First of all, a Happy All Hallow's Eve to one and all.
While the kit is definitely not worth salvaging, I can not see my way clear to throw away $75.00! And as I know if I simply put it away, it will never get built, I've decided to press on until I can go no further. Fortunately, I just received a resupply of MS last week!
Progress reports to follow as warranted. . .
BENCHNOTES (1) 01.11.10 The one virtually insurmountable hurdle to be overcome is the differential in shrinkage between the PUR and the white metal. This is not only the primary cause of the deplorable fit, but due to the non-keyed joins, makes it virtually impossible to assemble intuitively.
The basic structure is now assembled. It took over 4 sessions of buttressing the undersides of cape/throne sides with MS. It also demanded that the drapery of the cape be restored to what I presumed were its original dimensions, again with MS: the left side is all but done; the right awaits. Needless to say, the miniaturist best be thinking about how he or she will tackle the painting of this "puzzle", lest all this work--and all that remains--amount to naught!
The sabatons have been ground down, roughly shaped, and the right one repositioned. The poorly cast floor, useless as provided, will not be used. The mantle clasps have been redone: the left one in my sample was missing a section of the turned edge: so much for quality control. Which is just as well as Doom's clasps were not turned! The gauntlet cuffs have been beefed up, and now await finishing.
Before closing for the day, should you venture to acquire this disaster, the key to it all is the back of the throne. Figure out what you're supposed to do with this, and everything will more or less begin to come together. . .
BENCHNOTES (1a) 01.11.10 I have just completed fitting the back of the throne to the assembled 3-pcs. "structure" described above. As there is a considerable gap between the back of the throne and the figure (cf. the green), the first thing I did was fill the hollowed back of the figure with MS. I then drilled two holes in the back of the throne, which when pressed into the MS, would create two male locater pegs. The assembled throne was then set aside to cure. Please note that this is but step one, albeit the most critical, of what will be a rather prolonged process to give the throne a finished look from any perspective.
31 October 2010
29 October 2010
Knight Models' Doctor Doom (KMV018)--REVIEW
It has arrived (from The Red Lancers, of course)!!! Issue #56(!)/500.
I consider myself a somewhat experienced, logical miniaturist who can think "outside the box" (literally and figuratively) and overcome just about any problem that a manufacturer can throw at me. Well... either I have an overinflated impression of myself; or don't expect to see many Doctor Dooms on the show tables in the near future--if ever!
The kit is comprised of 11 pieces: 4 PUR and 7 white metal. The PUR pieces and one of the white metal pieces comprise the throne and floor; the balance of the white metal pieces make up the titular subject: head, torso, 2 arms and two legs. The metal casting quality is overall Good: for a new casting it is, at best, Fair; in one notable instance, Poor. The PUR castings are decidedly below average, with mold deterioration obvious and an unacceptable amount flash present. I will say that most of the molding problems point to a less than "finished" master sculpt and/or production prototypes.
The design is deplorable! Neither the throne nor the figure is a stand alone item: the figure has no back, the throne has no seat, and most of the voluminous cape is part of the respective arms of the throne!! What makes this worse is the fact that there is no way to assemble a PUR throne around a white metal figure and hope to be able to correct any mistake/s! And given the different shrinkage coefficients of the respective mediums, how can any manufacturer expect to reproduce the fit--to say nothing of a seamless fit --of the master? [NOTE: If you look closely at "the green", the master's fit was anything but seamless!]
This will be the last Knight Models release I will buy. This company desperately needs to reassess its production design and capabilities-- AND its quality control!--if it expects to capitalize its niche market position, to say nothing of survive. Unless, of course, their true target audience is the collector, not the miniaturist--which would explain a lot!!!
FINAL VERDICT: After spending most of the afternoon trying to find "the key" that would unlock the mystery behind assembling this kit and making it fit, and discovering a number of production deviations from the master, I have come to the conclusion that this is very possibly the worst designed kit vis-à-vis its production quality I have ever had the displeasure to have purchased!
Knight Models: you have lost a patron and a fan
. In the days to come, I will decide if it is worth salvaging, or if I've just thrown away $75.00!
