My childhood collection

So this is the lower leg repair my dad did 40 years ago. This is on a gummy head PH and I'm hoping to put him in SOTC Aussie fatigues when I can. He's currently wearing the boots, shorts and jacket.

I was delighted to find my blue pant TC. Had him for Christmas 1978. Funny what I had him dressed in, he talks a bit fast somill try and slow him.down.

Two of my favourite childhood soldiers

Your dad had some impressive woodcarving skills!

WOW cool childhood finds!
And that leg you dad did 40 years ago is awesome!

Great too see the childhood guys Sparky! Is that a lone ranger (Tonto) knife sheath I see your adventurer has? I did that too as a kid! It is fantastic too see that the your vam mojo has returned . The lower leg by the way is awesome!

Thanks all, yes Dal it is the lone ranger Tonto, I've got the knife and Tonto figure to, dad had put VAM Grippers on him.

And yes, I think the lower leg is fabulous and will definately stay

Great figures!!!

Reminds me of the DC comic PT Boat Captain with the wooden leg...I don't remember what they called him...

Thanks to Geert for helping me finish my childhood RMP. I've got some repro seargents decals and just need the red Truncheon tie. Anyone know what I could use, for the leg tie of my TC too.

very nice sparky!

Thank you Dal, amazing to think is was this exact uniform I had new on the card all those years ago! Just about to finish my commando too some of my favourite uniforms.

I'm pretty sure this isn't genuine VAM Judo, the top may be quartermaster stores but it's not tagged. The trousers are Arctic Marine or Ski patrol. I obviously rather liked him as this is how I found him straight from the box of childhood VAM

They really are genuine treasures. You're so lucky to have them from your childhood.

Perhaps you might consider removing the elastic from the bottom of the legs of those ski pants now for a more "judo" look?
Just a thought.

Nice! Great childhood treasures for sure!

What great figures you have there !!

Your Dad's lower leg carving is a great looking and skillful fix.

Thanks for sharing that, it's a great idea for a fix up of some of my own old troopers .

Next up my childhood Kamp Kommondant. He'll need the Great Coat before winter so if you have one to please let me know. Im aware he's not supposed to have the ammo pouches on his belt but they were spare so why not. I'm going to make a swagger stick but need to know the length, anyone with one and can let me know. Also, the trousers seem permanently faded has anyone dyed theirs? Next up a Stormtrooper for the cherilea motorbike and sidecar. Just need the fatigues, schmiesser and helmet as have the rest.

Sparkys6887 wrote:

I'm going to make a swagger stick but need to know the length, anyone with one and can let me know.

Here's a couple of the genuine articles with the sizes. Scale down to suit.

Description:  Lot of 2 German Army Third-Reich "swagger sticks". One is 11" with a nickeled top and base cap. The other measures 13" with a round knob and has a tiger stripe finish. Both have a metal shield with a soldier, and two portepee tassels and a colorful woven hand loop.

Wow very nice childhood Kamp Kommondant!
Hope you find a warm coat for him...

more great restorations Sparky!

I'm well chuffed. Having restrung lots of muscle body figures and put heads on blue pant figure. Time to give the 64 body a go.[br][br][br][br][br][br][br][br][br][br]And all with the use of just one arm! The elastic could be a bit tighter, I've another to do so lesson learnt

Nice work Sparky!

He's back in action!
Great job!

A great restoration there Sparky!

Now this next xcomment may not win me any fans here, but I've always thought that VAM is such an odd looking little figure when viewed in the nude.
Among other things his pelvis just is weird.
He works best when fully and completely outfitted, which of course was his prime purpose. Shorts do look terrible on him.
His legs are so scrawny.

Although admittedly of a more "steroided" appearance, I think by the time MAM was released they had made so many improvements to the actual bodily form.

LeStryge wrote:

A great restoration there Sparky!

Now this next xcomment may not win me any fans here, but I've always thought that VAM is such an odd looking little figure when viewed in the nude.
Among other things his pelvis just is weird.
He works best when fully and completely outfitted, which of course was his prime purpose. Shorts do look terrible on him.
His legs are so scrawny.

Although admittedly of a more "steroided" appearance, I think by the time MAM was released they had made so many improvements to the actual bodily form.

Great rebuild Mark!!! You have to love rebuilding an old VAM!!!

Careful Barry......

But we need to go back 50 or so years ago to when G. I. Joe and Action Man were first released. For those of us who grew up loving them, nothing else will measure up. They will always be first and best. And I might have to disagree about the legs. I think VAM legs are not bad, good calf muscles, decent size thighs. My biggest problem with MAM are the arms. Too short and too big around. but, enough said. We're all inclusive here and try to avoid disparaging our fellow collector's toys. Except when the gang at SKJ go head hunting... They do like to have their fun...

Thanks for your comments chaps. I really enjoyed getting him back together and I'm.looking forward to completing the next one

I'm going to sit on the fence with the VAM Bodies, my desert fighter is a muscle body figure I restored and I think he looks great. The older, original bodies do look a bit odd but what a remarkable and fantastically fun toy Action Man was. I loved mine as a child and always will. I just don't have that same emotional connection with MAM!