On the Workbench

[K-Tiger]

Truth be told, FF's tools would fit in a pretty small pouch, or in a couple of pouches on an LBV. A butt pouch on his belt would do, along with one of the light weight ruck sacks that they did in the 25th era.

 

[Falcone]

Ouch. Hate to see those things painted red, and you of all of us couldn't couldn't cook up something better for a helmet/mask combo than Air Trooper? Oh, and even the Germans aren't using the G36 anymore.

I won't deny that all sounds very dickish, but that's how I feel.

I've never been one to use real world modern influences. To me the G36 is a good choice for the German inspired Red Shadows versus what ever the Germans are now using. edit: I did want to use something with a woodgrain stock to have the aesthetic of the classic German with a K98. But the K98 is too outdated to use and there's no real good alternative that fits.

I chose the Air Trooper helmets because it's the easiest option to recreate multiple times to fit all the figures. I don't have enough Stahlhelms and gas masks, though I might upgrade if I ever do get more.

 

[daremo]

Finally making a Firefly. Trying to decided on the backpack. I don't like the 25th or 50th versions. I like the tool case but I wonder if it's practical. Seems like it would be too heavy in real life.

There's a couple BBI backpacks that would look good for Firefly. The toolbox one is the best Firefly backpack. So much you can do with that accessory.

 

[daremo]

I've never been one to use real world modern influences. To me the G36 is a good choice for the German inspired Red Shadows versus what ever the Germans are now using. edit: I did want to use something with a woodgrain stock to have the aesthetic of the classic German with a K98. But the K98 is too outdated to use and there's no real good alternative that fits.

I chose the Air Trooper helmets because it's the easiest option to recreate multiple times to fit all the figures. I don't have enough Stahlhelms and gas masks, though I might upgrade if I ever do get more.

I like the G36 a lot. Why not make a new version with a wood stock? Hasbro has made some pretty non real world guns that looked cool.

Also, you only need one head and then you cast the rest you want from it.

 

[Giga Bread]

Ouch. Hate to see those things painted red, and you of all of us couldn't couldn't cook up something better for a helmet/mask combo than Air Trooper? Oh, and even the Germans aren't using the G36 anymore.

I won't deny that all sounds very dickish, but that's how I feel.

What are the Germans using? 417s?

 

[K-Tiger]

What are the Germans using? 417s?

For now. The Germans have a known fetish for putting plastic in places it has no business being, so who knows if the G36 will get replaced permanently of if they'll do the right thing and make the barrel trunnions out of a material that actually belongs inside a gun.

 

[GiJoe4157]

Star Wars Finn (Jakku) 6 inch Black Series (..head) = new modern take on Doc (..once the head is shrunk down; get some glasses from Vortious Customs; paint them green if that will work) or a generic African American soldier head, etc.

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JblF2WD3yrI[/ame]

 

[Contraband]

Finally got a perfectly scaled Rick! Last one was too big,then a tad too small..finally have Merle Dixon done as well. Finally! Two weeks of getting nothing done! Gotta redo Maggie still. She was a tad too small as well.

I have Tyreese,Glenn,Abraham,and Grave digger Daryl on the way to me. I want the exclusive Hershel as well as the regular still. Then I'll be caught up on that line character wise,and ready for series 8.

 

[Mandingo Rex]

I'm trying to get back in the saddle on customs. It's been well over 18 months, if I recall correctly, that I've so much as done anything beyond touch-up paint or parts swaps. Part of that is due to me simply not having the drive or care to, and part of it is due to me going through a pretty tough breakup with my girlfriend/partner/not-wife/whatever-you-call-it of 10 years. So I honestly haven't really had the time to, and more important things have gotten in the way. What used to be our guest bedroom is now my nerd-cave since she moved out, and I'm slowly getting my damned desk back in order. The room itself is a fucking mess of an embarrassment, so I usually just shut the door when folks come over. It's the last room I've gotten to as far as getting in order after the big move-out, and I'm still having a tough time getting things sorted because frankly it makes me sad.

Anyway, with that said, I'm trying. After the lackluster 50th offerings, I've decided that Hasbro simply isn't going to give us a proper ARAH Duke or Roadblock worth a shit even though they have the parts just sitting there waiting to be repainted. I've been waiting on Jesse to send me an order for over 18 months, but that's basically vaporware at the moment so my Flint and Chef will have to wait, but I figured I had the parts to finally make a decent Roadblock and Duke, and it was time for me to get back at my hobby I've neglected.

