COBRA, GI Joe and LPL

[D@rth J@ymZ]

I thought I`d share a bunch of my COBRA and GI JOE stuff that I finished up for this year`s LPL.  Due to the smaller image size (800 pixels) and composition of the entries in a single photo, it is often difficult to show all the angles of a model or figure, particularly the details, but now that Season 7 is over I can post up some additional photos.

First off, I originally got the idea from following this fantastic thread here from Michka:
http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=38379.0

Inspiration can be found everywhere on the LAF and I was immediately committed to doing a COBRA Force.  Once the Round 10 theme was announced as ``Science Fiction`` I knew that GI Joe would also make an appearance, although this started out purely as COBRA.

COBRA started out with the obvious choice...Cobra Commander:



This is a great model from Golgo Island/East Riding - Colonel Zanzibar, who has 2 head choices (the Chrome Dome version and a Major Bludd style).  I used magnets to create 2 alternate heads for him as well, depending on the mood. A hooded version (from a Pulp Figures Hooded Minion) and a unmasked version (From an Uncle Mikes Serpentman Demigogue).  These alternate heads were loosely based on the comic book and GI Joe: The Movie, respectively.

[D@rth J@ymZ]

Next was the 28mm HISS Tank from Shapeways and COBRAs 2nd in command, Laird James McCullen Destro XXIV or simply Destro:



I converted a Chronoscope  Boris Barayev, Five Suns Smuggler model with a hand swap (pointing), a pimp vest conversion from greenstuff and a fine jewelry chain for the necklace.  

As I was on a magnet kick at the time, I made a magnetized base that allowed Destro to swap between his own base and the HISS tank, which was also magnetized.  



I free handed the Cobra logos but am not content with the numbers on the HISS.  Now that LPL is over, I may go back and fix those up...

[D@rth J@ymZ]

Now Cobra needed some troops, so I recruited the backbone of any COBRA force, the lowly Blueshirt or Cobra Trooper.  I stole this idea straight from Michka, as these were the best look to the standard trooper that I could find (from Victory Force - German Wehrwolf Half Squad 1) and they required no conversions whatsoever.



These were my Round 3 entry and as expected they didn't fare too well although they were up against some good opposition and nobody expects Cobra Troopers to win a fight anyways 

[D@rth J@ymZ]

Next were the reinforcements, or in the case of Cobra, some upgraded troopers.  These were the Vipers.  I had these models from Heresy from a while back (Sci-Fi Mercs and Military -Troopers Pack 1) and they have a Halo kind of look, but the visors made an obvious choice and fit in well with ol Chrome Dome:



I used the same colours as with the Blueshirts but used the same chrome recipe from Cobra Commander and upgraded one Viper to a squad leader (as I had done previously with the Blueshirts) by giving him a gold visor.

[Centaur_Seducer]

Lovely stuff! I do look forward to how this thread develops. In the meantime, I'll watch some good ol' GI Joe clips in where they give advice to the youth of yesterday

[D@rth J@ymZ]

Once I had 10 rank-and-files completed, it was time to get on with the Command Group.  I chose a few favourites and was lucky that I already had usable proxy models or that they required minimal conversion.  Most of these were part of Round 1 Command Bonus round:

Baroness
Tomax and Xamot
2 Crimson Guards

I also wanted some of the various Cobra ninjas, as these were among my favourite Cobra baddies.  This included Storm Shadow, Firefly and the generic Red Ninja.  The Red Ninjas and Storm Shadow became my Round 7 entry: Arashikage, where they were thoroughly trampled by the LPL freight train that is Dr. Mathias  

Here are 2 composite shots of Storm Shadow and Firefly showing some of alternate angles and detailing:

Firefly - RAFM USX, Ronin (no conversion)



Storm Shadow - Chronoscope, Ninja of the Ghost Dragon Clan (I added the sash out of gs)

[former user]

As I was on a magnet kick at the time, I made a magnetized base that allowed Destro to swap between his own base and the HISS tank, which was also magnetized.  

since I am on a magnet trip myself and You did exactly what I want to try out, I would like to ask You to please share the details, like magnet size/strength and how You fixed it

if You don't mind

[D@rth J@ymZ]

So then I hear Destro arguing with Cobra Commander over how they needed to spend some money on some serious firepower in their bid for world domination and I figured it was time to get a couple of vehicles.  I already had the HISS tank, but with Round 10 bonus points being vehicular in nature, it was time to add my other 2 favourite Cobra vehicles into the mix.

