Tank Girl -- Prepwork III

This step was one of general finishing and assembly. The utility pouch (lt) has been permanently attached, and the magazine pouch (rt) should be attached DONE by the end of the weekend. 

The right sidelock has been attached, using Ultra Glue as the adhesive. I intend to attach the left sidelock tomorrow DONE, thus paving the way for adding the stubble of the shorn scalp IP DONE.

“When the cost of a hobby exceeds the fun and doesn't attract new people, the game is over.” -
Oscar Koveleski, August 2003

Tank Girl -- Groundwork (2)

With the plinth permanently attached and the figure fitted, I filled the dead space around the figure, squaring the groundwork to the edges of the display base. Save for final texturing--and the possibility of adding some scrub brush--the groundwork is done!

“When the cost of a hobby exceeds the fun and doesn't attract new people, the game is over.” -
Oscar Koveleski, August 2003

Tank Girl -- Prepwork II-Shorts

As with any figure, each miniaturist will invariably have “quibbles” over the design and engineering of their particular subject. Some are valid. . . most are not. However, I do have one rather significant “quibble” that should not be disregarded: the figure is wearing braces (suspenders) and a g-string/ thong!

To what, pray tell, might the braces be attached???!!! I suppose that, conceivably, they might be clipped to the waist string; but that doesn’t quite make sense—if for no other reason than why would you need braces to hold-up a g-string?!

It’s this artistic lapse that has prompted the main item on my TDL: sculpt a pair of short shorts on TG's front, while leaving her gluteals exposed. As to the textured cummerbund (the source illustration depicts it as a wrapped US flag), I am interpreting this as a somewhat frayed elastic bandeau top that TG has pulled down around her waist before strapping-on her bike-chain belt.

The shorts have been sculpted [MS], and are now in the process of being detailed/finished. . .

“When the cost of a hobby exceeds the fun and doesn't attract new people, the game is over.” -
Oscar Koveleski, August 2003

Tank Girl -- Groundwork (1)

Given the pre-assembly painting required by this figure, as well as the inherent hardships in rea- listically depicting the casual, supported (3-point) pose of the same, I decided to square-away the groundwork before continuing work on the figure.

The groundwork provided, if one decides to use the plinth, is a challenge to stage for display while minimizing the dead space around the figure. I decided on a trapezoidal display pedestal, which not only fulfills this requirement, but creates an interesting structural flow and visual interest.

Once I conclude the finishing, I will permanently attach the plinth to the display base DONE, and proceed with finishing the groundwork.

“When the cost of a hobby exceeds the fun and doesn't attract new people, the game is over.” -
Oscar Koveleski, August 2003

Let the 'labor pains' begin. . . Prepwork I

While I stand by my original assessment re: the quality of the castings, it is never that easy. . . not if you want to do it right. 

To date:

• The groundwork has been assembled.
• The head and the left arm have been pegged with tin solder.
• The left hand has been permanently attached to the left arm.
• The right foot has been pegged: “dogleg” mounting peg made from a large "non-skid" paper clip.
• General clean-up has begun. . .  

My only criticism to date is the absence of a positive interface between the figure and the supporting wall.

“When the cost of a hobby exceeds the fun and doesn't attract new people, the game is over.” -
Oscar Koveleski, August 2003

Mindwork Games' Stompin' Suzie

Those of you who have been with me a while know that there is usually one, usually special figure that finds its way onto my Santa Wish-list. This year, that figure is Mindwork Games’ Stompin’ Suzie. Call her what you will, this is a stunning 75mm rendition of fan-fave Tank Girl (TG), based on a conceptual illustration by David Benzal, with the digital sculpture executed by Victor Aguilar. . . 

 

By way of introduction, Mindwork Games is a relatively new (+/- 5 years old) Italian company based in the Abruzzo region of Italy. While their earlier releases did not strike a chord personally (mainly ‘minis’), their releases of the last 2 years or so are as compelling as they are worthy of attention—to say nothing of strong consideration! 

And Rebecca arrived this week! In what has become a household tradition, this was this year’s early prezzie to me. . . Tante grazie, Signora Claus!

First Impressions: Mindwork Games' presentation and customer service are ottimi! The kit (I received issue 17/200) is comprised of 10 resin pieces + the resin groundwork (2 pcs.). The castings are pristine!! And after preliminary clean-up, I am delighted to report that the medium is amongst the best PUR I have seen from a European manufacturer!!!

I intend to start working on her this weekend. Unless I have overlooked some yet-to-be-seen “rough” spots. etc., most of the clean-up work should be concluded within a fortnight; then comes the fun-stuff!

In closing, I am overjoyed!!! If you are at all interested, now is the time to act: Mindwork Games’ Sig- nature Series releases are primarily licensed limited editions, and as a testament to their quality and appeal, they DO go fast. . .

“When the cost of a hobby exceeds the fun and doesn't attract new people, the game is over.” -
Oscar Koveleski, August 2003