Other than using MJ webgear on Roadblock, all parts are Hasbro Joe parts. I cheated on the heads, they're from a shitty 3-pack that was part of the VvV/DTC line I believe. The ARAH figures are ass, but I realized that both head sculpts are fantastic once converted to fit on ME torsos. I think it's the best ARAH Duke head they've ever done, and somehow I'd never seen it till recently. The paint is ridiculously pink, and glopped on like crazy, but after removing it down to the bare plastic, I think it'll repaint quite well. RB is going to take a lot more work on dremeling down the joints, but he'll be a total repaint from head to toe.

Duke's body is probably one of the most kitbashed bodies I've done, but I couldn't get a solid torso that I liked well enough. The base colors should repaint pretty well without having much joint wear, and I'm going to match either the upper torso, or lower torso as close as possible. It still needs a good deal of dremel work, especially to tighten the gap between the torsos, and I may swap out the upper arms for the Mouse arms. (They're missing the elbow pads, and have slightly better sculpting than the ROC Duke arms.) I also am not sold on the legs, but I'm absolutely sick of the POC SE legs and refuse to use them on Duke. I'm considering using upper legs from the "Ultimate Duke" paired with those LJ lowers, I just haven't taken the time to test the parts combo. Duke will also be a head-to-toe repaint as well, but I doubt I'll have to worry about much joint wear thanks to the base plastic being so close to the final colors. I'm likely keeping the webgear, but will clip off the hip holster and add a thigh holster, but I'm still making final decisions on that. With that said, pics:

 

[GiJoe4157]

I'm trying to get back in the saddle on customs. It's been well over 18 months, if I recall correctly, that I've so much as done anything beyond touch-up paint or parts swaps. Part of that is due to me simply not having the drive or care to, and part of it is due to me going through a pretty tough breakup with my girlfriend/partner/not-wife/whatever-you-call-it of 10 years. So I honestly haven't really had the time to, and more important things have gotten in the way. What used to be our guest bedroom is now my nerd-cave since she moved out, and I'm slowly getting my damned desk back in order. The room itself is a fucking mess of an embarrassment, so I usually just shut the door when folks come over. It's the last room I've gotten to as far as getting in order after the big move-out, and I'm still having a tough time getting things sorted because frankly it makes me sad.

Anyway, with that said, I'm trying. After the lackluster 50th offerings, I've decided that Hasbro simply isn't going to give us a proper ARAH Duke or Roadblock worth a shit even though they have the parts just sitting there waiting to be repainted. I've been waiting on Jesse to send me an order for over 18 months, but that's basically vaporware at the moment so my Flint and Chef will have to wait, but I figured I had the parts to finally make a decent Roadblock and Duke, and it was time for me to get back at my hobby I've neglected.

Other than using MJ webgear on Roadblock, all parts are Hasbro Joe parts. I cheated on the heads, they're from a shitty 3-pack that was part of the VvV/DTC line I believe. The ARAH figures are ass, but I realized that both head sculpts are fantastic once converted to fit on ME torsos. I think it's the best ARAH Duke head they've ever done, and somehow I'd never seen it till recently. The paint is ridiculously pink, and glopped on like crazy, but after removing it down to the bare plastic, I think it'll repaint quite well. RB is going to take a lot more work on dremeling down the joints, but he'll be a total repaint from head to toe.

Duke's body is probably one of the most kitbashed bodies I've done, but I couldn't get a solid torso that I liked well enough. The base colors should repaint pretty well without having much joint wear, and I'm going to match either the upper torso, or lower torso as close as possible. It still needs a good deal of dremel work, especially to tighten the gap between the torsos, and I may swap out the upper arms for the Mouse arms. (They're missing the elbow pads, and have slightly better sculpting than the ROC Duke arms.) I also am not sold on the legs, but I'm absolutely sick of the POC SE legs and refuse to use them on Duke. I'm considering using upper legs from the "Ultimate Duke" paired with those LJ lowers, I just haven't taken the time to test the parts combo. Duke will also be a head-to-toe repaint as well, but I doubt I'll have to worry about much joint wear thanks to the base plastic being so close to the final colors. I'm likely keeping the webgear, but will clip off the hip holster and add a thigh holster, but I'm still making final decisions on that. With that said, pics:

The feet from Renegades Duke or Renegades Cobra Trooper would look good on that Duke! -I put them on my Retaliation three pack Firefly; they look pretty damn good to me (..I just have to paint them to match). I wish that Hasbro would start changing up the feet on the newer figures; them 30th/P.O.C Cobra trooper feet are starting to get played out!


