail he’s applied to the building’s slatboards, columns and framing. Outstanding! (Photo: Mark Otnes)

Step right in! This interior view of Caleb Brown’s diorama shows his appreciation for depicting realistic details, even INSIDE his 1:6 scale structures. As Buddy Finethy commented, “If you’ve ever been inside one of these old country stores, this is just what they look like.” Unbelievable work. (Photo: Mark Otnes)

Side view of Brown’s general store. That Coca-Cola graphic is HAND-painted onto the REAL wooden slats of his scratch-built building. What artistic skill! (Photo: Mark Otnes)

Miniature Bedroom Masterpiece

Jack “RatSix” Hall, points to his 1st place-winning diorama, “The Boy’s Bedroom.” (Photo: Mark Otnes) Click to enlarge.

Jack Hall is a big guy. But his award-winning “Boy’s Bedroom” diorama is a TINY work of 1:6 scale perfection. While the room’s construction is fairly simple and consists only of a few foamcore walls, the array of miniatures contained within reveal incredible patience and long-term collecting commitment.

Fans of 1:6 scale know how hard it is to find objects that fit properly into dioramas. It’s not an easy task to find everyday objects that have been realistically reduced down to 1:6 scale. That’s what makes Hall’s so-called “simple” diorama so special to fans. We KNOW how long it takes to gather all this tiny stuff together. All in all, Hall’s collection of bedroom “extras” took him over 13 years to complete. According to Jack:

“It took years and years to accumulate what you see here. Over 13 now and counting. See that Jeep there? That’s a Hallmark ornament. I found that little aquarium a long time ago at a Toys ‘R Us, just after ‘Finding Nemo’ came out, I believe. When Joelanta’s over, I’ll take this dio apart, and you’ll never see it again. Once I get home, it’ll all just go back into boxes. So take your pictures now!”

Jack clearly has a great eye for detail. What a perfect scene! (Photo: Mark Otnes)

As to the specific objects in the diorama, judging by his inclusion of a Farrah Fawcett poster on the wall, we’re dating Jack’s scene at around 1978 to 1980, the approximate height of the blond bombshell’s popularity on TV and in magazines. Interestingly, most of the men who approached his diorama at Joelanta were heard to comment, “I had that Farrah poster too!”

This closeup of Jack’s amazing diorama reveals how a talented customizer can “fool the eye” of the beholder with his or her skillful combination and arrangement of carefully selected miniatures. OUTSTANDING! (Photo: Mark Otnes)

In addition to Farrah, there’s a tiny bookcase full of tiny GIjOEs, a miniature capture copter, a miniature Crash Crew Truck box (found HERE), and a wide variety of other assorted toys, games and sports miniatures. Along the wall are bunk beds covered with AT yellow bedding, while over in another corner, a stunning miniature aquarium glows with a cool blue light.

Tiny chest. Tiny figurines. Tiny trophies. Tiny Bulletman shirt. It’s all PERFECT! (Photo: Mark Otnes)

Jack’s “simple bedroom diorama” would go on to sweep him to victory, earning its creator a well-deserved 1st Place in the adult diorama category. However, despite the success, Jack’s already looking over his shoulder at “Whiz-Kid” Caleb Brown, saying:

“I told Caleb when they put him in the adult division, I’m gonna stop bringing a diorama, because it would just be a waste of time (lol). He really is talented—and a nice kid on top of it!”

In this closeup, you can see even MORE great details including the window, the door, the aquarium, the patch on the boy’s shirt and the AT logo on the table. WOW. (Photo: Mark Otnes)

Bottom Line: If you want to see the amazing work of these talented customizers in person, you should make plans to attend (and/or ENTER) next year’s competition at Joelanta. However, we know that’s not always possible, so here at The Joe Report, we vow to continue to do our utmost to bring you the best and most reliable 1:6 scale intel available. In that spirit, here are some MORE pics from this year’s competition. Enjoy!

