Help assembling a kitbash with a 40th AM (hands, boots)

Hey, guys,

I recently purchased a 40th AM and I want to kitbash him. After many considerations I choosed assembling a modern 75th ranger using this kit:
http://www.timewalkertoys.com/v/vspfiles/photos/BRA-001-2.jpg

I have one major point with this kitbash. I'd like to keep - if possible - the "toy" feeling from GI Joe and not venture into the field of ultrarealism. GI Joe was a toy, a realistic toy but still a toy. I believe I can keep this line if I assemble it with joeish items like weapons (Hasbro actually did a M4A1 model) and gear (boots). The costume itself although very well done its just cloth and it will not keep the so far from the main idea. I believe that weapons and gear are the key, they add more or less realism to the figures (mostly) with the head/body.

My major problem right now is regarding boots. There are no modern boots done by Hasbro or any company like 21st Century. The newest one is this:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-6-Scale-Action-Figure-G-I-Joe-Military-Combat-Uniform-Boots-Shoes-K1025-G-/161454251300?pt=UK_ToysGames_ActionFigures_ActionFigures_JN&hash=item25976c5d24
From the Heavy Gunner/Paratrooper/Marine few years ago. But thing is, they are also dated. So my main question to you all kitbashers is: where I can find a modern combat boot for this kind of body? I am looking for one made of plastic if possible.

Second, I've been thinking about swaping his hands for one like this:
http://www.blackopstoys.com/catalog/soldier-story-us-army-fcs-testing-teambendy-hands-soft-nomex-gloves-p-11428.html
I could get a lot of mobility and make him use gloves too. But I dont want them to look "big" even if they fit.

Thanks a lot.

It's very rewarding, that project you're after. You can find perfect gear in the 21st Century toys line, especially uniforms and weapons. And their helmets fit directly in the vintage head, which most modern AFs don't.

I recommend you to use a Cotswold/GEARBOX body for this project: It's the very same vintage body design, but with bendable fingers hands, which will allow you to use the glorious modern gloves. The vintage heads fit perfectly in this body, no modification is needed.

Sometimes (not always) you can put modern boots in vintage feet after submerging them for a few seconds in very hot water. You can trim a bit the figure's toes and toecaps, too. If you're after a certain vintageish look, then again the 21st boots are just perfect for that.
Regarding weapons, mi advice is to stick to 21st stuff while possible

koenig wrote:

It's very rewarding, that project you're after. You can find perfect gear in the 21st Century toys line, especially uniforms and weapons. And their helmets fit directly in the vintage head, which most modern AFs don't.

I recommend you to use a Cotswold/GEARBOX body for this project: It's the very same vintage body design, but with bendable fingers hands, which will allow you to use the glorious modern gloves. The vintage heads fit perfectly in this body, no modification is needed.

Sometimes (not always) you can put modern boots in vintage feet after submerging them for a few seconds in very hot water. You can trim a bit the figure's toes and toecaps, too. If you're after a certain vintageish look, then again the 21st boots are just perfect for that.
Regarding weapons, mi advice is to stick to 21st stuff while possible

Thanks a lot, Koening, but as I said I alread have a set, this one:

And the figure, this one:


But I will take your advice regarding a cotswold body. I am only interested in keeping this 40th AM head, I like the quality and likeness of their job. According to you, cotswold's hands dont need any adjustment? Because its near impossible put gloves in this figure from modellersloft. I notices that on your own veteran you switched hands for one with bendable fingers? Do you think these hands I posted can be plugged into a modellersloft or cotswold body?

As I said the boots are problem because 21st doesnt have any modern boots used by army/rangers. Their stuff is from the 90s early 2000s.

Oh wait, you mean gearbox figure have bendable fingers? I dont know them! Only cotswold.

Falcon wrote:

Oh wait, you mean gearbox figure have bendable fingers? I dont know them! Only cotswold.

Yep! My Veteran is a Gearbox body with vintage head. Gearbox is (was) a Cotswold division. Try your new boots with the hot water trick. Besides, I think that Gearbox bodies have smaller feet (being based in the Takara body)

I did a little research after that and I found them. I didnt knew these bodies, they are awesome. But what about the feet in your kitbash? Did you removed the feets? What boots are those?

Those boots are BBI ones, they went fine with the hot water trick on the Gearbox feet. Dragon boots usually are OK too.

These bodies are an awesome option. But yesterday I had another idea. Do you know if these 40th Anniversary AM heada fit on this bodies?
http://www.tibranch.com/beachhead/graphics/webpg5safront.jpg
They were the last ones from hasbro and much more articulated.

