Sidewinder “1986 Mail-In”

Chad originally met Sidewinder online on the now defunct Devil’s Due message boards. We all lived in Tennessee, albeit a couple of hours from each other. Along with a few other online Joe friends, we met in person at the 2003 Adventure Con in Knoxville, TN, a rough midway point from where we all lived. At dinner that night, Sidewinder was brainstorming and idea for his own self-custom, based on Zartan’s concept art. See the custom Here. 

In 2007, Sidewinder ask me and Chad to co-host his podcast, the G.I. Joe Review, where we reviewed the original Marvel G.I. Joe Comic run. It’s hard for me to imagine Mayor and Ghost without having a Sidewinder custom to go with them.

Original Sidewinder (By Sidewinder)

1986 Mail-In Sidewinder

 

Colors

Black and Red. Enough said…except that red is notoriously difficult to paint. I always like using spray paint whenever possible, and the flatter the finish the better. Gloss always tends to be more difficult to work with. Joecustom’s member BadAsh taught me that spraying a duller clear coat on top of gloss will dull its finish. 

Black (Spray): Krylon Matte Black
Black (Brush On): Apple Barrel Black 
Red: Krylon Banner Red

Parts

Following the “Mail-in” them of Mayor (1984) and Ghost (1985), this custom is a “Mail-in” from 1986. He was originally set to be 1985 (with Mayor and Ghost as 83 & 84) but no suitable arms existed until Monkeywrench. I kept the original’s theme by using a Storm Shadow head and got creative, albeit inaccurate, with Copperhead’s thighs to achieve Mercer’s ribbed details.

Head: Storm Shadow 84
Arms: Monkeywrench 86
Torso: Zartan 84
Waist: Ripper 85
Thighs: Copperhead 84
Feet: Zartan 84

Accessories

Sidewinder was always light on accessories. I liken him to Jack Bauer, someone who could save the world with a pistol. Except in Sidewinder’s case, someone who could bring reign down terror with a single weapon. That being said, I really wanted to give him a strapped bag or pouch to simulate Track-Viper’s torso strap. I landed on Beachhead’s satchel and gave Sidewinder a couple of magazine fed weapons to compliment the pouch.

Cowl- Zartan 84
Pistol- Major Bludd 83
Uzi- Snake Eyes 97
Rifle- Beachhead 02
Pouch- Beachhead 86

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