The largest diorama at the show featured this massive 5-foot UFO by Mike Gardner which was surrounded by Men in Black, soldiers and curious onlookers. It even included glowing lights and lightning effects. Something is out there!  (Photo: Mark Otnes)

Humorous signage helped create an even more realistic scene. (Photo: Mark Otnes)

Outstanding “Alien Autopsy” diorama BELOW the mountain, complete with gurney, well-outfitted doctors and even nurses. How cool! (Photo: Mark Otnes)

Huge 1:6 Scale Aircraft Carrier Discovered in FL

Ricky Smith’s reports of a “1:6 scale aircraft carrier” in FL were quite intriguing. (Photo: Ricky Smith)

The Mystery of the 1:6 Scale USS Oriskany (CV-34)

Toy dealer and GIjOE fan, Ricky Smith, wrote in to The Joe Report recently to tell us about something exciting he had discovered in Pensacola, FL—a 1:6 scale Aircraft Carrier! No, we’re not talking about the 1980′s U.S.S. Flagg playset by Hasbro, we’re talking about a MASSIVE, 60-foot behemoth, currently “dry-docked” on an equally lengthy semi trailer. To better illustrate the ship’s size, Smith placed one of his Sailor GIjOEs onto its deck and took the following photo (see below):

Smith’s 12″ GIjOE Sailor is placed on the ship for a quick size comparison. Bring the hand railings up a tad and you’re good to go! (Photo: Ricky Smith)

Holy Hull Size, Batman! Ricky was right. This ship is huge! The mystery of its origins quickly deepened. Who built it and why? Why was it sitting out in a field in Pensacola? Perhaps it had been built by some enterprising Florida GIjOE club members to pose with their GIjOEs? Or as a display in a museum? Or…? Smith didn’t know, but he offered to help learn more, telling us…

“When I first saw it, I freaked out! I’d love to place a blue Panther Jet up on its Carrier deck and take a picture of that. When I have the time, I’ll try to find out more and send you another picture with a person standing next to it so you can get a better idea just how MASSIVE this thing really is!”

Closeup of the bow. Note all the painted windows, ports and handrails. (Photo: Ricky Smith)

By now, our curiosity had been seriously peaked. Though clearly not an accurate “museum-quality” 1:6 scale replica, the ship exudes a serious amount of “play value” and its incredible size was almost too big to be believed. Who would build such a colossus? To construct something this large required serious dedication and extensive construction experience. We set out to discover the ship’s secrets, and what we would find is amazing.

The carrier float was modeled after the USS Oriskany (CV-34), made famous in the film, “The Bridges at Toko-Ri,” based on the book by James Michener. (Photo: Bantam Books)

The Truth Revealed

Closer examination of Smith’s photos, coupled with our own research, ultimately solved the mystery. It turns out that this massive construction was originally built to be a parade float for the 1955 Armed Forces Day Parade in Philadelphia, PA. Sponsors of the float (and their families) were able to sit in, on, and around the float as it was towed down Main Street in the parade. According to Ted Sherman, author of a 2007 article recounting its origins:

“It was several months before Armed Forces Day 1955 in Philadelphia, and our Naval Reserve Air Group was asked to create and ride a float in the parade. Most of us had returned two years before from active duty deployment in the Korean War. We decided to make our float a replica of the USS Oriskany (CV34), the aircraft carrier many of us had served aboard in combat off the North Korean coast.

The Oriskany had also gained quite a bit of notoriety after returning to the States the previous year and starring as the fictional carrier in the movie, “The Bridges at Toko-Ri,” based on a novel written by James Michener and starring William Holden, Mickey Rooney and Grace Kelly.”

As recently as 2012, the venerable parade ship had been rigged with electric lights and appeared in the Mardi Gras night parade in Pensacola, FL. (Photo: divemasterking2000)

Construction of a Colossus

Mr. Sherman’s account of the ship’s construction revealed just how large an undertaking it would become, requiring a small army of helpers and specialists to make it a reality. Here is the excerpt:

“As for our float-building task, we started with a big flat-bed truck. With the help of many reservist volunteers, carpenters and painters, we built a flight deck and painted in all the usual carrier markings. We also made a fake bow with USS Oriskany CV34 painted in large letters. Carpenters built the superstructure, complete with all the compartments, weather decks, gun tubs and other realistic items. One clever worker took a child’s large motorized backyard spinner toy and strung on it several models of our aircraft at the time, F6F fighters and TBF torpedo bombers.”

