Since childhood and my parents giving me a Johnny Seven one Christmas I've always loved this classic Topper toy rifle.
Like all my old toys I guess it went to Preston's landfill back in the mid-Seventies.
Remembering how much I loved it, in 2000 I bought myself a boxed Johnny Seven at the NEC's Memorabilia show. It was from an affable young dealer called Ian and cost £300, the most I've ever spent on a collectable.
It's tucked safely away in the attic.
I do occasionally get it out on maneuvers!
I restored another Johnny Seven in 2007 for re-sale, replacing some missing parts with original and repro replacements.
I blogged about it some years back, the post comments becoming a sort of talking shop for J7 restorers!
https://projectswordtoys.blogspot.com/2018/04/rebuilding-johnny-seven-one-man-army.html?m=1
And so to the present. Having finished my Secret Sam rifle recently I was looking for something else to make, when I came across a bunch of old Nerf guns at the Thorpe Arch boot sale. Bingo! £4 later I had my raw materials for making a ........
..... Johnny Seven!
With a good dose of bits from my bits box and a pair of plastic shoe horns the toy began to take shape.
A couple of home-made missiles completed the look.
Dipping my toe into paint spraying for the first time, I took my mock-off in the garden ......
... And primed it red.
I made a whole armoury of missiles!
And here's Johnny!
The One Man Army made in the kitchen!
Hope you like it.
You can see it's a similar size to the original.
Phew! Boy, was it fiddly but lots of Topper fun!
*
Next up, Redbox Secret Agent.
Impressive recreation! That particular toy must be so important to you. Well done!
ReplyDeleteThanks a lot Arto! It is. Somehow symbolises my childhood for me.
DeleteThat's great!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kevin.
DeleteBest toy ever, always wanted one.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing.
Willz.
You're welcome Willz.
DeleteWow, that is a really complex looking recreation. Not something I would dare to tackle. Well done.
ReplyDeleteThree hundred pounds (about $600 NZ) is way beyond my reach.That toy clearly meant a lot to you. I have gone a bit over $100 on a couple of occasions for a single item.
Thanks a lot Paul.
DeleteThey look good side by side!
ReplyDeleteI was aware of the Johnny 7 as a kid, but like the Tiger Joe tank, it was something I never really aspired to.
Of course nowadays both toys are coloured by their Thunderbirds heritage!
I can't see a Johnny 7 without thinking of Gordon's Zero-X rescue cable cannon!
Thanks Looey! I really must watch that cable cannon!
Deletebrilliant job! I had to look twice when i first saw it! Bill
ReplyDeleteThanks a bunch Bill. Too kind. The real J7 is an engineering wonder!
Deleteyours is quite a feat of imagination too!
DeleteThanks a lot!
DeleteWord on the street is that the Impossible Missions Force require a new master-armourer... I've put your name down, Woodsy. Cool piece of work indeed :)
ReplyDeleteHa ha! Thanks Tone.
DeleteA truly magical recreation, something precious from your childhood. And I am gladdened to see you are spray painting now - that will open up a whole new world to you. SFZ
ReplyDeleteYes, I enjoyed spraying SF. Thanks a lot.
DeleteWHOA! That is one HECKUVA build Woodsy! I half expect to see a full-sized M4 Sherman tank built from bits-&-pieces next hahaha
ReplyDeleteHee hee, now there's an idea Ed! Thanks mate.
DeleteGotta love the Nerf and those hand held Dyson vacuum cleaners for toy guns and sci-fi cosplay
ReplyDeleteHa ha, what a great idea. A Dyson handheld for cosplay!
Delete