GI Joe Shore Patrol

My Shore Patrol guys.

First up the original GI Joe versions.   On the left is the 1964 version with the kitbag and on the right the 1967 version with the more appropriate radio replacing the kitbag and  the original helmet changed to a striped version.  

This is  a terrific uniform and I'm baffled as to why Palitoy didn't choose to include it in the 1966 Action Sailor line, a decision which meant that the UK didn't get a USN "dress blues" uniform.



The original 1964 set came with the standard sailor "dixie cup" hat, with the helmet available only on  a small card.



Next up was is a kitbash inspired by the character played by Otis Young in the film 'The Last Detail'.



The basis of the kitbash is the splendid pea jacket, made by Cotwsold Collectibles.  One can never have enough Cotswold pea coats!







The next two guys are kitbashes of Shore Patrol personnel in USN "dress whites".  There were something of an afterthought for Hasbro, having never been produced in the 1960s GI Joe run, but they did include them in quite  a few GI Joe Classic Collection era sets.   Again, a terrific looking uniform with the only blot on Hasbro's copybook being that they put the rank insignia on the right sleeve when it should be on the left sleeve along with the service stripes.







The SPs assembled and ready to raid some bars!

These figures are superb! I love seeing the early '60s guys in full original kit! (And sometimes, in your photos, full original with improvements kit!)

Your research into the original releases continues to impress me, as does the depth and scope of your collection.

Looks like Frank Sinatra had better mind his manners, because the Shore Patrol is out in force!

Wow Paulie, you have a most impressive collection! I really love the way you have organized your figures. I hope you don't mind me posting a photo of a few of my swabbies.

Thanks,
Brian

I loved that "musical" USO show photo-story! Happy to see an excerpt from it again!

Agree with you on those Cotswold pea-coats! Fantastic!
And the "Otis Young" bash is a real beauty!

But I'm a bit worried over the look of those flesh coloured-batons your boys are brandishing!
Are you sure they didn't come from an altogether ......er, "different" set?  
Maybe a little paint job might go a way to allaying any misinterpretations....?  

I've got a Shore Patrol Man amongst my Navy Boys. I'll see if I can get a pic of him. Of course the outfit is MAM, and not VAM,....but it might make an interesting comparison.

SCU_HQ wrote:

I loved that "musical" USO show photo-story! Happy to see an excerpt from it again!

Thanks Dave!

So here's my G.I. Joe MAM Navy Shore Patrolman.
His uniform was carded and I've added the handcuffs and the probably non-uniform type of baton just because I thought they looked good.

Unlike the_pauley, I cannot attest to any authenticity but I thought it might make an interesting comparison.

So the pants be tucked into the boots and bloused, maybe webbing spats...or were the trouser legs just left out over the boots?

(Sorry about the pretty ordinary posing, but as he's usually only required to stand with my other Navy boys on a shelf, I've used one of my less articulated MAMs to wear the outfit. So he's one of my men that are into S&M.......Stand and Model!    )