Ok question for you guys...

When you put together a paticular GI Joe/Cobra impression- do you try to make it look like the cartoon/figure come to life... Or do you put a modern spin on it?

I've pretty much made the decision as to how my Recondo is going to look- as much like the 3 3/4" figure as I can make it.

I'm going to reproduce the camo pattern on the pants with fabric paints. I could just go with modern camo pants but I want this to look fairly accurate. The slouch hat however won't be his OD green hat- it will be a vintage Australian Army hat. The belt on the figure looks like it might be a standard web belt- but it's brown... Hard to find one of those so again I'll probably have to repaint one.

How about weapons? Do you carry airsoft equivalents of the figures weapons? Coming to D-Con with any airsoft is out of the question for me.

Recondo's weapon looks like a Ruger Mini-14 wrapped in tape:



What I was thinking of doing is finding a toy gun that might look similar and painting the whole thing medium green (just like the figure's weapon)- then wrapping part of it in tape. If it's obviously a toy there shouldn't be an issue crossing the border for me (I'll retain the blaze orange tip just to be safe).

I might not have the time to pull this off, but I was thinking of reproducing the backpack as well. I'd also make it in such a way that it attaches to my back with velcro or something so it doesn't have any visable straps (if I could figure out how to I would have it plug into a huge hole in the centre of my back ).


There are some other weird nuances about the figure as well:



Just about all insignia patches go on the side of a sleeve- however Recondo has his on the front of his left sleeve. Do I put that insignia on the front or side of my top?

Any thoughts on this?

Or umm... does anyone have a clue about what I just said?

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I told you I'd shoot, but you didn't believe me! WHY DIDN'T YOU BELIEVE ME!?!

What about just putting the straps under the shirt, going through holes in the back of it? Might be more secure than velcro?

Hey now there's an idea!

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I told you I'd shoot, but you didn't believe me! WHY DIDN'T YOU BELIEVE ME!?!

Yes I have a clue and that's the preferable way with interior strapping instead of velcro.

Look at this example, The backpack weapons kit I made for my Storm Shadow costume was held on by nylon cord and then the leather strapping (actually vinyl) was worn more or less like a sash to give the impression it was holding the weight.

As to the concept what are you doing? Are you re-creating the figure into real life or making a real-life version of how the figure would look? When I did Snake-Eyes the idea was to make it as realistic as possible (no skintight latex/rubbery look) with it looking both practical and tactical, I feel that is the best way to go about business. As to weapons I've preferred lately to wear only empty holsters and if a rifle is involved to attach secure webbing to wear it hands free (no setting it down and losing it) with it perpendicular to my body (like the NERF for the USCM outfit).

I suspect you're better off with the latter. I look forward to seeing it, Recondo was under-used in the cartoon and was given a few nods in the comics (I recall an earlier issue of GIJoe special missions for example). Why not put on the patch as depicted on the cover art? It looks like it was meant for the side when you see its placement under the epaulet. If you want to have fun with it, try appropriating a sizable plant branch to make it look like you're looking through it for camera shots

Sid, an in-house GIJoe expert

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Sid, that Jayne Cobb (Firefly) & Snake-Eyes (GIJoe) costumer & member of
"Baldwin's Badasses" UAS MacDonald - A07/TQ1.0.12147E1 Rank PFC

The higher cotton content the better the chance it'll dye. Synthetics like polyester, lycra and acrylic which tend to be used more often for stuff like bandannas and facemasks tend not to take in colour well or evenly.

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Sid, that Jayne Cobb (Firefly) & Snake-Eyes (GIJoe) costumer & member of
"Baldwin's Badasses" UAS MacDonald - A07/TQ1.0.12147E1 Rank PFC

It certainly would be easier than trying to perfectly replicate how a 3 3/4" figure looks. What my end result will be- will most likely be a blend of the two.

For instance with the pants- I could have gone with Desert Tiger Stripe BDUs:



It certainly would have worked... but I kept thinking "That's not Recondo!".

The hat is a different story. Back in the 80s there used to be tons of OD green Aussie style jungle hats in every surplus store. I bought a camo version of one (actually a year before Predator came out... but I digress ).

