Building your MARINES - CORRECTLY

[JediMike71]

I'm displaying my Vasquez, at the moment, without her smartgunner armor and smartgun right now too. I want to get that black leather chest holster too! I am going to hunt for that S & W M39 pistol for her too. Anyone seen one of those pistols anywhere online? Let me know? The holster? Yeah, maybe there's a current or past Dragon or BBI figure that had one. I'll go hunting for the pistol and the holster.....

Any help would be great! Thanks!

 

[Rogue Trooper]

Just started getting my hicks corrected, removed the knife and got a new british commando on of ebay so far.
I guess i got to remove the sardine can opener, how easy is this?

 

[ambac]

Just started getting my hicks corrected, removed the knife and got a new british commando on of ebay so far.
I guess i got to remove the sardine can opener, how easy is this?

It's actually fairly easy, just go carefully with it. I found the best thing was to pry it loose with a tiny flat head screwdiver.

 

[Stendec]

Yeah the sardine key comes off pretty easy. The problem is painting the silver thats revealed underneath to match the camo paint. Some clever weathering should hide that though

 

[thundergod]

Did that very thing just yesterday! Prised off one completely and had to fill the small holes left behind before I could re-paint . The second one , I used my exacto knife to cut the part off . This worked better as it did away with the need to fill . Painting was a doddle , used Tamiya Dark Green with a touch of black for the dark colour and added a spot of Olive for the lighter tone . The same principle applies for removing the clasp on Apones chest armour .
P.s Wor-Gar , that holster was the one from the BBI Elite Force Greg Simcox figure . It wasn't as good quality as I remembered it being and it may be a little large . ( Hard to tell as I'm not familiar with he pistol you're going to be using ). But if you have trouble locating something suitable , you'd be welcome to it . I'll post pics at some point in the next couple of days .

 

[Wor-Gar]

P.s Wor-Gar , that holster was the one from the BBI Elite Force Greg Simcox figure . It wasn't as good quality as I remembered it being and it may be a little large . ( Hard to tell as I'm not familiar with he pistol you're going to be using ). But if you have trouble locating something suitable , you'd be welcome to it . I'll post pics at some point in the next couple of days .

Cool, thanks. I'll try to find a picture online too.

UPDATE: OK, I can't find anything on BBI Elite Force Greg Simcox so I am at the mercy of your pictures, Thundergod.

 

[Stendec]

Anyone know of a online source for quality decal printing paper? I have a few graphics Id like to make into decals for my marines that I wouldnt attempt at painting lol Ive been in touch with Dboz but since I want to make a few decals in the future I thought Id get some decal paper of my own to try.

If its any use to anyone I made this graphic a while back of Hicks Japanese Love symbol to go on the back of his armor. Many thanks to Maulfan and Mudshark for researching this symbol.

 

[Stendec]

Can someone share info on Hicks left arm tatoo and does anyone have that promo photo of Biehn that shows the tatoo pretty well.

How did you guys write this onto his arm, with paint or a pen? Im sure I read about some people melting it into the plastic with a hot needle

Thanks

 

[Stendec]

I searched the net just now and I found this pic. Useful for anyone wants to put the tatoo on Hicks.

USCM
527.19.5251

 

[hurricane]

I apologise if this is already here somewhere, but this is hudson screen used armor.......https://www.aqpa87.dsl.pipex.com/scifihelmets/alienhudson.htm

 

[pjam]

I apologise if this is already here somewhere, but this is hudson screen used armor.......https://www.aqpa87.dsl.pipex.com/scifihelmets/alienhudson.htm

Cool... speaking of Hurricane, my 'Cane lamps are coming very soon so I may do a bit more detailing before they arrive.

Note: The mic arms are silver, the mics are black with silver end, this is an easy thing to do with black and silver sharpies

 

[Stuntman Mike]

I don't know if this has been touched on, but modifying your HT marines may actually diminish their value. For those of you that have no intention of ever re-selling your figures, knock yourselves out.

