All Sigma 6 Sea Ops Duke
The ARAH v1 Torpedo was one of my first G.I. Joe figures and while Wet-Suit became my default diver (his head was easier to swap out... long story) Torpedo still holds a special place in my memories of Saturday morning battles in my playroom. When the Sigma 6 Sea Ops Duke came out I knew I had to make him into Torpedo. So here he is. Enjoy!
Base Figure: Sea Ops Duke
Paint: Testors Model Masters Light Ghost Gray, Model Masters Steel, gloss orange, flat black
I started out painting the Duke hair black to get a feel for the character. Then I painted the blue parts of Duke's Sigma suit and fins light gray to match the original Torpedo dive suit. I added some steel accents to the boots and molded on belt (as dive weights) and to the suits zipper. I painted the scuba tank in the light gray and orange to match the v1 Torpedo's scuba tank. I still need to find a decent gun to work into a spear gun because I feel the Duke spear gun is way too cartoony but it will do for now.
I used the new Sigma 6 Central Battle Files bio for Torpedo since he ties in with my Rock 'n Roll custom. Kudos to General Hawk and the S6C crew for such a great idea!
"From Sigma 6 Centrals Battle Files"
Code Name: Torpedo
Real Name: Leialoha, Edward W.
Navy S.E.A.L.
Primary Specialty: Sea Operations
Secondary Specialty: Demolitions
Weapon Proficiency: Switchfire modular firearms; mini-sub; all NATO and Warsaw Pact Small Arms and Explosives
Torpedo was the man in charge of S.E.A.L. Team Eight and was personally responsible for leading many top secret operations behind enemy lines. An expert at tactical planning as well as extremely proficient at executing those planned operations. He worked hand-in-hand with the Department of Defense, and was the go-to guy when planning operations, specifically in the Middle East. Leialoha had spent many of his years as a S.E.A.L. working the Persian Gulf region and had quickly become an expert in his field. His close work with the Muslim culture gave him knowledge that he could use, and a tactical advantage. He relayed this information perfectly, until one fateful night.
Leialoha led Team Eight to an Operational Objective where they were instructed to hold tight and monitor the goings-on within. Torpedo followed his orders, but became disturbed when their objectives appeared to have hostages...and the hostages appeared to be Americans. Drawing from his vast playbook of experience when dealing with terrorists, Torpedo elected to move the team in and prepare for an extraction. But these were not normal terrorists. Team Eight descended on their targets, and quickly found, not your typical ragtag group of extremists, but an exceedingly well-equipped and highly trained squad of combatants. They wore heavy body armor and helmets, red facemasks and carried top of the line automatic weapons. The Americans that the S.E.A.L.s had gone in to save ended up being members of this terrorist organization, and immediately turned upon their would-be rescuers. The entirety of Team Eight was brutally gunned down by these unusual enemies, leaving Torpedo as the sole survivor. Shot numerous times in his body armor, as well as in his body, Torpedo slipped away and dropped into the water, barely making it back to the LZ alive.
As he healed, he studied up on this apparent new menace and searched long and hard for the mysterious snake-like logo they wore on their uniforms. His determined searching for an answer to this new, unknown danger, threw up numerous red flags high up the chain of command. Just as Torpedo finished his last physical therapy appointment and was prepared to return to a desk job, something he wanted no part of, General Clayton Abernathy caught up with him. He extended an offer to join Sigma 6, and Torpedo did not hesitate to sign up.
