Had to get out of the HQ today. Ventured over to the nearer big city with the intent check out really only a couple places in particular. I was actually thinking of hoping to find an adequate table for a potential small train layout at one of these places. One of the Junior Joes has had some interest in model railroading, I might head back over that way tomorrow when the only hobby shop in this corner of the state is open to check into some quick track.
I did stop at Target for the first time in at least a full year. I didn't expect to find anything, I don't even know why I really went in. There were some Classified Flint and Cobra Commander figures, not what I was interested in at all. The toy aisle looked like the local Walmart aisles have for quite some time, picked over with empty spaces.
There were other retail stores in this area that I just did not have interest in even going into. It's strange, I would have had some interest in checking out stuff years ago, but I once I got into the parking lot all interest was just lost. I entertained the notion of just checking out the mall just to see what was in there as it has been a long, long time since I was in there but then I just really had the desire to not be in that area.
I knew there weren't going to be much, if any, G.I.Joe stuff to find before I left home. I was also entertaining the idea of maybe seeing if I could pick up some of those "retro H.I.S.S. III" tanks at Walmart, that might be there but then after thinking about it, I don't really want blue H.I.S.S. tanks, let alone the old style one.
I did just think of how the blue of this new retro tank is kind of in the 1989 HISS II blue color range, sort of, so maybe that's what was going on here?
Either way, waited for the first of the primary stops I went there for, and not really expecting to find anything here, I found a Transportable Tactical Battle Platform. For $20.
It was in pieces in plastic container but looked like a lot there and for $20, I thought what the heck, this doesn't happen too often.
Back at the HQ I found that I am missing the chair, antenna, and rifles. And some little puppy or kitten likely chewed on the ramps legs. But not bad. In fact, some of it is in better shape than the first T.T.B.P. I had years ago. I checked Ebay on the antenna, and at $10-$15, I'll be happy to do without for now. I wasn't surprised at not finding any rifles among the parts, but was kind of surprised to find that rack piece as well as both weapon platform panels!
The stickers look a little better than the one I had years ago for the most part, not much yellowing and lifting in comparison.
Another location at this shop had a mix of other interesting things. A mostly stripped 1987 W.O.L.F. and much overpriced decently used Spytroops Snow Cat were neat to see but easy to say no to. Several figures with no accessories were nearby, not horribly priced, but nothing I couldn't live without or really make use of with my small collection.
Except that $3 1989 Stalker. This is one of those figures that really makes it into my personal "original G.I.Joe team" from way back in the day. When I trimmed down on my collection, "tundra" Stalker ended up leaving. I really like Stalker and wanted Stalker on my little team. I wanted to lose the winter coat but didn't want to make my old, complete figure into a parts mixed figure at the time.
I'm hoping this figures head works on the other parts I've kind of got already, I'll check this out later, though. Most people might go to exotic destinations on vacation. I swap old action figure heads in the HQ sub-level.
But now I have a small base again after what, almost 10 years?
