Decembers Interview 2014 - Clivvers !!!!

Name ?
Clive

Online name ?
clivvers

Location ?
Clivvers HQ3, Surrey, UK.

First Vam/Joe/Mam or 1/6 figure ?

It was an Action Man Talking Commander with black painted hair at first. I had it for Christmas when the first talkers came out in the late 1960's. I vaguely remember seeing an Action Man advert on tv, which got me intrested. On Christmas morning after a few pulls on my new Action Man's talker cord, the dog tag came off and the cord went back inside the body, I'd only had it for half an hour or so. The dog tag couldn't have been tied to the cord very well. After Boxing day, my dad took the Action Man back to the shop where he had bought it from and came back with a replacement figure, which was a blonde painted haired one. That was the one I got to keep. My first blonde painted haired Action Man's head had that unforgettable smell of new, fresh sweet vinyl. Even the 40th reissues of the same figure have that unforgettable sweet smell when they are new.

Around that time I learned to sew/repair my Action Man uniforms if the stitching came undone. I also used to iron their uniforms. I remember me doing one of my first AM jacket repairs (late 1960's) I won't go into it too much, just that it involved me sewing an Action Man jacket to our dining room tablecloth!

I also have a memory of one Autumn/winter morning, I got lucky and found a naked black haired painthead Action Man in my back garden, it was all wet and had a slight scuff mark on the front of it's hair.
Some local kid/neighbour must have threw it over. I remember it having slotted shoulders, I touched up the scuff mark with a felt tip-pen. It's the AM I'm holding up in my forum avatar (larger photo below)...





To get more uniforms and equipment for my Action Man, I had to help my dad with his Saturday window cleaning round. Later on I helped a milkman with his milk round on Saturdays and Sundays. The money I got from those jobs was spent on my Action Man figures. I also got Action Man gifts for my birthdays and Easter presents. I used to get my AM uniforms and equipment from two local toy shops, both now long gone. For Christmas 1970, me and my brother both got an Action Man adventurer each..





I was intrested in Action Man for at least 5 years.. I also had some cheap 'Johnny Combat', Redbox and Mintex figures, plus various knock off uniform sets, these were sold at local toy shops and newsagents.
In those days, some newsagents used to sell a few knock off figures and carded uniforms, plus a few other toys like Airfix and Revell model kits. I also got involved in swapping with my friends and other neighbourhood kids.. I remember swapping out some of my unwanted toys for Action Man figures and gear. No swapping could take place until we got approval from our mums, to make sure it was a fair and equal swap.

I also remember finding a few Action Man painthead figures at Jumble sales. In the ranks of my figures were two G.I. Joes, One of them was acquired through swapping out a big blue dragster car. The Joe was a red haired painthead, wearing a camo uniform, just the trousers, pants & jacket, the Joe looked brand new! I remember that Joe swap like it was only yesterday.

I also have a memory of 1971/72, of me and my friends setting up outdoor diorama/battle scenes with our Action Man and knock off figures, it was on a grass verge next to some garages near where we lived. On one occasion, whilst me and my friends were setting up our diorama/battle display, some local girls turned up with their B-rbie and Sindy dolls and wanted to join in, so we shoo'ed them back to a wall a little distance away, they watched us from there. In summer me and my friends used to take our Action Man sailors, frogmen and dinghies to the local river and haul them along with string.



I kept all my Action man figures and equipment in two large boxes in our toy cupboard, until one day, whilst I was at school (1975) my dad threw it all away, including my Mark Strong/Big Jim Karate figure, which I had got for Christmas 1972.. sob, sob!  We were moving to a new house in 1975 and my dad was having a clear out, it was an end of an era for me. Action Man was forgotten about until I rediscoverd my long lost toy hero again, through the 40th Anniversary range on the internet in 2009.

What was your favourite figure as a kid, and do you still own him?

The ones that stand out the most for me were: my first blonde painted haired talker, French Resistance Fighter, bearded flocked Adventurer, British Infantry (In my avatar), German Stormtrooper and my dark flocked haired Red Devil parachutist. The outdoor fun I had with that parachute was unforgettable. These are the ones I remember the most from my backyard/garden battles and adventures. I don't own any of my original childhood figures now, everyone else seems to have theirs, except me! I only have vam photos of a few of my figures from those days, plus some film footage of me and my friends playing at being soldiers.

