May 2012
1 post
9 tags
Joe Weapon systems, then & now
Backblast’s weapon system then:
based on the Javelin SAM:
and the weapon system that replaced it, Starstreak High Velocity Missile (HVM) :
deployed in Blackheath on May 3, 2012 in London, England for the 2012 Olympics.
Thanks to yojoe.com for the photo.
April 2012
2 posts
12 tags
Pistols for 30th Joe holsters
Hasbro’s 30th Joe line is a highly successful reboot of the original Joes, updated with superior articulation and detailing. Unfortunately, some may come as too generic when it comes to accessories, especially pistols, that fit unto the molded holsters.
So! I grabbed a slew of pistols from diverse toy lines and did a comparison of which fits. Most did not fit, however, so only those...
March 2012
5 posts
6 tags
7 tags
Shipment has arrived!
Most are closed Pre-Orders. More to come :)
3 tags
6 tags
Ashiko with Cycle Armor
Cancelled Ashiko with Cycle Armour.
Yes, it’s better off as a motorcycle and Ashiko is better off with a version of Wraith’s Armour. He looks like a male-bot.
Tons of accessories but I think I’ll be adding highlights to his helmet.
Enjoy!
December 2011
3 posts
5 tags
November 2011
2 posts
4 tags
3 tags
WatchSgt Slaughter Brocco still needs sauce
October 2011
2 posts
22 tags
BBTS Exclusive 7 Packs - Slaughter's Marauders and...
Alright, I was waiting for the official announcement from Joel of Big Bad Toy Store since the day before. Just a few minutes ago, it popped up and, finally, here’s the word:
A BigBadToyStore.com exclusive! Each G.I. JOE Battle Set includes seven 3.75-inch figures in exclusive decos only available in these sets!
This set includes the evil DREADNOKS-featuring:
ROAD PIG ZANZIBAR ...
11 tags
Return of BBi
Blue Box Toys International Limited, or BBi, has been very prominent in the world of 1:18 scale toys, especially during 2008, when they were prolific at retail. The attention to detail is admirable when it came to land vehicles and aircraft but it was their main weakness in action figures. Very forgivable. For once, Joes can, then, have better scaled and realistic military motor pool, from M1A1...
June 2011
1 post
4 tags
GI Joe Gun Sale at Toycon 2011, Starbucks Megamall...
Finally have the time to do a proper Gun Run this Sunday, 19 June 2011 at Megamall Atrium Starbucks to coincide with TOYCON 2011.
Will be bringing 90% of stocks including new ones like the Steyr AUG, M16A2, AK-74, Beds, and Lockers.
Should you need to reserve, please use the online shop or email me.
See you all there!
November 2010
1 post
2 tags
End of Year Shinsen Sealed Joe Auction
It has been a very long year and many a weekend went by without even looking up my Joe Customs or MOC Joes screaming to be free. With Apologies to Eagle Eye Joe for not taking them out sooner, some have waited 15 years.
I may not be the one to unleash them, at all. I will, in its stead, hold a Shinsen Online Private Auction with sealed bids.
Best private offer gets the items. Criteria will be...
June 2010
1 post
2 tags
Classic A-Team
*insert Huey sounds and drums*
In 1972, a crack commando unit was sent to prison by a military court for a crime they didn’t commit…
These men promptly escaped from a maximum security stockade to the Los Angeles underground…
Today, still wanted by the government, they survive as soldiers of fortune…
If you have a problem, if no one else can help… and if you...
February 2010
2 posts
10 tags
Range Viper version 2 and Jungle Terror Twin...
I was not putting much expectations into this new wave but I was surprised how good this was. Especially, the price.
For some reason, the new wave got included in the 50% discount sale for older Rise of Cobra sets which makes this just right.
For once, Hasbro packed these vehicles in similar style with the classic Joes. The vehicles are disassembled inside a box and the driver is visible...
13 tags
Pursuit of Cobra Target Exclusive Vehicle...
Pursuit of Cobra Vehicles release at Retail 50% Discount !
Chinese New Year 2010 started right with the release of Pursuit of Cobra Vehicles at 50% off!
