The Unofficial Airfix Modellers' Forum

I got this curious thing a few Christmases ago and maybe it's time to see if I got the jam for it. If it proves too much I may default to some 35th scale mujahadeen I have buried somewhere, or really get crazy and do some kitbashing/scratchbuilding.......

What's in the box, a model or a board game?

It's a gaming figure for one the LOTR games, I understand. Some kind of die cast metal for the body and dio base, and a hard waxy plastic for the wings. Should be highly entertaining!

I'm intrigued

Looking forward to seeing this one emerge from it's lair.

gnomemeansgnome wrote:Should be highly entertaining!

From what I've read about this kit, it should indeed, but perhaps more so from a spectators point of view. Apparently, fit is something GW have heard of, and decided it was for wussies. Buy plenty of filler Given the mechanical load several joins will have to bear, you might also want to consider pinning the main joins, to stop the thing from collapsing under its own weight and torque on the wings.
On the brighter side, as far as I can tall from the activities of the various wargamers I've seen (and smelled) working on GW plastic, the plastic should respond to the usual glues and cements. If possible, I'd test just to make sure..

Cheers Rob, and thanks for the warnings. I have gotten similar messages from friends when I told them I was about to take leave of my senses and try to tackle this thing. One of the things I was warned about was to pin the thing together before laying in with green stuff or whatever. I might just default for now and tackle a scratchbuilt subject, as the materials and adhesive for this sort of thing tend to be a little pricey.

gnomemeansgnome wrote:I might just default for now and tackle a scratchbuilt subject, as the materials and adhesive for this sort of thing tend to be a little pricey.

Huh? I can imagine you thinking "maybe later", or migrating to the Krap Kits GB, but what materials did you intend to use? Mostly, I see thick CA and bits of brass rod used for pinning, and last time I checked, those won't break the bank (not even when you buy GW branded stuff )

I haven't been to a local gamer shop yet, but a friend has advised me that two part expoxy and something called Greenstuff will be needed for adhesive and filler. I will mount a fact finding mission soon. In the meantime I have a large stock of 35th scale figures both built and unbuilt that await my ministrations. Attachments like paperclips for pinning the metal bits together I have in abundance as well.

gnomemeansgnome wrote:I haven't been to a local gamer shop yet, but a friend has advised me that two part expoxy and something called Greenstuff will be needed for adhesive and filler. I will mount a fact finding mission soon. In the meantime I have a large stock of 35th scale figures both built and unbuilt that await my ministrations. Attachments like paperclips for pinning the metal bits together I have in abundance as well.

Greenstuff is a form of epoxy putty, just like Milliput. It stays somewhat flexible when cured, and so is almost impossible to sand, but is also has a smoother texture, which can be an advantage in some cases. Use whichever is available and seems to match the job at hand. In this case, Milliput will work just as well.
Two part epoxy is a possible adhesive, but anything gap filling that will work with metal is fine; I'm partial to PU glue myself. Epoxies tend to be faster though, which can be very usefull. The pinning will give the real strength, the gap filling is just to remove wiggle room that could be abused to overcome that strength.

How big is it? It certainly looks an interesting creature!

About seven or eight inches tall on its base and about the same in wingspan. I believe it is 20mm scale or so, so it would be I suppose roughly the same scale as most of my non-fantasy stuff. I will attempt to gather the correct building materials soon, budget allowing.

Haven't heard from you for a while. Are you still with us, or did that critter turn you into another wraith? In the latter case, does that present any special challenges or advantages while building models ?

Hey Rob. Yeah, sorry I haven't kept up on this; still hedging about whether I could hopefully tackle it soon or just drop out for now.