Continually maintained by volunteers since its construction in 1955, the massive USS Oriskany parade float ship is still utilized in annual parades down in Pensacola, FL. Note how it dwarfs the extended-cab pickup truck struggling to tow it into position for a parade in 2012. This thing is HUGE! (Photo: farm6)

Great advice for Future Float Builders

In case you’re getting any ideas of your own for building giant 1:6 parade floats, especially floats supporting our military or honoring our veterans, Mr. Sherman concludes his article saying:

“When it was all completed, along with masts, lines and signal flags, the slowly spinning aircraft made our float look almost like the real thing in miniature. If there can be any tips we can pass on, it is that if you get an assignment to build a float for an Armed Forces Day parade, make it as realistic and respectful as you can. In planning and building it, you should always keep in mind that you’re not celebrating Disney characters nor Rose Bowl flowers, but honoring those who served in America’s wars.”

The CV-34 float in a recent daytime parade in Pensacola, FL, honoring USN personnel and their families. (Photo: Meyer Muse)

Bottom Line: Our sincerest thanks to Ricky Smith for bringing this amazing story to our attention and to Ted Sherman for his detailed history of the ship. Its continued maintenance is an ongoing testament to the love and support Americans share for the men and women of our beloved United States Navy. If you’d like to learn more about the “Big O” (the USS Oriskany), click HERE. For a great clip of the opening scenes of The Bridges at Toko-Ri, featuring REAL Korean War-era USN Panther Jets taking off from the deck of the USS Oriskany, click on the link below. And…GO NAVY!

Custom “Flying Elvis” G.I. Joe Parachutes Into Joelanta 2013 in Distinctive Light-Up Costume

Jack Hall’s custom “Flying Elvis” figure was the unofficial star of Joelanta 2013. Hall’s unique combination of Hasbro, Mattel and Auto Zone accessories, resulted in a one-of-a-kind custom figure you had to see to believe. For the record, “Flying Elvis” made 5 successful jumps (in full light-up mode) during Saturday night’s parachute drop event in Atlanta and suffered no damage. “Thank you. Thank you very much.” (Photo: Mark Otnes)

As “parachute drop” events go, Saturday night’s session at Joelanta 2013 seemed to proceed fairly normally at first—almost too normally. The event has been held annually since 2000, and by now, most attendees consider it almost a rite of passage for their parachute-equipped GIjOEs.

To participate, fans first ascend 15 floors in one of the elevators to the top of the hotel atrium. Then, they move over to the railing, toss their “Jump Joe” over the side and watch it float (hopefully gently) back down to the lobby floor below.

Well, 2013′s event progressed quite predictably, and after only a few minutes, many fans seemed to be losing interest. After watching just a few jumps, most stopped looking up, choosing to talk amongst themselves instead. Something was missing this year. Something…EXCITING.

Jack Hall, creator of “Flying Elvis” which “premiered” at Joelanta 2013. (Photo: Mark Otnes)

“Look up there! What’s THAT?“

Fortunately, the lackluster mood began to change quickly as fans began to point and notice that there was some sort of light moving around on the top floor. What was it? Suddenly, an unusual GIjOE in a brightly lit jumpsuit “hit the silk” and began its first successful descent of the evening. Is that? Is he? Yes! It was…“FLYING ELVIS!”

Where did it come from? No one had ever seen this figure before. It was a GIjOE all right, but it sported an Elvis pompadour haircut, sunglasses, and a Las Vegas jumpsuit—with LIGHTS. Wow!

Turns out, “Flying Elvis” is no ordinary Joe. Rather, it’s a superb custom creation of fan, collector and customizer, Jack Hall. Here’s how Hall describes his production of this unique custom:

“First, I took a Mattel Elvis head, ‘scalped’ the hair off of its headsculpt and put it on top of a GIjOE’s head. Then, I took the figure’s Elvis suit and inserted some little light strips that I had picked up at an auto parts store. I strung the two sets together, ran ‘em down the jumpsuit’s sleeves and pant legs, and connected it all up to some batteries. To get everything to fit, the suit had to be sliced open and then sewn back together again.”