Included in the set are:
Ram Cycle with Sandstorm Air Assault Glider with Capt. Ace Jungle Terror Twin Battle Gun with Range-Viper Trubble Bubble with Viper
Reviews and pictures to follow ;)
December 2009
2 posts
5 tags
Polar Sharc and Ice Storm Review
This seems to be the sequel to the SHARC minus the flying ability. I got this on sale at 50% off along with the Tiger Claw so I figured I should go take a look what the hype is all aboot ;)
Not much accessories included, just the firing Torpedo and F2000 with the backward ACOG.
Beautiful Poses:
This should have been in Battlestar Galactica:
UPDATE:Apparently, the pilot is positioned...
6 tags
Rise of Cobra: Tiger Claw Review
I have been waiting for a decent Leatherneck and, finally, it is here!
For the doubting Thomas in everyone, here is a close up of the price tag and code. Obviously, KZ did not waste time getting these out. In hindsight, they could also do away with the tag had they known that I was passing by ]:)
Nice Art. Notice something peculiar? Does Leatherneck rely on his being mean enough to steer...
November 2009
1 post
7 tags
Rise of Cobra Vehicles: Lava Pod, Tiger Claw,...
Without further ado, I bring to you the Rise of Cobra Alpha Vehicles Wave 3 found at Retail!
I was just doing my usual walks and I stumbled upon these by accident. Needless to say, I quickly took them home!
It was the last store I usually visit and, mind you, it was a totally uninspired visit as the previous 10 stores produced the usual variety.
They will soon be opened so I can finally get...
September 2009
3 posts
8 tags
25th Anniversary Indian C.O.B.R.A.
I was busy making new covers when this unusual bending occurred so, now, I have a new custom head.
His name is Sandeep and he is a member of India’s COBRA (Commando ;Battalion for Resolute ction).
These are the good guys!
According to Wikipedia.org: <em>”<strong>Cobra </strong>is the best-equipped paramilitary unit in the country, set up with a grant of Rs 1300...
11 tags
Rise of Cobra Stormshadow modification
Thanks to mickeyrdj of TS118, a subtle modification can be done to G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra Stormshadow to make him more articulate.
Simply incise down the trench coat seams!
Before and After.
August 2009
3 posts
13 tags
Minor Custom: 25th Anniversary Wetsuit
Wetsuit was not one of my favourites but soon became one only because of his daring exploits in Marvel Comics.
His original gear was sparse and he was not even armed. Later on, he was re-released in a manner befitting his personality. Mines on his shoulder and a gun, finally.
The 25th anniversary Wetsuit is what he ought to be in the first place. Interesting colours with the teeth to boot.
Of...
15 tags
Minor Custom: 25th Anniversary Ripcord
Ripcord has been one of my favourite Joes of all time. He was all green, had a helmet with a facemask and hose. Best of all, he carried a real battle rifle, the FAL. In the comics, it had a night scope and it was awesome!
Yes, he was impulsive in ejecting from a perfectly good airplane but he was one of the few Joes who fought it out 1-on-1 with Zartan! He may have lost but he impersonated the...
5 tags
New Stuff has Arrived!
Finally!
My shipment has come to port. Excessive ? Maybe. Some are orders from a buyer or two but most is mine.
I am looking forward to the Defense of Cobra Island sets. My Cobra staffing problems are solved!
As for the Assault on Cobra Island set, I have a use for the extras. I am conceptualising new characters for my own line using G.I. Joe parts. Something I have always wanted to do I...
9 tags
Custom 25th Anniversary Slipstream
Well, with the abundance of Snowjob at SRP, I have decided to make a custom GI Joe.
Unfortunately, I am rather pre-occupied with reality so I have decided to follow the trend.
I have decided to outsource :D
In my continuing mission, I am completing the original Pilots of the old GI Joe line in 25th Anniversary format. One of these is Lt. Slipstream.
Yes, I know he is available along...
July 2009
7 posts
6 tags
25th Anniversary Doc : Rescued and Bored
Last year, I went through the trouble of saving up stickers and arranging shipping for rescuing the 25th Anniversary Doc action figure. G.I. Joe’s only full-fledged Doctor.
Previously, I featured the 2 Docs I finally “liberated”.
All was well.
Now, Guess what I stumbled into ?
More Docs!
Apparently, Cobra has cloned Doc and found no more use for him and is practically...
