Eighties revival

Joeness · 07-04-2023, 05:12 AM

So when I was a kid I had Joes. I was a bit of an equipment geek even then. It took another 15-20 years for anything approximating realistic uniforms and gear and by then I was an adult, living overseas and more interested in girls.

To me, the classic Joes remain in the eighties. An eighties force for an eighties enemy. I recognize the flair is necessary and the individuality of the characters, but I still wish their camouflage and weapons looked more grounded in reality.

So here's my take on the vintage joes with period-accurate camouflage and guns. Sometimes I stretch it into the nineties but for the most part, it stays in the eighties: woodland, chocolate chip and a few predecessors from the post 'Nam era. I've hand-painted the colors in PS, but the weapons are mostly stock with slight variations. What could have been shall ensue.

Joeness · 07-04-2023, 05:23 AM

Despite the uncanny resemblance to Robert Mitchum, the two are not related. Hawk is a Brigadier general and acts like it. He wears crisp new regulation fatigues which are pressed daily by an overworked valet. He expects his men to turn themselves out just as well, but it's hit and miss sometimes...

Trigue · 07-04-2023, 10:55 AM

Seeing Hawk with old school Woodland BDU's hits all of the nostalgia bumps! I had a few family members in the Army and Marines in the 80's and 90's. I always wanted just one Joe figure in the BDU's like they wore.

Joeness you nailed the old school woodland camo. Hawk looks perfect, straight out of the 80's and what really seals it for me, is the helmet. It's just perfect. Great job!

Itchweed · 07-04-2023, 11:25 AM

Looks great!

Joeness · 07-04-2023, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trigue

Seeing Hawk with old school Woodland BDU's hits all of the nostalgia bumps! I had a few family members in the Army and Marines in the 80's and 90's. I always wanted just one Joe figure in the BDU's like they wore.

Joeness you nailed the old school woodland camo. Hawk looks perfect, straight out of the 80's and what really seals it for me, is the helmet. It's just perfect. Great job!

This was exactly my thoughts as a twelve-year-old: they could be a little less sci-fi and more real-world.

More to come folks. I'm going through a number of old ones and photoshopping them. Small changes to kit and pouches but all using "toy canon" images.

Joeness · 07-04-2023, 04:50 PM

Gung-Ho served from Khe-San to Kosovo and all points between. He clung to his old ERDL uniform till it fell apart and then bought surplus from Army Navy stores till stocks dried up. It's possible he was not in regulation fatigues even on his last day in service but everyone was too drunk to remember.

Joe Bro · 07-04-2023, 05:09 PM

Looks great! I wish that Gung Ho was the one they released instead of that absurdly bright blue one

Itchweed · 07-04-2023, 08:06 PM

Awesome Gung-Ho too.

Joeness · 07-04-2023, 08:30 PM

There's more to come, as I've already done about a dozen. Will take requests too for laughs.

AWOL · 07-04-2023, 10:25 PM

Nice job.

You can't beat the classics:

07-04-2023, 05:12 AM	#1
Joeness Cobra Soldier Join Date: Jun 2023 Location: NZ Posts: 87	So when I was a kid I had Joes. I was a bit of an equipment geek even then. It took another 15-20 years for anything approximating realistic uniforms and gear and by then I was an adult, living overseas and more interested in girls. To me, the classic Joes remain in the eighties. An eighties force for an eighties enemy. I recognize the flair is necessary and the individuality of the characters, but I still wish their camouflage and weapons looked more grounded in reality. So here's my take on the vintage joes with period-accurate camouflage and guns. Sometimes I stretch it into the nineties but for the most part, it stays in the eighties: woodland, chocolate chip and a few predecessors from the post 'Nam era. I've hand-painted the colors in PS, but the weapons are mostly stock with slight variations. What could have been shall ensue. Last edited by Joeness; 07-04-2023 at 05:25 AM..

07-04-2023, 05:23 AM	#2
Joeness Cobra Soldier Join Date: Jun 2023 Location: NZ Posts: 87	Despite the uncanny resemblance to Robert Mitchum, the two are not related. Hawk is a Brigadier general and acts like it. He wears crisp new regulation fatigues which are pressed daily by an overworked valet. He expects his men to turn themselves out just as well, but it's hit and miss sometimes... Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Joeness; 08-31-2023 at 10:11 PM..

07-04-2023, 11:25 AM	#4
Itchweed LNC Commander Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Sbartek's Guest Room Posts: 25,505	Looks great! __________________

07-04-2023, 04:44 PM	#5
Joeness Cobra Soldier Join Date: Jun 2023 Location: NZ Posts: 87	Quote: Originally Posted by Trigue Seeing Hawk with old school Woodland BDU's hits all of the nostalgia bumps! I had a few family members in the Army and Marines in the 80's and 90's. I always wanted just one Joe figure in the BDU's like they wore. Joeness you nailed the old school woodland camo. Hawk looks perfect, straight out of the 80's and what really seals it for me, is the helmet. It's just perfect. Great job! This was exactly my thoughts as a twelve-year-old: they could be a little less sci-fi and more real-world. More to come folks. I'm going through a number of old ones and photoshopping them. Small changes to kit and pouches but all using "toy canon" images. Last edited by Joeness; 07-04-2023 at 04:51 PM..

07-04-2023, 04:50 PM	#6
Joeness Cobra Soldier Join Date: Jun 2023 Location: NZ Posts: 87	Gung-Ho served from Khe-San to Kosovo and all points between. He clung to his old ERDL uniform till it fell apart and then bought surplus from Army Navy stores till stocks dried up. It's possible he was not in regulation fatigues even on his last day in service but everyone was too drunk to remember. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by Joeness; 08-31-2023 at 10:12 PM..

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