What's your current project?

[Myles_Falworth]

I've done all I can with my Talking Man of Action. He's in a minty MOA uni now just waiting for his boots and head. My next project is easy. The blonde MOA i just bought a few days ago. He has Kung fu grip, and perfect flocking, but his uniform is very faded from many outdoor adventures. I may let him keep that uni just to show the years on the Adventure Team. Here are some closer photos.

[GeekDragon]

What would we ever do without Cotswold? He's looking good so far.

[Myles_Falworth]

I cleaned the tape - which really didn't have much dirt, and I got rid of all the residue of the old sponge padding. I replaced it with new sponge and permanent tape - which didn't hold much at all. And I've reassembled the figure now. He speaks in a high pitched voice which is much louder now, and only part of the first phrase so far. "Gi Joe US Army Reporting for duty!" So he is a Talking Man of Action and not a Commander as I had thought. I do have a head being reflocked as a MOA, and it should be here in a week or two. Then I'll find a uniform for him. I need to look at the instructions for talkers and see what to do about a high pitched voice. I'll post pics once the head arrives and he's suited up in a uniform.

[Myles_Falworth]

I replaced the hardware on both arms with the Cotswold kit. The rivets fit perfectly and the arms are ready to reattach. First I'll try cleaning the talking mechanism and see if I cam improve the sound. I tried a new speaker but that didn't help. Here is a photo of the arms with the new hardware installed. Enjoy!

[Myles_Falworth]

I mailed the head off for reflocking today. I'll try to have a go at cleaning the audio tape inside the talker unit today too. I have Q-tips and alcohol, and a vise, so it shouldn't be too difficult.

I have a talker kit from Cotswold which will supply the hardware for the arms. I feel more confident about doing this now after my installation of the Cotswold thigh. I had to drive the rivet in place for the repro thigh just like I would need to for an original. I know how to secure it now. I'm very glad to have the same tools the Toy Tinker Tim uses. The ball peen hammer was especially effective.

I'll post an update after one or both of these tasks are complete. Then I'll post some more pictures of the figure in progress. I'm wondering whether he's not actually a commander. The phrases sound different, and he was sporting a metal dog tag like a Talking Man of Action or Astronaut would wear. We'll find out

[Myles_Falworth]

I never heard back from the guy on the Trenches. So this evening I used the Cotswold thigh, and finished the assembly of the Land Adventurer I have been working on for so long. I put him in a nice LA uniform and issued him some "new" boots. He'll get a sidearm after he requalfies at the range tomorrow. Here he is at long last! Next up is the headless AT Commander figure I bought with my Capture Copter from the English website (no longer active). He talks, but the voice is high pitched, but steady. I'll try cleaning the tape tomorrow, and then work on refitting the shoulders with new pieces from Cots. I also have a head which needs reflocking which I'll send off soon. I have a uniform waiting for him too. This one came from none other than Derryl DePriest. Super nice guy, author and former Hasbro employee.

[GeekDragon]

Looking good!!!!

[ATC]

Well done!
Keep up the good work!!!
- ATC

[Myles_Falworth]

did some more work on the Joe in Post #237 and following. I've now replaced the pelvis, the entire right leg and foot, and the hip joints on both sites. I've also restrung him, and he still needs a replacement left upper leg and a better left foot. I found both in my parts bin today. I'll post some photos of him now and show the parts replaced already. To put in the new thigh, I need to remove the knee peg and replace it. I've had some practice over the past few months. I broke my nicest one by using too much force. So this will be a more delicate operation. Once the thigh and foot are in, I'll post a few shots of this Joe in uniform and restored to duty.

[Myles_Falworth]

Drquest is a great Joe! I got the Mike Power body (and extra goodies) today and am using most of it. I'll use the pelvis. ball joints and the entire right leg and foot. The left thigh was the focus of my work today. I hammered out the knee pin and removed the Mike Power silver knee peg. I'll probably use a cots knee peg but I salvaged a vintage peg from a broken thigh I had. So thanks to Drquest this Joe will be good as new! Pics to follow!

[drquest]

Good deal! You can have this for cost of postage. Send me a PM with your address.

Danny

[Myles_Falworth]

That would help a lot!

[drquest]

Ok, I found this if it would be useful. It's a Mike Powers body, the left foot is a painted rivet so didn't come with this body obviously.

[drquest]

That is an odd thing to do for sure. I've seen my share of tortured Joes, so who knows?

I'm sure I have some thighs/legs hanging around. I'll take a look.

[GI Defender]

Will gladly take the hand off your hands. . .if that is a thing. LOL Only reason I would say the tops were shaved off was to make a shorter figure maybe? In all my years I have never seen this type of problem. Thinking kid modification.