I’m a hoarder.
I’ll freely admit this. I’m not ashamed, because I know that my desire to own collectibles and toys I had as a child comes from a needy place. It is who I am, and I know there are holes in my heart these things fill. Is it healthy? Well… It depends on how you define “healthy.” I am well adjusted, happy, and have a great family.
I still have a problem.
Of course, a problem can also be considered an opportunity. There are a ton of toys that I have coveted over the years I could never afford. Well, technically I COULD afford them… but I also enjoy being married.
A few years ago, I started learning how to design 3D models. I wasn’t really good at it, but I learned the basics using the free app from Autodesk , 123D Design. Autodesk discontinued support for the tool shortly thereafter, but I still found it the easiest tool for me to pickup and model items to 3D print.
At some point, I figured something out. I can’t afford these items, but if I can’t buy them… I can print them.
Eureka!
So far I’ve recreated:
• The Man from UNCLE toy “Uncle special” from Ideal, circa 1965
• The THRUSH rifle from Ideal, also circa 1964
• The Venus Space Probe Six Million Dollar Man toy from 1978
• The Man from UNCLE pen communicator (prop from show)
• The Man From UNCLE rifle accessories (prop from show)
• The Buck Rogers Starfighter Command Center from Mego
• Various action figure dioramas (Star Wars, Doctor Who, etc.)
Clearly you can see I’m focused on The Man From UNCLE show, because it’s one of my favorites. It was also before my time, and I never had the chance to collect UNCLE merch before I was born. These toys are now rarer than hen’s teeth. So the choice between recreating a “good enough” version of the original or spending THOUSANDS… Well, that’s a no brainer.
I’ve spent hours studying pics of the originals, using the best references I could find… Adjusting for parallax as best as I can. Are my versions 100% like the original items? Of course not. But they are close enough, and I enjoy the activity of challenging myself to get as close to accurate as possible.
I think back to young me, and if I could go back in time to tell you, “Hey, that toy you want that Mom and Dad didn’t give you? When you grow up you can print your own version”, I’d do it in a heartbeat. We live in an amazing time.
Next challenge? Well, I love me some spy toys. And that James Bond Attaché case looks to be something to sink my teeth into…