The Rattler.
Hands down the coolest GI Joe toy growing up.  I did a bit of research and realized that the Rattler was closely based on the A-10 Warthog.  The only obvious differences being the engine number (3 vs 2) and placement and the top turret.  I found a 1:48 scale A10 at a local hobby shop and got kit bashing.   The model even came with a pilot, who I painted red so he could be Wild Weasel.

Main shot:


Front:


Underside:


Armament detail:

[Commander Vyper]

From one serpine Commander to another fecking lovely job there on your force 

[D@rth J@ymZ]

since I am on a magnet trip myself and You did exactly what I want to try out, I would like to ask You to please share the details, like magnet size/strength and how You fixed it

if You don't mind

I have a large selection of various sizes of magnets so I don't know how much I can speak to magnet size and strength but I used small (~1-2mm) magnets for the Cobra Commander heads/neck and Destro feet.  I drilled the holes with a pin vice, used Krazy glue to stick in the magnet so that the top surface was slightly recessed (not quite flush) then put a very thin bit of greenstuff to cover the magnet and protect it but not thick enough to affect the magnetic strength.  

Once all that had dried/cured and been trimmed/sanded back a bit, I attached the same size magnet to the feet which would be part of the base.  I used Krazy glue again to attach the magnets to the washer base and then partially filled the space around the magnet with greenstuff to help hold it in place.  Once this had cured, I separated Destro from his base and filled the base up with GS to bring the base to just above the height of the magnets.  I then wet Destro's feet and pressed him into the base, attached by the magnets.  

[D@rth J@ymZ]

Lovely stuff! I do look forward to how this thread develops. In the meantime, I'll watch some good ol' GI Joe clips in where they give advice to the youth of yesterday

Knowing is half the battle 

[Mason]

Really glad that you started this thread as I really wanted to see closer shots of these after seeing them in the LPL.
Gotta love GI Joe and Cobra!
 


Looking forward to seeing more.
 

[white knight]

Excellent! I too caved in after seeing Michka's project and have been collecting suitable models and kits for this. Most impressed by your excellent execution!

[D@rth J@ymZ]

I had my doubts at this point (for some reason  ) that the Sci Fi element of my Round 10 entry would be insufficient for full bonus points despite having a Rattler and HISS tank, so I began my search for my third vehicle in earnest.  As I already had 2 of my 3 favourite GI Joe/Cobra toys as models already, the choice was obvious - the Trouble Bubble.

I quickly realized that nobody made a model of this and especially at the right scale but I once again found myself at my local hobby shop with I had a 'eureka' moment.  A 1:48 scale Bell H-13 Sioux Helipcopter.



I was instantly reminded of M*A*S*H but thought the cockpit would solve all my problems.  Again, it needed some extensive kit-bashing.  I used Lego bits for the vertical thrusters, some small GI Joe missles, guitar string and other assorted brickabrack and ended up with this:



Front View:



Back View:



I angled the Trouble bubble slightly and made a flying base using clear acrylic rod to help sell the flight aspect.

I experimented with some small Cobra decals at this point but was unhappy with the result.  They were useful on the clear canopy but were a disaster on the thrusters.  I painted over them using the decal as a guide. Kind of cheating but hey, we're talking about Cobra here.  

[D@rth J@ymZ]

Here is everybody together for the curtain call:


minus, the Command Room computers and the Rattler. Wild Weasel sends his regrets as he had to go wash the Rattler on his day off.