A real-life “Skydiving Elvis” prepares to land at a recent T-Mobile event in San Franciso. (Photo: sfcitizen)

With the dramatic arrival of Hall’s “Flying Elvis,” the excitement had returned to Joelanta’s parachute drop, and fans hurried once again to “compete.” Elvis (and Jack) would go on to complete 4 additional jumps for a total of 5, all without an injury or loss of sunglasses. Collector Gordon Mayfield was stunned by the figure’s resilience and remarked…

“Even after five jumps, he still has his sunglasses on! Man, Flying Elvis is rockin’ COOL!”

Bottom Line: This is a superb custom figure. Our sincerest congratulations to Jack Hall for his amazing and creative work. Will this one-of-a-kind GIjOE ever fly again? We’ll have to wait and see. For now…
Elvis has left the building!

Ace Allgood Discovers Rare, Vintage, “Japanese Yellow-Body” Prototype G.I. Joe at Joelanta 2013

Widely respected collector and renowned authority on GIjOEs, Ace Allgood, holds up a vintage 1960′s Japanese “Yellow-Body” skin-color prototype figure recently discovered at the Joelanta 2013 toy show in Atlanta, GA. According to Allgood, the figure is 1 of only 3 known to exist. (Photo: Mark Otnes)

“Officially,” according to Don Levine…”This figure NEVER existed.”

In this side-by-side comparison, a standard mass-produced vintage Japanese GIjOE (left) appears to console his much rarer “yellow-bodied” cousin. (Photo: Mark Otnes)

Ace Allgood could barely contain himself as he ushered me over to his dealer booth last Sunday, at Joelanta 2013.

“Mark! Come here and take a look at THIS!” he said, excitedly.

Although I’m used to seeing Ace all “hyped-up” at GIjOE shows (he REALLY loves GIjOEs), I couldn’t help but wonder what he had found.

“What is it?” I replied, curiously.

“Check it out, dude! A Japanese Yellow-Body! Ever hear about these? Betcha haven’t seen one before!” he said, by now practically squealing with delight.

For those of you who’ve never met Ace, he is truly a great guy and one of the leading “unofficial ambassadors” of the GIjOE-collecting hobby. A widely respected authority on vintage-era figures, Allgood believes this figure is an ultra-rare, “Japanese Yellow-Body” skin-color prototype that GIjOE’s “father,” Don Levine officially declared “never existed.” But clearly, this rare Joe DID exist.

Over 40 years later, Hasbro again attempted to create an accurate Japanese skin tone for its 442 ID Nisei figure. Despite a superb headsculpt, the figure’s skintone received mixed reviews from collectors. (Photo: amazon)

The obvious difference between this unproduced prototype Japanese figure and any later, mass-produced version, is its sickly, jaundiced-looking yellow body color. It seemed clear to the fans who had gathered around to discuss the rare piece, that Hasbro must’ve produced a small batch of them for a quick series of pre-production skin-color tests.

The prototype’s too-yellow color must’ve seemed controversial or “fake” and therefore was deemed unacceptable for public sale. But how such a rare test figure (typically discarded) had ended up in a hotel conference room in Atlanta, GA over 50 YEARS LATER was anybody’s guess. But there it was. And Ace couldn’t have been happier!

Bottom Line: Something new and intriguing about GIjOE’s history is always being discovered. According to Allgood, this prototype “yellow-body” is just 1 of 3 that are now known to exist, making it a very rare collectible indeed. Congratulations…and BONZAI!

Robert Hall, in New “G.I. Joe Collections” Profile, Remembers Hasbro-Canada’s Final Sell-Off of NOS Crash Crew Fire Trucks As it Occurred in 1972

Canadian GIjOE fan and collector, Robert Hall, holds his favorite figure for a recent photo shoot profiling him over on the internationally acclaimed, “GIjOE Collections” website. Hall is the fourth Canadian to be included on the site. (Photo: Robert Hall)

When Canadian Robert Hall wrote in to us recently to describe his extensive GIjOE collection, one part of his story in particular caught our attention. According to Hall, for a birthday present one year he had received a brand-new, never-before-opened, NOS (new old stock), GIjOE Crash Crew Fire Truck (CCFT).

