September 2014 Interview - sirsidneyruffdiamond

Name ?
Alan

Online name ?
Sirsidneyruffdiamond

Location ?
Originally from Belfast, now living 30 miles east of Toronto. My wife is Canadian, she dragged me here in 2008.

First Vam/Joe/Mam or 1/6 figure ?
I’m not 100% sure, it may have been basic boxed VAM soldier back in 1966 or 67, or it may have been a German Stormtrooper. I also remember having an Astronaut and Space Capsule, a Mountie and later on a Life Guard. Unfortunately none survived. All were severely wounded in backyard warfare. However at least they made it to the backyard, my best friend received as a Christmas present what is probably the most fragile VAM vehicle produced, the Go Kart. It lasted about 2 hours until someone stepped on it.

What was your favourite figure as a kid, and do you still own him?
As a kid probably the German Stormtrooper. I’m sure like everyone on this site, I loved war movies, especially those set in WW2. The Stormtrooper looked so cool then and still does now, especially on a blond VAM. Unfortunately he is no longer with me, he gave his all for the Fatherland whilst serving overseas, or to be precise, he got his ass kicked in a backyard in Belfast by a Life Guard in full ceremonial dress.

Favourite figure now ?
Very tough question! I love my Blues and Royals, but I also love my Joe State Trooper. If pushed I would choose the Blues and Royals, I love the Ceremonials. But then again it might be my 1964 Joe black Frogman with still supple rubber!

Most desired item ?
I would love to have an original racing car.

What will you do with your collection as you get older ?
It will be passed down to my two Sons.

What does your wife/girlfriend/partner think of your collection/hobby?
She knows that I have been a collector all my life and I think that she is very impressed, although she would never tell me that.

Do you set yourself a budget ?
Never have, as funds permit I will try and make the most of opportunities as they arrive. After I first arrived in Canada I didn’t buy anything for about 3 years as I had incurred a lot of expenses moving over. However now that I have settled in here the collection is starting to grow again.

Worst Vam/Joe/Mam or 1/6 figure ?
Here is where I offend about half the members, I just could never get in to the Eagle Eye figures, the first hybrid ones were ok but the blue pant figures just don’t do it for me. I prefer Painted Heads everytime.

Views on 40th reproductions ?
At first I was excited, however when sellers started to mix 40th with Vintage and pass it off as all Vintage the excitement soon disappeared. It displays great, but I can honestly say that I do not have any 40th in my collection.

Worst item of the Vam/Joe/Mam or 1/6 range ?
Those bloody silly pyjamas.

Best thing about collecting Vam/Joe/Mam or 1/6 figures ?
Nostalgia for me. I sit in The Crypt ( usually with a beer ) surrounded by my collections. They just transport me back to my marvellous childhood…priceless.

Do you think your collection will be collectible in the future ?
Collectible? Definitely. Valuable? Not just so sure. As those of us who grew up with VAM and Joe pass from this MortaL coil and expire I’m not sure that the demand will still be there, but I do so hope so.

If you did not collect Vam/Joe/Mam what would you collect ?
Simple…..Golden Age Comics, specifically Horror and Sci Fi Comics from the 50’s most notably the EC range of which I already have quite a few on display in the crypt.

What AM/Joe outfit or set would you like to have seen released?
The Argyll and Sutherlanders from the battle of Balaclava. The famous Thin Red Line.

Do you have a/What is your favourite section of AMMO?
I love everyone’s collections and I love looking in the for sale and wants section.

Why do you like AMMO ?
Easiest of all questions to answer….Great People….thanks Guys.

Terrific interview sid!, don;t like ee's ?? well I wont hold that against you I really enjoyed reading it mate, and I would love to visit the crypt and share a beer !

Nice one Sir Ruffdiamond. Now about these EE's ..........

great interview

Cappy wrote:

Nice one Sir Ruffdiamond. Now about these EE's ..........

Blondeactionman wrote:

Terrific interview sid!, don;t like ee's ?? well I wont hold that against you I really enjoyed reading it mate, and I would love to visit the crypt and share a beer !

consider yourself invited Dal, it would be a pleasure

just let me know which beer you prefer, the local beer store has hundreds of beers from all over the world

Fantastic interview Sir Sid (EE's )

..and as a big comic fan too I doubly need to visit the crypt!

I'll tag along with Dal!

thanks for this interview

and i like beer too!!!

everyone is welcome for free beer at sir sid's

Yeah. It could be am AMMO outing to Canada . Great interview Sir Sidney was fascinated to hear that the stormtroopers made it to NI. My mate who gave me his childhood collection is from Belfast and he was never aloud a German. In fact there was only one kid on his street that was aloud and he only had one.

Great interview, SirSidney, nice to get to know you better. That must have been some move. I can't imagine moving your collection so far, much less getting it through customs.

Brian

Fantastic interview Sir Sid.  

Great Interview SirSid - had forgotton about the Crypt - we need more photos!!!!

thanks guys, I will take some new pics of the Crypt and post them

Nice one, Sirsid!

A vam Go-kart that got stepped on and flattened on Christmas day!  The family must have had a right drunken knees up!  

"I just could never get in to the Eagle Eye figures, the first hybrid ones were ok "

the first hybrid ones were GREAT!!!... good tones...great faces... it all worked... they were progress...

then they went sheeeyite... but the first ones were more than 'ok'... they were phreakin' great!!

clivvers wrote:

Nice one, Sirsid!

A vam Go-kart that got stepped on and flattened on Christmas day!  The family must have had a right drunken knees up!  

well it was Belfast

SlackElastic wrote:

"I just could never get in to the Eagle Eye figures, the first hybrid ones were ok "

the first hybrid ones were GREAT!!!... good tones...great faces... it all worked... they were progress...

then they went sheeeyite... but the first ones were more than 'ok'... they were phreakin' great!!

I will go as far as GOOD............

Well Sir Sid (Alan) that was superb interview really enjoyed reading it, and finding more about what you like in your collection, well done

Thanks Mark

SlackElastic wrote:

"I just could never get in to the Eagle Eye figures, the first hybrid ones were ok "

the first hybrid ones were GREAT!!!... good tones...great faces... it all worked... they were progress...

then they went sheeeyite... but the first ones were more than 'ok'... they were phreakin' great!!

I agree about the first hybrid Eagle Eye figures, they are great lookers.. in fact, they're blimming fantastic! but not as fantastic as the PH's
All Action Man figures are equal, I like them all!

clivvers wrote:

SlackElastic wrote:

"I just could never get in to the Eagle Eye figures, the first hybrid ones were ok "

the first hybrid ones were GREAT!!!... good tones...great faces... it all worked... they were progress...

then they went sheeeyite... but the first ones were more than 'ok'... they were phreakin' great!!

I agree about the first hybrid Eagle Eye figures, they are great lookers.. in fact, they're blimming fantastic! but not as fantastic as the PH's
All Action Man figures are equal, I like them all!

Do you work for the Diplomatic Corps Clive?