This was definitely the most ambitious project I have ever undertaken. All told, it included about 45 figures and over a dozen vehicles and playsets. It consisted of five months of acquiring parts, assembling figures and vehicles, painting, photographing, cropping images, sorting and writing copy.
This project has been alive for me, in one form or another, for the last 5 years. I’ve been toying with doing Adventure Team and Action Soldiers customs since then and have slowly collected a variety of vehicles and accessories accordingly. Other projects always seemed to come first during that time. However, with the success of Battle Corps Month last year, I knew I wanted to revisit the month-long customs bonanza sometime in the future. The 50th Anniversary of the line gave me a great opportunity and theme to get off my butt and make these ideas into reality.

On a creative level, this project pushed me out of my comfort zone on several aspects. First, I had never undertaken so many figures at once. Whereas Battle Corps Month had mostly one figure per day, this project had 2 per day for the whole first half. Vehicle-wise, I had never tackled so many at once either. I had a few in my fodder boxes, but I had to acquire several before I could start painting. Also, this project gave me the opportunity to do a lot of scratch building, with the best example being the Training Center. I started incorporating new materials into my customs such as wood and styrene. Also, I seized the opportunity to upgrade my photography equipment and techniques. I had been putting off buying a new camera for a couple of years. Finally, I bought a new 16MP camera, but also a light box and 500W projectors. Lastly, since I wanted these to be fun, I wanted to display them in natural settings. Since shooting outside in December is not practical in Canada, I elected to scratch build three different environment dioramas: Jungle/beach, Arctic and Desert.

A massive thank you goes out to Paul ‘’Raginspoon’’ for taking on the contract to cast the original 1960’s GI Joe head. It allowed this project to have its own character and enriched it greatly.

Lastly, thanks to all who took the time to view the thread, write a note or leave a comment. I received several PMs of personal stories of nostalgia and fond childhood memories. Others saying that they looked forward to the reveals each day and that this project became part of their daily routine. Reception to this project has been tremendous. Thanks to all Joe fans out there. Yo Joe!

OB
















Here are some work-in-progress pictures













Here are a couple of figures that were almost finished, but that did not crack the lineup. The yellow skydiver is from Skydive to Danger, released in 1974 and the orange skydiver is from Fantastic Freefall, released in 1969.






And finally, some shots of everything that was created for this project. There was so much that it can't fit on the dio-environments only. The table is 6'x8'.

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One of the most ambitious, well thought out, superbly executed projects I've seen on any scale for Joe! Kudos on a job well done, and mission accomplished!

-Todd
Shakka85

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Fantastic job all around. It is hard to put into words just how cool this project is!

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The quality of your customs really shine in this project and great idea for a project. Outstand job! Extra kudos for what you did to the Captain America vehicle.

The club needs to take note. This should be a convention set.

I don't even collect Modern figures, but I would get this set. This is the most ambitious and well executed action figure custom project I have ever seen.

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I did not comment in the other thread, but eagerly clicked everyday to see what the new pieces would be. These were so beautifully done that I would love to have each in my collection, they look so production quality.
Fantastic job on it all.

That's a lot of heads to paint!

My thoughts throughout the project were that 1) I wish I had this much time; 2) even with the time, I know I wouldn't have the focus to accomplish so much.

I'm envious on many levels as to what you have done here. The scope of the project remains the biggest part of it. I'm not sure that any one piece surpasses the work you did last year on the train, but collectively, I've never seen anything like it.

The environmental dio sets are something I would love to see in greater detail, and with tips for how you built them. They were the perfect blend of realism, and 70s-esque toy nostalgia.

The headquarters seems like such an obvious and smooth transformation from the original piece to a toy in this scale. And the attention to details within it - in the midst of such a huge project, is where the magic can be found.

So, hat-tip, slow clap, pat on the back, yo Joe. Can't wait to see what's next.

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I am always impressed at how massive your collection of customs is, as well as the production speed. this really rocks my friend.

Only february 1st and we already have the collector of the year for 2014.
Fantastic project whose only flaw would be to put anything Hasbro might have planned for the 50th to shame.
Kudos!

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.speechless.


//and for me, that's saying something.

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Thank you guys for all the great comments. I'm glad this project seems to have a chord




Customizing Joes is my main hobby. I try to do a bit everyday. To get this project done, I had to. I structured my morning routine so I could get some done before work. I used lunch hours to crop pictures and write copy and crammed in as much as I could do when I got home in the afternoons before supper. I've been eating, drinking and breathing this for the last 6 months. It helps that I have a very understanding wife and no kids yet lol. That being said, I knew from the start that this would be a sprint. I'm looking forward to finding a more normal pace from now on. Untill the next time...

As for what's next, teaser pic is coming this week

OB

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