DID Captain Dan

Here's a few shots of Captain Dan from DID.  Those of you who remember DID's French Resistance Pierre will recognize this figure set as the German version.  While I don't collect "Nazi" paraphenallia per se, I do appreciate a good historical figure.  This one features a great headsculpt, the usual sharp tailoring and wood/metal accessories that DID is known for, and a light up camo'd version of that spectacular real-working chain bike we got with Pierre.

DID Pierre French Resistance

DID continues to impress with it's latest WWII figure, a "French Resistance" character who bears a striking resemblance to a certain "Inglorious Basterd".

A bit of Brad Pitt, no?

Although recent DID releases have included accessories for multiple outfit/uniform displays, this set forgos the clothing for a full metal bicycle with working chain! 

The Resistance used whatever was handy to fight occupation.

Overall, I think this is a neat figure to own.  While the uniform options are limited to just what "Pierre" is wearing, there are still tons of little accessories like molotovs, a real wood bike crate with 1:6 scale propaganda posters, a knife, rifle, and more.

Zut alors!  Vous le vous coucher avec moi?

DiD Marcel Unboxed

Here are some shots of DiD's French Infantry Indochina  figure, "Marcel".

This figure was commissioned by a French hobby store called "Machine Gun France" for the European market, and sports a number of unique elements, including "lizard" pattern camoflauge and MAS rifle with folding stock.

Like most DiD boxed sets, it comes with a number of different accessories that allow for multiple display options.  I went with the beret, pack, and belt only. 

Overall, it is a pretty cool piece that I'm glad to have been able to add to the collection.

DID Konig Unboxed

As my collection grows, my space for unopened boxes shrinks.  Hence, I've been unboxing a lot more figures lately.  Here's the latest to get a breath of fresh air so to speak: DiD's Erwin Konig! 

Loosely based on Ed Harris' character in the movie "Enemy at the Gates", this action figure sports a great likeness of the actor and, as usual with DiD releases, a ton of accessories that translate into multiple costumes and display options.  I opt'd to use most of the winter gear for display purposes.  I must confess, however, that despite the wonderful details and high quality paint job, the figure suffers in the articulation department thanks to the fit of the outfits. 

This is not to say that the tailoring is bad, as it is really quite nice, but wearing the uniform and the winter coat definitely puts a clamp on putting Konig into sniper and other shooting poses.  Nonetheless, I'm very happy to own this figure.

DiD Vasily Zaitsev Unboxed

Decided to open up this figure.  It's DID's take on Vasily Zaitsev, as portrayed by Jude Law in the movie "Enemy at the Gates".  It's a wonderful figure with a strong likeness to Law, and plenty of details as well as enough accessories to make multiple costumes.  I chose to use the out-of-box officer's uniform, with the lace up boots and hooded jacket.

Femme Fig Photo Shoot of the Day

While I do enjoy movie and military figures a lot, I also have a soft spot for the ladies. I don't consider myself a "doll" collector per se, although I can see how some may look at it that way. Still, today's female action figures have finally started to make a clear break from the "Barbie" look to more realistic and natural looking than ever before. So, to start off this section of the blog, I'd like to introduce this nameless lady, sort of a GI Joe "Baroness" type. I used a Triad Otaku 2.0 brunette head and Triad Alpha base body, then gave it round glasses (from DID's Hermann Hanke WWII figure), and Triad's Ryder 2.0 outfit and boots. Enjoy!

G.I. Joe Beachhead Bash

In 2009, Sideshow Collectibles began producing 12" action figures based on the '80s 3 and 3/4" GI Joe Real American Hero toy line and cartoon series. While definitely a step up from the original 12" GI Joe action figures of old, in my opinion, the toys do not quite match the quality of current 12" military action figures from companies like Soldier Story, Dragon in Dreams, and Hot Toys.

Due to the timing of available parts, I decided to try making my own version of the character, Beachhead.

Using Sideshow's uniform, vest, gloves, and tags, I added in a Crazy Dummy head sculpt, ACI body, ACI balaclava, knee pads from Playhouse's Navy Seal Team 10 set, and DID shoes and backpack.

The result is a bit more realistic take, IMO, while still retaining some flavor of the RAH Beachhead.