Those OD green hats would have been perfect but they are nowhere to be found now. Even after an extensive ebay search I came up empty...

But I did find a vintage Australian Army Engineers hat in my size. It's a compromise.

I've got the top and pants (sans camo pattern). The shoulder holster is on the way (Recondo's looks like a WWII tank commander's leather holster with dual straps), along with the hat.

I'm going to wear a machete sheath on my left leg and make a machete out of foamcore board (which should satisfy con security).

The backpack will be the most difficult. I might have to make the entire frame myself. Just depends on how much free time I'm willing to sink into this.

Thanks for the tip on the patch Sid- I'll follow the cover art as you suggested.

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I told you I'd shoot, but you didn't believe me! WHY DIDN'T YOU BELIEVE ME!?!

No probs, glad to help. I love costuming and I love GIJoe, being able to assemble something vicariously is fun.

I love those camo pants though, very nifty lookin'. I'd have gone with those for simplicity's sake.

As to the rucksack. Why not grab cheap materials from Dollarama or other related shop to make the frame. The above referenced Storm Shadow weapons back pack was made from two wire mesh stackable bins attached together with pipe insulation foam for filler on the top to hold the fake arrows.

I guess what I'm saying that you could use whatever would make the end result look right but not actually be the right material

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Sid, that Jayne Cobb (Firefly) & Snake-Eyes (GIJoe) costumer & member of
"Baldwin's Badasses" UAS MacDonald - A07/TQ1.0.12147E1 Rank PFC

Realism vs Toy...

It varied for some of us. I personally tried to be "Duke" without looking plastic and fake. So I put a real world spin on it. I will most likely be wearing my Vietnam Jungle Boots, a very logical military footwear choice for an early '80s soldier vs brown leather WW2 boots which Duke's appear to be.

And patches, just put them on as you normally would on the sleeves. I can't think of any classic Joe figs that had patches on the side of their arms, most likely due to the joint itself.

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Well, guys I'm sorry to say I'm about 90% sure I won't be able to do this. Some stuff came up that's going to drain most of my remaining money.

Oh well, there's always next year.

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"Screen what? I wouldn't know screen accurate if it were driving a bus and ran me over during the parade."

LCpl. Av "Spectre" Taylor
Long Range Infantry Support

Next year it is man, dang life always gettin' in the way

As for figure vs. real for Law I went about 90% figure route. I carry an MP5 instead of the Uzi he came with as modern MP's would use the former as well. Other than that I tried to get as close to the figure as possible. Even going as far as to have the last 4 digits of the characters Social Security Number engraved on my badge. I'm a nerd for details like that but not so much that I was gonna kill myself for not having an uzi. My thought is go with personal choice as long as you look sharp and believably military.

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http://www.tentaclechris.com

I'll look believably like Recondo.



That makes sense- I'll definitely be going with the boxart for the patch.

Just bought the paint today for the pants... can you believe I spent over an hour deciding if I wanted to have green stripes... or the variant with brown srtipes.



I bought olive green paint- but the pattern will be like the picture on the left- they won't be thin stripes like the right picture.

Yes... I'm a geek.

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I told you I'd shoot, but you didn't believe me! WHY DIDN'T YOU BELIEVE ME!?!

Hey I never noticed the variations in the figures like that before :O

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Sid, that Jayne Cobb (Firefly) & Snake-Eyes (GIJoe) costumer & member of
"Baldwin's Badasses" UAS MacDonald - A07/TQ1.0.12147E1 Rank PFC

You're looking for a rifle to bring but were worried about customs issues?

Why not use the NERF Recon?
http://www.amazon.com/Nerf-N-Strike-Recon-Cs-6-Blaster/dp/B000XTPOLS

You could even Krylon it at the con and bring along fabric in a the bdu pant pocket and wrap it around

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Sid, that Jayne Cobb (Firefly) & Snake-Eyes (GIJoe) costumer & member of
"Baldwin's Badasses" UAS MacDonald - A07/TQ1.0.12147E1 Rank PFC

When I owned my original Joe figures my Recondo had brown stripes. Apparently there is no difference in production amount between the two variants.