I'm with you on a properly done Duke and Roadblock! Like you said; they have the damn body parts just sitting there already; they just need new head sculpts! Where the hell is Sunbow Ace & Breaker from the cartoon? They need to redo Major Bludd, Scarlett, Scrap Iron, the Baroness (..not everybody had access to that SDCC G.I. Joe/ Transformers Baroness; and some were not pleased with it anyway) and many others. Reissuing the same damn vehicles over and over again! Hasbro better get on the ball! It is coming to a point where we are not going to have to rely on them for a whole lot! We are getting different figure configurations both male and female from Boss Fight Studios in the form of MTF figures! The only thing we are missing & is soon to come is bigger bulkier male figures, short sleeve & tank top male and female figures, bearded male heads, more male and female head choices (..along with different races), male figures without the shin guards. The MTF figure selections is already giving us functional web gear, pouches, knife pockets, better weapons, etc.! If Marauders ever gets into making vehicles and dioramas down the road; it is a wrap! Sorry about the little rant!

 

[K-Tiger]

Finally got a perfectly scaled Rick! Last one was too big,then a tad too small..finally have Merle Dixon done as well. Finally! Two weeks of getting nothing done! Gotta redo Maggie still. She was a tad too small as well.

I have Tyreese,Glenn,Abraham,and Grave digger Daryl on the way to me. I want the exclusive Hershel as well as the regular still. Then I'll be caught up on that line character wise,and ready for series 8.

Saw the newest comic wave at Hastings, Abraham and Jesus (especially him) are good candidates for the shrinkage.

* text and pic snip*

I'm so glad to see you get back on the horse. I know how it feels to lose the drive, as that's where I'm at at the moment. Seeing your stuff as opposed to Marauder based parts-swapping might give me the kick in the ass I need to get back on the ball. Either that or finding that goddamn Gung Ho. Fucking Hasbro.


:hijack::explode:

 

[Contraband]

Duke's body is probably one of the most kitbashed bodies I've done, but I couldn't get a solid torso that I liked well enough. The base colors should repaint pretty well without having much joint wear, and I'm going to match either the upper torso, or lower torso as close as possible. It still needs a good deal of dremel work, especially to tighten the gap between the torsos, and I may swap out the upper arms for the Mouse arms. (They're missing the elbow pads, and have slightly better sculpting than the ROC Duke arms.) I also am not sold on the legs, but I'm absolutely sick of the POC SE legs and refuse to use them on Duke. I'm considering using upper legs from the "Ultimate Duke" paired with those LJ lowers, I just haven't taken the time to test the parts combo. Duke will also be a head-to-toe repaint as well, but I doubt I'll have to worry about much joint wear thanks to the base plastic being so close to the final colors. I'm likely keeping the webgear, but will clip off the hip holster and add a thigh holster, but I'm still making final decisions on that. With that said, pics:

Saw the newest comic wave at Hastings, Abraham and Jesus (especially him) are good candidates for the shrinkage.

I've seen them,..IDK,There is SO much stuff shrink worthy its just insane. I've got all kinds of stuff on the way I bought off eBay. Just don't have time. Very annoying

 

[K-Tiger]

Yeah, I was just throwing it out there.

 

[SE 55]

Contraband, hit me up. I would like to see if I can get a copy of that Duke torso you modified. I can pay you or may have some things to trade you for it.

 

[Mandingo Rex]

Yeah I actually tried it after I posted that. Did a lot more Dremel work, too.

Sanded down the side of the lower torso so the shirt seams matched closer, popped three torsos and ended up using the full Mouse arms with the black patch area sanded smooth, sanded down the chest peg and the upper torso joining area so the torsos combined better, shaved off the t-shirt, and finally swapped the upper legs for those Ultimate Duke ones.

