While collectors and fans of 1:6 scale continue to wait patiently for the arrival of Hot Toys’ new 1:6 scale ’60s Batmobile, we thought you would enjoy seeing the real thing selling at a recent auction featuring custom car guru George Barris and his one and only “Number 1 Batmobile.” As they say in the video, the sale of this iconic American custom car is “truly historic.” Watch as the excitement grows, and the bids slowly creep up to its final selling price of a WHOPPING $4.2 million dollars.
Newly released photos of the upcoming 1:6 scale Batmobile by Hot Toys:
It was standing room only at a recent Comic Con in San Diego, as fans jostled for a glimpse of the upcoming 1:6 scale Batmobile by Hot Toys. (Photo: Bat-Blog)
A new closeup of the rear end reveals outstanding details. Check out those drag chutes! (Photo: Bat-Blog)
An interesting pic from a recent Comic Con in Hong Kong shows the Batmobile displayed behind glass with video monitors playing old episodes of the show. Has there ever been such a highly anticipated 1:6 scale vehicle? Holy, Bat-Mania! (Photo: Ivan)
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!
Snake Eyes and The Rock shoot at stuff in GIjOE: Retaliation. Will that be reason enough for fans to buy tickets? Early box office receipts are running high, despite the films dismal reviews. (Photo: Paramount)
Bruce Willis and…some guy. (Photo: Paramount)
“My kids LOVED it like crazy, which means Joe is looking towards the future when it comes to doing things.” —DaSmokeEater
After a 9-month delay…
GIjOE: Retaliation, the second Paramount film based on Hasbro’s GIjOE franchise has finally been released into theaters. Early box office receipts are good, but GIjOE fans and general audiences appear to be less than thrilled with the newly “retooled” 3-D version. In case you don’t remember the studio’s reasons for delaying the film, according Niall Browne over at ScreenRant:
“GIjOE Retaliation received scores in test screenings that ranged from ‘mediocre to bad.’ The decision was made to delay the release, reshoot, and then convert the film to 3D. The reason given for the 3D conversion was that the lucrative ticket price could maximize foreign box office revenue and make the film more profitable.“
Iron Man 3 has also filmed new scenes and altered its storyline so as to increase appeal to foreign audiences, thereby creating multiple versions of the same movie. (Photo: marvel.com)
There you have it. GIjOE: Retaliation wasn’t delayed to make it better. It was delayed and converted to 3-D to make it more profitable to foreign audiences. Yes, it’s common knowledge that studios now openly tinker with their franchise and “tent pole” movies, often creating entirely new characters, scenes and storylines to specifically target overseas markets.
“It is not a terrible movie if you go in having low expectations.” —HippoJoe
In a similar example, Iron Man 3 (IM3) was also in the news recently for having filmed a variety of all-new scenes in China solely for the purpose of appealing to—and appeasing the sensitivities of—Chinese audiences. Why? The allure of burgeoning profits from Chinese ticket sales has simply grown too great for Hollywood to ignore. (Read the entire story of IM3′s multiple versions over on CraveOnlineHERE.)
“The best part of ‘GIjOE: Retaliation’ was eating at The Varsity afterwards.” —ToysGottoGo
Adrianne Palicki portrays “Lady Jaye” in the film. Mmm…girls with guns! (Photo: Paramount)
But back to GIjOE: Retaliation. It seems Paramount realized the movie was going to bomb (no pun intended) and felt it needed to do whatever it could to rescue whatever profits it could. Mr. Browne’s article appears to concur with this viewpoint, saying…
“This line of reasoning equates the release delay to the cash-grab attempt so many fans saw it as. With this delay, the studio and toy company are clearly doing everything they can to secure SOME kind of profits from this venture.”
