Many collectors have had to learn how to repair and repaint MMM figures. The next logical step is to modify figures, creating new personalities. Collectors have created female astronauts or modeled figures to the likeness of famous individuals; here are some of my attempts at customizing...

One common theme in science fiction is genetically engineering humans to make them more suitable for space exploration. I envisioned this Major Matt Mason clone designed for the lunar landscape: a lower gravity field would negate some of the constraints placed upon the human body by Earth. Bodies could be larger, without the necessity of thicker bones and limbs. Additional joints would make one better suited for climbing cliffs and rocky craigs.

This figure was made using spare parts from junked figures; a simple cutting, rewiring and regluing job. A new paintjob complete the project. I also gave him both old and new NASA emblems on his shoulders. (It turns out that redesigning the human body for the Moon was only part of the rational behind this cloning/genetic engineering project. There was also a military motive: the arrival of Scorpion was viewed with some suspicion. Could he be trusted? Might there be less friendly members of his species? To be on the safe side, the Mason clones were designed to be a physical match for the Scorpioids! Were the clones possibly endowed with additional undisclosed abilities? Would they ever be put to the test?.........yup, I watch too much X-files!)

I actually have a lot of fun with this figure, using him as a sort of test pilot. He's been launched in a small rocket and parachuted to safety.

As mentioned earlier, I was never interested in the oversized Captain Lazer figure, but was intrigued by the character. So I customized one of the Sea Devils (a "cousin" of the Major's, also made by Mattel, exploring the deep sea instead of deep space) to the likeness of the Captain. I gave him MMM feet and a Sgt. Storm repainted head, made his boots and helmet out of aluminum foil, and made his belt, collar and trunks out of sheet styrene. Instead of the beacon, wand and shield attachments, I gave him a ray pistol, a sword, and a real shield, plus a holster and scabbard to put them in (the latter were depicted with the Captain in the coloring book). He received a major paint job with water-based acrylics and I mounted a painted chest-plate. Now he's big enough to operate most of the MMM equipment (he's a bit too wide to fit the Moon Suit); but he doesn't bend as well as the Major, since he did not come with bellowed joints.

I still need to fashion a jet pack; since he's only six inches tall, I can probably make a "flying" jetpack, like the one the Major has. Or, if I feel real enterprising, I could hook up fiber optics and make his chest and eyes light up (probably won't).

So what did I do with the leftover Sea Devil head? Well, he has joined the Major's crew. I gave him an astronaut suit repainted in the orange Sea Devil color (which actually came out quite close to the original Sgt. Storm color, just with a bit more of a "peach" tint to it).

I got quite lucky with this paint job....found a combination of primer and final coat that delivers a nice dry finish, i.e. no tackiness, which has been a real problem for repainters (it's not quite perfect, though. The paint is dry, but not as flexible as I'de like!). I even got the helmet to fit over the head! And here's a tip: to reduce the amount of paint wear on the neck ring caused by the helmet, file out the inner rim of the helmet a bit. it won't change the appearance, but it will make the fit not quite as tight!

You can e-mail me at Storto@pilot.msu.edu

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