Ideally I wanted the left leg to stay the Shock Trooper thigh but the Duke leg is considerably longer so I had to use both matching uppers. Hated to part out that Duke for it, but oh well. I kept the Shock knees though as they hide the gap in the lower leg better. Legs are a little tight, but I'll sand those down sometime before painting. (It was late and I'm in an apartment and didn't want to bug my neighbors running the rotary.)

Still need to finalize feet, but that shouldn't be hard. The new Duke upper legs work well to balance out the long lower torso though. Makes Duke damn tall, but no taller than the "average" torsos of the newer ME Joes. (He's still shorter than Gung-Ho and way shorter than Leatherneck/RB.)

I also split a 50th Flint torso to fit better arms and fix the neck. I'm going to shave down the neck to get rid of that damn turtleneck. I was waiting on my order from Jesse but, well, nope. I'd never realized just how skinny that Firefly torso is, but it's a rather meek built man, to be honest. If it wasn't for the webgear bulking him up, I'd say it was way too thin for a broad guy like Flint.

I'll post pre-paint pics of all my WIPs to show any updates I mentioned.

 

[Contraband]

Contraband, hit me up. I would like to see if I can get a copy of that Duke torso you modified. I can pay you or may have some things to trade you for it.

I will,just been a non stop few weeks. I'm actually at a Walmart right now,lol. Motherfucking hasbro! They have another 4" version of Ren only she's all masked,and comes with some wonky looking vehicle for $25!! I'd pay $7 for the figure right now,but am not willing to pay $25 to get her...

I just want her to have her,she'd be fun to cast off of,cause I'm starting to shift over to sand stuff from jungle theme since I stay on the beach. Now that the tourists are gone I can possible take pics some day.


Also seen fragments of the new ML wave. Passed on the black chick,but want that chameleon guy bad to shrink cast his heads...he was already gone tho.

Yeah, I was just throwing it out there.

You know better then me,and have proven it over&over. I'm mostly into realistic,and actor likenesses. Got a few older ML from movies coming too like power blast invisible woman,and stuff like that. Things I don't wanna ask others for,because I'm going to have to break the hair off the head,and cast it seperate..I gotta get a list together,and put up a suggestion thread when I run out of shit to shrink that I like.

 

[SE 55]

That's cool. I picked up an Emma Frost on ebay if you want to cast her head. It's a fantastic sculpt

 

[Contraband]

4" or 6"?

I'll warn you I'm getting spoiled by 6" and the 4" detail isn't doing it for me anymore

Forgot about this one. It was in the same molds as the last TWD heads(tells how long ago I actually did anything,got her almost a month ago iirc). Reminds me of Slaymaker's gender bender customs he used to post before he Got all Maraudered out Kinda a female Flint..?

Gotta play with the scale a little more tho. I need a couple 50th LJ! I have molds of her torso,but popping heads on&off cast torsos isn't wise.

 

[Slaymaker]

4" or 6"?

Reminds me of Slaymaker's gender bender customs he used to post before he Got all Maraudered out Kinda a female Flint..?

Be nice... I bought all those MTF figs - I have to use them. Sheeesh.

Plus- I have multiple castors who have yet to return my parts.

Don't worry - I have non-MT figs in works as well (a ton of them) ... send my that head cast and I will add a female flint to my to do list as well. :trollface:

 

[Contraband]

Lol,the lift ticket&marauder crap talk will always be there Matt:trollface: I knew you where floating around here too

Awaiting Valkyrie based LJ,Baroness,Scarlett,and whoever else now

I'll send you one Matt. She should be done next week if I can get off my butt. I'm trying to make that 2-piece wasp head correct so I can put the LJ hat on her too! I started over from a shrink ago,because it seems the face got distorted a little..had a bad run or something on the last. Gave her an alien look.,,

Way twist that sharpened tunnel rat knife in the wound:trollface: touché!!

 

[SE 55]

It's the 4" but it really is a great sculpt

 

[Mandingo Rex]

Does anyone have a rear shot of the Concept Case Flint? He had a shotgun holster on the backside of his webgear but the production version was missing it, although there's an unsightly peg there that I want to cover up.

Trying to figure out if I have a halfway decent holster (or maybe MJ has one?) I can attach to the webgear.

 

[K-Tiger]

I imagine the rifle scabbard that will eventually be available from Marauder will be your best bet.

Best I could find of the CC Flint. Really only get a vague idea of size and shape. You would think by now that Joe collectors would do a better job of getting detail shots for prosperity, given Hasbro's panache for changing/removing things.