I consider myself a somewhat experienced, logical miniaturist who can think "outside the box" (literally and figuratively) and overcome just about any problem that a manufacturer can throw at me. Well... either I have an overinflated impression of myself; or don't expect to see many Doctor Dooms on the show tables in the near future--if ever!
The kit is comprised of 11 pieces: 4 PUR and 7 white metal. The PUR pieces and one of the white metal pieces comprise the throne and floor; the balance of the white metal pieces make up the titular subject: head, torso, 2 arms and two legs. The metal casting quality is overall Good: for a new casting it is, at best, Fair; in one notable instance, Poor. The PUR castings are decidedly below average, with mold deterioration obvious and an unacceptable amount flash present. I will say that most of the molding problems point to a less than "finished" master sculpt and/or production prototypes.
The design is deplorable! Neither the throne nor the figure is a stand alone item: the figure has no back, the throne has no seat, and most of the voluminous cape is part of the respective arms of the throne!! What makes this worse is the fact that there is no way to assemble a PUR throne around a white metal figure and hope to be able to correct any mistake/s! And given the different shrinkage coefficients of the respective mediums, how can any manufacturer expect to reproduce the fit--to say nothing of a seamless fit --of the master? [NOTE: If you look closely at "the green", the master's fit was anything but seamless!]
This will be the last Knight Models release I will buy. This company desperately needs to reassess its production design and capabilities-- AND its quality control!--if it expects to capitalize its niche market position, to say nothing of survive. Unless, of course, their true target audience is the collector, not the miniaturist--which would explain a lot!!!
FINAL VERDICT: After spending most of the afternoon trying to find "the key" that would unlock the mystery behind assembling this kit and making it fit, and discovering a number of production deviations from the master, I have come to the conclusion that this is very possibly the worst designed kit vis-à-vis its production quality I have ever had the displeasure to have purchased!
Knight Models: you have lost a patron and a fan
. In the days to come, I will decide if it is worth salvaging, or if I've just thrown away $75.00!
26 October 2010
Jack O'Lantern--Prepwork. . . continued
Just by way of update, I think I have all-but-completed roughing-in the replacement scales. I have not reworked the entire scaled jerkin. . . I would say about half, give or take. If I am indeed done, then I should be able to start final finishing this Halloween weekend. . . 
23 October 2010
News from Moebius!!!!!
It was announced at last week's iHobby Expo that Moebius will be releasing an injection-molded kit of Natalia Romanova, bka Black Widow, based on the Scarlett Johansson character in Iron Man 2.
http://culttvman.com/main/?p=14093
There will be a third Iron Man kit released along with the Black Widow, though I am surprised there was no mention of a War Machine offering. . .
Those who scroll down the entire on-site report will also notice the painted build-up of the new Dracula prototype. Apparently there will be a deluxe version of the kit that adds a female figure to the model. Obviously, the projected Halloween release date is not going to happen, but that's OK. . . 2011 is shaping up quite nicely.
FOLLOW-UP. . . Tooling on Dracula has begun, and a tentative release target is Q1, 2011. Hope to have a ballpark release date for Black Widow soon. . . UPDATE: BW is tentatively scheduled for a late Q1-early Q2 release. . .
http://culttvman.com/main/?p=14093
There will be a third Iron Man kit released along with the Black Widow, though I am surprised there was no mention of a War Machine offering. . .
Those who scroll down the entire on-site report will also notice the painted build-up of the new Dracula prototype. Apparently there will be a deluxe version of the kit that adds a female figure to the model. Obviously, the projected Halloween release date is not going to happen, but that's OK. . . 2011 is shaping up quite nicely.
FOLLOW-UP. . . Tooling on Dracula has begun, and a tentative release target is Q1, 2011. Hope to have a ballpark release date for Black Widow soon. . . UPDATE: BW is tentatively scheduled for a late Q1-early Q2 release. . .
16 October 2010
Knight Models' Doctor Doom (KMV018)
As I mentioned in a comment to an earlier posting, KM's October releases will feature--on the Marvel side--the ruler of Latveria, Victor von Doom, bka Dr. Doom.
The presentation is classic: a pondering Doom, slouched on his throne, hands steepled before him. The only thing that might have been better would be one arm across an arm of the throne, holding a bejeweled goblet. . .