11 tags
G.I. Joe Rise of Cobra : ACU Digital camouflage !
Oh Bugger, JM beat me to it!
1:18 ACU Digital Camouflage pattern!
JM, the founder of <a href=”http://toysoldier118.proboards25.com”>Toy Soldiers 1:18.</a> made a breakthrough in painting 1:18 Digital ACU on a GI Joe Rise of Cobra MP.
Apparently, JM used salt to partially cover parts of the Joe so that the salt grains would impart a pixel-like shadow.
Also! The rest...
11 tags
More Rise of Cobra Toys
Just a quick one.
I arrived early at a meeting and had time to dash to the local Toy Store.
By chance, I picked up a rare Wraith at SRP ($7.60).
By some weird circumstance, I was offered a chance to go through undisplayed inventory and scored 3 x Pit Commandos, 2 x Stormshadow unmasked, and a Paris Pursuit Snake Eyes with Timber.
Being the OCD Information Security Privacy head Honcho, I had...
16 tags
G.I. Joe : Rise of Cobra at Retail / Vehicle...
G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra toys have finally been released at Retail!
…and I do not mean the special expensive retail shops ;)
I have made it a habit to take pictures of Joe store displays at retail as, sooner or later, some evil munny-grabbing Terry the Toy Terror Taliban will use his mummy’s ill-gotten blood munny to hoard these…
These are very pricey items.
Obviously...
7 tags
X-Men Origins: Wolverine : Deadpool version 2
By some strange accident, I came across X-Men Origins: Wolverine line’s Deadpool version 2, with Missile Cannon!
Again for some strange reason, why is the “Missile Cannon” the centre piece in the packaging ?
This version of Deadpool is made from a different mold from the first version with major improvements, mainly with:
3 Swords
2 detailed scabbards - actually...
15 tags
Cobra Island Assault & Defense 7 pack sets: 16...
GI have been busy.
Busy pre-ordering these!
Not exactly what I had in mind but these will do!
The original Recon team consisted of Lt. Falcon, Gung Ho, Spirit, Tunnel Rat, and Sneak Peek while the previous team were the Joe SEALS, Wetsuit & Torpedo).
I have no idea where they got the idea for this but these two are the best 7 pack sets, so far.
They will be available on July 16...
3 tags
25th Anniversary GI JOE: Blackhawk Down
Gothic Serpent.
To civvy street, it is known as “Blackhawk Down”.
TS118 was at the Toycon 2009 and was created the centre piece, featuring the Joe interpretation of Blackhawk Down!
As with all TS118 dioramas, it tells a story. I will be frank. Anyone who does not appreciate this setup is a tool.
True to the movie, it starts with mobilization.
I was too late to picture the...
June 2009
1 post
10 tags
Marauder Night Ops Rifle
I am a Marauder Gunrunner.
I have this long term fascination with 1:18 guns as I wanted a very wide selection for my collection. It does not end when you have what you want. That is when one learns to improvise.
Firefly on a dastardly night mission!
The modular series from Marauder is one of my favourites as it is just like the real world rails interface. Mix and match to the specific...
May 2009
5 posts
9 tags
25th Anniversary Beach Head
Beachhead has been one of my favourite characters that has been given the 25th Anniversary Treatment. He represented what troopers should have been in the first place. Green.
His design has been influential in releasing other great 25A characters like Firefly.
Beach Head may look plain but I commend the choice of Olive Green paint. Less faithful to the original but personally preferable to...
11 tags
Snake Eyes: Year One, a.k.a. Snake Eyes : Continue...
It is my first week at work and I spent the whole week learning the administrative ropes. The orientation may be boring but it gave me the perfect opportunity to work on my idea of a whole team of custom troopers. I am already down to the individual members’ real names and background so I am extremely excited with this project.
I mean, imagine a trooper whose codename is...
12 tags
Greenshirt Snake Eyes: Continue Mission!
This custom of mine is of Snake Eyes just minutes after his helo accident which left him deformed and unable to speak. Despite these injuries, Snake Eyes insisted to Charlie Mike: Continue Mission.
As their Huey was going down, its door slid and caught Scarlet’s web gear, trapping her. Snake Eyes risked his own life to free her but suffered horrible third degree burns to his face and...