 

[Mandingo Rex]

Well those are definitely better than I found. Thanks.

Yeah I guess it is an entire scabbard and not just a holster. I was expecting a smaller loop that it'd slide though. Seeing that explains why they didn't include the backpack peg hole in his webgear now. (Which baffled me originally.)

I'd heard of said pics but had never seen anything clear enough to be able to tell what it was.

I decided last night after wanting to keep the factory legs on 50th Flint that I wanted to take off his holster/leg pack and glue on a scabbard onto the webgear, so at that point I went ahead and cracked the SDCC torso so I could use the factory crotch and not need to match that weird green. Worth the effort to keep it "playable" and at this point, I'd already ruined the exclusive figure anyway, so...

The problem with the MJ rifle one is it's due in late 2016 by the earlier.

 

[K-Tiger]

Maybe you can convert the Ninja Duel Snake Eyes pack?
Snake Eyes (Ninja Duel) | TV and Film Toys

I'd go the "soft" goods route myself.

 

[Contraband]

I guess I'll leave this here too

ML Avengers!!

 

[WVMojo]

Very nice.

 

[GiJoe4157]

I guess I'll leave this here too

ML Avengers!!

Those look great! Especially that head all the way to the left!

 

[Contraband]

The one on the left is ML captain America

The ones on the right are ML black widow

 

[K-Tiger]

I'mma need them-thar Black Widder heads.

 

[Falcone]

That Snake Eyes one looks better, but Gnawhyde comes with one that could possibly be modified.
Gnawgahyde (v1) G.I. Joe Action Figure - YoJoe Archive

 

[AdrienVeidt]

Hotness! She looks ready for her shift down at the Randy Rhino.

 

[Mandingo Rex]

Flint's pretty much done other than figuring out what to do for the shotgun scabbard. May need to also do a little bit more dremel work on the shoulder joints but he should be pretty durable.

Duke, I finished up the parts build (other than swapping out the feet for the final brown boots) and added his airborne badge, shaved off the t-shirt, and painted up the head. The head still needs a little touch-up and a clear-coat. I did just a very rough paint pass on the body to see where I'd need to do a little bit of sanding, so I have to go back and do that, and then redo the painting. I also want to lighten the color of his pants some, they're a tad too dark.

 

[Contraband]

That is an awesome Duke&Flint!

Not a fan of that Duke head tho. Everything else is glorious!

 

[Falcone]

Is that the O-ring comic pack head on Duke?

 

[Mandingo Rex]

That is an awesome Duke&Flint!

Not a fan of that Duke head tho. Everything else is glorious!

Thanks man. The funny thing is, I actually hate Duke. I do want one that looks like he came straight off the card art or out of the cartoon, and all the recent Dukes look decent, but they look too modern or cool. I like the big cleft chin, super Boy Scout with the part in his hair look, and the head works well for that.

Is that the O-ring comic pack head on Duke?

Yeah, V21 I believe. I had to repaint it though, after stripping the glopped-on factory paint. It was a pink lumpy mess. And of course, mod it for the new neck posts. But other than touching up one of his eyes that I didn't get quite right, I'm pretty happy with how he turned out.

 

[joesilver]

Flint's pretty much done other than figuring out what to do for the shotgun scabbard. May need to also do a little bit more dremel work on the shoulder joints but he should be pretty durable.

Duke, I finished up the parts build (other than swapping out the feet for the final brown boots) and added his airborne badge, shaved off the t-shirt, and painted up the head. The head still needs a little touch-up and a clear-coat. I did just a very rough paint pass on the body to see where I'd need to do a little bit of sanding, so I have to go back and do that, and then redo the painting. I also want to lighten the color of his pants some, they're a tad too dark.

love the classic version of both. these are iconic
about the head the one i liked most in a duke was resolute duke painted. i believe the 50th chuckles head painted in the right hands would be perfect for a duke

 

[Contraband]

This head is what I plan to use as Duke,and it has the cleft chin

I haven't finished it yet tho.

 

[Mandingo Rex]

Is that the Cap head you shrunk? Looks good, but I'd use it for Hawk.

 

[joesilver]

This head is what I plan to use as Duke,and it has the cleft chin

I haven't finished it yet tho.

a good choice!!!