Welcome to the 1:6 scale diorama masterpieces of Bill Ruperto Owner: Bill Ruperto, Leesburg, FL Email: GIJOEBILL@webtv.net (Right- Bill and his beautiful wife standing outside the storefront where his diorama was displayed.) I started collecting vintage and repro GIJOEs in 1992. I would hunt around flea markets and garage sales for Joes without much success. But, while hunting, I would find 1/6 scale props and accessories and throw them in a box for later. Eventually, I made several medium size military dioramas with "blood and guts" themes. This did not work well with normal home decor, so I would soon tear them down and put my toys away again. Then I started making a few small civilian type dioramas with my flea market finds. I built the GIjOE Garage that you see for the 2004 GIjOE Convention in Orlando, Florida. It took me about 10 days to build. The pics don't show all of the action I tried to add (i.e. the Shell signs actually spins, there is a ceiling fan in the rafters that turns, and I added some LED lights in the motor so it looks like sparks from the Joe that is welding). My wife and I have really enjoyed the reactions from both Joeheads and non-collectors alike. I will try to get some updated pics of my collection and send them to GIjOE Collections as soon as I can. The dioramas appeared in a storefront window (see photo above) on Main Street for Bikefest.They close down Main Street for the bikers and said about 125,000-150,000 attended .The bikers loved it. We stood over in the shadows and watched their reactions. It was fun to watch those big "bad ass bikers" act like they were 8 years old again! ---Bill Ruperto Bill proves the old saying that "If you want something done right, do it yourself." This is an AMAZING garage diorama, all hand-built. Look at the extensive use of scale props and the welder Joe in the background. What a perfect use of that old mask! And dig his blue coveralls too, and the scale compressor on the checkered tile floor. Wow! Here's a closeup. Joe and "Other Joe" are working on the blower. Uh...why is Joe smoking while in the garage? Bill? Is that safe? Smaller diorama with an amazing Joe "James" Dean working on his Harley Courier Bike. Adventurer Joe says, "Check the oil, boy. And be QUICK about it!" Mechanic Joe responds, "Yes, sir! Yes, sir!" We're left speechless looking at this shot. Think about what you're actually seeing here for a minute: Bill's constructed a full, 1:6 scale garage BUILDING! Look how BIG it is! There's also a 1:6 scale water tower, rotating 1:6 Shell sign, full INDOOR lighting, office with interior and so much more. HOLY COW! (You can pick your jaw up off the floor now.) In yet another amazing diorama, General Lee is seen operating his own general store after the war. (Get it? "General" store? HA.) This shot shows how Bill creates a whole new scene simply by mixing up his figures and props. Now General Lee prepares to take the refurbed Harley out for a spin, while fuzz-haired "4-eyes" Joe seems to prefer the shiny red Indian cycle in the foreground. Poor "Welder Joe" is still hard at work. Adult passers-by see the diorama and feel like kids again! More Indoor Dioramas And Don't Miss... Collections Indoor Dioramas Outdoor Photos Custom Figures Custom Vehicles Tips & Tricks Club Websites Feedback Submit Your Collection About GIjOE Collections Cool Links HOME Address any questions or comments to webmaster Mark Otnes, at 303 E. Sherwin Drive, Urbana, IL 61802, or Phone: 217-337-1706 or Email: sterling@shout.net