That’s cool and all, but not too unusual. However, when Robert said he didn’t receive his new, unopened CCFT until 1972…then some alarm bells started to go off. 1972 is FIVE YEARS after the truck’s introduction in 1967! As far we’ve been able to determine, the CCFT was only offered that one year (1967). So how was such an unlikely purchase made possible?

Well, it turns out that Hasbro-Canada (in 1972) was attempting to clear out warehouses full of older, unsold GIjOE merchandise. Advertisements must’ve been created, Robert’s parents found out about the sale, and ordered their son one of the never-unboxed, minty-fresh Firetrucks—direct from Hasbro-Canada.

Many fans will recall that the Crash Crew Fire Truck was also reproduced in bright RED and sold for a second time in Europe and the UK as an “Emergency Fire Tender” under the Palitoy/Action Man brand. But that didn’t occur until MUCH later, in 1977.

5 years after the GIjOE Crash Crew Fire Truck had been sold in the U.S., a cache of unopened NOS (new old stock) firetrucks in Canada was sold directly to customers by Hasbro-Canada. (Photo: mccaig)

Bottom Line: Tales of unopened, 1960s GIjOE treasures, still unsold after so many years, are the stuff of Joehead dreams and legends. Congratulations to all the lucky Canadians who were able to take advantage of Hasbro-Canada’s unusual “Fire Truck Fire Sale.” To read Robert’s complete story and view closeup photos of his outstanding collection, jump over to his profile page on the international GIjOE Collections website found HERE.

“Surf’s Up!” New Nippon Kodo Incense Burners Make (Practically) Perfect 1:6 Scale Surfboards

These surfboards are actually manufactured as incense burners, but fit perfectly within the 1:6 scale universe of this Surfer Dude and his Beach Babe. (Photo: Triton)

Let’s Hit the Beach!

While browsing the OneSixthWarriors forum today, I came across a fan who goes by the online screen name, “Triton,” who had discovered a reliable source for (almost) 1:6 scale surfboards. The miniature surfboards in question are currently being marketed as “incense burners,” but once fans and collectors of 1:6 scale “catch wind of them,” the company may want to switch its marketing strategy. According to Triton:

“Recently, I saw these Incense Holders on a friend’s Facebook page. Naturally, I thought of the possibility of turning them into 1/6 scale accessories. After checking the specs and size, I have decided ‘em to give a try. They’re available everywhere. Amazon, Ebay and your local store. Search “Surf Burner” on Google and you’ll find them.”

The Nippon Kodo boards look great displayed in either a vertical or horizontal racks (sold separately). (Photo: Triton)

So…How Do These New Surfboards “Stack Up?”

Quite well, actually. Especially if you purchase one of the real wooden display racks (sold separately). Quality-wise, the craftsmanship and materials used in these mini-boards is “top-notch” all the way. The paint and decals are all professionally applied, look bright and glossy, and the boards are ready to display right out of the box. There are even little rudder fins on the bottom! Scale-wise, they may be slightly undersized, but only experienced surfers will ever notice (or even care). The wooden storage racks are sturdy, solidly built and hold up to 5 boards each. For the purposes of GIjOE fans and collectors of 1:6 scale, they are all PERFECT for use in outdoor diorama photo-shoots as well as standard indoor shelf-displays. RADICAL, DUDE!

We especially like this horizontal rack. It shows off the boards in a very effective way. COWABUNGA! (Photo: Nippon Kodo)

The new 1:6 scale “seamless” Phican body figures (see BigBadToyStore HERE) look perfect with these boards! (Photo: Triton)

Bottom Line: Our sincerest thanks to Triton for sharing his wonderful photos and information about these new surfboards. As he said, a simple Google search will reveal many places online where they may be purchased, and the Nippon Kodo manufacturer site in Japan can be found HERE.