My personal Stretch Armstrong Story (long read)

[Iron Mego]

I think they're five inches. But I've not seen one in person.

And they are doing Stretch Monster. That's what the guy from Jazwares told Palitoy.

[PNGwynne]

Thanks for posting the Monster sofubi--so cool. How tall are they?

My head will explode if they redo Stretch Monster, too--he was my favorite.

[Iron Mego]

I know they tended to break, that's what happened to my Stretch Monster, but I wouldn't have figured the skin on these would be more resilient. I guess we'll see how they last in comparison.

Really looking forward to SM now. That kid from 40 years ago probably would have never said that.

[MIB41]

Very interesting to hear that you think it's of better quality than the original. Not the norm these days, huh? That's pretty darn cool though.

The head sculpt has always been so wonderful. I wonder if it was modeled after a real person. If it was he was one handsome SOB!!

Now let's see some head shrinks and Mego-ized Stretches!!

The original had a far more resistant, thicker, gel inside. That Stretch could really get heavy and Lord forbid you store him away during the winter. A brick! You had to leave him out in the sun just to get him into any kind of shape to stretch. Kind of like you and me today! (: But seriously the "skin" wore in places after extended play so it was not remotely as pliable as what this new one seems to be. And I'm not aware of anyone who didn't have breakage at some point due to the skin cracking open. It was definitely a short lived figure that clearly didn't have the technology to endure years of play. That's why it's nearly impossible to find any kind of original specimen that has not been restored with a replacement body because that original just wasn't made to last. From the moment I picked this one up, I could feel an immediate difference and it was a huge improvement.

[Iron Mego]

I love hearing stories about when we were kids. That was a great story. I had one of the originals in the 70's, but I have to tell you, this one feels much better manufactured and more durable (at least early on). Plus I like the fact the shorts are painted on him as opposed to being actually cloth shorts. Makes allot better sense. And the head is a perfect replica which is what I really liked about the original anyway. That was a great head sculpt and he's back! So from one previous owner to one who always wanted that one, you have a better model today. Congratulations and thanks for sharing that story. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Very interesting to hear that you think it's of better quality than the original. Not the norm these days, huh? That's pretty darn cool though.

The head sculpt has always been so wonderful. I wonder if it was modeled after a real person. If it was he was one handsome SOB!!

Now let's see some head shrinks and Mego-ized Stretches!!

[MIB41]

I love hearing stories about when we were kids. That was a great story. I had one of the originals in the 70's, but I have to tell you, this one feels much better manufactured and more durable (at least early on). Plus I like the fact the shorts are painted on him as opposed to being actually cloth shorts. Makes allot better sense. And the head is a perfect replica which is what I really liked about the original anyway. That was a great head sculpt and he's back! So from one previous owner to one who always wanted that one, you have a better model today. Congratulations and thanks for sharing that story. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Bantha5]

Great story, thanks for sharing. Some how my ( or my brothers) stretch ended up on our elderly neighbors roof, it was found when we went up there to retrieve a frisbee. The miami sun plus however long it was up there really did a number on old stretch. The red corn syrup had turned rock hard and the latex body had cracked and shattered like a dry lakebed. He looked like one big painful scab.

[Iron Mego]

Glad y'all have enjoyed my story. I missed out on a bunch of toys when I was a kid. We didn't have a lot of money, and I certainly didn't get everything I wanted. There are many tales of regret, but I think Stretch was always the hardest to take. Partly because I actually "earned" it, and partly because I was just so smitten with this toy.

[drquest]

Great story and well written! I'm glad you got him as well!

I also only had a Stretch Monster and no Stretch Armstrong. I still have his head around here somewhere, as he leaked big time all over a bunch of my stuff one time.

[Iron Mego]

Guess they made three actually.

[Iron Mego]

What a story. Glad you finally got your Stretch. By the way, how do plan to display Stretch? I've not been able to come up with anything.

I've been trying to figure that out. Right now he's laying on a couch pillow next to me and I just keep staring at him! It's love I tell ya!!

[Iron Mego]

Wow, are those knock-off or a way to use leftover heads? I want to see Monster, too!

They're Japanese Sofubi. Probably about 5 inches tall. Stretch was big in Japan, they called him Mister X and they even had wrestling outfits for him. They always do more interesting stuff than we do. Anyway, these are a nod to Mister X. I'll find pics of the monsters.

[Jason73]

What a story. Glad you finally got your Stretch. By the way, how do plan to display Stretch? I've not been able to come up with anything.

[PNGwynne]

Wow, are those knock-off or a way to use leftover heads? I want to see Monster, too!

[jacoblb]

Cool, thanks for sharing your memories. Like you I never had a SA in my childhood, (but I had playmates who did) so I hope to get one at Target at some point along with the monster.