Costs and Profits
OF COURSE it’s about money! Whether or not a movie’s actually any good is now of secondary importance. Fortunately for Paramount, GIjOE: Retaliation is enjoying a strong start financially. According to Brooks Barnes, the film’s receipts are healthy and online to recoup investment:
“G.I. Joe: Retaliation” was a burly No. 1 at North American theaters over the Easter weekend, validating an unusual decision by Paramount Pictures to delay its release so that it could rework parts of the plot. ‘Retaliation,’ which cost at least $130 million to make, took in about $41.2 million over the weekend, for a total since opening on Thursday of $51.7 million. Overseas, the movie — originally planned for release last summer — generated an additional $80.3 million in ticket sales.”
The Cobra Commander walks ominously around his headquarters. We gotta admit, that giant COBRA logo on the wall and ol’ “Chrome Dome’s” helmet look pretty spiffy! (Photo: Paramount)
Of course, some GIjOE fans could care less about the current GIjOE movies. Kent Williams, for example, offers up his own alternative ideas and opinions, saying:
“Honestly, I have absolutely ZERO interest in the ongoing RAH movie saga. It has absolutely nothing to do with what I consider ‘real’ GIjOE and caters only to the 3-3/4″ fans. You want to make a GIjOE movie? How about showing how a bunch of regular ‘Joes’ became involved with the ADVENTURE TEAM?“
Bottom Line: There seem to be few surprises regarding the new GIjOE: Retaliation. Joeheads may not agree with Hollywood’s depiction of our favorite action figures, but as the old Latin sayings tell us, “Cuique Suum” and “Caveat Emptor!” Fans like Williams might be more interested in independent fare such as the famous “bootleg footage” of that outstanding Adventure Team animation. If you don’t remember what we’re referring to, click HERE or on the video clip below:
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!
Joelanta promotional graphic for 2013. (Graphic: Buddy Finethy)
Achtung! The “Zepplin Commander” has ordered all GIjOE fans to climb aboard!
We’re only a few days out from this year’s big show in Atlanta, and for 2013, the event has grown beyond its traditional weekend roots to include special “Commander’s Package” events slated to begin as early as this Thursday, March 14th. Exciting daily events continue right up through the big show day itself, Sunday, the 17th. Can you afford to miss any of it? Of course not! The Zepplin Commander ORDERS you to attend! For complete information, jump to Joelanta.org. ‘Nuff said!
This portion of an old Hasbro ad reveals how GIjOE fans once played with 1965′s “state-of-the-art” 5-star Jeep: They got down in the dirt! Recent advancements in RC technology have begun to change how fans play with such toys in backyards around the world. (Ad scan provided by: Mark Wright)
Consider this supposition:
Cost factors aside…What if, as a kid, your original GIjOE 5-Star Jeep had been a fully RC product, complete with motion and sound effects, a remotely rotating and elevating gun with remotely fired rocket shells and an animatronic driver and gunner that actually moved, looked around, etc. Would such high-tech, “hands-off” enhancements have made it a better toy?
Your gut reaction might be to say, “Heck yeah!” But let’s think it about it for moment. Would such a radically enhanced Jeep have been as much fun to playwith? OR…would such a “superior” product have lessened the need for Andy and George’s mutual “imaginative interaction,” thereby making them mere operators of a toy with a predictable series of mechanized movements? Hmm…
Make Room for Daddy! “Backyard Battles” aren’t just for kids anymore.
Ramon Mendoza (above left), prepares to demonstrate his fully remote-operated 1:6 scale RC Tiger 1 Tank from Armortek ($8,500) to attendees of the 2012 GIjOE and Action Figure Show in Algonquin, IL Mendoza admits owning and operating such massive, high-tech toys is hardly “child’s play” as his all-metal Tiger weighs in at over 300 lbs and has numerous sharp, pointed edges, making it too dangerous for children. (Photo: Mark Otnes) Click to enlarge.
Is it time for aging GIjOE fans to finally get up off their knees and stop playing down in the dirt? For some, the answer would be a resounding, “YES.” To such fans, recent advancements in RC technologies have opened up a whole new world of 1:6 scale collecting, customization and “play” possibilities.
