Octobers (2014) Interview - Bronzestar

Name:
Hello my name is Carl Towns.

Online name:
Bronzestar, I chose this after the US Army medal. My Uncle was in the US Army and served in Vietnam where he was awarded 2 bronzestar medals with ‘v’ devices. I have one framed in my A/M Den with some other family medals from WW1 & 2.

Location:
Runcorn, Cheshire.

First Vam/Joe/Mam or 1/6 figure:
I’m thinking it was a Blue Pants Eagle Eye but I can’t remember what uniform he had on as I used to swap and kit bash them all the time.

What was your favourite figure as a kid, and do you still own him:
I can’t remember a favourite as I loved all my A/M (who doesn’t) I do know that I had the following British Infantry, Deep Sea Diver, German Office & Solider, Jungle Explorer, Atomic Man, Basic A/M and then I had the AT Tower, Truck, Jeep & Trailer, Motorbike & Sidecar and some other bits and pieces. The only one left I have is a Blue Pants Eagle Eye which was found naked mixed in with my sisters Sindy dolls (lucky A/M). All the rest of my stuff I had to give away when we moved to the States when I was 9 boy did that hurt but my best mate at the time was so happy, not sure if it was to see me go or all my Action Man he got. My parents made it up to me at our first xmas as I was allowed to go nuts and get tons of Star Wars stuff which I sold back here in my teens for £25 (what a plonker) if only I had kept them all.

Favourite figure now:
Its usually the one which is new to my collection but I’d have to say the British Infantry I have 6 in total but each one is different as I like to kitbash them.

Most desired item :
Oh dear where do you start all that I don’t have ha ha. My ‘must have’ list never seems to get shorter only longer. At this moment in time I’m after the RAF Ground Crew, Cherilea Transport Bridge but I’d love a Spartan Warrior or the Mine Clearing Vehicle APC I could go on and on.

What will you do with your collection as you get older:
My collection keeps growing and I haven’t put a limit on it I just seem to get a bit more fussy what I buy and the condition of the items and I love to get them out in the field to photography them.

What does your wife/girlfriend/partner think of your collection/hobby:
Well where do I start on that one ha ha I like to remind her it’s all her fault for my collection as it was my wife who spotted the article in the Mirror newspaper that a model shop had started to reproduce Action Man (modellers loft) I had been looking for some clothes for my naked b/p ee so went online and got the British Infantry uniform when it arrived it was like xmas all over again...I was hooked, 125 dressed figures later I still love finding something new.

Do you set yourself a budget:
Yes and no £50 a month I tell myself but I can go for months not buying anything then bang its buy time !!! I remember when I found ebay my limit was £30-40 a month when the bank statement came in I had spent over £100..d’oh.

Worst Vam/Joe/Mam or 1/6 figure:
I guess it’s the MAM figures as then don’t look like A/M in my mind but that’s just me I do like using some of the clothes for kit bashers.

Views on 40th reproductions:
I love the 40th range it’s what got me and many others started in this world of A/M I’m not a fan of the figures as to me they don’t seem as strong as a vintage figure so I only have about 3-4 40th figures but the uniforms etc I think are great and have many of them.

Worst item of the Vam/Joe/Mam or 1/6 range:
I’ve never been keen on the French Resistance beret as it never seems to look right on a VAM head ?

Best thing about collecting Vam/Joe/Mam or 1/6 figures:
Doing things like this interview and meeting other who love collecting, plus it keeps me young in the head. I love watching people’s faces when they go into my A/M Den for the first time its priceless. Taking them on holiday is another thing I like to do the wife is use to it now.

Do you think your collection will be collectible in the future:
I’d like to think so as the prices seem to be going up and it seems retro/vintage items are the new thing to buy.

If you did not collect Vam/Joe/Mam what would you collect:
Oh boy I’ve always collected something stamps, matchbox’s etc. I still collect all sorts as well as A/M I have my dvd’s, books, and pin badges, bits of military stuff. I did have a large vinyl record collection but I sold that to kick start my A/M collecting.

What AM/Joe outfit or set would you like to have seen released:
I’m not sure on that one but some of the kit bash’s people come up with are so cool I sometimes copy them.

Do you have a/What is your favourite section of AMMO:
I love the photos of other peoples collections and outdoor pictures some of the setups and photography are great I’m a big fan of getting the troops out in the field it’s great fun.

Why do you like AMMO:
It’s a great site as it covers other areas of collecting not just Action Man which is a good idea. You can ask any question A/M or other topics and someone will be able to help you out with answers or a link to a website. I like the fact that people will share information and never give bits away if you are missing a piece of kit you need. Keep up the good work.

Fantastic interview mate !, thanks for taking part, its always great to find out more about our members

Great interview Bronzestar

nice one bronzestar ! great interview !

Great interview Bronzestar

Great affirmation of the hobby.

Great interview Bronzestar!

Great interview Bronzestar!

I too, like the 40th uniforms and equipment! They're minty fresh!

Bronzestar awesome interview enjoyed reading, 40th outfits great if you want to complete a vintage one,

great interview

Great interview! Nice to get to know you better. It is always interesting to me to learn how others approach our hobby.

Thanks,
Brian

Thanks all it was fun doing it.
I printed out the questions and wrote it all out when I was on nights !!!!

Bronzestar I really loved reading your Interview a lot, particle when you typed Taking them on holiday because that's what I do with my Modern Action Man and also you typing I’m a big fan of getting the troops out in the field it’s great fun because I like getting my Action Men out in the field or in my case getting them out and about taking random photos of them.

Thank's for sharing Bronzestar your Action Man hobby with us .

Great interview Bronzestar!

Great interview Carl. I got my little fella out in a field once, my case comes up next Tuesday

PMSL @ Cappy. I'm off work today feeling rough and that made me larf. Thanks Brian

Cappy wrote:

Great interview Carl. I got my little fella out in a field once, my case comes up next Tuesday

pmsl

Great interview Carl, very interesting read. I remember selling all my AM and Star Wars toys when I was 15, if only we would turn back time!

Great interview mate , have you been up to Chester toy fair latley?