Favourite figure now ?

It's hard to choose just one these days, I do favour my Mountie vam PH (RCMP), vam & G.I.Joe French Resistance Fighters (FRF), G.I.Joe MP, Timeless G.I.Joe West Point & Annapolis Cadets, my vam German Stormtroopers, MAM Scuba Diver (I swapped off Ackie), my bearded vam adventurers, Masterpiece G.I.Joe basic Action Pilot and my 12" Jackie Chan figure (another that's not seen the light of day for ages) The articulation on that figure is excellent, even the fingers have articulation.

Most desired item ?

Quite a few really:  G.I.Joe 'Escape from Spy Island' Convention set (that set is jammed packed with goodies), G.I.Joe 'Eight Legs of Danger' Convention set, G.I.Joe 'Search for the Sasquatch' convention set, G.I.Joe 'Terror On The Sea Floor' Convention set, 1998 MAM Stealth Fighter Jet and the MAM Heli-Gun helicopter. I think that's enough for now.    

What will you do with your collection as you get older ?

Hang on to it for as long as I can, It will probably get passed onto younger members of my family when I've left this planet.

What does your wife/girlfriend/partner think of your collection/hobby?

I'm a free person now, I answer to no one, except my animals. I love animals more than anything.

Do you set yourself a budget ?

Pass.

Worst Vam/Joe/Mam or 1/6 figure ?

The Modern Action Man (MAM) figures that hardly have any articulation. The only thing worth saving from them is the head sculpt, uniform/outfit, weapon and box art. I try to avoid them where I can, unless they are wearing something useful.

Views on 40th reproductions ?

If it wasn't for the 40th range I wouldn't be here now. The uniforms and equipment are very well done! I love it!  It allows me to get some of the stuff I couldn't get as a youngster, and it's all mint/ new! The 40th box/packaging and artwork are exactly like the originals. The 40th reissued uniforms look great on vintage Action Man and Joe figures. The 40th painted haired talkers and eagle eyes are pretty good! I have a few.

Worst item of the Vam/Joe/Mam or 1/6 range ?

The huge oversized soft plastic MAM/JOE knife, it's probably 1/3 scale. Get caught with one of those in your pocket and your in serious trouble! lol!

Best thing about collecting Vam/Joe/Mam or 1/6 figures ?

It allows me to relive the past, via dressing and posing my figures for photo shoots, photo comics and posters. It's a grown ups way of getting to play with our Action Man toys again! And remember, the original G.I.JOE range was aimed at father and son. I've also taken to collecting  modern Action Man and 12" Max Steel alongside my vam & Joes. MAM and Max Steel are dirt cheap and easily available at boot sales and charity shops, they're colourful and cheerful toy action-figures. I can guarantee you'll have the same outdoor fun with a MAM parachutist as you would with a vam parachutist. There's some nice uniforms and vehicles in the MAM & Max Steel ranges that can be used for vam/Joes and Adventure Team figures, vehicles include things like the Thunderwing, Humvee HQ, Heligun (helicopter) and Rhino Jeep. All those vehicles can be customized to personal choice with new paint schemes and decals, I leave mine as they are.

Do you think your collection will be collectible in the future ?

I'm not really intrested in what my figures might be worth, it's the nostalgic spiritual journey that's more important to me. There will always be a few people from each generation that will want to own their childhood toys again, just like we did, it's a nostalgic thing that some of us go through. I think modern Action Man (MAM) will be the next sought after toy action figure in 10-15 years time. I think our generation now, will be the last to collect vam & Joe.

If you did not collect Vam/Joe/Mam what would you collect ?

I already have other intrests: Astonomy, slot cars, Triang/Hornby trains, toy soldiers, comics and other stuff.


What AM/Joe outfit or set would you like to have seen released?