By contrast, many “old-school” Joeheads continue to assert their belief that the more things a toy can do by itself, the less “hands-on” it becomes, and the lower actual play-value it possesses. According to this perspective, “Simpler…is Better!”
But regardless of your collecting preferences, it’s undeniable that 1:6 scale action figures and their vehicles have come a LONG way since the time when Hasbro’s 5-Star Jeep and its working spotlight, firing rocket shells, and (delightfully annoying) “Moto Rev” sound made it a “state-of-the-art” toy.
Playing with GIjOEs and 1:6 scale vehicles in the dirt (inside or outside) used to be commonplace and second nature to most fans, as this ’60s Hasbro ad clearly demonstrates. Are today’s tech-savvy adult fans moving 1:6-scale play too far from the past’s “hands-on,” imagination-based methods—or merely expanding upon them? (Photo: Hasbro)
Hasbro’s 1967 ad for its “Capture Hill 79″ GIjOE promotion clearly reflects the company’s awareness of how boys were playing with toys at that time; down on the ground, hands-on, and engaged. Are these innocent, imagination-fueled days gone forever? (Ad scan: Mark Wright) Click to enlarge.
Cue “Old Codger” voice here…
“Back in MY day…Before we had all these new high-tech ‘gizmos,’ kids had to use their IMAGINATIONS —and Saturday morning cartoons— to fill the hours. We played OUTSIDE, right down on the ground, like a bunch’a little monkeys! In the rain, snow, water or MUD. We didn’t care. We knew how to have FUN with our toys; ESPECIALLY with our GIjOEs!
We thought nuthin’ of pushing our Jeeps and MSVs around on our hands and knees for HOURS. Heck, half the fun was making our own sound effects like “Vrroom! Bang!” and “POW!” We used rulers, rubber bands and rocks to make catapults, and if we had any, lit REAL smoke bombs and firecrackers! We didn’t need no fancy ‘RC toys’ to have fun. We just made it up. And we LIKED it!”
This “screen grab” from a video shows two nude animatronic figures with Dragon headsculpts and how wiring connects to the electronic “guts” housed inside their chest and pelvis regions. (Photo: Ylms)
Our “Old Codger’s” dialogue is, of course, all made up. But his viewpoint is actually shared by many. Regardless, times and toys are always changing, and as the children of the past turn into today’s adults, a growing number of them now seek to improve and enhance the detail level of toys they previously believed to be perfect. They’re known of course, as “customizers.”
We’ve profiled many of these talented individuals in previous articles, and at the top of this fortunate group are the ones who are technologically (and financially) able to upscale their 1:6 scale products with advanced RC capabilities. With built-in digital sound effects, cameras, movable, recoiling and sometimes firing(!) weaponry, smoke-makers, powerful motors and drive-trains, their creations are QUITE amazing. A quick search of YouTube revealed hundreds of 1:6 scale RC, but these three videos demonstrate the advancements we’re discussing:
Video #1: Animatronic 1:6 Scale Action Figures w/RC Tank
In this first video by Wolfinger13, a German animatronic tank crew scans their surroundings for targets before firing off a shot into the woods. Absolutely real-looking and convincing. The crew moves, the turret rotates, the gun fires (with smoke and sound effect!), and the tank RUMBLES away at the end. Watch after the cannon-shot is fired. It seems as if the two crewman exchange a few words before driving away. So cool!
Video #2: Animatronic Figures w/RC Motorcycle & Sidecar
In this second video, Wolfinger13′s has built an outstanding, fully RC, 1:6 scale Zundapp KS50 WW2 Motorcycle with a scratch-built wooden sidecar and 2(!) animatronic Dragon figures. We’ve seen other WW2 RC motorcycles, but none with animatronic figures and sound effects added. With the camera mounted on a tripod, and no human hands visible, the officer and his driver take a few laps around the patio, interact with each other, and just seem so REAL. Superb work!