But I digress. The drapery of belted tabard and voluminous cloak is extravagantly exquisite. And there is a wrinkled rug, that while defying logic, serves a masterful purpose.
Why then have I not already placed an order for this kit? Two reasons: the leg harnesses and the cuffs of the gauntlet.
I am not particularly taken with the shape of the sabatons; but there is a canonical provenance to the style, if not the mass. The leg harnesses, especially the left one, is a different story altogether: the cuisse does not line-up with the poleyn; and the medial ridge of the greave is not straight. The right leg harness suffers from its own shortcomings, though not as dramatic, if not simply less visible.
The cuffs of the gauntlet are simply nonsensical: massive forearms are reduced to wrists less than half their diameter!
If these kits were not €50 srp, I might consider buying one and putting it away for an inspired rainy day; but at over US$70 srp--before customs; shipping; etc.--that is too much money to acquire an unfinished product.
FOLLOW-UP. . . Just saw "the greens" (read: masters) of the two new Marvel releases, and while my appraisal has not changed one iota, my estimation of the piece's build-up potential has. The necessary corrections can be made relatively simply, and I now have this piece on order. . . Full, hand's-on review to follow. . .
The presentation is classic: a pondering Doom, slouched on his throne, hands steepled before him. The only thing that might have been better would be one arm across an arm of the throne, holding a bejeweled goblet. . .
But I digress. The drapery of belted tabard and voluminous cloak is extravagantly exquisite. And there is a wrinkled rug, that while defying logic, serves a masterful purpose.
Why then have I not already placed an order for this kit? Two reasons: the leg harnesses and the cuffs of the gauntlet.
I am not particularly taken with the shape of the sabatons; but there is a canonical provenance to the style, if not the mass. The leg harnesses, especially the left one, is a different story altogether: the cuisse does not line-up with the poleyn; and the medial ridge of the greave is not straight. The right leg harness suffers from its own shortcomings, though not as dramatic, if not simply less visible.
The cuffs of the gauntlet are simply nonsensical: massive forearms are reduced to wrists less than half their diameter!
If these kits were not €50 srp, I might consider buying one and putting it away for an inspired rainy day; but at over US$70 srp--before customs; shipping; etc.--that is too much money to acquire an unfinished product.
FOLLOW-UP. . . Just saw "the greens" (read: masters) of the two new Marvel releases, and while my appraisal has not changed one iota, my estimation of the piece's build-up potential has. The necessary corrections can be made relatively simply, and I now have this piece on order. . . Full, hand's-on review to follow. . .
04 October 2010
Jack O'Lantern--DETOUR!!!
I can hear the chorus of, "I KNEW IT!!!" echoing in my ears. . .
What can I say. . . ? I must be true to myself, and the aesthetics of the bust were driving me nuts! Some of you in the readership can pretty much guess what is about to follow, so please, no spoiling it for the rest.
Here goes. My issue was with the right arm. . .
[Images courtesy of KitKong Model Mansion]
IMHO, the bust was not only "flattened" by the 'third point' in the 180° plane; but once I reposed the bust, the right arm was effectively dissociated from the body.
There were two options: 1) crop the right arm to the triceps, following the line of the lats; or, remove the arm, section it, extend/straighten it, and relocate it on the torso. The minimalist in me immediately gravitated towards option #1; but it just didn't work. Or, rather, it created ambiguities in the subject of the work. Furthermore, whereas the arm gave the bust a "lopsided" appearance, the absence of an arm created a spatial void.
So option #2 it was. . . is! The arm is now sectioned, tentatively reassembled, and pegged to the torso. The arm opening of the scaled jerkin will have to be reconstructed around the repositioned arm. As to how I've repositioned the arm. . . pictures to follow.
What can I say. . . ? I must be true to myself, and the aesthetics of the bust were driving me nuts! Some of you in the readership can pretty much guess what is about to follow, so please, no spoiling it for the rest.
Here goes. My issue was with the right arm. . .
[Images courtesy of KitKong Model Mansion]
IMHO, the bust was not only "flattened" by the 'third point' in the 180° plane; but once I reposed the bust, the right arm was effectively dissociated from the body.