Mexican bandits, more Wild West Cowboys, bounty hunters, including drifters and 'Wanted' baddies, fantasy wrestlers wearing wacky outfits and crazy masks, a wrestling ring with built in crowd sound effects (boos and cheers), a boxing ring with crowd, bell and punching sound effects built in, mountain rescue, RN Sea Rescue, Sci-Fi adventure sets, Red Arrows Jet. Classic British 'Hammer House of Horror' outfits with full head masks (similar in design to the No-Face mask) and some Alien adversaries for Bullet Man. It's all something different to the usual military stuff.


Do you have a/What is your favourite section of AMMO?

I especially like 'Photo Comics & Stories' , Kitbashing, the MAM section, 'Random photos' for all figures and the 'Ammo Arms' (down in the basement area).

Why do you like AMMO ?

It's somewhere to come and celebrate our 'toy' action figure intrests, it's a man cave, it's somewhere to come and relax with similar minded people, and most importantly, it's a nostalgic journey to our childhood toy hero (Action Man & G.I.JOE).


If I had a time machine I would go back to 1973 and stay there!.. I love 1973!

What a fantastic and fascinating read Clive!, I enjoyed that very much , lots of detailed answers too

Hey, if you do make this time machine, don't forget to drop by bam hq and take me with you!

brilliant read book me down for the time machine

Great read Clive. With your time machine I hope we can all choose which year to go to. Big problem with 1973 for me. I was only three years old and before VAM time.

clivvers i really enjoyed reading that thanks btw what animals do you have

Very well done Clive, great interview

Awesome interview Clive!

Outstanding interview Clive!!

..and really enhanced by your amazing childhood VAM pics!

I can really relate to your interview too as we're the same age, grew up in the same area and had the same 1st Action Man! Spooky!

That time machine's going to look like a coach outing soon as we all want a seat! 1973 sounds good to pick up some VAM but can we make a few stops in the 60's too as I need to fill a few gaps in my comic collection! I only want to visit though as I like living in here in the future too much

Bagsy the back seat on the 1973 time travelling
Trip!...great interview Clive, love the personal touches
That have made this interview one of the best reads on the boards.

Worthy of a part 2!

Great interview Clive, I think we would all like to bag a lift to 73 ,if only to grab armfuls of shiny new vam off the shelves of the toyshop !

clivvers, clivvers, clivvers my swapping friend that was such a lovely sightseeing into when you were younger playing sorry I mean doing missions with your vams. I really loved the part when you typed It allows me to relive the past, via dressing and posing my figures for photo shoots, photo comics and posters. It's a grown ups way of getting to play with our Action Man toys again! because mate I 100% agree with you and your sooo right.

Thanks for sharing your interview with us mate .

fantastic interview , well enjoyable read

thanks so lot for this nice interview.As you, i want a time machine but come back in 1975 when i was ten

Steve, we are both the same age, so we possibly share the same sights and thrills from those days. I bet you can't forget that damp dusty smell of our skool playgrounds back in the late 60's when it has been warm for a while and then it rains heavy, that smell of damp playground dust will stay with me in memory, also the smell of freshly cut grass in summer.


blueboxier,

I have dogs, a parrot, and a stray female cat that I take care of


Ackie, I'm glad you found my interview intresting, there was so much more to tell but would have required a lot more space

Thanks all

Clive what an outstanding interview enjoyed reading it, well done thanks for sharing Clive,

That's the best interview I've ever read :-) thanks for sharing and the photos were great. It really took me back Clive


Good man :-) :-) :-)

if i have a go on your time machine what i would go back for is my comics 3 apple boxes of the victor , hotspur and the hornet in that order of preference . i can recall getting them out and reading a whole story at once kinda like what i do with box sets now . gotta go before i need the kleenex man-size

Danthecoat wrote:

That's the best interview I've ever read :-)  thanks for sharing and the photos were great. It really took me back Clive


Good man :-)  :-)  :-)

Well thank you, Dan!

What a great read, really enjoyed it and loved the old photos of you and your men .
You may not still have your original figures but you have some good memories and some great photos .

Fantastic interview Clive, a pleasure to read.

I totally forgot about this interview, Thanks fellas, sorry I was late in replying back. I've just reposted the missing mages today (16/3/2017).