It's funny- when I was 15 I wanted to make a Recondo costume. I actually bought a bunch of brown iron on patches (used to reinforce jacket elbows or pant knees); I was going to cut them into stripes to recreate the camo pattern.

Only took 23 years to finally go through with this.

EDIT- Yeah Sid, I've been taking a loooong hard look at the Nerf Recon. Figured I would paint it green (light green like the figure's) and wrap hockey tape around it. I figure I would need to lengthen the barrel a bit with a PVC tube.

Probably going to end up going that route unless something else falls in my lap. The stock and magazine/receiver looks the part of an action figure's.

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I told you I'd shoot, but you didn't believe me! WHY DIDN'T YOU BELIEVE ME!?!

Spectre- sorry to hear you won't be putting your Firefly together this year...

However I said the same thing about Recondo at first.

I do hope to see it someday.

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I told you I'd shoot, but you didn't believe me! WHY DIDN'T YOU BELIEVE ME!?!

Two more reasons to grab the recon:

1) It's now being offered with the scope from the longshot as a bonus

2) the parts from both the recon and longshot are inter-changeable, including the barrels.

Check this out:
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b331/neoengel/DSC04179edit.jpg

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Sid, that Jayne Cobb (Firefly) & Snake-Eyes (GIJoe) costumer & member of
"Baldwin's Badasses" UAS MacDonald - A07/TQ1.0.12147E1 Rank PFC

I'm going to be moving in the next month or so, which is going to afford some pretty serious costs.

I actually already ordered the Firefly gun I was planning to use. I'll probably go ahead and modify it. But unless I miraculously find some money in my pants, I won't be able to afford to buy and modify everything I want.

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"Screen what? I wouldn't know screen accurate if it were driving a bus and ran me over during the parade."

LCpl. Av "Spectre" Taylor
Long Range Infantry Support

Right on Kev! I think you'll rock as Recondo!!

I don't know if you've bought the olive spray paint or not, but for my Endor Commando last year, I made the camo using spray paint for Silk Flowers- at Michael's. I don't know if they have one up there or not. About 6 different shades of green. Works perfectly. Doesn't stiffen up, fades a bit when you wash it.

Look forward to seeing you guys as Joes and Cobras! I want pics with you guys!!!

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USCM- The Colonial Marines- A Brotherhood of Bad Asses!

I actually was in Michael's yesterday where I bought the paint- I still have the bill so I'll go back and ask about the flower spray.

Thanks Rex!

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I told you I'd shoot, but you didn't believe me! WHY DIDN'T YOU BELIEVE ME!?!

When modifying the Longshot/Recon, how do you guys normally get rid of the Nerf logos?

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"Screen what? I wouldn't know screen accurate if it were driving a bus and ran me over during the parade."

LCpl. Av "Spectre" Taylor
Long Range Infantry Support

I used a dremel with a fine sanding drum.

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STEVENSON F.
A11/TQ0.0.82148E1

"You are not your Drop Count."

I didn't get rid of the logos. Just because it's one extra line of defense to show nosey people (con security, cops, etc) that it is a toy.

On the other hand I will have a modded Longshot I'll be selling eventually.

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I just paint over it and show it upon inspection to security folk at cons (Canada's pretty touchy about that stuff) and I also enjoy the novelty factor when people realize that the cool weapon I'm carrying is a kid's toy, just painted.

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Sid, that Jayne Cobb (Firefly) & Snake-Eyes (GIJoe) costumer & member of
"Baldwin's Badasses" UAS MacDonald - A07/TQ1.0.12147E1 Rank PFC

I sanded mine off with sandpaper...

I know I can be paranoid and anal about replica weapons etc.- but it's a kid's toy after all. If you think a Longshot is pushing the envelope you should see what I plan on carrying at Polaris!

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I told you I'd shoot, but you didn't believe me! WHY DIDN'T YOU BELIEVE ME!?!

Oh dude, you do know that replica firearms like that aren't allowed right?

It looks amazing though!

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Sid, that Jayne Cobb (Firefly) & Snake-Eyes (GIJoe) costumer & member of
"Baldwin's Badasses" UAS MacDonald - A07/TQ1.0.12147E1 Rank PFC