Tonto 1967 & Jed Gibson

Tonto was the companion to the Lone Ranger and Aurora released him with a very inspired base.  The eagle is a great touch.  That being said, if you place him on the shelf properly, he is facing away from the audience.  Not sure what is up with that.  Unfortunately for my shelf, I have the same problem with this kit that I have with the Lone Ranger.  Can't bring myself to open it.  Come to think of it, Tonto in the most recent travesty, I mean, motion picture, looked so different from anything traditional his appearance may be what kept any current model companies from making a re-pop so I could build the kit without having to open a 40 year old model.  Then on the other hand, I am probably just making that up in my own head.  They would have to create a new Lone Ranger, too, cause this guy looked nothing like Clayton Moore.  More than likely, the truth is no one is really making a lot of re-pops because they simply do not sell as well as new kits do.  Though, to be honest, re-pops of pretty much anything that has not been available for 40 plus years would kind of be new.  Just sayin.

I will also toss out that anyone contemplating a collection even as limited as mine should be aware of the space required.  The Aurora part of the collection I have shown so far takes up 32 feet of shelving.  That is a lot of shelf space.  This does not include the model cars, diorama parts, etc which I showed in last year.  Just be aware.

Comic Ad for the kits:

Original box:

My not built up:

Johnny West Corner

Jed Gibson

Jed is the last of the original figures from the Johnny West/Fort Apache Fighters, Best of the West/Johnny West Adventures line.  He is also the only African-American figure in the line.  Jed is one of the two highest priced figures.  He was released in 1975 only as part of the Johnny West Adventures line.  He is the other must have figure.  I can pretty much guarantee if you don't have one, he is at the top of your want list.  I can only assume scouts didn't sell too well.  Bill Buck was only around for one year.  Jed might have last longer, but that whole stopping the line thing ended him along with all the rest.  It is amazing to me with the gear only used on three short time figures (Boone, Buck and Gibson) just how much of it is still around.  Jed's accessories were cream and brown for soft and gold for hard, so his accessories are very hard to find.  Some I have seen are outfitted with brown and black, but because the owner either can't find or doesn't want to spend the money on the "real" thing.  I figure, whatever makes you happy is good with me.  It is your collection and how you collect should not be dictated by others.  I know a lot of collectors who think if you have not obtained at least one really nice box per figure you don't "really" have a collection. :)

You know, this guy is cool and all, but I think I might have been happier with a 9th or 10th Cavalry Regiment NCO or trooper rather than another scout.