Gunner Munro's collection.

That's great Gunner! I really like seeing vintage figures getting brought back after years
of backyard battles to their former glory!

Thanks for all the comments folks

Yes, just like gardening.. these cold months of January and February mean a chance to do some VAM prep for the spring campaign season

I’m going to have a crack at some hybrid rebuilding of EEBP parts from the spares box

Take care and let’s see your recent “ We can rebuild them” projects

Great see Dreadnought back on his feet! He can come and boogie at the Ammo Arms on his next leave  .

That was a lot of fun to view and read , and nice to see Dreadnought back in full operating condition .

Hi folks,

I posted on the Incoming ! thread I had some 40th's on the way...Well they have arrived...



I've been "umming and ahhing" about 40th since I got into the hobby in late 2015. Sadly I missed the 2006 years when they first were released by Alan Hall. ( what a project that must have been -Kudos)

So I decided I needed a good example and I also wanted that classic 60's vibe , so opted for the re issue of Basic Soldier, Sailor and Pilot.

Opening the basic soldier was really nostalgic. My first ever Action Man and the start of a real life "love affair " ( or an obsession with clutter and junk if you listen to Mrs Gunner ! )

So I think it was summer of 1966 ( age 5 ) when I got him ( I'd have to check release  dates etc for this as my memory may be playing tricks )
but I can still remember being totally captivated. In fact I turned totally Army Barmy

Here he is "out of the box"



Brown paint head. I just loved the Equipment manual.. especially this picture. Totally fired up my imagination.Totally cool imho.



Here is the pilot. a red ( sorry auburn) head. In my original time line he was blonde and my second AM, probably Xmas '66?



I noticed he had problems with his legs, so popped off his uni and discovered he actually is too tightly strung ! I'm guessing thjis may have been a common problem ?


Sailor. Black hair.  he was my third in the original time line . I remember thinking at the time the Air and Sea lines were quite limited in terms of kit.

I think the frogman and DSD sets were bought pretty sharpish.



Here are the guys lined up and on display in the new rearranged HQ.




I'm now on the hunt for a good example of the 30th Anniversary edition.. but might have to wait a month or so to let the old Credit card cool down a bit  

Hope this brought back a few memories for those of us in our late 50's early 60's

fantastic additions Gunner! and they even have their own shelf! can't see the old boys being happy about that!  

"obsession with clutter and junk if you listen to Mrs Gunner !" what a cheek! they don't understand do they??

Those are great Gunner!

Interesting, I only had two Joes growing up, the first was the Action Soldier with black hair,
the second was a pilot with auburn hair.

I guess I'm lucky to not have a significant other, I have so much "clutter" that I can't find anything!

So what's your opinion on those HUGELY out of scale dog-tags? We have had a discussion about them elsewhere here on AMMO.

Ah yes, ..."too tightly strung". Seems a bit of a common problem today eh? 

You could easily paint the "ranga" blond if it brings back pleasant memories of the figure you had as a kid.

Y'know... these pics are making me feel that... that... that the "original" guys were a lot more fun than the supposedly more realistic new seamless figures.

Might be time to downsize and simplify. Or at least to put some serious thought in to what I'm doing in, and what I want to get out of, this hobby.

Great figs! Congratulations on the new arrivals! Good to see your priorities are in the right place!

WOW! Sharp soldiers!

Thanks for all the comments folks.

Yes I agree the seamless figures are much more realistic, but there is something about that 64 VAM figure....a design classic ?

The Dog tags are interesting .. I'm not sure why they did that unless they were thinking they would be used as dog tags on the kids ?

I'll have to consult my "Story of GI Joe". The outsize theme was continued in the 1990's range but I think the A&S dog tags recently released are much better.

The equipment manual pic has been my inspiration for the VAM garden.. but it turned out too much like a rockery ..



so I'm in serious redesign mode for that - negotiations with Mrs G required for that   a key feature will be to create some waist high features to save so much bending over

Gunner Munro wrote:

... a key feature will be to create some waist high features to save so much bending over....

Oh, don't I know that feeling - a feeling right there in the lower back!

