ActionManMobileOperations (AMMO)
Would you like to react to this message? Create an account in a few clicks or log in to continue.


AMMO: The home of all 1/6 scale action figures!
 
HomeHome  Ammo BriefingAmmo Briefing  Latest imagesLatest images  SearchSearch  RegisterRegister  Log inLog in  

 

 April's Interview (2014) - zulu1

Go down 
+6
clivvers
Reddragon
Wolf_Soldier64
somekindajoe
Joe90
BAMComix
10 posters
AuthorMessage
BAMComix
Admin
BAMComix


Posts : 15331
Join date : 2012-11-08
Age : 52
Location : Birmingham, England

April's Interview (2014) - zulu1 Empty
PostSubject: April's Interview (2014) - zulu1   April's Interview (2014) - zulu1 Icon_minitimeTue Apr 01, 2014 6:28 pm

Name?
Tony Loizou

Online name?
Zulu-1 . A nickname I picked up when competitive clay pigeon shooting. My wife was (and still is) Zulu-2

Location
Now in West Wales after 20 years in London

First Vam/Joe/Mam or 1/6 figure?
First was a brown fuzzy gripper, circa 1974 or 75. He was followed by Steve Austin and the two of them were made to crawl through yards of trenches I dug in an earth bank at the side of our garden. I then had a Red Devils outfit ( launched out of my bedroom window many times) , the Special Ops Kit Bag and a muscle-bodied beardy Joe from my uncle in the States.

What was your favourite figure as a kid and do you still own him?
We moved houses every few years and there was always a big cull before the move. I think my fellas disappeared about 1979.
However, a few years ago, in one of my many boxes, I found these - the last of my childhood VAM:

April's Interview (2014) - zulu1 DSC00317

I started collecting toys of all sorts again in my late teens, and whilst at college I found these at a jumble sale, about 1985. I have left them as they were found 30 years ago, but I will try and complete them in due course:

April's Interview (2014) - zulu1 DSC00319

In the same year, a toyshop was closing and I bought this fellow for the princely sum of £4. He has been on a shelf or in a cabinet of some sort wherever I have been since 1985:

April's Interview (2014) - zulu1 DSC00321

My favourite back then, though, was the Amoured Car Commander. My mate next door had one and I loved his sheepskin jacket. He also had the Scout Car, I think it was the Cherilea one. I remember thinking "He's cool, but thats just a green blob with wheels".
I probably still do, which is why I have no problem chopping them up and sticking bits on them.

Favourite figure now?
I tend to favour the military outfits, and amongst them, the basic SAS figure is probably the one. I visited Acme toys in Birmingham with Dal recently and impulse-bought another one, making about 9 in total.

Most desired item?
If I was prepared to spend the large amount of money on something so small I would get a Silver Star for the Green Beret above. Also, after seeing some recent posts on here, I am really fancying a boxed Tom Stone.

What will you do with your collection as you get older?
First things first, I need to get them out of their moving boxes and back on display! Hopefully by the end of the summer I will have built a display case with a Slack-style diorama box to keep things interesting. In the long term I don't know. We should all club together, get some premises and open a massive VAM/Joe museum.

What does your wife/girlfriend/partner think of your collection/hobby?
At first she was amused, then confused and then decided to get involved. She had Sindy as a girl, fell back in love with her and now has a great collection of vintage Sindys from the 60's to the 90's - all correctly dressed and cataloged. She is also a great seamstress, and does all the sewing on my customs ( my own "sewing kit" consists consists of UHU and a stapler )

Do you set yourself a budget?
Not really, I buy in fits and starts. The last thing I bought was this BOB figure ( also from Acme Toys) which cost me £80 delivered along with some other bits. That's the most I have spent on a single figure, but all his kit is pristine and he cut such a dashing pose I could not resist:

April's Interview (2014) - zulu1 IMG_2874_zpsdc56db76

Worst Vam/Joe/Mam or 1/6 figure
I don't really have one - everything has its merits

Views on 40th reproductions
I missed the whole 40th thing when they were first released, but seeing them now and finding out more, I realise what an enormous undertaking it was. The sheer logistics of collecting all that kit and having it reproduced, as a private undertaking, is just phenomenal. Also, the fact that often you have to compare mould marks and stitch widths to sort repro from original shows just how well it was done.

