Here is my custom 12 inch figure of Destro, based on the original design for the 3 3/4 inch figure and the original card art. I had a really tough time with this figure. Initially, I wanted to use the chrome head from a Destro figure released in the GI JOE vs. COBRA line, but I could not figure out how to get the chrome plated head off the body without damaging it. Later, they released a better Destro head that is seen in the final version pictured below. I started off with the Lanard 12 inch figure as a base, with a real leather outfit. The leather outfit was too thick and bulky, and the red collar I made for it really looked bad upon close inspection. I never could figure out the wrist gauntlets either. The figure was a disastrous waste of time and money and languished in the failure bin for quite some time. When Sideshow released their Destro figure, I again rolled my eyes because they got so many details wrong as opposed to staying true to the great original design, yet I couldn't help but notice that some of the parts were beautifully made. As fate would have it, I found a seller on Ebay who broke down the Sideshow figure and was selling parts individually. So yes, I cheated. I begrudgingly paid for the over-priced parts from the ridiculously over-priced Sideshow figure, which include the hands, the gauntlets, the necklace, the red collared vest, and the laser gun. I decided to use a black wetsuit made from stretchy faux leather as the base outfit, for which I had two. Well, the wetsuit did not fit the Lanard figure, so I had to use a standard GI JOE body. I placed the Hasbro head onto the body and cut off the hands, hollowing out the forearms with the dremel tool. I cut the hood and the zipper from the front of the wetsuit, as I wanted Destro's chest to be exposed somewhat. When putting on the wetsuit, parts of it was damaged as the surface material cracked and peeled where I had cut it. Stupid cheap thing. The other wetsuit was a high dollar one of better quality, and it ended up working better. Again, I cut the hood and zipper off. I carefully taped the cut edges of the suit to the sides of the base body's torso so that it would stay in place, making sure the tape would be out of site once the vest piece was put on. I placed the gauntlets on the figure, then used epoxy to secure the swivel base of the hands into the forearm holes. I put the vest on, and it matched the black color of the wetsuit perfectly, making it look more like a jacket than a vest, as it should be. I put a belt around the waste and over the vest, and made a longer shoulder strap with the walkie talkie glued on. I cut strips of red leather (left over from the earlier costume failure) to make the leg holster, adding clips to make them removable. This figure was a real pain in the bottom to get made, but the end result was well worth it. Yes, I will say it...my Destro looks better than Sideshow's Destro, though I couldn't have done it without Sideshow!!!! Please check out my other GI JOE custom figures!