The Punisher - Prepwork IV

10 days worth of observation and contemplation have resulted in a slight detour down a more "scenic route". . . 

This weekend, I prepped Frank's replacement weapons--including the pistol. The pistol would not replace the kit-provided weapon; rather, it would be relocated to its holster. Unfortunately the kit-  provided holster is a mess!  So I ordered ICM's 1/24 SWAT Team Fighter no. 1 (#24101), the first in an ongoing series of law-enforcement tactical units. As a brief aside, this kit has its pro- blems with proportions, scale, etc., but the quality of the sculpting and casting is a solid A--or better! In any event, I purchased it for its 'W' sprue: weapons and accessories.

To date, I have fitted the "baseplate" of the holster to the figure. I have also reworked the one(!) cargo pocket (L), and added a R cargo pocket.

Stay tuned. . . !

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

The Punisher - Prepwork III

As I indicated in the initial entry, one of the first things I did was rough-in the body-armor. The most difficult aspect of adding a ballistic vest will be securing the references, since this item was, from all indications, custom-made for the show, not a modified piece of commercial tactical wear.

As I intend this figure to be a "Marvel mutt"--a conflation of the printed and cinematic characters-- I will have a fair amount of leeway with which to play. . . Still, whatever I do must be believable and realistic. 

More to follow. . .

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

The Punisher - Prepwork II

Yesterday, I received the replacement weapons from 3dscalemodels (via Shapeways). In a word...OUTSTANDING! These magnificent 3d-printed renditions will replace the off-scale and/
or miscast eyesores that are provided in the kit. 

Today, I began preparing the weapons-swap by removing the kit-provided weapons. Removing weapons cast in situ is arguably one of the hardest things to execute in any conversion. The quality of the sculpture, casting, and medium-used will ultimately determine the ease--or diffi- culty!--of the undertaking: this one was harder than it should have been. Regardless, the hands are now ready to accommodate the new weapons--once I decide how I am going to arm The Punisher!

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

The Punisher - Prepwork I

As I mentioned in the review of the piece, the first thing I did was remove the grenades. They simply did not "work", and aesthetically were an eyesore.

The next "target" was the belt. As a standalone item, this did not work for any number of reasons:

• Too wide.
• Brass flip-top buckle.
• Outdated pouches that serve little purpose.

And since I intended to sculpt body-armour on the figure, the pouches would have to go. I will replace/sculpt some of the pouches once all the underlying equipment is finished.

Finally, I roughed-in the foundation of the body armor. More on this later. . .

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

Knight Models' The Punisher (KMV001)

As the Scarlet Swashbuckler rapidly approaches the home stretch, it is time to start contemplat- ing the project that will take its place--on the workbench, at least. And as I am still all over the Netflix Marvel Cinematic Universe (TV), I hunted down what is a nigh-unto-impossible casting to find. . . the premier release in Knight Models' 70mm Marvel Universe, The Punisher (KMV001, #307/500).

I never was a big Punisher fan per se, but his appearance on Daredevil,S.2--and leading role in his eponymous series--has definitely won me over!

This figure was released some 9 years ago. Regrettably, many of the problems that would plague the manufacturer are evident in its very first release! The Punisher is cast in white metal (3 pcs. + plinth). The sculpture and design are quite adequate, but the problems with medium, casting, and quality control are all there. The metal is quite soft, with a notably low proportion of tin. Casting is a solid B-/C, while quality control wavers between a C and a low B. Save for the softness of the metal, I would deem this a slightly better-than-average Knight Models' offering.

This version of The Punisher is based, I believe, on The Punisher MAX iteration of the character. I intend to start with that as a base, and tweak the figure in the direction of Jon Bernthal's charac- terization in the Netflix series. Details to follow. In the meantime, I have removed the grenades; pegged the figure; and mounted it on its workbase.

More to follow. . . 

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