What happens when you combine a GIjOE, customized Mercury Space Capsule and a giant 1:6 scale Redstone rocket? The answer can only be: FUN! (Photo: mercuryjoe.com)
Video #3: The “Mercury Joe” Flights
Let’s not forget GIjOE pilots, astronauts and their assorted air and spacecraft. When I was but a wee lad of 7 years, I received a brand-new, bright blue, IRWIN Panther Jet for Christmas. I remember pushing that big blue bird across my living room floor, its built-in noise-maker going “click-click-click.” For a 7-year old, that was pretty high-tech. And the next Christmas, I received my first GijOE Space Capsule. Come on! What could be cooler than that? Such great toys!
But now, over 40 years later, my viewpoint is altered somewhat by adulthood, and in this third video, we’ll discover what happens when an RC model-rocketry experts mounts a heavily customized GIjOE Space Capsule onto to the top of 1:6 scale Mercury Redstone rocket. His resulting “Mercury Joe” missions have become legend with fans, and all been captured on video. Here’s one of the best…
What does the future hold for the way fans play with GIjOEs?
We don’t have a crystal ball, but clearly, the evolving interests of many adult GIjOE collectors, combined with an increasing consumption of sophisticated RC technology, seems to indicate that many future 1:6 scale “Backyard Battles” will be waged from the comfort of Dad’s lawn or easy chair. It may be time for some Joeheads to get up off their hands and knees, after all!
Bottom Line: How you chose to play with GIjOEs is up to you. But we wonder: How far can technology take our 12″ heroes? You have only to look at real-world developments in RC drone technology and miniaturization to conceive of a possible future scenario like the one depicted in the fantasy film, “Small Soldiers” (see trailer below). But it couldn’t REALLY happen. Right? Hmm…
For Robert Conrad in his prime, there was probably no such thing as a “bad hair day.” Here he is as 1880′s Secret Service Agent, James West, in a scene from an episode of his very popular ’60s TV show, “The Wild, Wild West.” Conrad turned 84 today. (Photo: CBS)
Robert Clary in a scene from TV’s “Hogan’s Heroes.” Clary turned 87 today. (Photo: CBS)
Two Talented Men—Same Birthday!
When I was a kid growing up in the 1960s, television was one of my favorite windows into the adventures and historical heroes of yesteryear. Sure, I enjoyed books, comics, and movies as much as anyone else, but Saturday morning cartoons and nightly adventure programs on TV were more my thing.
Coincidentally, two of the stars of two of my favorite shows both celebrate their birthdays today. First, Robert Conrad, of CBS’ “Wild, Wild West”(WWW) and then later, NBC’s “Baa Baa Blacksheep” (BBB), turns 84 today. Likewise, Robert Clary, the last living “hero” from CBS’ “Hogan’s Heroes,” turns a healthy and robust 87 years young today.
Robert Conrad portrayed WW2 hero, Pappy Boyington, in NBC’s “Baa Baa Blacksheep.” (Photo: NBC)
Conrad is still very much in the public eye and has his own weekly talk-radio show over on CRN found HERE. Clary is now fully retired and enjoys spending his days with his family; singing, and painting. He has a very basic website which still sells his recordings and original artwork HERE.
Hogan, Schultz and Klink have all been made into 1:6 scale action figures. Can James West and Louie Le Beau be far behind? (Photo: Sideshow Toys) Click to enlarge.
Both stars also have many connections to things that interest collectors and fans of 1:6 scale, including WWII, the American West, action figures and of course, nostalgic “classic television.” Conrad’s WWW show even featured a customized GIjOE as a stand-in for one scene, playing a miniature version of James West on a chess board (see photo below). To date, Clary has not been made into an “official” action figure, but customs are sure to exist SOMEWHERE (Hello, Wayne Faucher? Rick Ratto?). Interestingly, the three “primaries” of Hogan’s Heroes (Hogan, Schultz and Klink) were immortalized by Sideshow Toys back in 2006. Perhaps a second set featuring Le Beau, Kinch, Carter and Newkirk will be forthcoming soon (keeping our fingers crossed).
