Name?
Mark.
Online Name?
Sparks6887. I trained as an electrician after leaving school hence the Sparky and the 6887 is the end of my dad's army number.
Location
Sunny Brighton
First VAM?
Half a dozen ph's my brother in law gave me. He'd had them when he was growing get up and handed them to me when he married my sister I was 4 years old. He also gave me a beaten up Marx Jeep. From there the addiction was born.
What was your favorite figure as a kid and do you still own him?
Arhhh here is my childhood Tom Stone. Now complete with box and contents. I can spend many an hour just gazing at my Tom Stones.
Favourite figure now?
I was going to be fatituous and say my other Tom Stone but that would just be showing off.
I do really love my Jungle Explorer but I think I would have to say my first issue combat soldier or second issue army medic. I'm rubbish at just choosing one figure lol
Most desired item?
Though a vast amount of my childhood collection was second hand, my dad was a scout leader so I got first dibs at jumble sales) I did also have a fair amount of new stuff for birthdays and Christmas's. In 1979 I was lucky enough to get a new talking commander which I loved and kept in its box till my sister gave all my childhood stuff away. Have I ever mentioned that??? Lol
So for this year's birthday 35 years later in want to get another 1979 boxed TC :-)
What will you do with your collection as you get older?
I expect my kids will take it on. Jemma loves her VAM with a passion I recognise and both my step twins Louis and Ella are interested.
What does your wife think of your collection/hobby.
Sara is pretty cool about it most of the time. She wants me to be happy and knows that VAM and the fora contribute to that happiness. I think that might change if I wanted a whole room for VAM but she's quite happy for me to have my cabinet.
Do you set yourself a budget?
Kind of. Normally £40.00 a month though with the 2nd issue Tom Stone box that was two months gone in a flash. Money is always tight as the twins Dad has always been very reluctant to financially support them. I've tried spending nothing but then I end up like a bear with a sore head.
Worst VAM?
This hobby is so funny. This time last year in would have said space ranger or cowboy. Now I have both and think they are great. I think I'll go with Captain Zargon!!!
Views on 40th reproductions?
Think it would have been good had they been marked as replica but other than that I don't have a problem with it. Jemma has a couple of 40th figures and whilst she prefers her VAM she happily plays with the 40th too. Oh and the 40th Gi Joe I have is fantastic.
Worst item of the VAM range?
Now don't hold me to this as I'm bound to have them in a year or so and love them lol. But I would have to say Captain Zargon and the Gargon. Sounds like a crummy glam rock band from the 1970's
Best thing about collecting VAM figures?
Keeps me off the streets :-) well apart from the good friends I have made across the fora I really enjoy completing a figure and I'm noticing a growing interest in boxed and carded items though will have to bide my time with those as they are soooooo expensive.
Do you think you collection will be collectible in the future?
I hope so. As I said the kids to a lesser or greater degree all like them. I have a couple of friends who are fascinated with my collection one of whom wants me to catalogue them as a project for our local university.
If you did not collect VAM what would you collect?
£20.00 notes!! I used to collect British Motorbikes. Had half a dozen at its peak with my favoutite being a Top Fuel 750cc Triumph Drag Bike. It produced about 300hp and went from a standing start to 100mph in under 3 seconds. Now, I have an interest in vintage scalextric sets and also old air fix 1/32nd boxed soldiers, just love the box artwork. Also, since starting rustic Sundays at home vintage board games. Need a much bigger house and a larger income.
What AM set would you have liked seen released?
My flippant answer as usual relates to my childhood love of Saturday afternoons in front of the TV with my dad and brother watching World of Sport Wrestling. The figure would be a Kendo Nagasaki Wrestler complete with red eyes, mask and Samari sword. He would have to be a member of the action man team. Actually now I've written it that's my real answer too lol Or a DAK officer
Do you have a favorite section of AMMO?
When I get a chance to I like chat. I'm often working in the evenings and when I'm not I'm doing the bedtime routine with Jemma. As she gets older I may be able to drop by more often. Otherwise the Vintage VAM and Joe sections are where my heart lies.
Why do you like AMMO.
I'm a member of lots of fora and they all offer something different. When Dal set up OSAM with Ade and a few others the inclusive attitude one me over. As someone with a physical disability I feel passionate about inclusion. AMMO as it is now is inclusive, it has many sections where members can choose to post or not. When posts are made the member is respected for where they are at that time.
I remember a friend talking about a very well known fellow drag racer he said be careful who you piss on when they are coming up the ranks as one day you'll need their help and they might just return the compliment. Dal is amazing as he hasn't returned the compliment and it takes a strong person not too. ;-)Also the support and Friendship on this forum is second to none. I won't list you all. It would be a very long list but those people who have really helped me when I've been in dark places have been amazing. I feel closer to my friends on AMMO than I do most of my family of origin and when I look in my cabinet I'm reminded about the importance of friendship and of this site in particular. :-)
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Subject: March's Interview 2014 - Sparks6887 
Sat Mar 01, 2014 9:22 am
. I can see why Tom Stone was your favourite, I had one too as a kid !. 