9 tags
Vipers, Vipers, 25th Vipers
Ever since Cobra “re-structured” and got rid of the old trooper uniforms, the Viper has been the backbone of Cobra’s Infantry.
Modern Viper with the chrome face plate.
It was not a really hot item back in ‘86 with its minimal accessories but it made up for it in numbers in comics and cartoons.
As an army builder, it’s a minimum requirement!
Along the way, Cobra...
6 tags
WIP 25th Anniversary Snake Eyes Green Shirt:...
During the early missions and long before wielding a katana, the greenshirt now known as Snake Eyes was injured rescuing Scarlet from a crashed helo which damaged his vocal chords, rendering him unable to speak, and scarred his face.
Despite these injuries, he scribbled “CM”. Continue Mission.
What started out as a custom greenshirt made up of excess parts turned into the Snake...
April 2009
5 posts
11 tags
1:18 Custom Holsters R&D
I have been quite busy the past few days with R&D.
The one thing that puts me off with the 25th Anniversary GI Joe line is the over-sized fugly pistol holsters.
I cannot imagine anyone running around with that and pulling out a small pistol. I would have sooner just tuck my piece in my belt and chuck it away.
After putting it on safety and ensuring that there is no round in the chamber....
11 tags
25th Anniversary GI Joe Ninjas!
When I first started collecting the 25th Anniversary GI Joe line, I did not pay much attention to the Ninjas. I used to have the complete Ninja Force, back then, and I believed I had my fill of it
However, I ended up with the Snake Eyes vs Red Ninja set due to unscrupulous joy bidders so I opened it up, anyway. It was really something else!
My fascination with the Ninjas from the 25th...
13 tags
WIP: 25th Anniversary GI Joe Hard Master
It was a pleasant surprise that the Comic Pack with Snake Eyes in Training garb and The Hard Master in…Lifeline uniform came out. It came with a lot of Ninja accessories enough to reenact that fateful night that set events in motion. Eventually, Storm Shadow joined Cobra to find the killer and Snake Eyes became a Ninja.
11 tags
PzF3 Panzerfaust Anti-Tank weapon for Sgt. Bazooka
I just picked this up at the Ozine 2009 that came with Full Metal Panic Moving series. A Panzerfaust 3 anti-tank weapon!
Even though Sgt. Bazooka came with an adequate AT system, barely, if I may add,I found it a little wanting. It was hard to setup and did not resemble anything immediately familiar. After picking the Panzerfaust 3, I may arm Sgt. Bazooka with this system, instead. I have...
10 tags
X-Men Origins: Deadpool
After being impressed with X-Men Origins: Maverick 1:18 action figure, I am about to be blown away with X-Men Origins: Deadpool
I admit. I had to do a crash course on Deadpool just shortly before this review and I understand why Deadpool is so popular. The Crimson Comedian. The Regeneratin’ Degenerate. The Merc with a Mouth, himself.
The figure, itself, 1 is similar in construction to...
March 2009
11 posts
11 tags
X-Men Origins: Maverick
This was unplanned. The X-men origins: Wolverine line began releasing today and, next thing I know, Maverick is here. I have mentioned before that I was curious what his rifle (apparently, a Galil SAR) would fare compared to Marauder’s Guns and the issued Joe rifles. I was not disappointed.
It is a little expensive as compared with GI Joe and I did not really have much interest in the...
5 tags
1:18 scale Hellboy 2 action figures by Mezco
My Hellboy 2 movie action figures set finally arrived.
Though, I wish it could have arrived in a better manner. The upper right is terribly damaged and guess who stays there…
Shoddy delivery service.
Even Hellboy is not in a good mood…
I will have to talk to my retailer about this…
9 tags
GI Joe 25th Anniversary Secto-Viper with BUGG
This is how my GI Joe 25th Anniversary custom Secto-Viper looks like with his 20 year old ride, the Cobra BUGG. More like, this is what my GI Joe 25th Anniversary custom Secto-Viper thinks of the Cobra BUGG.
I imagine there are retractable steps to get in the cockpit or this will happen…
Finally, my GI Joe 25th Anniversary custom Secto-Viper realizes that the Cobra BUGG is not a one...