Best thing about collecting Vam/Joe/Mam or 1/6 figures
I am not sentimental or nostalgic about much at all, but a Vintage Action Man speaks to me, visually and emotionally, quite deep down - in the same way that Roy Cross' Airfix box artwork or a battered and chipped metallic blue Thunderbird 2 does. As for collecting generally, the buzz of an ebay win, hoovering up MAMs for 50p each at a car boot, posting pictures of customs or vehicles and getting feedback, meeting fellow enthusiasts on-line or in real life - all of that does it for me.

Do you think your collection will be collectable in the future?
For a few more years yet I should think, until the remainder of us 60's/70's kids get put out to pasture. Perhaps stocking up on MAM is the way forward - Ackie has got it right!

If you did not collect Vam/Joe/Mam what would you collect?
I already collect all sorts from militaria to fishing lures, Airfix kits, records and books. Too much stuff.

What AM/Joe outfit or set would you like to have seen released?
Not really sure, but after a cup of tea and a some head-scratching and after seeing the Dave Barnacle drawings and Vaughan's superb interpretation I would have to say the Arab outfit.

Do you have a/what is your favourite section of AMMO?
It would have to be the Custom Figures & Vehicles sections. It's what got me into the hobby again, and making things gives me great pleasure. I think the creativity of customs, along with dedication of purer collecting, makes this a more vibrant activity for me. There is a wealth of talent to be found here and across other fora and I have seen some amazing and inspirational custom work, but even pictures of really simple bashes - just changing a weapon or headgear or a lick of paint just adds that creative and playful dimension to the hobby, and everyone can do it.

Why do you like AMMO
I will have to echo Sparkys comments in that I am also a member of lots of fora and they do all offer something different. I have chatted, traded and met in 1/1 life many of you here. After a recent chat with Dal, and also knowing how much work Cappy put in to setting up the yuku site after HQ went down, and similar chats with Deeyem at VAME and Kracka at Actioncommand I realise just how much work and dedication is necessary to run a successful forum. I think this site is a great credit to Dal and his team who have just knuckled down and got on with it and have pushed on through. I think AMMO has settled and matured into a great site, and as the various sections and categories have filled out over time ( like the GAJ, AT and Geyper sections etc.) this has become a great visual resource. Also, after a couple of nudges, I have logged into the chat room once or twice, and that is a great idea!
Back to top Go down
Online
BAMComix
Admin
BAMComix


Posts : 15331
Join date : 2012-11-08
Age : 52
Location : Birmingham, England

April's Interview (2014) - zulu1 Empty
PostSubject: Re: April's Interview (2014) - zulu1   April's Interview (2014) - zulu1 Icon_minitimeTue Apr 01, 2014 6:31 pm

Awesome Interview Tony !, a great read indeed. sas chaps ??, something else we share in common, itis my favourite of the later sets  cheers cheers 
Back to top Go down
Online
Joe90
Eagle Eyes
Joe90


Posts : 296
Join date : 2013-01-04
Age : 67
Location : Edmonton CANADA

April's Interview (2014) - zulu1 Empty
PostSubject: Re: April's Interview (2014) - zulu1   April's Interview (2014) - zulu1 Icon_minitimeWed Apr 02, 2014 2:41 am

A good read, Tony! I envy that you were able to pick up VAM at clearance back in the 1980's. I did, however, manage to pick up some of the pieces of Cotswold Collectibles "Warehouse find" back in the early 1990's.

The last of your childhood VAM is a marvellous single picture photo essay.




Could be I'm just projecting.  Wink 
Back to top Go down
somekindajoe
French Resistance
somekindajoe


Posts : 2196
Join date : 2012-11-15
Age : 63
Location : London

April's Interview (2014) - zulu1 Empty
PostSubject: Re: April's Interview (2014) - zulu1   April's Interview (2014) - zulu1 Icon_minitimeWed Apr 02, 2014 4:24 am

A fantastic interview Tony! Even though I've had the pleasure of meeting you in the 1:1 world a couple of times it was great to read about your childhood memories and thoughts about our hobby.

Well done Zulu1!

