Cobra Para-Vipers

This diorama and puzzle build is one I looked forward to for a long time. The Cobra Paravipers released 2007-2008 were pretty slick. A lot of detail and accessories for a small 3 -3/4 inch figure. Helmets with breathing tubes and visors, gear strapped all the way around, knives tied around the boot and two weapons, including a rifle with removable clip.

Just needed something for them to jump out of. Enter the Processed Plastic AC130 cargo plane. This is the rare black edition I blogged about earlier. The olive green version was fairly common in the 1970s. I had never seen the black one with the side cannons until this year when I finally figured out who manufactured the green one I had seen as a kid in the local grocery store. Check out my earlier February 2011 post about the Processed Plastic planes.

The plane had the original bright red stickers still on them. Since I didn't want to ruin this vintage piece, I "painted" over the stickers with Microsoft paint. The fact that the plane was in the background in a dark environment allows the "paint job" to be near invisible.

TIE Bombers

I was never a big fan of the Imperial TIE Fighters. In 30+ years of collecting, I don't think I ever actually purchased a TIE Fighter (standard, Darth, interceptor). But the TIE Bomber is awesome! Don't know why I like it so much. But here are four of them, docked in their hangar on some Star Destroyer.

You'll see two versions, the white ones on top and the grey ones on the lower deck. This puzzle was deceptively challenging because of the angles of the wings. It was a fun one to put together.

Spartans! What is Your Profession?

Their profession is soldiering. The Spartan figures by NECA stop the enemy Immortals from breaching the Hot Gates. This is one of the original dioramas I did, just a different set up of the combatants.

Only one series of figures were produced. Though it seemed to sell well in retail, the line never went beyond that. At one point there were reports of a Xerxes figure coming out. It would have been nice to see at least a second series with some other Spartan warriors, King Xerxes and some of his interesting minions.

ARMY NAVY Football

"Upon the fields of friendly strife are sown the seeds, that on other days, on other fields, will bear the fruits of victory." Douglas MacArthur

General MacArthur spoke these words implying that on the sporting fields, young men and women may use those same talents on the battlefield.

The Army-Navy football game is as intense as it gets. Typically not playing for a bowl game or national championship, the players on each side battle their hearts out. Rivals on the field, teammates in battle off it. These days, most know they will see combat soon after graduation.

In this puzzle, I used the Hasbro Army and Navy football players, along with the vintage style Cadet and Midshipment that were originally released in the late 1960s. Flanked on the side are a Navy SEAL from BBI and a WWII Ranger Captain from Cotswold Collectibles.

Go Army! Beat Navy!

Normandy Beach

A different image and view from the first puzzle that started this whole hobby and idea. Army Rangers and infantry from the 29th Infantry Division are caught up in barb wire and other obstacles while attempting to breach the beaches and their defenderes during the invasion of Normandy. The figures include two GI Joe convention exclusive Pointe du Hoc Rangers. The Ranger Captain in the center is an Elite Brigade figure from Cotswold Collectibles. The Ranger Medic is also an Elite Brigade figure from Cotswolds. Both of these Ranger figures from Cotswolds are still highly prized in my collection as the hobby just started it's amazing run in the late 90s, and Saving Private Ryan also just hit the theatres. The 29th Infantry soldier on the right is from 21st Century Toys. The barb wire comes from an awesome D-Day Deluxe set from Hasbro.

D-Day Airborne Paratroopers

Watching their flanks for friend and foe alike, and peering to the skies for their comrades, these 82nd Airborne paratroopers are consolidating their ranks after being scattered throughout Normandy. The center figure is a Cotswold Collectible Elite Brigade figure. The two paratroopers on the outside are from 21st Century Toys.

GI Joe Combat Heroes

Tried redoing this one several times, but none of the photos came out just right. This diorama photo was one of my favorites with Beachhead, BBQ, Scarlett, Gung-Ho and Roadblock....surrounded by Cobra. These figures are about 3 inches tall and the puzzle comes in at a nice 18x12 inches so it captures these guys in giant size.