The Rhino #3

Just returned from a thankfully brief business-related outing, and awaiting me was Knight Models' first release of Mr. Green himself, the Incredible Hulk (KMV004)!

First of all recognition, kudos, and thanks to an old friend and colleague from back in the day in Tampa, Ric Fenner. Ric had picked up this figure when it was still available, and he was less than overwhelmed with the production QC [and now that the figure is stripped, I can certainly under- stand why. . . OMG!!!!]--and just to be clear, he had received issue #89/500, or thereabouts (the collectors' card has long gone astray). I knew that he had put it on a backburner to simmer, so when my Rhino fever took hold, I reached out to Ric to see what, if anything, he had done with this kit, and if he would be willing to part with it.

Ric was most gracious in his response, and as luck would have it, he would be happy to see it go to a new home. I was [pleasantly!] surprised on two counts: 1) I knew how much work and teeth-gnashing had gone into getting this piece to the priming stage; and 2) Ric had not only already assembled and primed it, but uc'ed as well! Anyway, who was I to argue?! So once again, old friend. . . MANY THANKS!

If memory serves, this was the first all-resin release for KM. It is engineered in 4 pieces (plus groundwork), and scales out to close to 90mm overall ht. It was sculpted by Jérôme Renaud, who also sculpted the 3-in-1 follow-up, amongst others.

This will be a long-term project that will see the Hulk converted/resculpted into the charging Rhino. As soon as the figure comes out of the Super-Clean (it's been in for less than an hour and it's already close to done!), I will move it to the workbench and start planning. . .

FOLLOW-UP. . . The figure is now stripped, and drying in the oven. Grinding will begin shortly. . .