_________________
April's Interview (2014) - zulu1 SKJ_Sig_1

Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.
Back to top Go down
Wolf_Soldier64
Moderator
Wolf_Soldier64


Posts : 2476
Join date : 2012-11-13
Age : 59
Location : Reading, Berkshire

April's Interview (2014) - zulu1 Empty
PostSubject: Re: April's Interview (2014) - zulu1   April's Interview (2014) - zulu1 Icon_minitimeWed Apr 02, 2014 4:29 am

Excellent read Tony thanks for sharing, insight into your childhood, I enjoyed reading it  Very Happy 

_________________
Its better to Burn out than fade away
Back to top Go down
Guest
Guest




April's Interview (2014) - zulu1 Empty
PostSubject: Re: April's Interview (2014) - zulu1   April's Interview (2014) - zulu1 Icon_minitimeWed Apr 02, 2014 5:13 am

One of the finest  king 
Back to top Go down
Reddragon
SCRAMBLE PILOT
Reddragon


Posts : 510
Join date : 2012-11-12
Age : 66
Location : South Wales

April's Interview (2014) - zulu1 Empty
PostSubject: Re: April's Interview (2014) - zulu1   April's Interview (2014) - zulu1 Icon_minitimeWed Apr 02, 2014 5:15 am

Fantastic interview ZULU1, very enjoyable read, great stuff.

_________________
April's Interview (2014) - zulu1 Comicbanner2
“Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.”
Back to top Go down
clivvers
HOME OFFICE MINISTER
clivvers


Posts : 3581
Join date : 2013-02-08
Location : Between here and saving another MAM again! "That's one small step for a MAM, one giant leap for MAMkind"

April's Interview (2014) - zulu1 Empty
PostSubject: Re: April's Interview (2014) - zulu1   April's Interview (2014) - zulu1 Icon_minitimeWed Apr 02, 2014 6:04 am


I thoroughly enjoyed reading this, Tony! Very Happy  It's also nice to know you hoover up MAM like me. This is another great interview for A.M.M.O, well done!  cheers

_________________
clivvers - saviour of the huMAM race @ MAMageddon 2009 - 2099 @ clivvers MAM Nation:
Back to top Go down
http://actionmanworld.forumotion.co.uk
Tof
Flock Head (Hard Hands)
Tof


Posts : 207
Join date : 2012-11-12
Age : 59
Location : ANNECY

April's Interview (2014) - zulu1 Empty
PostSubject: Re: April's Interview (2014) - zulu1   April's Interview (2014) - zulu1 Icon_minitimeWed Apr 02, 2014 6:40 am

enjoy reading this interview! thanks

_________________
JE SUIS CHARLIE
you can't always get what you want
Back to top Go down
http://forumdugroupactionjoe.xooit.fr/index.php
Guest
Guest




April's Interview (2014) - zulu1 Empty
PostSubject: Re: April's Interview (2014) - zulu1   April's Interview (2014) - zulu1 Icon_minitimeWed Apr 02, 2014 9:32 am

great interview great read
Back to top Go down
TALLY HO
Armoured Car Commander
TALLY HO


Posts : 719
Join date : 2012-11-17
Age : 58
Location : north wales

April's Interview (2014) - zulu1 Empty
PostSubject: Re: April's Interview (2014) - zulu1   April's Interview (2014) - zulu1 Icon_minitimeThu Apr 03, 2014 2:36 am

great interview ...hope your settling in wales ok .....was good to meet you at cappys a couple of years ago
Back to top Go down
action bob
Flock Head (Hard Hands)
action bob


Posts : 200
Join date : 2013-04-25
Age : 58
Location : Hertfordshire

April's Interview (2014) - zulu1 Empty
PostSubject: Re: April's Interview (2014) - zulu1   April's Interview (2014) - zulu1 Icon_minitimeSat Apr 05, 2014 1:25 am

A great interview, a good read  Very Happy 
Back to top Go down
Sparkys6887
Arctic Explorer
Sparkys6887


Posts : 1142
Join date : 2012-11-12
Age : 54
Location : Brighton

April's Interview (2014) - zulu1 Empty
PostSubject: Re: April's Interview (2014) - zulu1   April's Interview (2014) - zulu1 Icon_minitimeWed May 07, 2014 5:59 am

fantastic read Tony Wink Boxed Tom Stone Smile way to go! LOL



April's Interview (2014) - zulu1 20140118_141529_zps23882258
Back to top Go down
http://www.creativecounselling.net
Sponsored content





April's Interview (2014) - zulu1 Empty
PostSubject: Re: April's Interview (2014) - zulu1   April's Interview (2014) - zulu1 Icon_minitime

Back to top Go down
 
April's Interview (2014) - zulu1
Back to top 
Page 1 of 1
 Similar topics
-
» July (2014) Interview -
» September 2014 Interview - sirsidneyruffdiamond
» May 2014 Interview - Gideon
» Decembers Interview 2014 - Clivvers !!!!
» January's Interview 2014 REDDRAGON

Permissions in this forum:You cannot reply to topics in this forum
ActionManMobileOperations (AMMO) :: Ammo Archives :: Members Interviews-
Jump to: