I confess I do not keep up with new MEGO releases. So it was a complete surprise to find a Rocketeer laying derelict on an end-cap while I was braving retail. Out of the package, it’s great. But I can’t help myself.
Using a broken CHIPS figure, I replaced the hands with proper black gloves. An improvement for sure but I eventually decided on the CTVT black gloved hands instead, as the right hand seems purpose built to hold a pistol. The vintage ‘police’ boots were also a better match to the film costume when compared to the black Romulan boots. The short pilot pants are still long enough to tuck inside.
But when he stands next to any figure with a human head, you start to wonder how Cliff could possibly get his head inside of that tiny helmet. And when he’s standing there, you can hardly see the beautiful X-3 jet pack because it is undersized and attaches with only a black band.
So I reached for an old yard sale find, the Applause 12” vinyl Rocketeer statue. Although unseen with the jacket on, even the flesh tone of the neck was a good match for the body. I was able trim the neck post down and invert so no adaptor needed for the modern MEGO head peg. What’s more is that the jet pack is the perfect size and now magnets replace the awful rubber band.
I may take this further but for now I am happy with the results. Adding a vintage MEGO revolver looks good, but I’d still like to find a correctly scaled Mauser.
Using a broken CHIPS figure, I replaced the hands with proper black gloves. An improvement for sure but I eventually decided on the CTVT black gloved hands instead, as the right hand seems purpose built to hold a pistol. The vintage ‘police’ boots were also a better match to the film costume when compared to the black Romulan boots. The short pilot pants are still long enough to tuck inside.
But when he stands next to any figure with a human head, you start to wonder how Cliff could possibly get his head inside of that tiny helmet. And when he’s standing there, you can hardly see the beautiful X-3 jet pack because it is undersized and attaches with only a black band.
So I reached for an old yard sale find, the Applause 12” vinyl Rocketeer statue. Although unseen with the jacket on, even the flesh tone of the neck was a good match for the body. I was able trim the neck post down and invert so no adaptor needed for the modern MEGO head peg. What’s more is that the jet pack is the perfect size and now magnets replace the awful rubber band.
I may take this further but for now I am happy with the results. Adding a vintage MEGO revolver looks good, but I’d still like to find a correctly scaled Mauser.
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