There were two options: 1) crop the right arm to the triceps, following the line of the lats; or, remove the arm, section it, extend/straighten it, and relocate it on the torso. The minimalist in me immediately gravitated towards option #1; but it just didn't work. Or, rather, it created ambiguities in the subject of the work. Furthermore, whereas the arm gave the bust a "lopsided" appearance, the absence of an arm created a spatial void.
So option #2 it was. . . is! The arm is now sectioned, tentatively reassembled, and pegged to the torso. The arm opening of the scaled jerkin will have to be reconstructed around the repositioned arm. As to how I've repositioned the arm. . . pictures to follow.
03 October 2010
Jack O'Lantern--Prepwork
As I mentioned in the lead post, I have already executed some mods on the bust. The most significant mod is lopping off the pedestal and reducing the height of the actual bust. Those of you who have known me for a while are well aware of my sensitivity to proportional aesthetics when it comes to busts. Add to this the fact that the pedestal was moderately distorted (common on busts with en suite pedestals!), and the dice were cast!
Since I would have to resculpt a pedestal, and the proportions of the torso would be altered, it was time to reconsider the posing of the bust as well.
Finally, the proportions of the flaming head simply didn't work for me. They were not bad, just not a "full" pumpkin. I wrestled with this one a bit, as I was strongly leaning toward resculpting the head and casting the flames separately in tinted translucent resin. But once the bust was reposed and the head repositioned, the head was a much better "fit". I am in the process of tweaking the proportions, but just so, effecting a minor enhancement along the lower "jaw".
Images to follow as soon as I get a moment. . .
FOLLOW-UP
The bulk of the work is now done. Next up:
Since I would have to resculpt a pedestal, and the proportions of the torso would be altered, it was time to reconsider the posing of the bust as well.
Finally, the proportions of the flaming head simply didn't work for me. They were not bad, just not a "full" pumpkin. I wrestled with this one a bit, as I was strongly leaning toward resculpting the head and casting the flames separately in tinted translucent resin. But once the bust was reposed and the head repositioned, the head was a much better "fit". I am in the process of tweaking the proportions, but just so, effecting a minor enhancement along the lower "jaw".
Images to follow as soon as I get a moment. . .
FOLLOW-UP
The bulk of the work is now done. Next up:
- fitting the head (DONE!)
- cleaning up the scales; re-scribing or resculpting where necessary (already begun)
- attaching the arms and filling the joins
- fitting the pumpkin grenades--the fit is good, but the attachment shallow: I want to peg these to eliminate any surprises down the road. . . it will also give me something to put in the hand-vise during painting.
02 October 2010
KitKong's Model Mansion's Jack O'Lantern bust
I was recently referred to KitKong's Model Mansion and while browsing through their Villains section, I stumbled upon "Jack" (KKMM12). "Jack" is none other than Jason Philip Macendale, Jr., bka as Jack O'Lantern, but at one time or another also the Hobgoblin and Demogoblin.
The 1/6th scale "mini-bust" is sculpted by Chris Elizardo. It is produced in China in an interestingly tinted--lavender--cold-cast/ bonded porcelain, cast in 10 pcs. The piece is ably reviewed here on Monster Model Review #65. All I would add is that the castings are pre-prepped at the factory, thus eliminating a significant portion of the preparatory clean-up.
As I told James, the man behind KKMM, I am delighted with this kit, especially as I received considerably more than one might expect from the US$19.95 srp (yes. . . US$19.95!!!!). I have already executed some mods, with possibly more to come; but these are to satisfy my particular vision of the piece and the aesthetics of a bust, and not corrective measures demanded by sub-standard design or production. Quite the contrary!
I am now doing some general work on the piece. If I decide to throw this one in the ring at Atlanta, I will soon open a dedicated thread. But for now. . .
Back to the bench!
The 1/6th scale "mini-bust" is sculpted by Chris Elizardo. It is produced in China in an interestingly tinted--lavender--cold-cast/ bonded porcelain, cast in 10 pcs. The piece is ably reviewed here on Monster Model Review #65. All I would add is that the castings are pre-prepped at the factory, thus eliminating a significant portion of the preparatory clean-up.
