FIGURE BODY -

Full Figure

          With the bulk of the plans solidified on how to execute the exclusive, both Chip and Joe set to work on their respective ends of the project.

Joe worked up a rough prototype of the figure, while Chip began working on the layout of the box design.

After Joe had sent a rough prototype out to Chip the two discussed exactly how the fabrication of the figure should be achieved. The original plan that Joe had was to completely paint each figure head to toe. However, with the added benefit of Chips knowledge of reproducing parts and color casting, it was mutually decided to take the figure further than previously imagined.

New plans included color casting all of the neccessary parts of the main body in a teal shade matched to the 1994 G2 Breakdown, with purple and silverpaint apps added where applicable. This was going to save a lot of time and headache on paint jobs, and provide a much better finished look.

So Joe shipped Chip the Action Master Sideswipe body and Devastator head to be molded up. Chip then started to color match his plastic to the proper shade of G2 Breakdown Teal to prepare for the casting of parts.

One of the first big hurdles faced in the production of G2 Breakdown was the T-hooks. For those not aware of exactly how Action Masters (and GI Joes, for that matter) are held together, there is a small metal piece that rests inside the chest. It has balls that are inserted into the thigh pieces, and a small hook that connects to an O-ring. The rubber band is hooked around a post in the chest, and the tension created is what allows the legs to connect to the rest of the body. If you've ever experienced loose leg syndrome with your figures, it means that either your O-ring has snapped, or your T-hook is broken.

At any rate, Joe searched through his collection of Action Master corpses and extras and came up with about 50 usable T-hooks. Obviously, not enough to cover all 204 G2 Breakdowns. However, the total was enough to ship the hooks out to an associate of Chip's, Arthur Gibbs a metal caster in upstate NY, who then made vulcanized molds of the hooks and spin-casted brand new T-hooks in an alloy pewter. These hooks proved to be just as durable as the originals, perhaps even more so.

With the particulars of the figure's body solidified, Chip turned his attention towards G2 Breakdowns head.