Name ?
Nate Wells
Online name ?
Glidah Drivah (Even though I’m a former Naval Officer, I’ve long been fascinated by WWII Glider Pilots)
Location ?
Boston, MA, USA
First Vam/Joe/Mam or 1/6 figure ?
I’m an 80s kid, so was raised in the 3.75” Real American Hero (RAH) era. I had a Sea Adventurer briefly (pets destroyed it!) but did not return to 1/6 collecting until the late 1990s, when I bought a Hasbro Mercury Astronaut; (which I still have). That first Sea Adventurer was purchased at a long-closed toy shop north of Boston called Mr. Big Toyland. It had all sorts of Toys, from cheap plastic soldiers, diecast vehicles based on Japanese anime and high-quality collector dolls. The left wall of the store was filled with these dolls, mostly from Britain, France and Germany. There were a few early-issue Barbie and Kens, as well. Hanging out with these dolls was a peculiar looking fellow with fuzzy red hair and beard, and strange rubbery gripping hands. I asked my father who he was. When he replied that I was looking at a GI Joe, I was perplexed. Joe was a little guy the same height as my Star Wars figures. I begged for him, and my Dad brought him home. I didn’t get to enjoy him for long. My cats knocked him off my desk, and our dog chewed him beyond repair. I bought another Sea Adventurer off ebay in the late 90s to replace him, and just got him some KFGs so that he better represents that old Sea Adventurer.
What was your favourite figure as a kid, and do you still own him?
The only childhood action figure I have left is an Indiana Jones pistol-draw figure. All my Star Wars, Transformers and RAH figures were tossed or sold, unfortunately.
Favourite figure now ?
Hmm. I kitbashed a WWII Naval Officer using mostly DML parts in remembrance of both my grandad’s and my own Naval service, so that has special meaning. In terms of Vintage figures, the Sea Adventurer acquired to replace my childhood one, and an Air Adventurer bought the same weekend my wife and I got engaged probably bring the biggest smiles. It’s hard though, I like them all!
Most desired item ?
Most of my collection is “modern” (21st, BBi, DML, DiD, etc), so with my vintage collection, I’m just trying to check-off a list of certain figures. The last major figure I need to get is an African-American Adventurer (Tom Stone) and I would love to get some items from Joe’s foreign cousins. For a long time, it was the 21st Mercenary/Pakistani/Rhodesian camo uniforms, but I was able to snag a few of those.
What will you do with your collection as you get older ?
I’m hoping to get some display cases in the man-cave. Long-term, I haven’t really gotten that far.
What does your wife/girlfriend/partner think of your collection/hobby?
My wife doesn’t mind, as long as figure collecting doesn’t monopolize our time and money.
Do you set yourself a budget ?
Whenever I attend a Toy or hobby show, the budget is usually $60-100. Outside of that, as a hobby the budget is whatever is left after all the bills are paid!
Worst Vam/Joe/Mam or 1/6 figure ?
It depends on the parameters. Articulation? Headsculpt? Some of the modern figures come under fire, especially as their cost has risen dramatically. The sculpted shirt Hasbro figures of the last few years were underwhelming. In terms of more vintage figures, the Defenders usually come under fire, as do the Hasbro HOF bodies of the 1990s. Mike Power and Bulletman are in the love ‘em or hate ‘em camp. The one critical flaw in Vintage Joe and Action Man are the first generation hard hands, or “Nose Pickers” as they are dubbed. Just an overall poor design.
Views on 40th reproductions ?
I have a few pieces, and they are good for those collectors who want to assemble figures or sets that they cannot put together any other way. As long as the items are marked as reproductions, there is no issue.
Worst item of the Vam/Joe/Mam or 1/6 range ?
Some of the AT sets started to stretch believability. I’ll go with the oversized weapons of the HOF era.
Best thing about collecting Vam/Joe/Mam or 1/6 figures ?
Themes such as reconnecting with one’s childhood, and serving as a snapshot of a time when things seemed a bit simpler come to mind. It’s also quite fun; especially interacting with fellow collectors.
Do you think your collection will be collectible in the future ?
Possibly. None of my vintage or modern figures are museum pieces. Almost all are kitbashes, so while they are special to me; their collectable value is probably not that great.
If you did not collect Vam/Joe/Mam what would you collect ?
I originally collected vintage military uniforms. Military history is my passion and I originally started collecting 1/6 figures because I figured that it would be easier to store than the uniforms. 15 years later, however the space-saving aspect is long gone!! I also have a large number of books. My man-cave is basically composed of several bookcases with a sprinkling of action figures.
What AM/Joe outfit or set would you like to have seen released?
For Action Man, I’d love them to have done an SAS trooper from the Oman conflict. For Joe, a Naval officer in the Service Dress Blues.
Do you have a/What is your favourite section of AMMO?
The Action Man and Joe Collections, Motor Pool and Kitbashes.
Why do you like AMMO ?
It’s a very friendly, low-key collecting site. Even though I know very little about Vintage Action Man and other foreign cousins of GI Joe, I never feel ignorant here. The members of AMMO are happy to show and explain, rather than show off.
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Subject: February's Interview (2014) Glidah Drivah.. 
Sat Feb 01, 2014 12:33 pm
