Halbarad Dúnadan: It begins. . .

This posting is about a week late, but what is one to do. . .

Unfortunately, Chuck didn't receive it in time for the Show, and--in fact--didn't receive it until this past week. . . mid-week to be precise.

In any case, the figure is now before me. All I can say is that going forward, I will buy a figure within the first quarter of its release, or not at all--ever! The molds are in dire need of replacement (mold- shift and flash abound); and while the packaging is ample and sturdy enough, the cavalier placement of the components in the box resulted in unnecessary dings and blemishes which will have to be addressed. In spite of this, the figure is eminently suitable for what I have in mind.

In the last hour, I have made considerable headway on the preliminaries:

• Ground-off the mounting lugs on the soles of the boots.
• Reduced the length of the surcoat--front and back--by some 10mm.
• Ground-off the rosary.
• Reduced the shield fittings molded on figure.
• Began tweaking the fit of the half-face to the 2-piece hood, as well as that of the hood to the mantle.
  

I will probably peg the figure (feet) over the weekend, and follow-up with some images in the next fortnight.

UPDATE
The figure is now pegged and mounted on its working base. I've also separated--carefully!--the clasped hands.

Most of the work this evening has involved the the mantle (2 pieces), which has now been assembled. While the mantle is cast in two pieces, there are actually three elements to it: the individually cast pieces, and a folded-over portion that has been molded in situ comprising the right shoulder of the figure. This latter portion has been ground-off, paving the way for the reworking of the former surcoat, and--more importantly--the creation of a one-piece cloak.