July's Interview - D-Day Dawson

Thanks to D-Day Dawson for taking the time to do July's interview!




Name ?

Darren

Online Name ?

D-Day Dawson

Location ?

Churchill, Victoria, Australia

First Vam/GI Joe/Mam or 1/6 Figure ?

I really can’t remember if it was my first Action Man but It the one I remember most. I was about 8 -9 years old and it
was a week or 2 before Christmas and My older Sister gave me the Santa story. I
didn’t believe her so she said “Here I’ll prove it to you”. We then went into
Mum and Dad’s bedroom and opened up the cupboard. My sister obviously had already
been there but to my surprise the cupboard was filled with presents, well my eyes
lit up. So we went and opened them. I jumped for joy as I unwrapped an Action
Man Helicopter and then the Pilot to go with it, Yahoooooo!!!!!!. I was stoked.
Then Mum and Dad came home.. Boy were we in trouble. That memory is like
yesterday.


Favourite Figure Now ?

My Favourite figure is my Childhood Action Man. He wasn’t in the greatest condition but I recently gave him a
reflock and put new elastic in him and then a nice new set of grippers. He’s
like new now except for having a little shrunken head problem. He is dressed in
the French resistance uniform as its one uniform I always dreamt of getting as
a kid and I used to spend hours looking at the manual wishing I had it. So
finally I got it for him 20 years later.


Most Desired Item ?

Do I have to pick just one? .. Gosh that’s hard. Well I have all the vintage ceremonials except for the Blues and
Royals uniform which I have got the 40th set of, so that would be
one I would love to get my hands on. I think a boxed land rover is high on my wants
list at the moment. I could keep going now you have got me thinking, your
getting me excited thinking of what I want next. The joys of been an Action Man
collector.


What Will You Do With Your Collection As You Get Older ?

I intend to collect until the day I leave this earth, so I intend to enjoy my
collection until then. Hopefully I can continue to expand its numbers and get
some of my most desired figures I am missing from my collection. I do want to
be buried with my Childhood Action Man, so I am taking him with me.


Do You Set Yourself A budget ?

My Wife sets my budget. My budget is when she says yes or no. I try
to look after the kids with money and keeping them happy so if I have a spare
dollar or 2, I might lash out but I mainly spend for my birthday and also Xmas.
Yes I still love to open up and Xmas present and find an Action Man inside.


Worst Vam/GI Joe/Mam or 1/6 Figure?

Now that is a hard question as I would hate to offend anyone so it’s in my eyes only guys. The
worst figure I can think of is the Bulletman, I never did get the idea behind
him. What was it with his eyebrows. I always thought of Action Man be rough and
tough and they brang out this rather wimpy looking figure. When I see that
figure and can’t believe he is related to Action Man.


Views Om 40th Reproductions ?

I love the 40th range and take my hat off to Alan Hall for having the guts to do it. The
uniform sets are superb and I have loved every one that was done. The figures
are an excellent copy but just have a more baby face look to me than the
vintage. I have loved the chance to get hold of all the artwork on the packaging.
I wish it had continued and a few more sets like the RMET and also a few
vehicles had of been produced. I look forward to hopefully seeing some 50th
anniversary sets.


Worst Item Of The Vam/GI Joe/Mam or 1/6 Range ?

I really don’t have a worst item. There is
plenty of badly made stuff out there which I hate.


Best Thing About Collecting Vam/GI Joe/Mam or 1/6 Figures ?

I grew up living in England and left as a 12
year old leaving behind so many friends and family. Collecting Action Man has
help me bring back some of those wonderful memories of been with the family at
Christmas and other fabulous times that seemed to be cut so short.



Do You Think Your Collection Will Be Collectible In The Future ?

I think 1/6 collecting is here to stay but I am not too sure VAM will
be collected by so many. Most collectors of VAM I know are from my age group
and as we grow older I think the numbers will drop off. Well I am hoping all
the collectors will eventually decide to sell up so I can keep collecting and
get my hands on some of those hard to find figures.


If You Did Not Collect Vam/GI Joe/Mam or 1/6 Figures, Whet Would You Collect ?

My Favorite comic as a kid was Battle so I think I would collect them. I have a couple of annuals
and would love to have more. Also boxed Airfix soldiers would be high on my
list.


Why Do You Like AMMO ?

AMMO has been a great site to join.
There is nothing better than coming home and relaxing catch up with a few
threads. I know a lot of guys names around the Action Man community and it’s
only since joining AMMO that I feel that I am starting to get to know these
guys personally. Its been great been a part of AMMO.
Thanks Guys, Enjoy collecting

A fantastic interview Darren! We have many interests in common.

Gotta love them Airfix!

Love the Christmas story, is it just me or was it an absolute lifetime waiting for Christmas Day when you were little????

Brilliant interview

Thanks for taking the time     

awesome interview Darren, gosh I can just imagine the telling off you and your sister got   !! priceless mate. Always great to get to know another member a little more  

Good interview, Darren.

Big sisters! There ought to be a law for siblings telling tales about Santa...

Great interview Darren. Really enjoyed reading your experiences of childhood, made me smile as I too have a Big sister, well actually three big sisters!!! I to enjoy Christmas and Burthdays and a
VAM fest.

Great interview Darren. It made me smile a few times!

I enjoyed that , I think we can relate to so many of the stories in all the interviews

Great interview, very enjoyable read.

Great Interview and thanks for sharing Darren.

Cheers

Len

Great insight Darren, I so share you're love of Airfix mate

Sir Sid