vehicle collection trimming mistakes

You don't know what you got, 'til it's gone.   Yeah, it's a song and sentiment, one that hits me every once in awhile.   Unlike years ago, even when most or all of my GIJoe vehicles were packed in Rubbermaid boxes, I could still go dig one out if I had the urge to do so.   Usually this urge would be brought on by some online discussion, or a review, or even a diorama style picture or custom.

Part of why I trimmed vehicles out of my collection (of which I am still probably more of a vehicle fan, than figure fan) was that I just didn't feel like I was getting maximum enjoyment out of what amounted to crowded shelves or stacks of packed Rubbermaid totes.   It was just a mass of stuff, so while I still don't miss that mass of items, I have found myself sort of wanting to get some of those vehicles back.

As things evolved for me, I thought the best way to go was to keep some more mid-to-large vehicles to cover the basic land-sea-air adventures that could be had with the vehicles.   It was down to Hurricane vs Conquest, WHALE vs. Moray,  DTC HISS vs Equalizer, plus with some smaller vehicles, but that was kind of it.

However, even most of those were chopped in the last trimming, mostly due to the size and the influx of reality on my imagination.   The Conquest, for example would need a runway and facilities for upkeep.   I still feel ok with making these vehicles cuts. 

As I've re-evaluated, as I'm always doing it seems, I wanted to bring my GIJoe world back down to the ground.  So, instead of a Conquest, I'm interested in something that can operate imagination-wise world wide from a dirt road; maybe a Mudfighter?  Perhaps since Cobra no longer can maintain a Night Raven in my world without getting tracked back to their hideout base, Cobra has to get smaller, sneakier.

And so the smaller vehicles have been more appealing to me as of late.

And here is where I think I made a bad call for myself in going with the bigger, more "capital" sized vehicles for keepers.  Many of the smaller vehicles I had cut previous.

Some of those, I should have kept.  They are still pricey to obtain, especially in an army-building style.



Cobra is where I think the small vehicles really stand out for me right now.  I'm talking Ferrets, Fangs, HISS tanks, and even Stinger jeeps.  The Hydrofoil is great, but I think the Piranha in multiples would give GIJoe a run for the money. 


So, I made the call and trimmed things away.   But with much fewer vehicles and hopefully soon more space, I would like to start building up my motor pool with more directed focus.

Do you have small vehicles you would like to give up?

What's taking so long?

What's going on at the HQ that's taking so long?   Just no good time, plain and simple.


As you know, the HQ is to be located in the subterranean level of the HQ's outer defensive shell.  As I predicted, I've pretty much only moved Rubbermaids and other boxes of things around in the designated HQ's space.   I have only recently cracked open the audible recordable disc box* for limited playback from a temporary location within the last couple weeks, as an example of the slow progress. 


The junior 'Joes**  and their allies**1 keep things busy, mostly,  as does the real-life income obtaining assignment.***   Other aspects of the  HQ's outer defensive shell also play into the time factor.   Defensive points ranging from water mitigation****  and  terrain development *****, to the replacement of weak, decimated interior and exterior concrete pads******, among various other tasks******* and purchases*********.

To say official HQ missions have been on hiatus for the last 6 months would be correct, pending more time.   On the progress front, the new Eaglehawk has been put on procurement******** while the HQ motor pool facility waits for further building progress. 

With only one service door replacement project to go, and some winterizing projects, progress will hopefully be made so that by years end the HQ shell will be secure so the HQ can be set up for action,and Cobras ability to scheme for power and money can be countered!

The adventures and fun to come!!

Today I am on stand-by alert**********, though, so.... not today.




Water mitigation issue, in this case after a heavy spring snow storm; not figure friendly, even the Eco-Warriors!  (see last photo in post)





A corner which would be great for the HQ space, except no windows, a previous-owner built brick water holder, and that big crack.  No obvious water sighted.....yet!






This is one source of the cracks in the above picture, checking out the snow-salt direction melt/ flow, it is not a recipe for good for those of us wanting to use the subterranean level.  This has been replaced since with a new, level slab.




Backing up further shows sinking, cracking and general wear....., can you guess where water might have been flowing in the limbo area of freeze and thaw cycles over several winters?



 A strange smaller block on top of larger block, possibly to save money (as much as $400) by owners past, but also was used to support the slab on the outer edges....with a depth of just an inch?   An unknown explanation.... but since replaced, hopefully with no issues.

And  what is better than an HQ shell for a guy and his GIJoe collection than a back door that supports a sill plate?   This is the back door, through the garage, which had a loose sill plate on the door and when I went to fix this (thought to be) small issue, revealed some kind of strange patch that wore out awhile ago.
It did not help to have that outside step-slab sinking inward, ricocheting rain and weather right up to the doors bottom, not to mention allowing water to flow off to the right in the picture.  That's the corner of the first photo in the basement where you can see the water seeping through the block.






* CD player
** Kids
**1 neighborhood kids
***Job
**** Gutters
***** grade sloping
****** concrete slabs sliding and sloping, heaved and cracked!
******* lawn mowing, planting trees, foundation block mortar touch-ups, window wells, etc. etc....
********  BBTS "Pile of Loot" feature
********* Dehumidifier, Air conditioner parts,  etc.
********** on-call for work