The kit is now assembled in toto.
While the prepwork/construction is done, I do not intend to launch the finishing/painting phase of the project until after the New Year . . . probably not until after the Show.
Until then. . .
After 8 months on pre-order, I received X-Plus’s Maschinenmensch from Fritz Lang’s silent classic, Metropolis (1927), this week.
Maschinenmensch was one of the first, and perhaps most iconic fictional robots ever depicted in cinema, and went on to be one of the primary influences of robotic design in feature film.
The ⅛ scale model features the gynoid 'Maria' arguably in ‘her’ most iconic pose, posed before the chair/ ‘throne’ that 'she' recently occupied: the latter serves as an appropriately thematic base for the model.
Though it is marketed as a "glue-together" kit, the snap-together design of the core kit is plainly evi- dent. Interestingly, no mention or allusion to a no-glue finish is anywhere to be found in the instruc- tions, etc. This is a ‘hybrid’ kit, with some subassemblies glue-based, but with the figure itself being primarily a "snap-fit" assembly. Having said that, extensive dry-fitting and dry-assembly is a pre-requisite to the application of glue.
The kit is cast in injection-molded gold (figure) and light grey (display setting) polystyrene. The polystyrene is excellent: better-than-average heat resistance, though somewhat brittle and ‘layered’. Overall fit is G+ to VG+: the underlying 'mannequin sub-figure’ fit is not as precise as it might be; but that of the armour defining the kit is near-excellent! Overall, I would have to grade this kit as a solid "B+".
The instruction sheet, one sheet, 2 pages, is very good, and would be welcome--and appreciated!--by anyone with even moderate plastic figure experience.
Before closing, I have just found out that there will be a second Metropolis offering from X-Plus: a seated Maschinenmensch! It is scheduled for release in 2023, and I will be placing my pre-order as soon as it is announced!
“When the cost of a hobby exceeds the fun and doesn't attract new people, the game is over.” -
Oscar Koveleski, August 2003
By way of a quick Reference Note. . . The subject's character habitually wore three belts when fully armed: a heavier--and shorter--tunic belt; and two sword belts--I presume one of the latter was to suspend Davos' dagger; though I don't recall ever seeing him wear one without the other.
In any event, the kit provides only two belts: a somewhat thinner tunic belt; and the sword belt. I bring this to your attention in case you are so inclined to completely accurize the kit; I decided that the return on the time and effort that would be required was simply not worth it. If the arms had been provided as separate pieces, I would have perhaps given it further thought, but as it stands. . . no!
The amount of work planned and underway has decidedly elevated this kit beyond that of an OOB project. . .
To be continued. . .