Bottom Line: The staff of The Joe Report would like to take a moment today to send out a big, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” to both of these talented performers. Thank you for so many years of innocent, fun-filled adventure, comedy and musical entertainment!
In this scene from “The Wild, Wild West,” GIjOE was cast as the perfect stand-in for Robert Conrad when an actor of 1:6 scale was required. The beautiful actress seems to be thoroughly enjoying stroking Joe’s noggin’ (the first, EVER “Fuzzhead”), and Joe doesn’t appear to be complaining too much. Also note the superb custom costume created by the studio’s prop department. Incredible! (Photo: CBS)
Robert Clary and Cynthia Lynn clown around for a publicity still taken on the set of CBS’ irreverent and satirical ’60s sitcom,“Hogan’s Heroes.” (Photo: CBS)
In this enjoyable video about next month’s Joelanta show in Atlanta, GA, one of the event’s main organizers, Buddy Finethy, of the Atlanta division of the GIjOE Collector’s Club, discusses the latest plans for the event. Full of great “intel” for all Joeheads. Go, Buddy! And GO JOE!
This astounding 140-sq. ft. “Battle of Hoth” diorama utilizes utlra-realistic-looking smoke and explosion effects created by Zipidi Doodah and invented by Roberto Williams. (Photo: Zipidi Doodah)
If you’ve ever tried to build an indoor 1:6 scale battlefield diorama for your GIjOEs, then you know how difficult it can be to create realistic flame, smoke or explosion effects. It’s a truly vexing visual problem, one that’s long stumped even the most creative GIjOE fans.
Where there’s fire, there’s also SMOKE. And this stunningly realistic smoke effect would look perfect in any 1:6 scale battlefield diorama. (Photo: Zipidi Doodah)
Some of us have made flame “plumes” out of sticky, spray foam insulation (a fairly good solution). Others have plumped up wrinkled paper mache´ or cotton balls painted with assorted colors (a so-so solution). And still others have tried to mix blinking colored Christmas tree lights with painted or photographic backgrounds (expensive and unconvincing). But thanks to a couple of talented Star Wars fans, there’s now an easy, vastly superior and highly realistic solution to this problem—and you can do it!
You’ll need little to NO artistic talent, and the material costs required are minimal. According to Zipidi Doodah, who also goes by the name, “Barry,” the original credit for this concept should go to its creator, Roberto Williams (Thank you both, Roberto and Barry!).
If you decide to utilize any of these great effects in your next GIjOE diorama, please send some photos of your work to us here at The Joe Report, so we can add them to this article and share them with the world. Here’s Barry’s instructional video. Enjoy, and FLAME-ON!
Update No. 1: Barry recently provided some additional intel on how to create those amazing smoke effects. Perhaps if we ask him nicely, he’ll make a video about that too! Here’s his procedure:
“The smoke columns are made from using a material called Polyester Fiberfill (loose and in sheet form). I cut a long piece of the sheet and connect it to a fishing line that runs from the vehicle to the ceiling. Then, I attach the loose material to the sheet, with lots of glue, and lightly paint black, and attach a clamp to the screw in the ceiling.”
Some days you just want to go out on the range and shoot at old cars about a half mile away. Watch, as these young British soldiers train to get accustomed to the awesome firepower of the classic American-made Browning .50 cal machine-gun. This short video has great audio and lots of nice closeups of the soldiers, their uniforms and helmets, as well as the weapon and its AWESOME ammo belt feeding out from its ammo box. Toward the end, you can even see some tracer bullets streaking downrange. This would make for a great 1:6 scale diorama scene!