Brownboots would be the man to ask Falcon

Blondeactionman wrote:

Brownboots would be the man to ask Falcon

He often posts here?

I will drop him a mate with a link to this thread

Blondeactionman wrote:

I will drop him a mate with a link to this thread

Thanks a lot.

In this mean time, I've discovered somethings:
First the hands are incompatible. I have modellersloeft gripping hands but connects are similar:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-ACTION-MAN-40th-HARD-HANDS-/221541543315?pt=UK_ToysGames_ActionFigures_ActionFigures_JN&hash=item3394e7ad93

The hand I want to use have it too thin:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-6-Soldier-Story-Devgru-Team-Leader-SS084-Zero-Dark-Thirty-bendy-hands-/251678813860?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a9939eea4

And regaring super posable body I have no idea if the bendy hands are compatible:
http://www.tibranch.com/beachhead/graphics/webpg5safront.jpg

Yes you can replace the Joe head for a 40th...see pic.



Same standard washer screwed into the neck post.



The figure on the right is one of mine with a Joe body and a 40th head.

AH this is very cool, Brown. Thanks for the input. Regarding head swap, how easy is to attach these heads in other bodies like
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-6-Dragon-Nude-Body-Figure-Muscle-Man-Soldier-Model-Toy-12-Figure-/271642272093?pt=US_Action_Figures&hash=item3f3f24215d

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BBI-1-6-26th-MEU-2nd-Force-Recon-Chopper-figure-muscular-body-palms-/281464466527?pt=US_Action_Figures&hash=item418896ec5f

Or any other you know.

Thanks!

EDIT: I just compared this body with my Superman Hot Toys and the difference is HUGE. GI Joe is much smaller, about 2cm. I am sure the uniform wont fit well. I will need place his head in another (real) 12". Any suggestion?

Falcon wrote:

AH this is very cool, Brown. Thanks for the input. Regarding head swap, how easy is to attach these heads in other bodies like
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-6-Dragon-Nude-Body-Figure-Muscle-Man-Soldier-Model-Toy-12-Figure-/271642272093?pt=US_Action_Figures&hash=item3f3f24215d

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BBI-1-6-26th-MEU-2nd-Force-Recon-Chopper-figure-muscular-body-palms-/281464466527?pt=US_Action_Figures&hash=item418896ec5f

Or any other you know.

Thanks!

EDIT: I just compared this body with my Superman Hot Toys and the difference is HUGE. GI Joe is much smaller, about 2cm. I am sure the uniform wont fit well. I will need place his head in another (real) 12". Any suggestion?

The BBI body is an easier mod......


Here's one with a BBI and and N EE head.



The Dragon body is tricky, the neck post is quite short to join up to a VAM head, you could just attach it on but your figure would look weird like he had a hunched look ( short neck) to achieve a half decent look with a Dragon you would have to make a joining piece between the head and the neck....to be honest it wouldn't look
Great.

Yeah I am not a modder and your job looks awesome. What is this little piece you putted on his neck and where I can find it? A washer?

Do you have a pic of him without the scarf/shirt so I can see how the neck connected to the body?

And this body IS taller than vam's right?

Thanks A LOT!

Brown I sent you a msg last night, but here is another question:
Can I use this same trick from BBI with this body:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/COOMODEL-1-6-Male-Narrow-Shoulder-Nude-Action-Figure-Body-fit-hot-toys-head-part-/231342558744?pt=US_Action_Figures&hash=item35dd174e18
Notice it has a "tower neck" too but the plug is different. I believe that I'd need is swap the pegs, this one from the "pointy" peg from BBG and apply the "washer".

Some friends showed me pics today and GI Joe/VAM has an issue with his head: it has part of his neck on it so in all bodies previously mentioned, either he becames short necked or with an strange long neck.

I need help finding a cool body where I can adapt this head without using epox, just minor connectors as Brown did.

I'd like to see the photo of that Joe on a BBI too, Brown. Please, please... I am rushing because a friend is going to visit USA and I'll ask him to bring some cloths for this bash. If it is impossible to make this swap, I will drop the whole idea.

Here is the thing. Based on the tips of Brownboots, my idea is to fix this 40th AM head in this Art Figures body. I used a BBI neck post here. I still need to attach the head but the whole idea is here.

Top work!, he looks great!

Nice work, great photo good upload

Looking good!

Thanks, guys! My original idea was use this figure to assemble a modern day green beret although now I am considering using a Masterpiece head if I find one for sale. Lets see.

Falcon wrote:

Thanks, guys! My original idea was use this figure to assemble a modern day green beret although now I am considering using a Masterpiece head if I find one for sale. Lets see.

When you get things figured out please post more pics...