GI Joe Jungle Troops: Recondo & Pathfinder

[meandnooneelse]

I will be working on some new photo/dio stories soon. I needed a few characters for them including Recondo and Pathfinder.

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb305/Darth_Simmons/Joe%20Jungle%20Troopers/JungleTroopers.jpg



Originally I had no intentions of customizing the Assault on Cobra Island Recondo, but once I got him in hand there were some issues that just begged to be fixed. First, he’s a jungle trooper with no knife or machete? The original figure had it on the left leg, so I added one. Then, if he’s a jungle trooper why is he wearing full leather combat boots instead of Jungle boots. I fixed that too. Although the paint matching looks off in the pics; he’s near a perfect match in real life. I also had to repaint his hat and do some detailing to his gun so that they didn’t look like translucent plastic. I also gave him a working holster.

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb305/Darth_Simmons/Joe%20Jungle%20Troopers/Recondo.jpg



Pathfinder is one character I really don’t like. Why? Because so much about the original figure design is stupid. To start are his weapons…

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb305/Darth_Simmons/Joe%20Jungle%20Troopers/pathfinder-1.jpg

Who wants to hump all that ridiculous junk around to get tangled in the flora of the jungle and/or swamp? The noise of the bush hog weedeater would give away your position to the enemy and if he had to wade through waste deep water what would he do with that ridiculously heavy backpack and hip mounted machine guns? In addition, he has no knife or sidearm. But my rant doesn’t end there, oh no! If he’s slogging through the jungle and swamp why doesn’t he have his pants legs bloused? Can we say leech bait?!? So yeah… STUPID!

My custom is a simple one but cuts down on the ridiculous weapons. He’s still dressed like a tourist, but he is what he is…

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb305/Darth_Simmons/Joe%20Jungle%20Troopers/Pathfinder.jpg




UPDATED!!!



I changed the legs on Pathfinder and gave him a holster and machete:

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb305/Darth_Simmons/Joe%20Jungle%20Troopers/DSC00007_zps223a3371.jpg


I totally repainted Recondo's legs since the translucent factory plastic was annoying me. I also changed his lower arms to the arms from Agent Mouse and did some trimmimg of the upper arms. He now holds that bulky rifle much better.

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb305/Darth_Simmons/Joe%20Jungle%20Troopers/DSC00003_zps36f466d0.jpg


The Joe Swamp Dogs:

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb305/Darth_Simmons/Muskrat/SwampDogs2_zps6f0eb88a.jpg

[shakka85]

I like them both, but I have to say that Recondo is my favorite! Like what you did with the shoulder holster a lot, and adding the machete sheath to his combat belt was a stroke of genius! Great job, man!

-Todd

[fireflyguy]

I like thm both! I actually like the Pathfinder. is that a Lifeline head?

[meandnooneelse]

I like thm both! I actually like the Pathfinder. is that a Lifeline head?
Yes it is. I ordered a head from Broken Arrow, but it will be a while before it arrives so I just borrowed my Lifeline's head.

[nighthawk]

I never thought of using TRat body for Pathfinder. If only I didn't just trade away my last one! Argh!

They both look awesome!

[meandnooneelse]

I never thought of using TRat body for Pathfinder. If only I didn't just trade away my last one! Argh!

They both look awesome!

The cool thing about that ROC Tunnel Rat is the pants are gray like Pathfinder version 2, so it kind of ties both versions together. I had to do a lot of grinding and sanding to the torso to make that Indy jacket I used as the vest fit. It still seems a little small but not as bad as it did before.

[KKCobra]

Good work! You are right about Pathfinder in original tough, a bit over the top.. you made him a little bit more realistic!

[Saboteur]

Was glad to get Recondo in 2009, but he certainly had some shortcomings.

[Letal]

Pretty effective your Pathfinder. Good Job!

[GI abe444]

They come great! Both are my favorites!

[CobraOfficer999]

Look cool.

[rglass2]

Great job man, very nice

[meandnooneelse]

I updated these two and added new pics.

[Mr Hebime]

They both look great. Definite improvement to the AOCI's Recondo.

[Cowboy]

Like them both but I have to say pathfinder is a win for me.

[Jinx723]

http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb305/Darth_Simmons/Muskrat/SwampDogs2_zps6f0eb88a.jpg

These are all awesome.
How's that behind Recoil? I can't quite make out who he is.

[meandnooneelse]

These are all awesome.
How's that behind Recoil? I can't quite make out who he is.

That would be http://www.hisstank.com/forum/g-i-joe-customs-finished-projects/316244-wet-suit-battle-dress-uniform-meandnooneelse.html

[nighthawk]

That is so freakin' awesome. I love it!