Yes bending over alot can be the pits...lol

Looking fantastic Steve!

Thanks for that chaps,

Any one else have any VAM features in the garden or Ideas to inspire me ?  

I'm thinking of some kind of hanging garden to try and break up the fence /
https://www.growingrevolution.com/product/plantbox/?attribute_size=Set+of+5+(1m+x+60cm)&utm_source=Google%20Shopping&utm_campaign=Product%20Feed&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=1052&gclid=Cj0KCQiA09eQBhCxARIsAAYRiykJR3-MpaHL7JG5k0e_EXOkGDvr6WBmms4VD7v3We_LV9FQVEOmtrIaAtO_EALw_wcB

building up some waist high "planters" that the surface can then be use "sandtable " style for VAM action eg ala the original equipment manuals/ads

https://www.gardenworksdirect.co.uk/wooden-garden-beds-100-60-h.html





Fit in the strong point, which I promise I will finish this season  Honest Steve I will



and then be turned back to a garden feature by popping on some pots etc .. Keep Mrs G happy.

all ideas welcome

Nice 40th figures…..
looking forward to seeing the strongpoint in action..

Yes looking forward to see what you come up with GM!
Yes gotta keep the mrs happy...

Gunner Munro wrote:

Fit in the strong point, which I promise I will finish this season  Honest Steve I will

I'm sure you 'Jokingly' claimed it would be finished by 2025 . . .So technically you're still ahead of schedule!

I'm sure you 'Jokingly' claimed it would be finished by 2025 . . .So technically you're still ahead of schedule! [/quote]

Oh Steve you know me too well

Hi Steve, great to see you posting again. Hope you got through the madness of the last two years OK ?

Just back on the Forum recently myself after a long bout of illness - very nearly fatal, but that's another tale..

Great work on fixing up Dreadnought
He looks great in his new sailor uni.

Great minds must think alike, because at some time around a year ago I put Spud back in his sailor rig.

I only changed him out of it last night and then happened upon your update this evening.
I swore I took a photo or two - may find them and post up.

Kev
Oh no .."nearly fatal" .. what happened!
Hope you are back on your feet and fighting fit
I've managed to steer clear of the Covid bullet so far I'm enjoying retirement so far..a bit too much decorating recently..but hey keeps Mrs G happy

Gunner Munro wrote:

Kev
Oh no .."nearly fatal" .. what happened!
Hope you are back on your feet and fighting fit  

I know Steve  
I collapsed with a severe bleeding ulcer last September, lost 1.5 litres of blood, was about an hour from a fatal coma they told me.
An ambulance to hospital at 2 am  with medic poised over me with heart pads as my heart rate was through the roof, two weeks in the ICU, five units of blood and A LOT of rehab.
Damn scary stuff.
Never caught Covid either, but the worrying part is they suspect the AstraZenca jabs I was given may have caused or contributed to this.
I folded six weeks after getting the second one.
Still not out of the woods completely, They are still investigating.

Dreadnought wrote:

Never caught Covid either, but the worrying part is they suspect the AstraZenca jabs I was given may have caused or contributed to this.
I folded six weeks after getting the second one.

From what I've learned from medicos who will speak, (albeit strictly "off-the-record"), there's every chance that is exactly the case Kev.
You literally could have died, but you've never even caught Covid? 
While you're in the mood for a bit of truth, why not ask any of your doctor friends about this much mooted so-called "long Covid" too!

OMG Kev !

I know Steve  
I collapsed with a severe bleeding ulcer last September, lost 1.5 litres of blood, was about an hour from a fatal coma they told me.
An ambulance to hospital at 2 am  with medic poised over me with heart pads as my heart rate was through the roof, two weeks in the ICU, five units of blood and A LOT of rehab.
Damn scary stuff.

so sorry you had to go through that . Totally rubbish to say the least

Fingers more than crossed you are on the mend and you get the full all clear soon . Its stories like yours that really re enforce the old adage "Carpe diem "

Take care Good buddy.

It really sounds like you've been through the wars Kev!

..But good that you've made it through and it's great to see you posting again!