Iron Patriot (2)

The decision has been made: the leg harnesses will be redone.

While I am still faced with the frustration of an indeterminate armour type, and the variability in the published artwork, the panels/plates as sculpted would not accommodate the colour scheme of the IP.

I have just finished roughing-in the plates on the left leg. As soon as I get these to a near-"final finishing" stage, I will post images so that you can see a graphic comparison--stock vs. modified--of the legs.

Iron Patriot (1)

The body, as I said, is essentially done. I spent a couple of hours this evening working it over with 4/0 steel wool and re-scribing some of the "panel lines". All good. The only areas that still requires some work are the boots, and these have been puttied and are now curing in the oven. . .

. . . along with the reworked chest plate. This is still very much a work-in-progress, but the basic shape and lower transitional plate have been roughed in.

FOLLOW-UP--20.08.10
After reworking the fit of the figure to the supplied groundwork/ base--it was very poor, I continued refining the chest plate, and touching up areas that were less the satisfactory.

So far, I am very pleased with what is developing; however, some major decisions re: the leg harnesses will have to be made in the next few days. In short, given the lack of a definitive armour type associated with the IP, and the variability in the artwork, do I settle for an approximation that captures the spirit of the character; OR, do I try to reproduce a given armour from a given arc?

Upon further consideration. . .

While I am unequivocally resentful of having to do KM's work for them--especially after having paid for the privilege, I am perversely appreciative of this opportunity to re-immerse myself in the basics of this hobby of ours. There is something very gratifying to see a crude, rough casting transform before your very eyes into a finished, brushed-metal sculpture that can be displayed "as is" if one so chose.

I now have about 3 hrs. invested in the "clean-up" of this figure. By "clean-up" I mean going plate-by-plate with file and sandpaper, X-acto and scriber, epoxy putty and steel wool, and refinishing the figure to my standards--I am about 40% done.

It is definitely slow-going. . . and the softer metal requires a light touch and sharp instruments; but this is the very foundation upon which our hobby is built. Sadly, this essential skillset is not only largely lost upon relative newcomers to the hobby, but is rapidly being forgotten by "veterans" who should know better.

I figure I might have about another 12 hrs. or so of work ahead of me before I can begin the conversion to the Iron Patriot in earnest. Whatever it takes. . .

UPDATE
A mindless marathon session later, and I would say the main body and arms are about 75% done, with the head about 50% completed. The casting has been given its first buffing, and it is looking quite good. There are still what I am presuming are a few stray seam lines to address, and sharpening soft detail and creating some overlooked undercuts. If work isn't too draining this week, I might be able to begin the converting this weekend. . .

FOLLOW-UP
Unless you are one of the fortunate ones to have/receive a pristine--or nearly so--casting of this kit, plan on devoting 6 hrs., give or take, to getting the body up to speed. I figure I might have an additional hour or so to "tighten" things up and give the boots a final once over, but essentially the body is done. Now for the arms and head. . .

While I have you here, I dusted-off an old technique that I used to use all the time to deal with isolated and/or limited pitting, and vestigial seam lines: burnishing. Rather than take file to a limited-access area, or expand the pitting to have it accept putty more readily--and securely, burnish out the offending imperfection with a dental tool or a custom-made tool from brass tubing or rod. Obviously, this will only work on softer metal figures--like this one!

Knight Models' Iron Man (KMV002)

Knight Models’ second release was that of everybody’s favorite eccentric military industrialist/playboy-cum-superhero, Iron Man, sculpted by José Miguel Caballero Delso. Rather than wade through the seemingly endless variants of published armor, KM took advantage of their license and the timing of the release, and based their rendition on the armor featured in the 2008 movie. Thus, purists might cry foul—especially if they were anticipating a series of “Shellhead”’s designer collection. . . which it looks like they might get anyway, as long as they don’t object to a cinematic provenance: the cinematic Mk. 1 was recently released by KM (KMV011) as a mixed media kit.

The height of the white metal kit (excluding the groundwork) is 70mm to the eye slits on the helmet. Were the figure standing straight, it would be closer to 75mm. As with all the 70mm figures to date, it is a limited edition of 500 issues: I received #391/500.

The figure is cast in 4 pieces, plus the groundwork. Comparing the casting quality to what is available in the marketplace, I would grade it as a C/C+ --which given the cost and the hype, I consider unacceptable. The metal is somewhat softer than the high-tin content mediums we have been exposed to of late, and there is an inordinate amount of pitting and rough texture throughout the casting. Seam lines are minimal, yes; but clean-up is awkward. Fit overall is G+. What could have been on the painting bench in less than a week’s time will now be a long-haul project that will take me back to days I would just as soon forget. . .

I am hoping that the at-best average quality of this kit is indicative of molds that should have been retired 50 or so castings prior, and/or a “youthful indiscretion” on the part of the venture. I am a Marvel fan, and I will certainly consider any “must have” offering in the future (e.g., the “Goblins” from Spiderman, Hawkeye, or Scarlet Witch), but I will be much more discriminating when it comes to reaching for the wallet.

Before closing. . . one of the reasons I am not more disappointed with this kit is that I never intended to do it as Iron Man. The whole reason behind this acquisition was to convert him into the Iron Patriot, one of Norman Osborn’s (aka the Green Goblin) alter-egos. As such, there will be some—minor—conversion work involved, which will allow me to address the casting quality issues.

More to follow. . .