For those of you who may feel that they might sell these in the future, I would refrain from changing anything. I personally would not want to buy one that has been messed with, even if the intention was good.

This was just a thought that occurred to me. Feel free to disagree, but do not flame me. Thanks.

 

[Wor-Gar]

I don't know if this has been touched on, but modifying your HT marines may actually diminish their value. For those of you that have no intention of ever re-selling your figures, knock yourselves out.

For those of you who may feel that they might sell these in the future, I would refrain from changing anything. I personally would not want to buy one that has been messed with, even if the intention was good.

This was just a thought that occurred to me. Feel free to disagree, but do not flame me. Thanks.

I've considered this myself. There's nothing like a pristine original for most buyers...and down the line some of these might be quite valuable. That is, however long the whole 1/6th market remains of interest.

There's a fever now, so high prices for Hicks and Apone reflect only the fact that people are collecting this active line. When the line ends, prices will jump again... but in time they will fade and even out as demand wanes.

However, for re-sale in the future, once the figure is out of the box and displayed, you lose a considerable amount of value right there. But perhaps the added "value" of a working lamp and extra detail may interest some buyers. Customs -- really good and accurate customs -- always seem to sell for very high prices, much more than say a Hicks is worth right now MIB.

 

[Stendec]

Thats a very fair and valid point Mike. I have some collectibles which I consider much more of an investment and would never customize. I just dont regard my HT figures as a cash investment, just an investment in fun and a kick *** display item lol

The thing is, some people might preffer a mint in box, untouched figure. At the same time another person might be looking for a moddified/accurized version of the same figure and be prepared to pay good money on it, depending on how bad they want it and how much work was put into the customisation.

I guess it just comes down to personal choice and preference and thats always a good thing

I don't know if this has been touched on, but modifying your HT marines may actually diminish their value. For those of you that have no intention of ever re-selling your figures, knock yourselves out.

For those of you who may feel that they might sell these in the future, I would refrain from changing anything. I personally would not want to buy one that has been messed with, even if the intention was good.

This was just a thought that occurred to me. Feel free to disagree, but do not flame me. Thanks.

 

[lerath666]

Hurricane Vader went on Ebay recently for more than 400$ https://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290160969114

Medicom vaders Frequenly go for 120-200 MIB

Just my opinion, but I think people are mor e motivated to buy a figure that looks awesome on their sheilf, as opposed to one that's perfect in the box. Or Mint out of the box.

Case in point which one would you rather have on your shelf?
This one?

or this one?

TO quote the big man himself

"I find your lack of faith Disturbing"

 

[Stendec]

Excellent example there lerath666 . . .that Vader is amazing and is easily worht that price IMO, a whole lot more than a MIB figure.

The demand for custmosized figures is certainly out there. If not then this thread wouldnt even exist right? I believ that the major factor in determining the re-sale value of a tinkered figure is the quality of the artistry and attention to detail.

This is my Hicks so far and I think he looks a hell of alot better than he did assembled fresh from the box, I dont care how much it affected its value

 

[Wor-Gar]

Hey Stendec, where'd you get the headset for Hicks? Been looking for one of those myself.

 

[thundergod]

I think if there is a difference between 1/6 enthusiasts and more "general" action figure collectors , it's that a lot of them (like myself), come from a modelling background and see a figure as a "starting point" , rather than a stand alone "collectible". As far as the Colonial Marine figures are concerned , they lend themselves to customisation so much ,that this itself far outweighs any concerns of the figures losing "value" . Also , many modellers are far more used to paying (relatively) high prices for their kits, paints etc, so the initial outlay ( for a figure) is not quite that traumatic !

 

[Stendec]

Im in the middle of scratchbuilding the headsets, one for myself and one for Les because he's painting up a Spikey Hicks for me. Heres a better pic.

Im making them with some plastic, wire from a shoulder lamp, paper clips and some modeling putty.

 

[Stendec]

Lovin that Hudson Thunder . . .the "D" on the magazine butt is a great touch