As I told James, the man behind KKMM, I am delighted with this kit, especially as I received considerably more than one might expect from the US$19.95 srp (yes. . . US$19.95!!!!). I have already executed some mods, with possibly more to come; but these are to satisfy my particular vision of the piece and the aesthetics of a bust, and not corrective measures demanded by sub-standard design or production. Quite the contrary!
I am now doing some general work on the piece. If I decide to throw this one in the ring at Atlanta, I will soon open a dedicated thread. But for now. . .
Back to the bench!
01 October 2010
Knight Models' Green Goblin (KMV016)
I must have stared at the box, surfed the web, scratched my head. . . well, you get the idea. . . for nearly an hour before taking a deep breath and finally opening my third Knight Models kit.
As I mentioned way back when, I have a select few must-have characters on my list. One of these is our friendly, neighborhood web-slinger's arch-nemesis, Norman Osborn, bka The Green Goblin. So when KM finally announced their release of this character, I was ready to let bygones be bygones, and throw my money in the ring one . . . more. . . time. . . Speaking of money, this is a very reasonably priced offering relative to what we've had to date, especially if you consider that you get a mixed media kit of the GG on his bat glider...
So, what do we get? I received issue #151/500, and if what was in the collectible tin is any indication, then ordering asap after the kit is released is key to avoiding any major disappointment/s! While not bowled over with the quality, this is a significant (!) improvement over my past experiences. The glider is cast in 7 pieces, with the major structures (4, including exhaust plume) cast in light-grey PUR. Going over it with a fine toothed comb, I found about 10 air holes, which are now filled and curing. More disconcerting was the rough, uneven surface of the glider body: KM needs to pay more attention to the surface finish of their masters and prototypes.
The figure itself--7 pcs., white metal--is not bad at all. It appears that a harder alloy has been used, and surface texture, though a little rough and crystalline, should buff out nicely. No significant pitting discerned as of yet, though there are indications of super-cooling and/or short pours--again nothing significant, though the locating pegs, feet-to-glider, will require some work.
All in all, after a moderately in-depth examination, I would have to give this one a solid B, maybe a B1/2+. KM is not going to rock the world with their castings, but you have to applaud their creativity and their passion.
PS--As I mentioned earlier, this is not your "classical" GG. This is the GG from the Marvel Knights' Spider-man arc. . .
While it might not appeal to the purists, I applaud KM's decision to offer this variant--especially as Moebius has pretty-much sewn-up the classic version.
As I mentioned way back when, I have a select few must-have characters on my list. One of these is our friendly, neighborhood web-slinger's arch-nemesis, Norman Osborn, bka The Green Goblin. So when KM finally announced their release of this character, I was ready to let bygones be bygones, and throw my money in the ring one . . . more. . . time. . . Speaking of money, this is a very reasonably priced offering relative to what we've had to date, especially if you consider that you get a mixed media kit of the GG on his bat glider...
So, what do we get? I received issue #151/500, and if what was in the collectible tin is any indication, then ordering asap after the kit is released is key to avoiding any major disappointment/s! While not bowled over with the quality, this is a significant (!) improvement over my past experiences. The glider is cast in 7 pieces, with the major structures (4, including exhaust plume) cast in light-grey PUR. Going over it with a fine toothed comb, I found about 10 air holes, which are now filled and curing. More disconcerting was the rough, uneven surface of the glider body: KM needs to pay more attention to the surface finish of their masters and prototypes.
The figure itself--7 pcs., white metal--is not bad at all. It appears that a harder alloy has been used, and surface texture, though a little rough and crystalline, should buff out nicely. No significant pitting discerned as of yet, though there are indications of super-cooling and/or short pours--again nothing significant, though the locating pegs, feet-to-glider, will require some work.
All in all, after a moderately in-depth examination, I would have to give this one a solid B, maybe a B1/2+. KM is not going to rock the world with their castings, but you have to applaud their creativity and their passion.
PS--As I mentioned earlier, this is not your "classical" GG. This is the GG from the Marvel Knights' Spider-man arc. . .
While it might not appeal to the purists, I applaud KM's decision to offer this variant--especially as Moebius has pretty-much sewn-up the classic version.
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